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HISTORY 



OF 



Franklin iCerro Gordo Counties, 



IOWA, 



TOGETHER WITH SKETCHES OF THEIR TOWNS, VILLAGES AND TOWNSHIPS, EDUCATIONAI 
CIVIL, MILITARY AND POLITICAL HISTORY; PORTRAITS OF PROM- 
INENT PERSONS,' AND BIOGRAPHIES OF 
REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS. 



HISTORY OF IOWA, 

EMBRACING ACCOUNTS OF THE PRE-HISTORIC RACES, AND A BRIEF REVIEW 
OP ITS CIVIL AND MILITARY HISTORY. 



ILLU STRATED 



SPRINOFIEl/D, ILIi. 

UNION P0BI,ISHINO COMPANY. 

1883. 






^ ■[ 




« Fi ^//^ 



TO THE PIONEERS 

OF 



THIS VOLUME IS 

RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED, 

WITH THE HOPE THAT VOUK VIKTDES MAY BE EMULATED 
AND YOUK TOILS AND SACRIFICES DULY APPRECIATED . 
BY COMING GENERATIONS. 






^l^ 



PREFACE. 



"Of the making of books there is no end," said the wise man thousands of years 
ago. If true at that day, when every copy had to be written by hand, it is doubly 
true now when with the aid of the printing press, the Archimedian lever that moves 
the world, each copy that is written is multiplied more than a thousand fold. 
There should be a reasonable demand or a good reason for the appearance of every 
book. No apology should be made for giving it to the people. Tn presenting this 
volume to our patrons we are sure that no apology need be offered. There is a good 
reason why it should have been written, and there was a reasonable demand for its 
appearance. Franklin and Cerro Gordo comprise a portion of one of the best States 
in the Union — a State the commencement of its settlement only covering a period of 
a half century, but which gives evidence of a growth and development unparalleled 
in the history of the world. To produce the great change that has been brought 
about in sa short a period of time, required toil and sacrifice on the part of men and 
women whose deeds of heroism deserve to be commemorated, if possible, in letters of 
gold. It is the province of the historian to record these heroic deeds, to tell of the 
sacrifices that have been made, to recount the struggles that have been undergone, 
that those now living, or who may come after them, may possess comforts which 
they were denied. Franklin and Cerro Gordo have been the home of some of these 
grand men and women. They are fast passing away, and it becomes necessary to 
record their good deeds ere it is too late ; to show their children and their chil- 
dren's children, what has been done for their sake, and urge them to emulate the good 
examples set before them. From the experiences of the past the lessons of the future 
are learned. In this volume we give the personal experience of hundreds who have 
been citizens of one or the other of the two counties. We have endeavored to do 
our work well. We have tried to act honorably with all men. As preliminary to the 






-T. 



■^t^ 



PREFACE 



work, and in order to insure correctness, and a work in whicli every citizen might feel 
a just pride, we asked that a committee be appointed in each county to examine the 
general history, and a like committee in each township to examine the township 
histories. This was done, and, with but one or two exceptions, every man thus ap- 
pointed served to the best of his ability, and the wisdom of the choice of the com 
mittees is shown in the work performed. We feel confident that we here present to 
our patrons a work that is as correct as human beings can make it. That errors will 
be discovered, we have no doubt. Man is a fallible being, but every statement herein 
published is honestly believed in by the persons furnishing the information, and by 
the members of the committee examining it. All desire the truth and nothing but the 
truth. They gave much time to the work, and deserve the thanks of all for the faithful 
manner in which they discharged the trust reposed in them. With the biograpical 
sketches we took sjjecial pains. If any errors occur it is the fault of the person fur- 
nishing the information, and not ours. An opportunity was given to correct, or even 
to re-write the sketches, and if it was not done, let the blame rest upon those who 
failed to do their duty, and not upon us. 

In no way is the truth better illustrated that man is dependent upon his fellow man 
than in the compilation of county histories. Unless help is rendered by interested 
persons, a poor book will be the result. We are happy to say that almost all on whom 
our historians called rendered all the aid in their power. In Franklin county we 
would especially thank the following named for services rendered : James Thompson, 
R. S. Benson, S. M. Jones, D. W. Dow, D. W. Mott, T. C. McKenzie, Austin North, all 
the county officers and all the members of the press. In Cerro Gordo we were aided 
materially by H. G. Parker, A. C. Owen, Alonzo Willson, I. W. Card, M. P. Rosecrans, 
George E. Frost, T. G. Emsley, G. R. Miller, the county officers and the members of 
the press. They have our most heartfelt thanks, and we will ever kindly remember 
them. The historians of the Company deserve to be remembered. They tried to do 
their work well and to please our patrons. 

In conclusion, we would say our work is done ; the History of Franklin and Cerro 
Gordo Counties is placed in your hands ; its handsome typographical appearance will 
commend itself to all, and we trust all will be pleased with the work. 

Union Puulishing Company. 






-elV 



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TABLE OF CONTENTS 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



CHAPTER I. 

PAGE 

INTRODUCTORY 17 

Original inljabitants 17 

Mound liuiklnvs is 

TbpRodMen '.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.['.'.'.['.'. 18 

Discovery of the Miseissippi 19 

Marquette '" ig 

LaSalle .1.1] 20 

Purchase of Louisiana 20 



CHAPTER II. 

INDIANS AND INDIAN WARS 21 

The minis, Saes and Foxes 21 

Tile lowas "22 

War l)etween Sacs and Foxes aiid lowiis 22 

The Sioux " ■ 24 

Blaoli Hawk Wur 31 

Battle of Bad-Axe 33 



CHAPTER III. 

INDIAN TREATIES 36 

Black Hawk Treaty 36 

Saes and Fox Treaty '.'.',] 38 

Treaty with the Sioiix 3!l 

Treaty with the Sacs 39 

Treaty with the Foxes '.". 39 

Treaty with the lowas 40 

Treaty with the Sacs of Kock River 40 

Treaty of 1824 Jo 

Treaty of ISM .'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'. 40 

Treaty with Saes, Foxes and other Tribes 41 

Treaty with the Winnebagos '41 

Treaty of im>, with the Sacs and Foxes .'.'.'.'.'.'.' 43 

Treaty of 18:i7 43 

Treaty of Relinquishment.. 42 

Treaty of 1842 !!!.'.'!!!!!! 43 



CHAPTER IV. 

EARLY SETTLEMENTS 43 

The liiil.ui|ur Settli'inent.. , 43 

The (liaril Si-ttli'mcnt 43 

The Montrose Settlement 43 

The Burlington Settlement ' 43 

The Keokuk Settlement 43 

Rules for the Gorerument of Dubuque. ... 45 



PAOE 

Military Interference with Settlements 45 

Extinguishment of Indian Titles 4(i 

The P\>rt Madison Settlement 47 

Flint Hills 47 

The Du\-euport Settlement 48 

Clayton County Settlement 48 

Council Bluffs 48 

DesMoines 49 

CHAPTER V. 

TERRITORIAL AND STATE ORGANIZATIONS. 50 

Territory of Wisconsin 60 

Territorial Council 50 

Organization of Counties 51 

Territ or.v of Iowa 51 

First Ten-iforial niHcers 51 

First l(>\v!i Teiiitiirial Legislature ,52 

First Session of t hi' Legislature 52 

A Stormy Session 52 

Selection of the Capital ,53 

Iowa City 53 

Loan for the Completion of the State House. '. . 53 

Woman's Hiiibts 54 

The Missoviri War sg- 

Attempt at State ( irganization '. 56 

Constitutional 1 'oTiNcntion 56 

Second Constitutional Convention : ,57 

Election of State Ollicers .57 

Salaries of State Ollicers 58 

CHAPTER VI. 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OPTHE STATE. 58 

State School Superintendent 58 

Public liuildinss 59 

Location cf state LTniversity 59 

Appoininiciit of Supreme Judges fiO 

Kailn^ad Buildings 63 

<irt;aniz:itioM ot the Republican Party 63 

Ctmstitiitioiial t.'onvention 64 

Dos Moines Chosen the State Capital fi4 

Census by Counties 67 

CHAPTER VII. 

GEOLOGY— TOPOGRAPHY— WATER COURSES 69 

Azoie S.vstem 70 

Lower Silurian System 70 

Upper Silurian System 71 



.y 



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PAGE 

Devonian System 71 

Carboniferous System 71 

Cretacious System 75 

Peat 76 

Gypsum 76 

Minor Deposits Sulphate of Lime 78 

Sulphate of Stronita 78 

Sulphate of Baryta 78 

Sulphate of Magnesia 78 

Climate 79 

Topograph,"? 79 

Lakes and Streams 80 

CHAPTER VIII. 

IOWA AND THE REBELLION 89 

Response to the Nation's Call 90 

First Infantry 96 

Secoiiil Infantry 97 

Thirrl Infantry 97 

Fourth Infantry 98 

Fifth Infantrv 98 

Siith Infantry 98 

Seventh Infantry 98 

Eifrhth Infantry 99 

Ninth Infantrv 99 

Tenth Infantry 99 

Eleventh Infantry 100 

Tui'lfth Infantry 100 

Tliiitienth Infantry 101 

Fourteenth Infantry 101 

Fifti'enth Infantrv.". 101 

Si.vteenth Infantrv 102 

Seventeciitli Infantry '. 103 

Hitihtcemh Infantry." 103 

Niiirteelltll Infantrv 103 

Twentieth Infantry 103 

Twent.\'-first Infantr.v ." 103 • 

Twentv-seeoiul Infantry 104 

Twenty-third I nfantry 104 

Twentv-fourth Infatitrv 10,5 

Tweiit.v-tifth Infantry.'. 105 

Twenty-si.xlh Infantry 105 

Twenty-se\ enth Infantry 105 

Twent.v-eiK lith 1 nfantry 106 

Twent.v-nintli Infantry : 106 

Thirtieth Infantry 106 

Thirty-tirst Infantry 107 

Thirty-seeonil Infantry 107 

'flii rt y-t h ircl In fantry 107 

'J'liiity-fonrth Infantry 107 

Thirty-litth Infantry 108 

Thirt.\-si.vth lnfant"ry 108 

Thirty-seventh Infantry 108 

Thirty-eiyhth Infantry 109 

Thiity-nintli Infantry 109 

Fortieth Infantry 110 

Forty-flrst Infantry 110 



PAGE 

Forty-fourth Infantrv 110 

Forty-flfth Infantry Ill 

Forty-sixth Infantry Ill 

Forty-seventh Infantry Ill 

Fort.v-eighth Infantry Ill 

First Cavalry Ill 

Second Cavalry 113 

Third Cavalry 113 

Fourth Cavalry 113 

Fifth Cavalry 113 

Sixth Cavalry 113 

Seventh Cavalry 113 

Eighth Cavalry 114 

Ninth Cavalry 114 

First liatfi-rv 114 

Second Hattcry 114 

Third liatterv". 115 

Fon rt h Kattery 115 

Iowa liegiinen't of Colored Troops 115 

Northern Border Brigade .- 115 

Southern Border Brigade 115 

Promotions 115 



CHAPTER IX. 

PAGE 

EDUCATION AL— STATE INSTITUTIONS 117 

The First School House 117 

Act for the Estalilishment of Common Schools. 118 

The St.iti' Universitv 131 

State XdiniHl Si-hoo'l 123 

St^te Aji-ricultural College 124 

Other Colleges and Universities 134 

Deaf and Dumb Institute 126 

Collesre for the Bhnd 126 

Iowa Hospital for the Insane 137 

Hosi>ital for thf Insane at Independence 128 

Soldiers' Orphans' Home 138 

Asylum for Fe.l.le Minded Children 139 

Penal Iirstitiitinns 129 

Anarnosa I'eniti-ntiary 130 

Bovs' Refi>rni Sihool 130 

State llisi,>riciil Siieiety 131 

State .\i:rii-ultural Society 131 

Fish-Ilatchins House 131 



CHAPTER XI. 



TERRITORIAL AND STATE OFFICERS— 

Robert Lucas 215 

John Chambers 230 

.lami s ( 'hlrlii' 32:i 

Other Territorial Officers 227 

State OIHcers 237 



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J- 



TABLE OF CONTENTS. 



VII 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



CHAPTER I. 

PAGE. 

INTRODUCTIORT 133 

CHAPTER II, 
TOPOGRAPHY AND GEOLOGY 135 

CHAPTER III. 
EARLY SETTLEMENTS 137 

CHAPTER IV 

THE BEGINNING 14T 

Organization of the County 148 

Location of the County Seat 148 

County Buildings 153 

Organization of Townships 153 

CHAPTER V. 

COUNTY GOVERNMENT AND OTHER OFFI- 
CIAL MATTERS 155 

County Court 155 

Board of Supervisors 156 

Financial 158 

I*opulation 161 

Register of Deeds 161 

Matrimonial 161 

CHAPTER VI. 

THE COURTS OF FRANKLIN COUNTY 163 

District Court 163 

Circuit Court 173 

County Court 175 

CHAPTER VII. 

THE BAR OF FRANKLIN COUNTY 175 

The Bar of the Past 176 

The Bar of To-day 183 

CHAPTER VIII. 



EDUC ATII INAL 

Sihdol I'liiiil Commissioners 
Educational Development .. 
Present Co!idition . 



189 

192 

193 

194 

The Normal Institute 197 

CHAPTER IX. 

THE MEDICAL PROFESSION 198 

First Physician in the County 198 

Maysville Physicians 199 

Hampton«J*hysicians 199 

Geneva Physicians.- 303 

Sheffield Physicans 204 

Chapiu Physicians 307 

Latimer Physicians 207 

Dows Physicians 307 

Franklin' County Medical Society 308 

CHAPTHaX. 



EARLY DAYS '». 309 

By Levi S. Jones :*. 310 

Experience of E. A. Howland 310 

By Mrs. H.J. MitcheU ■ 213 

By L. B. Raymond 314 

The Indian Scare 330 



CHAPTER XI. 

PAGE 

POLITICAL 224 

Official Vote 338 

CHAPTER XII. 

NATIONAL, STATE AND COUNTY REPRE- 
SENTATION 249 

Congressional 249 

Members of the General Assembly 251 

County Judges 253 

County Auditors 2.55 

Treasurer and Recorders 255 

County Treasurers 2.56 

County Recorders 2.57 

Clerks of Courts 257 

County Coroners 2,58 

County Surveyors 259 

Sheriffs 2.59 

Drainage Commissioners 360 

Prosecuting Attorneys 361 

CHAPTER XIII. 
AGRICULTURE AND AGRICULTURAL SOCIE- 
TIES 361 

Stock Raising 365 

The First Fair 366 

The Re-Organized Society 368 

CHAPTER XIV 

THE PRESS 269 

The Franklin Record 370 

The Fi-anklin Reporter 275 

The Franklin Recorder 275 

Hampton Free Press 281 

The Magnet 383 

The Chronicle 383 

Real Estate Journal — 383 

Hampton Leader 384 

The Sheffield Press 384 

CHAPTER XV. 

THE WAR FOR THE UNION 386 

Franklin Couuty Volunteers 390 

Roll of Honor 304 

CHAPTER XVI. 

RAILROADS 306 

. Illinois Central 306 

Central Iowa Railway 306 

Dubuque & Dakota 310 

Projected Railroads 311 

CHAPTER XVII. 

EVENTS OP INTEREST 311 

CHAPTER XVIII. 

CLINTON TOWNSHIP 318 

Settlement 318 

Organic 323 

Town OF Sheffield 333 

Incorporation 333 

Schools and Churches 323 

Societies 334 

Business Interests 335 

Postofflce ., 343 



^! 



vm 



TABLE OF CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER XIX. 

PAGE 

GENEVA TOWNSHIP 344 

Settlement 34.5 

Organic 364 

Schools 364 

Religious 365 

Geneva Vill.^qe 365 

Societies 36" 

CHAPTER XX. 

GK.\NT TOWNSHIP 368 

Settlement 368 

Items of Interest 373 

Organic 373 

Schools 373 

CHAPTER XXI. 

HAMILTON TOWNSHIP 374 

Settlement 374 

First Things 383 

Organic 38* 

Educational 384 



384 
385 
390 



417 
419 
433 
434 
428 
439 
430 
430 
430 
430 



CHAPTER XXII. 

HAMPTON CITY AND WASHINGTON TOWN- 
SHIP 

The Beginning 

First Things 

Business Development 

Hampton Creamery 

Banks 

Heligious 

Societies 

Educational 

Postoffice 

Recorded Plats 

Incorpttration 

Washington Township 

Prominent Citizens 

CHAPTER XXm. 

INGRAM TOWNSHIP 433 

Settlement 4*i 

Organization 44i 

First Events 44b 

Schools and Churches 448 

Village OF Hansell 4o0 

Postofflces 453 

Spring Valley Farm 4o3 

CHAPTER XXIV. 

LEE TOWNSHIP 4.W 

Settlement 407 

Organic »0 

Items of Interest.. 4«>0 

CHAPTER XXV. 

MARION TOWNSHIP 461 

Settlement 461 

Organic 46,5 

Educational 465 

Village OF L.iTiMER 466 

CHAPTER XXVI. 

MORGAN TOWNSHIP 466 

Settlement 466 

Organic 4i3 

Schools 4.3 

Village ofDows »« 

Business Developments 474 

Itcligious 478 

Societies -. ,■ 4i8 



CHAPTER XXVII. 

page 

MOTTTOWNSHIP 479 

Settlement 479 

FirstEvents 490 

Organic 491 

Schools 491 

Religious 491 

CHAPTER XXVIII. 

OAKL AND TOWNSHIP 493 

Settlement 493 

Historical Events 498 

Oakland Village 498 

Churches 499 

CHAPTER XXIX. 

OSCEOLA TOWNSHIP 500 

Settlement .500 

First Events .509 

Heligious .509 

Village of Faulkner ,509 

CHAPTER XXX. 

REEVE TOWNSHIP 510 

Settlement 510 

Organic 533 

Items of Interest .532 

Schools .534 

Religious .534 

CHAPTER XXXI. 

ROSS TOWNSHIP 535 

Early Settlement 535 

First Events .5.56 

Schools 556 

Religious 556 

Organic 556 

Vill-VGE op Chapin 556 

CHAPTER XXXH. 

RICHLAND TOWNSHIP ,5.57 

Settlement 558 

First Events .564 

Religious .564 

Old Village of Chapin 565 

CHAPTER XXXIII. 

SCOTT TOWNSHIP 565 

Settlement .565 

Organic ,566 

Events of Interest 666 

Schools 566 

Religious .567 

Alexander 567 

CHAPTER XXXIV, 

WEST FORK TOWNSHIP ,568 

■ Early Settlements 5.58 

Organic 586 

FirstThings .586 

Churches .586 

Schools .587 

CHAPTER XXXV. 

WISNER TOWNSHIP ,587 

Settlement -588 

Organic 588 

First Events 588 

Schools 588 









^ 



BIOGRAPHICAL 



PAGE 

Ahiams, A. S 351 

Ahinms.H. D 328 

Abrnms, Henry J 560 

Adams, joh a H 530 

Adams, W. T 554 

Alexander. E. E 408 

Allen,Jame-. W 433 

Allen, David 4S! 

Andrews,H.H 354 

Andrew's, Allen 354 

Andrews, (). D 51H 

Anderson, Andrew 5lil) 

Anderson, A. C 560 

Anway, James 4^1(1 

Appelhy, Isaac 355 

Arffent, Thom-iS F 3511 

Arlidge. L. H 108 

Armstrong, Lemuel... 434 

Armstrong, Merrill 435 

Aseraissen, H. L 47fi 

Atkinson, J. A 485 

Avery, Frank 582 

Avery, W. P 5.58 

Baker, S. E 541 

Baker, T. H IW 

Bailey. James M 531 

Bailey, Samuel 44-' 

Bailey, T. W 44U 

Bany-s, Alonzo A 471 

Bang.s, S^aniuel W 473 

Barrv, Frank 442 

Barney, (,'. S 32fi 

Baurr, John 350 

Beach, Frank . : 3.59 

Beck, J. B 484 

Bced, George 421 

Bei!d. James H 3!I5 

Beed. William G 395 

Beed, Charles S98 

Ik'hn, P'rederick 464 

Bell, John f 358 

Bell, Ludwig 359 

Belzer, Louis 357 

Bender J 321 

Benson. It. S 41<i 

Benson, Kufus 340 

Hennington. W. J 465 

Berry, P. C 347 

Bigg, D. E 341 

Bigelow, Levi 494 

Bird, Koberl L 523 

Bird, A. H Sfi 

Bird, Isaac 548 

Blake, Hichard T .501 

Bland, J- H 183 

Bobst, Joseph 481 

Boddv, William 370 

Bolton, John 325 

Booth, C. E 201 

Boots, John M 363 

Boots, Martin 346 

Borst, John L 341 

Borst, James 342 

Boutin, C. W 407 

Bowen, W.S 344 



PACE 

Brande, James 493 

Bradley, J. H 174 

Brainard, O. H 420 

B.idgeman, A. H 179 

Brogan, Wesley 369 

Brown, Benjamin S.... 486 

Bruce, J. W 341 

Bryan, W. B 35ii' 

Bullis, William T 369| 

Burns, G. W 446 

Burns. Michael 504 

Burres, W. L 409 

Burnham, Edward 439 

Bu^hjjiger, J G 575 

[lui-m<*strr, Henry 485 

liiitriTiifld, Benjamin. 514 
liuUurlield, JohnS.... 514 
Butterfleld, Luther.... 502 
Byerlee, D.N 338 



Caldwell, E .519 

Canfield. M 204 

Canfleld. Charles L 360 

Pannam. A. J 412 

Carhart. L. B 33' 

Carter. A.B 338 

Carter. A. K 40: 

Chambers. O. A 438 

Chapman, N. B 180 

Chase, D. D 168 

Church, C. A 563 

Church, D. A .563 

Church, Walter A 18' 

Church, David 346 

Churchouse, R. J.. . .. 333 

Ciaypool, N. B 445 

Clemmens, N 35:^ 

Clf-mmer, G. G 42;: 

Clock. H. A 464 

Clock, Eugene . 481 

Clock, C. L 256 

Clock, .larvis 348 

Clock, H. C ; 

Coble, T. H 410 

Cook. John P 249 

Coon. S. S 40; 

Cooney, Martin .503 

Cooper, W. F 207 

Corning, G. A 201 

Cornish, P. E 207 

Crapser, .S . O .570 

Crawford, J . E 548 

Crawford, William. 486 

Crawford, G. W 543 

Crosby, A. P 335 

Culver, Levi.. 576 

Cummings, J. W 485 



Darling, J 445 

Doherty, Simon 4.50 

Darrah, Robert :575 

Daris, S. A 489 

Davi.s, E. T .585 

Davidson, W N 170 

Day, W. W 254 

Deering. N. C 250 



PAGE 

Donovan, M. K 504 

Dovey, John 360 

Dow, DanielW 183 

Eddy, H. S 4.59 

Eddv. William 547 

Ellis, William ,543 

Elliott, David 370 

Elsefifer, Louis 3.57 

Engebretson. P. K 559 

Eriekson, Clans 490 

Esslinger, Samuel 479 

Esslinger, Edward... . 581 

Esslinger, Emanuel... 580 

Evans, Frank 49' 

Evans, John E 193 

Evans, W. D 186 



Fraatz, F. L 401 

Fahey, John .503 

Farnsworth, I William... 585 

Fessler, Henry 37J 

Floyd, H. R 201 

Ford, George J 3:W 

Vox, Thomas 530 

Fink, Christopher 489 

Fraser, J . W 4.59 

Frazer. James K 472 

Fredericks. Johann 464 

Funk, J. Z. E 202 

Frost, E. K 546 

Galer,, J. B 200 

Gans, J. T 441 

C.arVer, William 577 

Gear, G. L 334 

GerfcQ, Henry ,55:1 

Gibbs, M. D "' 

GibjS, S. A 546 

Ctibson, George C 47' 

Giften, J. D 18; 

Gilchrist, Joseph :S43 

(iilger, J. W 183 

Gillett, Chauncy 251 

Goble, J . M 530 

Goppinger, George B45 

Graham, John 476 

Grassley, L. P 464 

Green, C. B 524 

Green, J. A 566 

Greeu, Christopher.... ;322 

Green, James 321 

(iridley, S. O .563 

Guilford, C. S 2.58 

Guthrie, Dr .. 199 

Hacker, T. H 461 

Hagenson, N. W 496 

Haight, J.F 183 

Hall, Thomas .574 

Hall, S. E 402 

Hall, Lvman 439 

Hamblin, P. M :MI 

Hamilton, Andrew .374 

Hamilton, Robert ;i75 

Hamilton, Lloyd 405 



PAGK 

Hamilton, William 446 

Hanks, E. P 4SI 

Hansen, George W 450 

Harris, W . H 5.55 

Harriman, W. P 186 

Harriman, 0. B lOii 

Harstwell, William.... 32(; 
Hartgraves. JohnR... 467 

Hartman, John 53;J 

Havens. Benjamin 372 

Haymond, Jacob 360 

Haymond. E. H 363 

Heitman, Bernard .... 358 
Herbster. John G. . 35li 

Hemingway, J. M 185 

Henderson, H. C, 173 

Henley, D,W 185 

Heuberger, Jacob. .. 554 

Hicks, JohnG 529 

Hill, E. B .560 

Hilliker, Orlando 439 

Hobbie,C. C 405 

Hocking, H. D 332 

Holden.L.P 430 

Holloran. Michael 507 

Homer. W.C 347 

Homer. Richard 347 

Horstman. L 585 

Howland.E.A 252 

Hoxie. W.H 431 

Hov, William 187 

Hudson, Y. E. B 573 

Hudson. A. B 259 

Hudson. AmosB 524 

Humphrey, Dr 201 

Hunt, James .531 

Hunter, J. E 480 

Hutchins, James H 200 

Hyndman,6.C 530 

Ihde, Henry 354 

Imlay, ,Ioha 510 

Ingham, George H 4:i4 

Inglis, D. D 42:i 

I verson, J.J 474 

Iverson, Iver 497 

Iverson, Brick S 496 

James, John L 323 

Jeffers. Byron 462 

Jetlers, Robert 410 

Jenkins, John 475 

Jenkins, William 575 

John. E. J 585 

John. CD 584 

Johnson , Jacob P 566 

Johnson, Simon .543 

Johnson, W. B :370 

Jones, Benjamin 434 

Jones, Benjamin ....;.. 447 

Jones, M. B 260 

Jones, S. M 420 

Jones, W. B 513 

Johnston, James J 517 

Jones, T.W 513 

Jones, Levi 513 



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TABLE OF CONTENTS. 



PAGE 

Jones, John C 53 



Jordan, Q. A, 



346 



Keeling, E. B 3V1 

Kollam, A.G Wi 

Ki'iiipthorne, Charles.. 376 

Kent, J<ihn F 477 

Kii-fer, E.C 408 

Kirfor, William H 583 

Kinff. John H 183 

Klinefelter, Jacob 486 

K nau, Adam 355 

Knesel, John 577 

Knesel, J. S 578 

Ivnoll, John 356 

Kiiifht, E. M .54' 

Kratz. Philip 518 

Krnkrow, William .583 

Kugier, Gotleili 582 

Kurtz, Jacob 531 

Lane, L. D 353 

Lane, Jereniah 458 

Lathrop, L. S 432 

Latham, M. D 533 

Latimer, J. P 423 

Lawrence, L 337 

Lavman, J. J 180 

Leahy, M. A 180 

Leas, J. J 200 

Lee, Dr 304 

Lcfever, James 444 

Lill, F. K. H ■AT 



Little, A. T 

Lockwood, L. N. . 

Looniis, D 

Loss, Lucius 

Lowe, O. F 

Luke, Garrett W. 
Luke, J. W. 



PAGE PAOeI page 

Myer, John W 372 Ray. James 573:Thompson, 1. 1 563 

Mickel, Gifford 440 Raymond, L, B 277 Thompson, O. P 201 

Miller, H.J 476 Reed, L 441 rin.imison, James 387 

Miller, Jacob 490 Reeve, James B 3.'>:> I'linmpson, O. P 331 

Miller, Isaac 2.55 Reevfe, A.T 181 Tlimnpson,Wm. H 345 

Millard, Henry J .531 Reeve, John R 513iTidd,C. H 303 

Miner, G. R 187 Rice, Amon 479Tilman,0. H 363 

Mlnert, G. H 44:? Riddle, J. S 463 Tilton.B. R 333 

Minor, A. N 2.">n KitrK-ins, E 581 Timcrmnn, W. B .522 

Miracle, D. D 174 Hobcrts, W. A tOT Tompkins, H. A 331 

Missman, Herman 403, Huberts, H. P 202, Towle, Warren S 521 



345 

,569 

318 

, 482 

. 405 

. 534 

^86 

Lumley, Gideon 461 

McCarron, Thomas .508 

501 
3.53 
563 
185 
376 



McCann, Patrick 
McClelland, Edward 
McClintock, N. B.... 
McCormick, J. T... . 

McCracken, T.E 

McDonald, N 411 

McDougle, James W... 3.55 

McFarland, Cave J 163 

McKenzie, J. W 170 

McKenzie, Tom C 184 

McKenzie, W. F 341 

McManus, James .503 

McMillen, W. H 541 

McMillen, A.G 5.58 

McNeill, John 485 

Malonc, Thomas 378 

Mallorj, D. C 431 

Maiiilold, Elciizor ;?48 

Marble, Warner.. .. :.. 482 

Marks, Krnst .584 

Marks, W. F .555 

Meehan, John iSS 

Mendell, S.J 471 

Mennins, John 461 

Messelheiser, George.. 485 

Meyer, Henry 568 

Meyer, Frederick 568 

Meyer, Daniel .508 

Meyer, John 518 

Meyer, Heinrich 463 

Meyer, Heinrlch 371 

Meyer, Henry 356 



Mitchell, H.J 511 

Mitchell. 1. J 160 

Mitchell, S. R 190 

Montgomery, J . N. . . . . . 458 

Morgan, John 477 

Morgan, Lewis H 466 

Morgan, F. P 385 

Morehouse, E. E 333 

Morehouse, H 3.33 

Moris, E . F.. i«5 

Mott, Jonathan 4.55 

Mott, C.J 4.5: 

Mott. Damon — 4.5' 

Mott, D. W 456 

Mott, A. M 457 

Movie, William .5.59 

Muhlenbruch, Henri... 465 

Mulford, Thomas .520 

Mulldns, J. S 514 

Mulkins, Isaac C 513 

Mulkins.S.P .M: 

Mulni.'i, James A 208 

Myers, Moses ■ ■ ■ 50^ 

Myers, I. W 41' 

Nichols, W. E 338 

Nobles, W. S 52;! 

Noble, Henry .581 

Nolte, Charles .584 

North, Austin 254 

Norton, E. A 408 

Norton, James A 199 

Nowell, John 482 



Roberts.Cyrus 401 iTrain, Robert E 466 

Robinson, Isaac 495iTreanor, James .504 

Hodemeyer, Henry 463 Treganza, .John 336 

Rodemeyer, F 462 Trindle, .James 437 



Roemer, C 445 Trumbull, M. M 176 

Rose, Milo 481 Trumbower, JohnR... 508 

Rose, Samuel L 173 Tucker. W. K 437 

Ross, A. S .536Tallhelm, Levi. 



Rose, M. H 302 

Reinke.W. C 355 

Richer, John H 342 

Runvan, John M 363 

Ryan, Edward 37r 

St. Clair,A. D 520 

Schollein, George 553 

Schulz, Ferdinand 472 

Schultz,H. E 476 

Scott, MUo 481 

Scott, Henry 481 

37" 

4:i 

4;i 

.560 
559 
378 



Tucker. H. Z. 
Ufford, A. W 



583 
250 



Vandever, Wm.. 

Vankirk, David H 533 

533 

563 
578 



Vincent, John. 
Vought, David . . .. 
Van Riper, Garrett. 



Scuntlebury, Edward. 
Selix, Simon... 
Selii, David F. . 
Seriey, Charles. 
Seruy. Kuliert.. 
sharp!', .lames. 

hepherd.Amos 532 

^liroyer, Henry 254 

shroyer, Lewis 517 

Sime, A. O. 49r 



siafe Joseph ^ 1% W^^^by, Charles. . . 588 

socSit^^T"^::::;;;;;; '^^^^^j^ fr^' Isl 

smith, Obadlah 2.V.I " l'^' ,lh^V.:„; !2! 



O'Brien, Edward 50' 

Ormrod, James 336 

Palmer, Henry .56: 

Parks, William..- 32s 

Parker, Nathan 400 

Parkinson, Samuel 467 

Patton, D. J 486 

Panlus, Fred 486 

31 

a58 

378 

483 

496 

372 

335 

399 

179 

530 

372 

30;i 

49: 

16' 

304 

2.50 



Pearse, James 

Pearse Jeft rey 

Pearson, Jacob 

Pease, ttoorgeW 

Peterson, Rev. N 

Penny, Newton 

Perrin, Joseph 

I'helps, Josiah 

Piatt, R, F 

Pickerinf- Albert 

Plattner, Nicolaus 

Pool, V. B 

Popejoy , John I 

Porter, John 

Potter, J. M 

Pratt, H. O. 



Pride, John M 201 

Quasdorf, August 468 

Randolph, W. D. F 543 



Smith, Obadlah 
Smith, W. P. 
Smith, F. D. 

Smith, E.F *"•' wliffnev A r 

Snyder, James M ''^'iwh niv'c E 

Sny.ler. A nthony 378; ;;|;|t;^':J;.'- „*' ' ' ' 



... 411'. 

.. 4(l'.l , 
. . 40.". 



Wagner, Isaiah .508 

Wait, John M 255 

; Wulliicc, J. W 376 

.' Walton. C. W 495 

1, Waiianiaker, N.J 383 

Ward, William 258 

Waters, A. K 490 

Way, Isaac T 529 

Weaver, S. P . 547 

Weaver, William H 471 

Webber, Moses A 371 

West, C. F 199 

588 
481 
484 

Whipple, William 468 

Whipple, R. H 188 

Whitney, J. C 283 

• - 33» 

383 

IWhitmore, M 453 

1 Wilde, Richard 336 

','wil.le, J. T 337 

Wilkiiis.W 440 

: Willhelm, C. E 3.36 

l; Willi.x.E. B 475 

' Wilson, George H 4.59 

Wilton, George W .531 

Wire, Jacob 483 

Witthott, J. C 545 

Wohllord, E. H 464 

Wod.l, Albert R 473 

Wood lev, Jacob 438 

Woodlev, R 443 

WoU, Casper 484 

Wolf, William 489 

Wolf, William M 490 

Wolf, David 490 

Wright, George 4.58 

Wright, E. D .536 

]85| 

Taylor, William 4.58lYelland, W. R 5.54 

Thomas, Theodore 539 Ycnter, John M 354 

William 33i 



Soper, G. W. 
Sojier, J. M. 

Springer, F. M 

Stackhouse, G. H 

Stalker, J. W 

Stalker, Mrs. J. W.. 

Stearns, John T 

Stenson.E. H 

Stephen, S. C 

Stickney, W. C 

Stockdale, Thomas. 
Stoddard, Lovelett. . 
Stonebraker, W. J. . . 

Stout. J. M 

Stiuirt, I. I. 

SInili r, Joseph 

Suttun, George 

Sweet. O. F.- ... ,... 
-^^ ■:• -.--, '• 
Taylor, T. B. 



411 
517 
51:3 

44f 

4(11' 

408 

18] 

377 

26(1 

4111 , 

:i75 

;i.".:i 
:!'.i7 

532,. 
281 

;j7o!, 

443, 
399 1, 



Thomas. 

Thomas, Joseph 337 

Thompson, James D... 16^ 



Zimmerman, J. G. 
Zimmerman, O. P. 



544 
337 



- 



\ 



<9 1^ 



,k 



PORTRAITS. 



PAGE 

Appleby, Maria 195 

Bryau, W. B 350 

Bryan, Mrs. W. B 351 

Green, Chris 339 

[mlay, John. 216 

Inilay. Mrs. John 217 



PAGE 

Johnson, S .'BS 

Johnson, Mrs. S .539 

Mott, C.J 561 

Mott, D. W 451 

Mott,A. M 487 

Myers, I. W 414 

Myer8,Mrs.l. W 415 



PAGE 

Pearse, James 361 

Pease, George W 3:35 

Porrin, J 391 

Quasdorf, August 469 

Raymond, L. B 571 

Richer, John H 319 

Robin.son, Isaac 392 

Robinson, Mrs. Isaac... •"" 



PA(iE 

St. Clair, A. D 1.59 

Shepherd, A .526 

Shepherd, Mrs. A ,527 

Thompson, Wm. H 177 

Wallace, J W ;i.so 

Wallace, Mrs. J. W 381- 

Wheeler, I. B 40:i 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



CHAPTER I. 



THE CHANGE. 



PAGE 
. .. 589 



CHAPTER II. 
LOCATION, TOPOGRAPHY AND GEOLOGY. 



590 



CHAPTER III. 

EARLY SETTLEMENT 592 

ByH.G. Parker ._. 593 

CHAPTER IV. 

CREATION AND ORGANIZATION OF THE 

COUNTY UUl 

The County Seat 603 

CHAPTER V. 

COUNT!' GOVERNMENT AND OFFICIAL 

MATTERS 605 

The County Court 605 

Board of Supervisors 609 

Population 613 

First Instruments Recorded 614 

Matrimonial 614 

Vital Statistics 616 

Ciyil Sub-div'Siona 617 

CHAPTER VI. 

INDIAN TROUBLES 618 



*71. 



CHAPTER VII. 

PAGE 

JUDICIAL 634 

District Court 624 

Circuit Court 826 

County Court 627 

CHAPTER VIII.. 

THE BAR or CERHO GORDO COUNTY 628 

The Bar of the Past 639 

The Present Bar 635 

CHAPTER IX. 

THE MEDICAL PROFESSION 645 

Masoit City Physicians 645 

Ckai Lake Physicians 652 

Rockwell Physicians 655 

Plymouth Physicians 655 

CHAPTER X. 

THE PRESS OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY 657 

Cerro Gordo Press 658 

( erro Gordo Republican 658 

Clear Lake Independent ' 661 

Clear Lake Observer 663 

Clear Lake Mirror 662 

Mason City E.xpress 663 

The Freeman 665 

The Western Democrat 66ti 

Mason City Times 686 

The Phonograph 671 

Clear Laki' li( cord 672 

The Plymouth News 61- 






±t^ 



XII 



TABLE OF CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER XI. 

PAGE 

REMIXISCENCES OF PIONEERS fi73 

B}' M. P. Kosecnins 673 

By trtoijfo E. Frost t)74 

liv Will Ed. Tucker 677 

By T. H. Parker 677 

CHAPTER XU. 

EDUCATIONAL 678 

School Fund Commissioner 681 

County SuperinteuiJents 682 

The Development 68.5 

Teachers' Normal Institutes 686 

CHAPTER Xni. 

AGRICULTURE AND AGRICULTURAL SOCIE- 
TIES 

Stock Raising 

Cerro Gordo County Agricultural Society 



687 
688 
691 



CHAPTER XIV. 



POLITICAL . . . 

Official Vote. 



693 
692 



CHAPTER XV. 



NATIONAL, STATE AND COUNTY REPRE- 
SENTATION 

Congressional 

Auditor of State ; 

Republican Electors 

Kejf ister State Land Office 

District Judge 

District Attorney 

Government Appointments 

State Bank Examiners 

State Appointments 

Members of the General Assembly 

Covinty Judges 

County Auditors 

Treasurer and Recorders 

County Treasurer 

County Recorders 

Clerk of Courts 

Sheriffs 

Prosecuting Attorneys 

County Surveyors 

County Assessor 

Coroners ^ 

Drainage Commissioners 



706 
706 
706 
7U9 
709 
709 
709 
709 
709 
709 

no 

715 
719 
720 
720 
721 
724 
726 
729 
729 
730 
730 
731 



CHAPTER XVI. 

RAILROADS 732 

Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul 733 

Central Railway of Iowa 733 

Austin & Mason City Railroad '. 733 

Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern 733 

Projected Railroads 734 

CHAPTER XVII. 

OLD SETTLERS' ASSOCIATION 734 

First .Meeting 736 

Second Meeting 737 

CHAPTER XVin. 
THE WAR-ITS CAUSES 7.i8 

CHAPTER XIX. 

CERRO GORDO COUNTY IN THE ■WAR 74:1 

EtilistuifUts 74.5 

Roll ol Honor 746 

CHAPTER XX. 

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS CHRONOLOGICAL- 



LY .\RRANGED. 



747 



CHAPTER XXI. 

. PACE 

BATH TOWNSHIP 757 

Settlemnnt 757 

First Things 763 

( irgantc 763 

Schools 763 



CHAPTER XXII. 



764 
764 
775 



CLEAR LAKE TOWNSHIP 

Early .Settlement 

First Events 

()ii;anic 775 

St'iiools - 775 

Tciwx OF Clear Lake 775 

Recorded Plats 775 

Early Days 776 

Educatior.al 777 

Postoffice , 782 

Societies 782 

Religious 785 

City Park 7'.I2 

Incorporation 792 

. Business Interests 792 

Hotels 798 

Clear Lake MiUs 799 

State Camp Meeting Grounds 800 

CHAPTER XXra. 

DOUGHERTY TOWNSHIP 80:! 

Early Settlement 803 

Organic 806 

First Things 806 

Schools 806 

Religious 807 

CHAPTER XXIV. 

FALLS TOWNSHIP 807 

Settlement 808 

Organic 8*29 

First Events 829 

An Incident of Hardship 830 

Churches 830 

Schools 831 

Plymouth Village 833 

Plymouth Mills 8:14 

Railroads 834 

Cemetery Association 831 

A Tiagic Death 8:14 

Rock Falls 935 

Water Power 8.35 

Creamery 836 

Incorporation 836 

Religious 837 

Ladies Union Aid Society 837 

CHAPTER XXV. 

GENESEO TOWNSHIP 838 

Early Settlement 838 

Organic 848 

Schools 848 

ViLL-iGE OF Rockwell 849 

Business Interests 849 

Postoffice ■. 853 

Schools 8»4 

Societies 8.54 

Churches 855 

Rockwell Cornet Band 8.56 

Incorporation 857 

Rockwell's E.xperience with Saloons R5'J' 

CHAPTER XXVI. 

GRIMES TOWNSHIP 859 

Organic mO 

Schools ' 860 



■f ^ 



Ihiu 



TABLE OF CONTENTS. 



XIIT 



CHAPTER XXVn. 



PAGE 

8fi3 

863 

■/.'.'. 868 

Organic ^***^ 

Schools S6** 

Religious *» 



r.RANT TOWNSHIP 

Si'llI'Miieilt 

First Events 



CHAPTER XXVni. 

LAKE TOWNSHIP 869 

Settlement 870 

Organic ^82 

First Events ■•• 882 

Schools 882 

CHAPTER XXIX. 

LINCOLN TOWNSHIP 8a3 

Earl V Settlement SSS 

Orjfanic 891 

Schools sm 

Religious 892 

Lincoln Springs Creamery 893 

Mills 893 

A Winter Night's Experience 893 

CHAPTER XXX. 

LTMECREEK TOWNSHIP 893 

Early Settlement 89-1 

Organic 905 

Schools 905 

Religious.... 906 

Boulder Care 907 

Lime Creek Brick Yard 907 



CHAPTER XXXI. 



MOUNT VERNON TOWNSHIP 

Settlement — 

Organic 

First Events 

Schools. 



908 
908 
909 
910 
910 



Religious 910 

CHAPTER XXXII. 

OWENTOWNSHIP 910 

Early Settlement 911 

Organic 915 

Constitutional Amendment 91,5 

First Birth and llarriage 915 

Schools 916 



CHAPTER XXXIII. 

PAGE 

PORTLAND TOWNSHIP !'17 

Settlement "1^ 

Organic ''27 

Two Men Frozen 928 

Portland Mills ' 929 

Cheese Factory 839 

Religious 930 

Educational AaO 

First Events 930 

Vii.i,AfiE OK Portland 930 

CHAPTER XXXIV. 

PLEASANT VALLEY TOWNSHIP 931 

Early Settlement 931 

Organic 938 

Educational ■. 9p8 

Religious 939 

CHAPTER XXXV. 

UNION TOWNSHIP 939 

Early Settlement 9.39 

Fi rst Things 943 

Educational 943 

Organic 943 

CHAPTER XXXVI. 

MASON TOWNSHIP 943 

.Settlement 94.3 

Organic 953 

Schools 9.52 

Quarries 953 

CHAPTER XXXVII. 

MASON CITY 9.55 

Recorded Plats 9.56 

Early Days 957 

Itemsiif Interest 966 

CentCTinial Exposition 967 

Gartiel'l Memorial Service 968 

Incorporation 968 

Postolllce 970 

Railroads 970 

Relieious 972 

Cemetery ^ 976 

Educational 976 

Mason City Park 977 

Societies 478 

Water Power and Mills 980 

Business History 983 

Banks 997 

Building and Loan Association 998 

Parker's Opera House 1004 

Mason City Lime Kilns 1004 



BIOGRAPHICAL 





PAOEI 


PAGE 


PAOE 




PAGE 


Abbott, A. J 


. 939!Beck, George -.... 


. .. 859 Bvainard, J. M 


.. 684 


Bruce, Albert 


. 844 


Abrams, J . D 


. 937 


Becker, James M 


. . . 969! Brett. George W 


.. 965 


Bruce, James 


. 847 




710 


Behr, C. J 


. . . 846 






Brvant, Ambrose M. 


. 895 


Adams, J. W 


. 644 


Benjamin, Loomis.. 


... 839 


Brentner, George... 


.. 9.5T lir^ant, Bruce A 


. 948 


Allen, William W.... 


. 646 


Benner, Wesley 


... 940 


Brentner. Lee L 


.. 914 Uuekiii'iham, Samuel 


. 931 




. 912 Berlin, C. L 


... 818 


Briden, J. H 


.. 635 liusrher. Robert 


. 934 


Apker, Samuel R 


. 828 Hisbo]!, .lohn 


... 922 


Brisbin, Philip 


.. 758 


Burdick, Osman 


. 878 


Armitage, Garrett S 


. 912 llilternuul, M. E 


... 931 


Brown, Thomas M . . 


.. 7.58 


Burgees, G. T 


96b 


Armsbury, George C 


. 762ililood W.W 


.. 1002 


Brown, James H.. . 


.. 762 


Burnhara, Francis 


. 772 




Blythe, James E 


. . 638 


Bro\vn, Dwight 


.. 902:BMrnham, J. B 


. 954 


Babeock, Rodolphus. 


. 959 Blythe, T. M 


... 651 


Brown, H. L 


-. 865|Bur infjhain, .-V. J 


. 931 


Bailey, ,lohn (i 


. 920 Boble, Henry 


. . 760 


Brown, Hiram E 


.. 866 


Burkholder, Henry.. 


. 768 


Barnard, W. 


.1004 


Boeye, John Henry. 


... 794iBrown. li. A 


.. 814 






Barney, Rial 


. 911 


Bogardus, E. R 


...1003| Brown. Elihu 


. 949 


Callam, Michael 


. V66 


Barker, A. J 


. 927 


Bolton, J. E 


... 774 Broderiek, John.... 


.. 805 


Calvert, Henry 


. 819 


Bauer, Jacob 


.. 934 


Booth, C. W 


... 865 


Broderiek, Patrick.. 


.. 805 


Calvert, Simon 


. 819 



- » . 



^1 



'^ 



XIV 



TABLE OF CONTENTS. 



PAGE 

Cameron, W. W 987 

Campbell, Daniel SOB 

Campbell, Robert 808 

Card. 1. VV 631 

Card, Silas 645 

Carr, J. R 866 

Case, Joseph 877 

Cathcart. William 9.i3 

Chapin, John 771 

Chapman, Leo 662 

Charlton. J. B 653 

Church, Jarvis S U3ii 

Clack. W, H 654 

Clark Hujfh 7.V.) 

Clark, James n4s 

Clark,J.J K:i7 

Clark, Robert Ii.)4 

Class, S. H.Conrad 888 

Clans. John 814 

Clans, Valentine 816 

Clement, Franklin 768 

Clement, Jane . . 768 

Cligitt, John 637 

Cole, J. E 8a; 

Cole, L 8a 

Colwell, Michael S44 

Cook, J. W 861 

Cooper, Josephus !KI1 

Cornell, Albert !C4 

Cotey, Joseph 821 

Crane, C. E 961 

Cross, riennis H 972 

Crow, James 635 

Crowell, Elnathan 875 

Cummin^s, A. H 638 

Dakin, J B 647 

Daney , George 820 

Davis, J. 792 

Denison, O. T 723 

Densmore, Norman 761 

Dexter, Mark silt; 

Deyoe, Stephen '.151 

Dilts, Harmon 932 

Dort, Elvira F 87i; 

Doud, E.D '.«;i; 

Dougan. J. M 991 

Dougan. Mrs. J. M 954 

Douifberty, Daniel 803 

Drummond, Thomas.. 639 

Dyer, H. A 993 

Eager, L. S 962 

Eddy, Rush I(ni3 

Ehlers, Fred 827 

Elder, J ames 988 

Elder, J T 981 

Eklridg:e,A. D 783 

Emsley, T. G 720l 

Estabrook, W. L 975 

Fairfield, William B.... 626 

Farrell, Daniel J 959 

Farrell, John A 9S7 

Faringlon, Charles .'^17 

Fcderspiel, Thomas 84.', 

Felt, William 917 

Felt, A. S 918 

Felthous, J. A 845 

Felthous, George H 845 

Ferrier, James 8.87 

Fish, Sarah 904 

Fisher, Horace W 867 

Fisher. William 864 

Fisher. Homer E >^>'> 

Fitch. Lizzie 724 

Flint, F.dwin Ii:;3 

Flood, Patrick 822 

polsom. (icurge W .'^39 

Foster. William H 959 

Frederick, Jacob si:; 

p^rederick, George 8i:{ 



PAGE 

Freeman, James D 878' 

French, Thomas H X'.H) 

Frost, George E i;43 

Frost, Benjamin H 7i;t; 

Frost, William F 92U 

Frost, Benjamin 92il 

Fuller, C. W 887 

Fuller, George 757 

Fullerton, Neil 913 

Gage. J. R Wi 

(!alo. T. K 996 

Garner. Alfonso 729 

Gardner, Thomas S . , 794 

(Jarhtck, Henry st;5 

G!i>l(inl, C.W.." i;51 

(jibson, James., 960 

Gibson, D. T 6;i4 

Gibson, George 759 

Gildner, Henr.v 817 

Gddner, Conrad 816 

Gillett, Henry A 950 

Glass, John D 637 

Goddcll, Milton 884 

Gooilell, George .885 

(iociilhue, O.A 648! 

Goorlwin, Calvin S... . 766 

Goodykoontz,F. M 6:i3l 

Gootlieb, John 821 

( i raves, Charles 655 

Graves, WllliamC 716 

Graham, Charles 761 

Green, Horace 953 

Gregory, Horace 812 

Gregory, Francis M 812 

Groves. Henry A 768 

Grumraon, N. J .840 

Hammond, James A... 767 

Hamstreet, C B 942 

Hamstreet, D.W 940 

Hamstreet, George 942 

Haiiiy, G. B 798 

lliinsrn, Hans R- Xn3 

llansMU. Nelson 881 

llanling. George H 961 

Harding. L. H .s.s9: 

Harkison.J. L 652| 

Harris. C. W 850| 

Hai-ris, Shorland 64s 

Harri'UTi, Ansel 992 

Hitn'ouil, John 924 

Hathawav, Isaac B.... 8i6 

Hajiics, Dani.l W 922 

Hayes, George , S67 

Heath, James B 8sii 

Helm, George 8is 

Helm, Levi 827 

Henderson, William... 760 

Hennis, Andrew 865 

Henry, Michael 939 

Henry, Thomas 94ii 

Herrick, George L 9si; 

Hickling, Robert 724 

Hlikok, G. R 941 

Hill. Henry 760 

Hill. Jacob P. 889 

Hill, James .S9ii 

Hill, Jesse 911 

Hill, Leonard 896 

Hill, Svhester 881 

Hill, Truman S 815: 

Hill, William 9.52' 

Hohlis. T. B 941 

Howard, E 879 

Howard. Thomas 87i; 

H(.wland. James 814 

lloviv, (). F 9.37 

llulihiird.O R 882 

Hul.liard, O.J 882 

Hufilic^, G. H 638 

Hunt, Lyman 730 



PAGE 

Hunt, Lyman 839 Nickerson, J. B 

Hunt, William 9.37 Noyes, A. A. . 

HnntliT, Charles H 720iNoyes, S 

Hinitlev. Clark 773! 

Huntley. E. D 646|0'ConneU, Patrick 

Hutchins,John S 8.53!0'Neil, CharlesH.. 

lO'Neil, Patrick.... 

Jacobs, E. W 914 0'Neil, Patrick 

Johnson, Josiah D ,S47 O'Rourk, J J 

Johnson, W.Scott 72!i Ogden, JohnG.... 

Joy, Edwin G 950 Osborne, Edward 

iOverbeck, G. H... 

Kahlke, H. W 762|Owen, Anson C... 

Keenan, William- 805 

Kceiiey, S. W 996'Page, E. D 

KiMil. Henry 723]Page, L. A 

Kimball, O.A 772|Page, Nelson L.... 

Kinney, Reuben 819 Palmer, Rodney... 

Kin.yon,John 849 Palmeter, I). H.... 

Kirk, H. P 9»5!Palmeter, H. E .. 

Kirk.I.R • 997(Palmeter, Theron 



Klinefelter, L. S... 

Konvalinka, W.J 

Krug, Conrad , 

Kuppinger, John A 



685iPardee, Amos. 

986^ 

818 

761: 



Parker, H. O. 

Parker, James 

Parker, John G 

Parker, Levi 

Parker, Timothy H . . 

909 Patterson, J. B 

767'Paulson, Kettle 

815 Peck, L. A 



796 



Lamson, George 

Lane, Richard T 

Langenberg, Fred 

LangschadI, Francis J 

Law, Thomas, Sr., 885 Pence, A. W 

Law, Thomas, Jr 885, Pence, Gabriel.. 

Lte, J.L 644|Pence, George. . 

Lee, John 987iPenney, William 

Leonard, Benjamin 880 Perrett, Joseph. 

Lien, A. T 997 Perrett, Thomas 

Lillibridge, R.L 7.59 Perry, J. E 

Lindon, J. G 878 Phillips, C. H... 

Lloyd, E. R 991 Phillips, John W 

Long, John B 716IPierce Charles E 



Lucas, W.V. 
Lyman, George E. 



706 
8:J9 



Marklev,J.E.E 639 

Marsh, H. A 726 

Martin, McReady 864 Pride, E. S 

Mason, WilliamH lOOSJPutnam, W. R 



Pierce, Harvey J... 
Piersol, John B — 
Pollock, George — 

Porter, John 

Priehard, J. O 



Massee, G eorge A . 

Mather, H. S 

Matlej', Henry 

-McAdam, James 

McCulloch, Hathorn.. 
McDowell.GeorgeF... 
McKadden. William... 
McGowan. Alexander. 

.MiGi.)wan, Henry 

McKenzie, Charles 

M<-.\i,i,.r, C. H 

McG rigor, Daniel 



804 

796;Quackenbush, A.H... 

903 Quackenbush, Judson. 

817 

962 1 Randall, Elisha 

6.53 Randall, Benjamin — 

772 Redington, Herman M 

ii49 Kciniger, H. G 

795 lii-ynolds, Patrick 

iy.i:i Kicc, .lames A 

99S Kirhardson, George W. 

98:! liicliar.l.-ion, Seth M.... 

liichanlson, B. G 

Meacham, S 920 lii ibinson, John M 

Meildangh, Charles A .. 875, Rockwell, George B... 

-Mcloy. HP 914 Koder, Andrew 

.Miller, .\.li 70!Miogers, F. M 

Miller, Edson C 655 Rogers, Jarvis J 

.Miller, George R 6:!6 Rood, Howard W 

Miller, George H.'.... 904 Rosecrans, E. J 

Motlctt, W H 888 Rosecrans, M. P 

Mo(,iv. .Milton G 881 1 Ruddiek, George W.... 

.Moore. WilliamH 827 Rugg, William A 

Moran, O. B 937!Kule, James 

Moroney, M.V 938: Rule, Duncan 

M.irris, Richard 808' Russell, John 

.Mi>rse, George 815 Russell, John 

Mullan. A.W 922 Russell, John J 

Murd<ick, Samuel 625 

Murphy, J . W 630 Sabin, H S 

;Sale, H. W 

Neidermyer, Lewis C. 904 Sampson, E. H 

Nelson, N. M 907 Sanliorn, George W 

Nettleton. William 947 San.lcrson, L. O 

Nichols, Edwin 908,Sanford, S. S 



AGE 
904 
647 

. 719 

. 826 
. 901 
826 
950 
1005 
647 
650 
761 
968 

1003 
988 

,825 
878 
793 
793 
793 
919 
714 
927 
941 
901 
896 
844 
951 
902 
881 
«83 
884 

1005 
814 
811 
793 
886 
798 



846 
9,34 
630 
960 
940 
853 

912 
913 

981 
985 
810 
627 
903 
771 
774 
767 
.884 
774 
843 
758 
725 
838 
932 
736 
640 
626 
673 

•700 



895 
965 
893 



921 
652 
865 
971 

867 
860 



Vj- 



•|V 



jVl' 



J- 



TABLE OF CONTENTS. 



XV 



PAGE I 

Sargent, C. W 986 

schermerhorn, M. S 639 

Seaburv, C. B 877 

Secor, G abriel L 847 

Senior, Henry 918 

Shaw. Edward 773 

Shields, H. H 888 

Shipley.C. P 1001 

Simenson, Matt 7M7 

Siri'ine, James 870 

Skinner, M. M 802 

Skinner, W. M 652 

Smith, C. H 6«l 

Smith, r. H 99B 

Smith, H. 1 721 

Smith, Thomas A dS.i 

Somers, F. JI 650 

Spear, James 863 

Spotts, Samuel H23 

Stanbery. Rec 671 

Stanbery, John S 63") 

Stanber.v, Thomas 924 

stanberv, William C... 646 

Stearns, G. A 992 

Stevens, A. M 914 

Stevens, Oscar 800 



PAGE 

Stevens, Seth B 8941 

Stewart, C. M. C 9-'6' 

Stilson, A. R 921 

Storer, Andrew W 9,33 

Sutton, Benjamin 810 

Tasker, J 795 

Taylor. D 888 

Telford, D. W 639 

Temple, Frank E 947 

Tenney, Thomas 682 

TenneV, (^'harles W 6.83 

Tenney harles . 810, 

Thada, Joseph 880 

Thomas, Amos 886 

Thompson, W. E 716 

Thompson, E. 886 

Thompson, O. B 944 

Thompson, Mrs. Lucina 947 

Tiffany. Major. 9S2 

Tinker, J. B 991 

Todd, R. M S2:. 

Tompkins, W. C 722 

Trapp, Da vid S 843 

iTucker, Christopher... 730 



page! 

Turnure, F. J 958' 

Tuttle,Murcus 711 

Tuttle, ,\. B 9,S4 

Tuttle, Elon A 873 

Utendorfer, G. P 8.5o! 

Valentine, J. H 9.58' 

VanAnken, L. M 923 

Van Du.sen, Dr 647 

N'au Patter, Henry 72ii 

Van VVie, J. H 960 

Vermilva. George 716 

Vernall, Nelson 949^ 

Vinton, Hoi-ace 900| 

Walker, Daniel W 829 

Walker, George H 656; 

Walk.T, J. W 785 

Walhuir. Peter 828| 

*V alter, Francis 840, 

Ward, George 81.2 

Warren, N. W 879 

Washburn, S. H 6.50 

Watts. Daniel 89U 



PAGE 

Watts, George A 890 

Waiijjlital, S. B 994 

Wjiiiiiiiiger, Joseph 995 

Wells, \y. A 913 

West, John 9.58 

Wheeler, A. L 650 

Wheeler, E. S 634 

Wheeler, J. S 963 

Wier, A. W 781 

Willanl. N. E 933 

Williams, Ira 810 

Willis, H. J 887 

WillsoD. Alonao 1001 

Wilson, Thomas B 895 

Winans, E. s 891 

Winter, Charles A . . . . 859 
Winter, William 932 

Wood, James B 875 

Wood, Joseph 873 

Wood, R. R 788 

Woodford, George G... 797 

j Wright, James 808 

IWright, J. C 6.54 



PORTRAITS 



PAGE 

Carr, James R 861 

took, Joseph W 789 

Cook, Mrs. Joseph W.. 790 

Felthous, George H . . , . 689 
Frost, George E 641 

Gibson, George 668 



PAGE I PAGE 

Gibson, Mrs. George... 669|Lyman, Geo'geE 841 

Goodhue, O . A 963, 



Stilson, A. R, . 
Smith, C. H..., 
Sanborn, G. W. 



Harris, Shorland 7i7JMcDonald, G. F 769 

Harris, C. W 831 Morris, Richard 823 

Harroun, John 9:55, Tuttle, Mnrcus. 

Hill, Leonard 8981 Tuttle, A. B 

Hill, Mrs Leonard 899|Parker, H. (i .597lTuttle,E. A . .. 



989 
679 



707 
607 
871 



71^ 



_ 's 



^^ 



FRAMLIN AND CERRO GOPDO COUNTY CERTIFICATES. 



We, the undersianed. memh'^rs of the g:eneriil committee appointed to forrect and revise the inanuecript 
<if the History o1 Franklin County, written and L-omplied l»y the Union Publishiniar Company, of Springfield. 
Illinois, do herel>y certify that said manuscript was submitted to us, and we did, to the best of our recoUee- 
tion, correct and revise the same, and made all the changes and additions that we, in our .iuduement, deemed 
necessary, an i as corrected we approve the same. A. North. 

B. W. Mott, I 

George IJeed. \ Cinnmittfe. 

James Thompson, | 

S. M Jones, J 

Following: is the oertiticate of the committee for the respective cities and townships: 

Wp. the comtnittee appointed to revise and correct the history of our respective townships for the His- 
tory of Frankhn County, written and complied by the Union Publishing Company, of Springtield, Illinois, do 
hereby certify that the "manus'-ript was submitted to us, and that we niade all the changes, correctiotis and 
additions that we in our judgment, and to the best of our recollection, deemed necessary, and as corrected, 
we approve of the s \me : 



P. W. Dow. 
James Thompson. 
James T. McCormit-k, 
S. M. Jones. 
— Waiihington Tnirnsfiiij 
and 
Hamptmi Citj/. 



H. A . Clock. 
L. ElseCfer 

— ^[a^^^l)n T>twns)iip. 



Levi Bigelow. 
J. I. Popejoy. 

—Ualilawl Ttnvnship. 



Charles Westaby, 

— \Vl-<tier Townxhip. 

E. B. Hill. 
Henry Palmer. 

—Scittt Tinvtv:<}np. 



D. W. Mott. 

—ln{)ha m Ti > wnsh ip. 



William Avt-rv, 

Kev. William P. Averv, 

A. v^. Koss. 



T. W. Jones, 










A. Ofisrhton, 










H..1. Mitchell, 








L. Stoddard, 


Lewis Shrover, 








Mrs. L. Stoddard. 


M. li. .Tones, 








Richard Horner. 


r.pvi .lones. 








—(rcneva Ti 


—Reeci: 7'< 


nni 


^)i 


P- 





Itobert Hamilton. 
S. H. Vankirk. 
Andrew Hamilton. 

—Hamilton Toiniship, 

G. W. Shaver, 



nrnship. 

August Quasdorf, 
William H. Weaker. 

—Morgan Toinmhip. 

H T. Blake, 

Mrs. Susan Jane Sawyer. 
—Oftreola 2''owiis1iip. 



J. W. Slociirn. 


—Biehlaynl Tiitmsliit) 


(). P. L.ine, 




H. S. Eddy. 




— Li-c Tdintxhi/i. 


Dr. J. S. Hiird. 




A. S. Ross. 


William Boddy, 


— l\os-< Township 


William Taylor, 




Wesle\' Iiros:an. 


W. S. Boiven. 


- flrant Tmnisliiit 


1{. Wil.le. 




A . F. Croshy. 


Amoii Kice. 


—Ilintini Tinmstilit 


r. .1. Mott. 




— .Unf( Tiiirnshiii 


.)ohn O. Crapser, 




L. N. Lockwood. 


G. \V Hansen. 


— West Fiirk Tmrnsliii) 



We. the uudersi^'ned, membe"S of the general committee, appointed to correefand revis^^ the History of 
Cerro Gordo Oonntv. written and compiled bv the Union Publishing- Company of Springtield, Illinois, do 
hereby certify that the mimu-icript was sii ■mitted to us and wm did. to ths best of our recollection, correct 
and revise the same, and made all the charges and additions that we, in our judgement, deemed necessary, 
and as corrected we approve the same: C. W. Tenaey, i 

M. P. Rosecrans. | 
Henry Martin, \- Citmmiitee . 
H. G." Parker, I 

Alouzo Willson. J 

Following is the certiflcate of the committees for the respective cities and townships: 

We, the members of the committee appointed to revise and correct the history of our respective town- 
ships for the History of Cerro Gordo County, writien and compiled by the Union Publishing Company, of 
Spriugfleld, Illinois' do herebv certify that the nianu-'crii.t was submitted to us and that we made all the 
changes, corrections and additions that we in our judgment, and to the best of our recollection, deemed 
necessary, and as corrected we approve of the same. 
C. W. Tennev. Harmon Dilts, E. A. Tuttle, 

Thomas Feriett, H. Duirher, M. P. Rosecrans. 

Richard Morris. H. W. Rood, —Lnhe Tnwiisliip. 

—Fall.i Township. —PlPAUnnt Vnllen 

Tmvnship, James Howland. 
Patrick Broderick 



.lohn Pence, 
Thomas Law. 

—Lincnln Totrnithip. 



R. T. Lane, 
Edwin Nichols, 

—Mt. Vernon Township, 

Henry Senior, 
A. R. Stilson, 
A. S. Felt, 

— Portlanii To unship. 

C. R. Hamstreet, 
T. B. Hobbs. 
Thomas Henry. 

—Union 2'ownship. 



Sid Sanford, 
C. A. Winter. 

—Grimrs Toirnsiiip. 



Henry Brown, 
J. W. Cook. 

—Orniil Toirnsiiip. 

T. S. Gardner, 
Michael Callanan. 
Dscar Stevens. 
—Clear Lahe Town.'<hip. 



-Doughert]/ Toirnsliiii. 

E. Randall. 
James Jenkenson, 
<ieorge Vermilya. 

—Md.ion <'ity anil 
Toii'nsliip. 

Henry Martin, 

A. M. Bryant. 

—Lime Creek Toirnship. 

B. G. Richard.son. 



G. B. Rockwell, 
A. Rogers. 

—Oene.'<eo Town.-^hip. 



Joseph Hill. 
G. S. vVrmitage, 
J. Quackenbush, 

— (tiren Townshiji. 

(i. O. Fuller. 
T. M. Brown. 
William Henderson. 

— Bnlh Township. 



9 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



CHAPTER I. 



^ 



THE traveler, in wending his way 
across the fair State of Iowa, with 
its evidences of civilization upon every 
hand; its magnificent churches with spires 
pointing heavenward; its school-houses 
almost upon every hill; palatial residences 
evincing wealth and refinement, cannot 
realize that, less than a half century ago, 
this "beautiful land" was the home only 
of the red man, who roamed at will over 
the fair and fertile prairies, hunting in the 
woods and fishing in its streams. The 
change would seem too great for him to 
realize. But it is indeed true. These 
churches, these school-houses, these pala- 
tial residences, th(se railroads, these tele- 
graph and telephone wires, all have been 
erected or placed here within the space of 
a half century. 

Before the advent of the Red Men, who 
were found in possession by the Europeans, 
who inhabited this country, is a subject 
yet unsolved, and is shrouded in mystery. 
That there were human beings of a distinct 
race from the red men of later days, is gen- 



erally conceded, but scientists fail as yet 
to agree as to their nature and origin. 
That this continent is co-existent with the 
world of the ancients cannot be questioned. 
Every investigation instituted under the 
auspices of modern civilization confirms 
this fact. It is thought by many that the 
first inhabitants came from Asia, by way 
of Behring's Strait, and in large numbers. 
Magnificent cities and monuments were 
raised at the bidding of tribal leaders, and 
populous settlements centered with thriv- 
ing villages sprang up everywhere in man- 
ifestation of the progress of the people. 
For the last four hundred years the colo- 
nizing Caucasian has trodden on the ruins 
of a civilization whose greatness he could 
only surmise. Among these ruins are 
pyramids similar to those which have ren- 
dered Egypt famous. The pyramid of 
Chalula is square, each side of its base 
being 1,335 feet, and its height 1 72 feet. 
Another pyramid north of Vera Cruz is 
formed of large blocks of highly polished 
porphyry, and bears upon it- front hiero- 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



glyphic inscriptions and curious sculpture. 
It is 32 feet square, and a flight of 57 steps 
conducts to its summit, which is 65 feet 
high. The ruins of Palenque are said to 
extend 20 miles along the ridge of a moun- 
tain, and the remains of an Aztec city, near 
the banks of the Gila, are spread over 
more than a square league. The principal 
feature of the Aztec civilization which has 
come down to us was its religion, which 
we are told was of a dark and gloomy 
character. Each new god created by their 
priesthood, instead of arousing new life in 
the people, brought death to thousands; 
and their grotesque idols exposed to drown 
the senses of the beliolders in fear, wrought 
wretchedness rather than spiritual happi- 
ness. In fact, fear was the great animating 
principal, the motive power which sustained 
this terrible religion. Their altars were 
sprinkled with blood drawn from their own 
bodies in large quantities, and on them 
thousands of human victims were sacri- 
ficed in honor of the demons whom they 
worshipped. The head and heart of 
every captive taken in war were offered 
up as a sacrifice to the god of battles, 
while the victorious legions feasted on the 
remaining portions of tlie bodies. It is 
said that during the ceremonies attendant 
on the consecration of two of their tem- 
ples, the number of prisoners offered up 
in sacrifice was 12,210, while they them- 
selves contributed large numbers of volun- 
tary victims to the terrible belief. 

The race known as the Mound-Builders 
next attracts the attention of the ethnolo- 
gists. Throughout the Mississippi Valley, 
including many portions of Iowa, are found 
mounds and walls of earth or stone, which 



can only have a human origin. These 
mounds vary in size from a few feet to 
hundreds of feet in diameter. In them 
are often found stone axes, pestles, arrow- 
heads, spear-points, pieces of flint, and 
other articles. Pottery of various de- 
signs is very common in them, and from 
the material of which they are made geol- 
ogists have attempted to assign their age. 

Some have thought that the Mc.und- 
Builders were a race quite distinct from 
the modern Indians, and that they were in 
an advanced state of civilization. The 
best authorities now agree that while the 
comparatively civilized people called the 
Aztecs built the cities whose ruins are 
occasionally found, the Mound-Builders 
were the immediate ancestors of the In- 
dians De Soto first saw, and little different 
from the Indians of to-day. 

The origin of the Red Men, or Ameri- 
can Indians, is a subject which interests 
as well as instructs. It is a favorite topic 
with the ethnologist, even as it is one of 
deep concern to the ordinary reader. A 
review of two works lately published on 
the origin of the Indians, treats the matter 
in a peculiarly reasonable light. It says : 

"Recently a German writer has put for- 
ward one theory on the subject, and an 
English writer has put forward another 
and directly opposite theory. The differ- 
ence in opinion concerning our aboriginals 
among authors who have made a profound 
study of races, is at once curious and in- 
teresting. Blumenbach treats them in his 
classifications as a distinct variety of the 
human family; but, in the three-fold divi- 
sion of Dr. Latham, they are ranked among 
the Mongolidre. Other writers on races 



'\r 



K^ 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



IJ 



regard them as a branch of the great Mon- 
golian family, which at a distant period 
found its way from Asia to this continent, 
and remained here for centuries separate 
from the rest of mankind, passing, mean- 
while, through divers phases of barbarism 
and civilization. Morton, our eminent 
ethnologist, and his followers, Nott and 
Gliddon, claim for our native Red Men an 
origin as distinct as the flora and fauna of 
this continent. Prichard, whose views are 
apt to differ from Morton's, finds reason to 
believe, on comparing the American tribes 
together, that they must have formed a 
separate department of nations from the 
earliest period of the world. The era of 
their existence as a distinct and isolated 
{)eople must probably be dated back to the 
time which separated into nations the in- 
habitants of the Old World, and gave to 
each its individuality and primitive lan- 
guage. Dr. Robert Brown, the latest 
authority, attributes, in his 'Races of Man- 
kind,' an Asiatic origin to our aboriginals. 
He says that the Western Indians not only 
personally resemble their nearest neighbors 
— the Northeastern Asiatics — but they re- 
semble them in language and tradition. 
The Esquimaux on tbe American and the 
Tchuktcis on the Asiatic side understand 
one another perfectly. Modern anthro- 
pologists, indeed, are disposed to think 
that Japm, the Kuriles, and neighboring 
regions, may be regarded as the original 
home of the greater part of the native 
American race. It is also admitted by 
them that between the tribes scattered 
from the Arctic sea to Cape Horn there 
is more uniformity of physical feature 
than is seen in any other quarter of the 
globe. The weight of evidence and au- 



thority is altogether in favor of the opin- 
ion that our so-called Indians are a branch 
of the Mongolian family, and all additional 
researches strengthen the opinion. The 
tribes of both North and South America 
are unquestionably homogeneous, and, in 
all likelihood, had their origin in Asia, 
though they have been altered and modi- 
fied by thousands of years of total separa- 
tion from the present stock." 

If the conclusions arrived at by the 
reviewer is correct, how can one account 
for the vast difference in manner and form 
between the Red Man as he is now known, 
or even as he apjieared to Columbus and 
his successors in the field of discovery, and 
the comparatively civilized inhabitants of 
Mexico, as seen in 1521 by Cortez, and of 
Peru, as witnessed by Pizarro in 1532 ? 
The subject is worthy of investigation. 

In the year 1541, Ferdinand DeSoto, a 
Spaniarl, discovered the Mississippi river, 
at the mouth of the Washita. He, how- 
ever, penetrated no further north than 
the 35th parallel of latitude, his death ter- 
minating the expedition. It was thus left 
for a later discoverer to first view the 
"beautiful land." 

In a grand council of Indians on the 
shores of Lake Superior, they told the 
Frenchmen glowing stories of the "great 
river" and the countries near it. Mar- 
quette, a Jesuit father, became inspired 
with the idea of discovering this noble 
river. He was delayed in this great un- 
dertaking, however, and spent the interval 
in studying the language and habits of the 
Illinois Indians, among whom he expected 
to travel. In 1673 he completed his pre- 
parations for the journey, in which he was 
to be accompanied by Joliet, an agent of 



■^ 



A^ 



20 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



the French Government. The Indians, 
who had gathered in large numbers to wit- 
ness his departure, tried to dissuade hira 
from the undertaking, representing that 
the Ijidians of the Mississippi Valley were 
cruel and blood thirsty, and would resent 
the intrusion of strangers upon their do- 
main. The great river itself, they said, 
was the abode of terrible monsters, who 
could swallow both canoes and men. But 
Marquette was not diverted from his pur- 
pose by these reports, and set out on his 
adventurous trip May 13; he reached, first, 
an Indian village where once had been a 
mission, and where he was treated hospit- 
ably; thence, with the aid of two Miami 
guides, he proceeded to the Wisconsin, 
down which he sailed to the great Missis- 
sippi, which had so long been anxiously 
looked for; floating down its unknown 
waters, the explorer discovered, on the 
25th of June, traces of Indians on the west 
bank of the river, and landed a little above 
the river now known as the Des Moines. 
For the first time Europeans trod the soil 
of Iowa. Marquette remained here a short 
time, becoming acquainted with the In- 
dians, and then proceeded on his explora- 
tions. He descended the Mississippi to 
the Illinois, by which and Lake Michigan 
he returned to French settlements. 

Nine years later, in 1682, La Salle de- 
scended the Mississippi to the Gulf of 
Mexico, and, in the name of the king of 
France, took formal posession of all the 
immense region watered by the great river 
ajid its tributaries from its source to its 
mouth, and named it Louisiana, in honor 
of his master, Louis XIV. The river he 
called " Colbert," in honor of the French 
Minister, and at its mouth erected a column 



and a cross bearing the inscription, in 
French: 

' 'LOtIS THE CHEAT, KIXG OF FRANCE AND SAVAUUB, 
EEIG.MSG APllIL 9, 1682." 

France then claimed by right of dis- 
covery and occupancy the whole valley of 
the Mississippi and its tributaries, includ- 
ing Texas. Spain at the same time laid 
claim to all the region about the Gulf of 
Mexico, and thus these two great nations 
were brought into collision. But the 
country was actually held and occupied by 
the native Indians, especially the great 
Miami Confederacy, the Miamis proper 
(anciently the Twightwees) being the east- 
ern and most powerful tribe. 

Spain having failed to make any settle- 
ment in the newly-discovered country, it 
was left for France to occupy the land, 
and that government, soon after the dis- 
covery of the mouth of the Mississippi by 
La Salle, in 1682, began to encourage the 
policy of establishing a line of trading 
posts and missionary stations, extending 
through the west from Canada to Louis- 
iana. 

In 1762, France, in a time of extreme 
weakness, ceded all the territory west of 
the Mississippi, including what is now 
Iowa, to Spain, which power retained pos- 
session until October 1, 1800, when it 
retroceded it to France. This latter power 
ceded it to the United States in 1803, for 
the sum of $15,006,000. 

On assuming control, the United States 
organized all that region west of the Mis- 
sissippi and north of the Territory of 
Orleans as the District of Louisiana. In 
1805 the District of Louisiana was organ- 
ized into the Territory of Louisiana. 









IS k_ 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



21 



This* Territory was subsequently divided, 
and now forms seven great States — Louis- 



iana, Missouri, Arkansas, Iowa, Minnesota, 
Kansas and Nebraska. 



CHAPTER II, 



INDIANS AND 'INDIAN WAKS. 



For more than one hundred years after 
Marquette and Joliet trod the virgin soil 
of Iowa, and admired its fertile plains, 
not a single settlement had been made or 
attempted, nor even a trading post estab- 
lished. The whole country remained in 
the undisputed possession of the native 
tribes, who often poured out their life 
blood in obstinate contest for supremacy. 
That this State, so aptly styled "The 
Beautiful Land," had been the theatre of 
numerous fierce and bloody struggles be- 
tween the rival nations for possession of 
the favored region long before its settle- 
ment by civilized man, there is no room 
for doubt. In these savage wars the 
weaker party, whether aggressive or de- 
fensive, was either exterminated or driven 
from its ancient hunting grounds. 

When Marquette visited this country 
in 1673, the Illini were a very powerful 
people, occupying a large portion of the 
State ; but when the country was again 
visited by the whites, not a remnant of 
that once powerful tribe remained on the 
west side of the Mississippi, and Iowa 
was principally in the possession of the 



Sacs and Foxes, a warlike tribe which, 
originally*two distinct nations, residing 
in New York and on the waters of the 
St. Lawrence, had gradually fought their 
way westward, and united, probably after 
the Foxes had been driven out of the Fox 
River country in 1846, and crossed the 
Mississippi. The death of Pontiac, a 
famous Sac chieftain, was made the pre- 
text for war against the Illini, and a fierce 
and bloody struggle ensued, which con- 
tinued until the Illini were nearly de- 
stroyed, and their hunting grounds pos- 
sessed by their victorious foes. The lowas 
also occupied a portion of the State, for a 
time, in common with the Sacs, but they, 
too, were nearly destroyed by the Sacs 
and Foxes, and in " The Beautiful Land " 
these natives met their equally warlike 
foes, the northern Sioux, with whom they 
maintained a constant warfare for the pos- 
session of the country for many years. 

In 1803, when. Louisiana was purchased 
by the United States, the Sacs, Foxes and 
lowas possessed the entire State of Iowa, 
and the two former tribes, also, occupied 
most of Illinois. 



^(iT 



w 



■^J 



22 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



The Sacs had four prliicipal villages, 
where most of them resided. Their 
largest and most important town — if an 
Indian village may be called such — and 
from which emanated most of the ob- 
stacles encountered by the Government in 
the extinguishment of Indian titles to 
land in this region, was on Rock river, 
near Rock Island ; another was on the 
east bank of the Mississippi, near the 
moulh of Henderson rivei' ; the third 
was at the head of the Des Moines Rap- 
ids, near the present site of Montrose ; 
and tlie fourth was near the moulh of the 
■ upjier Iowa. 

The Foxes had three princip^ villages. 
One was on the west side of the Missis- 
sippi, six miles abovo the rapids of Rock 
river; another was about twelve miles 
from the river, in the rear of the Dubuque 
lead mines ; and the third was on Turkey 
river. 

The lowas, at one time identified with 
the Sacs of Rook river, had withdrawn 
from them and become a separate tribe. 
Their principal village was on the Des 
Moines river, in Van Buren county, on 
the site where lowaville now stands. Here 
the last great battle between the Sacs and 
Foxes and the lowas was fought, in which 
Black Hawk, then a young man, com- 
manded one division of the attacking 
fiirces. The following account of the bat- 
tle has been given: 

"Contrary to long established custom of 
Indian attack, this battle was commenced 
la the day-time, the attending circum- 
stances justifying this departure from the 
well-settled usages of Indian warfare The 
battle-field was a level river bottom, about 
four miles in length, and two miles wide 



near the middle, narrowing to a paint at 
either end. The main area of this bottom 
rises perhaps twenty feet above the river, 
leaving a narrow strip of low bottom along 
the shore, covered with trees that belted 
the prairie on the river side with a thick 
forest, and the immediate bank of the river 
was fringed with a dense growth of wil- 
low. Near the lower end of this prairie, 
near the river bank, was situated the Iowa 
village. About two miles above it and 
near the middle of the prairie is a mound, 
covered at the time with a tuft of small 
trees aTid underlirush growing on its sum- 
mit. In the rear oi this little elevation or 
mound lay a belt of wet prairie, covered, 
at that time, with a dense growth of rank, 
coarse grass. Bordering this wet prairie 
on the north, the country rises abruptly 
into elevated broken river bluffs, covered 
with a heavy forest for many miles in ex- 
tent, and in places thickly clustered with 
undergrowth, affording convenient shelter 
for the stealthy approach of the foe. 

"Through this forest the Sacand Fox war 
party made their way in the night, and 
secreted themselves in the tall grass spoken 
of above, intending to remain in ambush 
during the day and make such observa- 
tions as this near proximity to their in- 
tended victims might afford, to aid them 
in their contemplated attack on the town 
during the following night. From this 
situation their spies could take a full sur- 
vey of the village, and watch every move- 
ment of the inhabitants, by which means 
they were soon convinced that the lowas 
had no suspicion of their presence. 

"At the foot of the mound above men- 
tioned the lowas had their race course, 
where tliev diverted them>;elves with the 



-<^ 






HISIORY OF IOWA. 



23 



excitement of horse-racing, and schooled 
their young warriors in cavalry evolutions. 
In these exercises mock battles were fought, 
and the Indian tactics of attack and defense 
carefully inculcated, by which means a 
skill in horsemanship was acquired that is 
rarely excelled. Unfortunately for them 
this day was selected for their equestrian 
sports, and, wholly unconscious of the 
proximity of their foes, the warriors re- 
paired to the race-ground, leaving most of 
their arms in the village, and their old 
men, women and children unprotected. 

"Pash-a-po-po, who was chief in com- 
mand of the Sacs and Foxes, perceived at 
once the advantage this state of things 
afforded for a complete surprise of his now 
doomed victims, and ordered Black Hawk 
to file off with his young warriors through 
the tall grass and gain the cover of the 
timber along the river bank, and with the 
utmost speed reach the village and com- 
mence the battle, while he remained with 
his division in the ambush to make a sim- 
ultaneous assault on the unarmed men 
whose attention was engrossed with the 
excitement of the races. The plan was 
skillfully laid and most dexterously exe- 
cuted. Black Hawk with his forces 
reached the village undiscovered, and 
made a furious onslaught upon the de- 
fenseless inhabitants by firing one general 
volley into their midst, and completing the 
slaughter with the tomahawk and soalpiug- 
knife, aided by the devouring flames with 
which they enveloped the village as soon 
as the fire-brand could be spread from 
lodge to lodge. 

"On the instant of the report of fire-arms 
at the village, the forces under Pash-a-po-po 
leaped from their couchant position in the 



grass, and sprang, tiger-like, upon the un- 
armed lowas in the midst of their racing 
sports. The first impulse of the latter natur- 
ally led them to make the utmost speed to- 
ward their arms in the village, and protect, 
if possible, their wives and children from 
the attack of their merciless assailants. 
The distance from the place of attack on 
the prairie was two miles, and a great 
number fell in their flight by the bullets 
and tomahawks of their enemies, who 
pressed them closely with a running fire 
the whole way, and the survivors only 
reached their town in time to witness the 
horrors of its destruction. Their whole 
village was in flames, and the dearest 
objects of their lives lay in slaughtered 
heaps amidst the devouring element, and 
the agonizing groans of the dying, mingled 
with the exulting shouts of the victorious 
foe, filled their hearts with maddening 
despair. Their wives and children who 
had been spared the general massacre were 
prisoners, and together with their arms in 
the hands of their victors; and all that 
could now be done was to draw off their 
shattered and defenseless forces, and save 
as many lives as possible by a retreat 
across the Des Moines river, which they 
effected in the best possible manner, and 
took a p-.'8ition among the Soap Creek 
hills." 

Previous to the settlement of their vil- 
lage on Rock river, the Sacs and Foxes 
had a fierce conflict with the Winnebagos, 
subdued them and took possession of their 
lands. At one time this village containe<l 
upward of 60 lodges, and was among the 
largest Indian villages on the continent. 
The number of Sacs and Foxes in 182.5 
was estimated by the Secretary of War to 



u »^ 



,)^ 



2i 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



be 4,600. Their village was situated in 
the immediate vicinity of the upper rapids 
of the Mifsissippi, where the flourishing 
towns of Eock Island and Davenport are 
now situated. The extensive prairies 
dotted over with groves, the beautiful 
scenery, the picturesque bluffs along the 
river banks, the rich and fertile soil pro- 
ducing large crops of corn, squash and other 
vegetables with little labor, the abundance 
of wild fruit, game, fish, and almost every- 
thing calculated to make it a delightful 
spot for an Indian village, which was 
found there, had made this place a favorite 
home of the Sacs, and secured for it the 
strong attachment and veneration of the 
whole nation. 

Tlie Sioux located their hunting grounds 
north of the Sacs and Foxes. They were 
a fierce and warlike nation, who often dis- 
puted possessions with their rivals in savage 
and bloody warfare. The possessions of 
these tribes were mostly located in Minne- 
sota, but extended over a portion of 
Northern and Western Iowa to the Mis- 
souri river. Their descent from the north 
upon the hunting grounds of Iowa fre- 
quently brought them into collision with 
the Sacs and Foxes, and after many a con- 
flict and bloody struggle, a boundary line 
was established between them by the 
Government of the United States, in a 
treaty held at Prairie du Chien in 1^25. 
Instead of settling the difficulties, this 
caused them to quarrel ail the more, in 
consequence of alleged trespasses upon 
each other's side of the line. So bitter 
and unrelenting became these contests, 
that, in lS30,the Government purchased of 
the respective tribes of the Sacs and Foxes, 
and the Sioux, a strip of land twenty miles 



wide on both sides of the line, thus throw- 
ing them forty miles apart by creating a 
"neutral ground," and commanded them 
to cease their hostilities. They were, 
however, allowed to fish and hunt on the 
ground unmolested, provided they did not 
interfere with each other on United States 
territory. 

Soon after the acquisition of Louisiana, 
the United States Government adopted 
measures for the exploration of the new 
Territory, having in view the conciliation 
of the numerous tribes of Indians by 
Tvhom it was possessed, and also the se- 
lection of pn.per sites for the establish- 
ment of military posts and trading sta- 
tions. The Army of the West, Gen. Wil- 
kinson commanding, had its hearlquarters 
at St. Louis. From this post Captains 
Lewis and Clarke, with a sufficient force, 
were detailed to explore the unknown 
sources of the Missouri, and Lieut. Zebu- 
Ion M. Pike to ascend to the head waters 
of the Mississippi. Lieut. Pike, with 
one sergeant, two corporals and seven- 
teen privates, left the military camp, 
near St. Louis, in a keel boat, with four 
months' rations, August 9th, 1805. On 
the 20th of the same month the expedition 
arrived within the present limits of Iowa, 
at the foot of the Des Moines Rapids, 
where Pike met William Ewing, who had 
just been appointed Indian Agent at this 
point, a French interpreter, four chiefs, 
fifteen Sacs and Fox warriors. At the 
head of the rapids, where Montrose is now 
situated. Pike held a council with the 
Indians, in which he addressed them sub- 
stantially as follows: 

'• Your great faiher, the President of the 
United States, wishes to be raoreintimitelv 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



25 



acquainted with the situation and wants 
of the different nations of Red people in 
our newly acquired Territory of Louis- 
iana, and has ordered the General to send 
a number of his warriors in different 
directions to take them by the hand and 
make such inquiries as might afford the 
satisfaction required." 

At the close of the council he presented 
the Red Men with some knives, tobacco 
and whisky. On the 23d of August he 
arrived at what is supposed, from his de- 
scription, to be the site of the present city 
of Burlington, which he selected as the 
location of a military post. He describes 
the place as "being on a hill, about forty 
miles above the River de Moyne Rapids, 
on the west side of the river, in latitude 
about 40 deg. 21 min. north. The channel 
of the river runs on that shore. The hill 
in front is about 60 feet perpendicular, 
and nearly level at the top. About 400 
yards in the rear is a small prairie, fit for 
gardening, and immediately under the hill 
is a limestone spring, sufficient for the 
consumption of a whole regiment." In 
addition to this description, which corres- 
ponds to Burlington, the spot is laid down 
on his map at a bend in the river a short 
distance below the mouth of the Hender- 
son, which pours its waters into the Mis- 
sissippi from Illinois. The fort was built 
at Fort Madison, but from the distance, 
latitude, description and map furnished by 
Pike, it could not have been the place se- 
lected by him, while all the circumstances 
corroborate the opinion that the place he 
selected was the spot where Burlington is 
now located, called by the early voyagers 
on the Mississippi " Flint Hills " In com- 
pany with one of his men, I'ike went on 



shore on a hunting expedition, and follow- 
ing a stream which they supposed to be a 
part of the Mississippi, they were led away 
from their course. Owing to the intense 
heat and tall grass, his two favorite dogs, 
which he had taken with him, became ex- 
hausted, and he left them on the prairie, 
supposing that they would follow him as 
soon as they should get rested, and went 
on to overtake bis boat. After reaching 
the river he waited some time for his 
canine friends, but they did not come, and 
as he deemed it inexpedient to detain the 
boat longer, two of his men volunteered to 
go in pursuit of them, and he continued on 
his way up the river, expecting that the 
two men would soon overtake him They 
lost their way, however, and for six days 
were without food, except a few morsels 
gathered from the stream, and might have 
perished had they not accidentally met a 
trader from St. Louis, who induced two 
Indians to take them up the river, and they 
overtook the boat at Dubuque. At the 
latter place Pike was cordially received by 
Julien Dubuque, a Frenchman, who held a 
mining claim under a grant from Spain. 
He had an old field piece, and fired a salute 
in honor of the advent of the first Amer- 
ican who had visited that part of the Ter- 
ritory. He was not, however, disposed to 
publish the wealth of his mines, and the 
young and evidently inquisitive officer 
obtained but little information from him. 

Upon leaving this place, Pike pursued 
his way up the river, but as he passed 
beyond the limits of the present State of 
Iowa, a detailed history of his explora- 
tions does not properly belong to this vol- 
ume. It is sufiicient to say that, on the 
site of Fort Snelling, Minnesota, he held a 



<) X* 



J^l 



-^ — -4-^, 



2G 



HISTOEY OF IOWA. 



council with the Sioux, Sept. 23, and ob- 
tained from them a grant of 100,000 acres 
of land. Jan. 8, 1806, he arrived at a trad- 
ing post belonging to the Northwest Com- 
pany, on Lake De Sable, in latitude 47 * . 
This company at that time carried on their 
immense operations from Hudson's Bay to 
the St. Lawrence ; up that river, on both 
sides alorg the great lakes, to the head of 
Lake Superior, thence to the sources of the 
Red River of the North, and west to the 
Rocky Mountains, embracing within the 
scope of their operations what was subse- 
quently the State of Iowa. After suc- 
cessfully accom]iliBhing his mission and 
performing a valuable service to the whole 
Northwest, Pike returned to St. Louis, ar- 
riving there April 30, 1806. 

Before the Territory of Iowa could be 
open to settlement by the whites, it was 
necessary that the Indian title should be 
extinguished and the original owners re- 
moved. The Territory had been pur- 
chased by the United States, but was still 
occupied by the Indians^ who claimed title 
to the soil by right of possession. In 
order to accomplish this purpose, large 
sums' of money were expended, besides the 
frontier being disturbed by Indian wars, 
terminated repeatedly by treaty, only to 
be renewed by some act of oppression on 
the part of the whites, or some violation 
of treaty stipulation. 

When the United States assumed con- 
trol of the country, by virtue of the Louis- 
iana purchase, nearly the whole State was 
in possession of the Sacs and Foxes, a 
powerful and warlike nation, who were 
not disposed to submit without a struggle 
to what they considered the encroachment 
of the pale faces. Among the most noted 



chiefs, and one whose restlessness and 
hatred of the Americans occasioned more 
trouble to the Government than any other 
of his tribe, was Black Hawk, who was 
born at the Sac Village, on Rock river, in 
1767. He was simply the chief of his own 
band of Sac warriors; but by his energy 
and ambition he became the leading spirit 
of the united nation of Sacs and Foxes, 
and one of the prominent figures in the 
history of the country from 1804 till his 
death. 

In early manhood he attained distinc- 
tion as a fighting chief, having led cam- 
j)aigns against the O^ages and other neigh- 
boring tribes. About the beginning of 
the present century he began to appear 
prominent in affairs on the Mississippi. 
His life was a marvel. He is said by 
some to have been the victim of a narrow 
prejudice and bitter ill-will against the 
Americans. 

Upon the cession of Spain to France, in 
1801, it did not give up possession of the 
country, but retained it, and by the au- 
thority of France transferred it to the 
United States in 1804. At that time 
Black Hawk and his band were in St. 
Louis, and were invited to be present and 
witness the transfer; but he refused the 
invitation, and it is but just to say that 
this refusal was caused probably more 
from regret that the Indians were to be 
transferred from the jurisdiction of the 
Spanish authorities than from any special 
hatred toward the Americans. In his life 
Re says: "1 found many sad and gloomy 
faces because the United States were about 
to take possession of the town and country. 
Soon after the Americans came I took my 
band and went to take leave of my Spanish 



^l>^ 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



27 



father. The Americans came to see 
him also. Seeing them approach, we 
passed out of one door as they entered an- 
other, and immediately started in our 
canoes for our village on Ifock river, not 
liking the change any belter than uur^ 
friends appeared to at St. Louis. On 
arriving at our village, we gave the news 
that strange people had arrived at St. 
Loui.s, and that we should never see our 
Spanish father again. The information 
made all our people sorry." 

November 3, 1804, a treaty was con- 
cluded between William Henry Harrison, 
then Governor of Indiana Territory, on 
behalf of the United States, and five chiefs 
of the Sac and Fox nation, by which the 
latter, in consideration of §2,234 worth of 
goods then delivered, and a yearly annuity 
of $1,000 to be paid in goods at just cost, 
ceded to the United States all that land on 
the east side of the Mississippi, extending 
from a point opposite the Jefferson, in 
Missouri, to the Wisconsin river, embra- 
cing an area of over 51,000,000 of acres. 
To this treaty Black Hawk always objected, 
and always refused to consider it binding 
upon his people. He asserted that the 
chiefs or braves who made it had no au- 
thority to relinquish the title of the nation 
to any of the lands they held or occu- 
pied, and, moreover, that they had been 
sent to St. Louis on quite a different 
errand, namely: to get one of their people 
released, who had been imprisoned at St. 
Louis for killing a white man. 

In 1805 Lieutenant Pike came up the 
river for the purpose of holding friendly 
councils with the Indians and selecting 
sites for forts within the territory recently 
acquired from France by the United 



States. Lieut. Pike seems to have been 
the first American whom Black Hawk 
ever met or had a personal interview with, 
and he seemed very much prepossessed in 
his favor. He gives the following account 
of his visit to Rock Island: "A boat came 
up the river with a young American chief 
and a small parly of soldiers. We heard 
of them soon after we passed Salt river. 
Some of our young braves watched them 
every day to see what sort of people he 
had on board. The boat at length arrived 
at Rock river, and the young chief came 
on shore with his interpreter, made a 
speech and gave us some presents. We 
in turn presented him with meat and such 
other provisions as we had to spare. We 
were well pleased with the young chief; 
he gave us good advice, and said our 
American father would treat us well." 

Fort Edwards was erected soon after 
Pike's expedition, at what is now Warsaw, 
Illinois, also Fort Madison, on the site of 
the present town of that name, the latter 
being the first fort erected in Iowa. These 
movements occasioned great u:, easiness 
among the Indians. When work was 
commenced on Fort Edwards, a delegation 
from their nation, headed by some of their 
chiefs, went down to see what the Ameri- 
cans were doing, and had an interview 
with the commander, after which they 
returned home and were apparently satis- 
fied. In like manner, when Fort Madison 
was being erected, they sent down another 
delegation from a council of the nation 
held at Rock river. According to Black 
Hawk's account, the American chief told 
them that he was building a house for a 
trader, who was coming to sell them goods 
cheap, and that the soldiers were coming 



jy 



<2 »>. 



±=fk^ 



28 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



to keep him company — a statement which 
Black Hawk says they distrusted at the 
lime, believing that the fort was an en- 
croachment upon their rights, and designed 
to aid it getting their lands away from 
them. It is claimed, by good authority, 
that the building of Fort Madison was a 
violation of the treaty of ISU"!. By the 
11th article of that treaty, the United 
States had a right to build a fort near the 
mouth of the Wisconsin river, and by 
article 6 they had bound themselves "that 
if any citizen of the United States or any 
other white persons should form a settle- 
ment upon their lands, such intruders 
should forthwith be removed." Probably 
the authorities of the United States did not 
regard the establishment of military posts 
as coming properly within the meaning of 
the term "settlement" as used in the treaty. 
At all events, they erected Fort Madison 
within the territory reserved to the Indi- 
ans, who became very indignant. 

Very soon after the fort was built, a 
party led by Black Hawk attempted its 
destruction. They sent spies to watch the 
movements of the garrison, who ascer- 
tained that tlie soldiers were in the habit 
of marching out of the fort every morning 
and evening for parade, and the plan of 
the party was to conceal themstlves near 
the fort, and attack and surprise them 
when they were outside. On the morning 
of the proposed day of the att ck, five 
soldiers came out and were fired upon by 
the Indians, two of them being killed. 
The Indians were too hasty in their move- 
ment, for the parade had not commenced. 
However, they kept up the attack several 
days, attempting the old Fox strategy of 
setting fire to the fort with blazing arrows; 



but finding their efforts unavailing, they 
soon gave up and returned to Rock river. 
In 181 2, when war was declared between 
this country and Great Britain, Black 
Hawk and his band allied themselves with 
the British, partly because he was dazzled 
by their specious promises, but more prob- 
ably because they were deceived by the 
Americans. Black Hawk himself declared 
that they were forced into war by being 
deceived. He narrates the circumstances 
as follows: "Several of the head men and 
chiefs of the Sacs and Foxes were called 
upon to go to Washington to see their 
Great Father. On 'their return they re- 
lated what had been said and done. Thfy 
said the Great Father wished them, in the 
event of a war taking place with England, 
not to interfere on either side, but to re- 
main neutral. He did not want our help, 
but wished us to hunt and suppoit our 
families, and live in peace. He said that 
British traders would not be permitted to 
come on the Mississippi to furnish us with 
goods, but that we should be supplied witli 
an American trader. Our chiefs then told 
him that the British traders always gave 
them credit in the fall forguns, powder and 
goods, to enable us to hunt and clothe oui- 
families. He repeated that the traders at 
Fort Madison would have plenty of goods; 
that we should go there in the fall and he 
would supply us on credit, as the British 
traders had done." Black Hawk seems to 
have accepted the proposition, and he and 
his people were very much pleased. Act- 
ing in good faith, they titled out for their 
winter's hunt, and went to Fort Madison 
in high spirits to receive from the trader 
their outfit of supplies; but ^fter waiting 
some time, they were told by the trader 



^ 



:[^ 



j^c 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



29 



that ho would not trust them. In vain 
they pleailed the promise of their Great 
Father at Washington; the trader was 
inexorable. Disappointed and crest fallen, 
the Indians turned sadly to their own vil- 
lage. Says Black Hawk: "Few of us slept 
that night. All was gloom and discon- 
tent. In the morning a canoe was seen 
ascending the rivej'; ii soon arrived bear- 
ing, an express, who brought intelligence 
that a British trader had landed at Rock 
Island wiih two boats filled with goods, and 
requested us to conn.' up immediately, be- 
cause he had good news for us, and a 
variety of presents. The express presented 
us with tobacco, pipes and wampum. The 
news ran through our camp like fire on a 
prairie. Our lodges were soon taken down 
and all started for Rock Island. Here 
ended all our hopes of remaining at peace, 
having been forced into the war by being 
deceived." He joined the British, who 
flattered him, and styled him "Gen. Black 
Hawk," decked him with medals, excited 
his jealousy against the Americans, and 
armed his band; but he met with defeat 
and disappointment, and soon abandoned 
the service and came home. 

There was a portion of the Sacs and 
Foxes, whom Black Hawk, with all his 
skill and cunning, could not lead into hos- 
tilities to the United States. With 
Keokuk ("The Watchful Fox") at their 
head, they were disposed to abide by the 
treaty of 1804, and to cultivate friendly 
relations with the American people. So, 
when Black Hawk and his band joined the 
fortunes of Great Britain, the rest of the 
nation remained neutral, and, for protec- 
tion, organized with Keokuk for their 
chief. ' Thus, the nation was divided into 



the "War and Peace party." Black Hawk 
says he was informed, after he had gone to 
the war, that the nation, which had been 
reduced to so small a body of lighting 
men, were unable to defend themselves in 
case the Americans should attack them, 
and, having all the old men, women and 
children belonging to the warriors who 
had joined the British, on their hands to 
provide for, a council was held, and.it was 
agreed that Qu;isli-qua-me (The Lance) 
aiid other chiefs, together with the old 
men, women and children, and such others 
as chose to accompany them, should go to 
St Louis and place themselves und' r the 
American Chief stationed there. Accord- 
ingly they went down, and were received 
as the "friendly band" of Sacs and Foxes, 
and were provided for and sent up the 
Missouri river. 

On Black Hawk's return from the 
British army, he says Keokuk was intro- 
duced to him as the war chief of the 
braves then in the village. He inquired 
how he had become chief; and was in- 
formed that their spits had seen a large 
armed force going toward Peoria, and 
fears were entertained of an attack upon 
the village; whereupon a council was held, 
which concluded to leave the village, and 
cross over to the other side of the Mis- 
sissippi. Keokuk had been standing at 
the door of the lodge when the council 
was held, not being allowed to enter on 
account of never having killed an enemy, 
where he remained until Wa-co-me came 
out. Keokuk asked permission to speak 
to the council, which Wa-co-me obtained 
for him. He then addressed the chiefs. 
He remonstrated against the desertion 
of their village, their own homes, and the 



30 



HISIORY OF IOWA. 



graves of their fathers, and offered to 
defend the village. 

The council consented that he should be 
their war chief. He marshaled his braves, 
sent out spies, and advanced on the lead- 
ing trail to Peoria, but returned without 
seeing the enemy. The Americans did 
not disturb the village, and all were satis- 
fied with the appointment of Keokuk. 
Like Black Hawk, he was a descendant of 
the Sac branch of the nation, and was born 
on Rock river in 1780. He was of a pacific 
disposition, but possessed the elements of 
true courage, and could fi.rht when occa- 
sion required with cool judgment and 
heroic energy. In his first battle he en- 
countered and killed a Sioux, which placed 
him in the rank of warriors, and he was 
honored with a public feast by his tribe 
in commemoration of the event. 

In person, Keokuk was tall and of portly 
bearing. In his public speeches he dis- 
played a commanding attitude and grace- 
ful gestures. He has been described as 
an orator, entitled to rank with the most 
gifted of his race. He spoke rapidly, but 
his enunciation was clear, distinct and 
forcible; he culled his figures from the 
stores of nature, and based his arguments 
on skillful logic. Unfortunately for his 
reputation as an orator among white people, 
he was never able to obtain an interpreter 
who could claim even a slight acquaint- 
ance with philosophy. With one excep- 
tion only, his interpreters were unac- 
quainted with the elements of their 
mother tongue. Of this serious hindrance 
to his fame he was well aware, and re- 
tained Frank Labershure, who had re- 
ceived a rudimental education in the French 
and English languages, until the latter 



broke down by dissipation and died. 
Keokuk was thus compelled to submit his 
speeches for translation to uneducated 
men, whose range of thought fell far 
below the flights of a gifted mind, and the 
tine imagery drawn from nature was be- 
yond their power of reproduction. 

Keokuk had sufHcient knowledge of the 
English language to make him sensible of 
this bad rendering of his thoughts, and 
often a feeling of raorlifiration at the 
buhgling efforts was depicted on his coun- 
tenance while speaking. The proper 
place to form a correct estimate of his 
ability as an orator was in the Indian 
council, where he addressed himself ex- 
clusively to those who understood his lan- 
guage, and witnessed the electrical effect 
of his eloquence upon his council. He 
seems to have possessed a more sober 
judgment, and to have had a more intelli- 
gent view of the great strength and re- 
sources of the United States, than his 
noted and restless cotemporary, Black 
Hawk. He knew from the first that the 
reckless war which Black Hawk and his 
band had determined to carry on could 
result in nothing but disaster and defeat, 
and he used every argument against it. 
The large nurnber of warriors whom he 
had dissuaded from following Black Hawk 
became, however, greatly excited with the 
war spirit after Stillman's defeat, and but 
for the signal tact displayed by Keokuk on 
that occasion, would have forced him to 
submit to their wishes in joining the rest 
of the warriors in the field. A war dance 
was held, and Keokuk took part in it, 
seeming to be moved with the current of 
the rising storm. When the dance was 
over, he called the council together to pre- 



v3 



>^, 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



31 



pare for war. He made a speech, in which 
he admitted the justice of their complaints 
against the Americans. To seek redress 
was a noble aspiration of their nature. 
The blood of their brethren had been shed 
by the white man, and the spirits of their 
braves, slain in battle, called loudly for 
vengeance. 

'• I am your chief," said he, " and it is 
my duty to Itad you to battle, if after fully 
considering the matteryou are determined 
to go; but before you decide to take this 
important step, it is wise to inquire into 
the chances of success." 

He then portrayed to them the great 
power of the United States, against whom 
they would have to contend, and thought 
their chances of success was utterly hope- 
less. 'But," said he, "if you do deter- 
mine to go upon the warpath, I will agree 
to lead you on one condition — that before 
we go we kill our old men and our wives 
and children, to save them from a linger- 
ing death of starvation, and that every one 
of us determine to leave our homes on the 
other side of the Mississippi." This was 
a strong but truthful picture of the pros- 
pect before them, and was presented in 
such a forcible light as to cool their ardor 
and cause them to abandon their rash 
undertaking. From this time there was 
no serious troulle with the Indians until 
the Black Hawk war. 

The treaty of 1804, between the United 
States and the chiefs of the Sac and Fox 
nations was never acknowledged by Black 
Hawk, and, in 18-31, he established him- 
self with a chosen band of warriors upon 
the disputed territory, ordering the whites 
to leave the country at once. The settlers 
complaining, Governor Reynolds, of Illi- 



nois, dispatched General Gaines with a 
company of regulars and 1,500 rvolunteers 
to the scene of action. Taking the Indians 
by surprise, the troops burnt their village, 
and forced them to conclude a treaty, by 
which they ceded all their lands east of 
the Mississippi, and agreed to remain on 
the west side of the river. 

Necessity forced the proud spirit of 
Black Hawk into submission, which made 
him more than ever determined to be 
avenged upon his enemies. Having ral- 
lied around him the warlike braves of the 
Sac and Fox nations, he recrossed the Mis 
sissippi in the spring of 1832. Upon 
hearing of the invasion, Governor Rey- 
nolds hastily collected a body of 1,800 
volunteers, placing them under command 
of Brig.-Gen. Samuel Whiteside. 

The army marched to the Mississippi, 
and, having reduced to ashes the Indian 
village known as " Prophet's Town," pro- 
ceeded several miles up Rock river, to 
Dixon, to join the regular forces under 
Gen. Atkinson. They formed, at Dixon, 
two companies of volunteers, who, sighing 
for glory, were dispatched to reconnoiter 
the enemy. They advanced, under com- 
mand of Major Stillman, to a creek after- 
wards called "Stillman's run," and, while 
encamping there, saw a party of mounted 
Indians at a die lance of a mile. Several of 
Stillman's party mounted their horses and 
charged the Indians, killing three of them; 
but, attacked by the niain body, under 
Black Hawk, they were routed, and, by 
their precipitate flight, spread such a panic 
through the camp that the ■vhole company 
ran off to Dixon as fast as their legs could 
carry them. On their arrival it was found 
that there had been eleven killed. The 



rrx: 



32 



HISTORY OF IOWA 



party came straggling into camp all night 
long, four or five at a time, each" squad 
positive that all who were left behind were 
massacred . 

It is said that a big, tall Kontuckian, 
with a loud voice, who was a Colonel of the 
militia, upon his arrival in camp gave to 
Gen. Whiteside and the wondering multi- 
tude the following glowing and bombastic 
account of the battle: 

"Sirs," said he, "our detachment was 
encamped among some scattering timber 
on the north side of Old Man's creek, with 
the prairie from the north gently sloping 
down to our encampment. It was just 
after twilight, in the gloaming of the even- 
ing, when we discovered Black Hawk's 
army coming down upon us in solid column; 
they displayed in the form of a crescent 
upon the brow of the prairie, and such 
accuracy and precision of military move- 
ments were never witnessed by man; they 
were equal to the best troops of Wellington 
in Spain. I have said that the Indians 
came down in solid columns, and displayed 
in the form of a crescent; and, what was 
most wonderful, there were large squares 
of cavalry resting upon the points of the 
curve, which squares were supported again 
by other columns fifteen deep, extending 
back through the woods and over a swamp 
three-quarters of a mile, which again rested 
on the main body of Black Hawk's army, 
bivouacked upon the banks of the Kish- 
wakee. It was a terrible and a glorious 
sight to see the tawny warriors as they 
rode along our flanks attempting to out- 
flank us, with the glittering moonbeams 
glistening from their polished blades and 
burning spears. It was a sight well calcu- 
lated to strike consternation in the stoutest 



and boldest heart; and, accordingly, our 
men soon began to break, in small squads, 
for tall timber. 

"Ill a very little time the rout became 
general, the Indians were soon upon our 
flanks, and threatened the destruction of 
our entire detachment. About this time 
Maj. Stillman, Col. Stephenson, Maj. Per- 
kins, Capt. Adams, Mr. Hackelton and my- 
self, with some others, threw ourselves into 
the rear to rally the fugitives and protect 
the retreat. But in a short time all my 
companions fell bravely fighting hand-to- 
hand with the savage enemy, and I alone 
was left upon the field of battle About 
this time I discovered not far to the left a 
corps of horsemen, which seemed to be in 
tolerable order. I immediately deployed 
to the left, when, leaning down and placing 
my body in a recumbent posture upon the 
mane of my horse, so as to bring the heads 
of the horsemen between my eye and the 
horizon, I discovered, by the light of the 
ipoon, that they were gentlemen who did 
not wear hats, by which token I knew they 
were no friends of mine. I therefore made 
a retrograde movement, and recovered my 
position, where I remained some time, in 
thinking what further I could do for my 
country, when a random ball came whist- 
ling by my ear, and plainly whi.spered to 
me, 'Stranger, you have no further busi- 
ness here.' Upon hearing this, I followed 
the example of my companions-in-arms, 
and broke for tall timber, and the way I 
ran was not a little." 

For a long time afterward Maj. Stillman 
and his men were subjects of ridicule and 
merriment, which was as undeserving as 
their expedition was disastrous. Still- 
man's defeat spread consternation through- 



^ 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



33 



out the State and nation. The number of 
Indians was greatly exaggerated, and the 
name of Black Hawk carried with it asso- 
ciations of great military talent, savage 
cunning and cruelty. 

A regiment sent to spy out the country 
between Galena and R'ick Island, was sur- 
prised by a party of seventy Indians, and 
was on the point of being thrown into dis- 
order, when Gen. Whiteside, then serving 
as a private, shouted out that he would 
shoot the first man who turned his back on 
the enemy. Order bding restored, the bat- 
tle began. At its ve.y outset Geu. White- 
side shot the leailer of the Indians, who 
thereupon commenced a hasty retreat. 

In June, 1832, Black Hawk, with a band 
of one hundred and fifty warriors, attacked 
the Apple River Fort, near Galena, de- 
fended by twenty-five men. This fort, a 
mere palisade of logs, was erected to afiEord 
protectiiin to the miners. For fifteen con- 
secutive hours the garrison had to sustain 
the assault of the savage enemy; but, 
knowing very well that no quarter would 
be given them, they fought with such fury 
and desperation that the Indians, after 
losing many of their warriors, were com- 
pelled to retreat. 

Another party of eleven Indians mur- 
dered two men near Fort Hamilton. They 
were afterward overtaken by a company 
of twenty men, and every one of them 
killed. 

A new regimert, under the command of 
Gen. Atkinson, assembled on the banks of 
the Illinois, in the latter part of June. 
Major Dement, with a small party, was 
sent out to reconnoiter the movements of 
a large body of Indians, whose endeavors 
to surround him made it advisable for him 



to retire. Upon hearing of this engage- 
ment, Gen Atkinson sent a detachment to 
intercept the Indians, while he with the 
main body of his army, moved north to 
meet the Indians under Black Hawk. 
They moved slowly and cautiously through 
the counli-y, passed through Turtle Vil- 
lage, and' inarched up along Ruck river. 
On their arrival news was brought of the 
discovery of the main trail of the Indians. 
Considerabl(J search was made, but they 
were unable to discover any vestige of In- 
dians, save two, who had shot two soldiers 
the day previous. 

Hearing that Black Hawk was encamped 
on Roik River, at the iManitou village, 
they resolved at once to advance upon the 
enemy, but in the execution of their de- 
sign they met with opposition from their 
officers and men. The officers of Gen. 
Henry handed to him a written protest; 
but he, a man equal to any emergency, 
ordered the officers to be arrested and 
escorted to Gen. Atkinson. Within a few 
minutes after the stern order was given, 
the officers all collected around the Gen- 
eral's quarters, many of them with tears in 
their eyes, pledging themselves that if for- 
given they would return to duty and never 
do the like again. The General rescinded 
the order, and they at once resumed duty. 

THE BATTLE OF BAD-AXE. 

Gen. Henry marched, on the 15th of 
July, in pursuit of the Indians, reaching 
Rock river after three days' journey, where 
he learned Black Hawk was encamped 
further up the river. On July 19 the 
troops were ordered to commence their 
march. After having made 50 miles, they 



^ 



34 



HISTOEY OF IOWA. 



were overtaken by a terrible thunder 
storm, which lasted all night. Nothing 
cooled, however, in their courage and zeal, 
they marched again 50 miles the next day, 
encamping near the place where the In- 
dians encamped the night before Hurrying 
along as fast as they could, the infantry 
keeping up an equal pace with the mounted 
force, the troops, ou the morning of tliu 
2 I St, crossed the river connecting two of 
the four lakes, by which the Indians had 
been endeavoring to escape. They found, 
on their way, the ground strewn with ket- 
tles and articles of baggage, which, in the 
haste of retreat, the Indians were obliged 
to throw away. The troops, inspired with 
new ardor, advanced so rapidly that at 
noon they fell in with the rear guard of 
the Indians. Those who closely pursued 
them were saluted by a sudden fire of 
musketry from a body of Indians who had 
concealed them elves in the high grass of 
the prairie. A most desperate charge was 
made upon the Indians, who, unable to 
resist, retreated obliquely in order to out- 
flank the volunteers on the right; but the 
latter charged the Indians in their ambush 
and expelled them from their thickets at 
the point of the bayonet, and dispersed 
them. Night set in and the battle ended, 
having cost the Indians sixty-eight of their 
bravest men, while the loss of the Illinois- 
ans amounted to but one killed and eight 
wounded. 

Soon after this battle. Gens. Atkinson 
and Henry joined their forces and pursued 
the Indians. Gen. Henry struck the main 
trail, left his horses behind, formed an 
advance guard of eight men, and marched 
forward upon their trail. When these 
eight men came within sight of the river, 



they were suddenly fired upon, and five of 
them killed, the remaining three maintain- 
ing their ground till Gen. Henry came up. 
Then the Indians, charged upon with the 
bayonet, fell back upon their main force; 
the battle now became general; the In- 
dians fought with desperate valor, but 
were furiously assailed by the volunteers 
with their bayonets, cutting many of the 
Indians to pieces and driving the rest into 
the river. Those who escaped from being 
drowned found refuge on an island. On 
hearing the frequent discharge of mus- 
ketry, indicating a general engagement. 
Gen. Atkinson abandoned the pursuit of 
the twenty Indians under Black Hawk 
himself, and hurried to the scene of action, 
where he arrived too late to take part in 
the battle. He immediately forded the 
river with his troops, the water reaching 
up to their necks, and landed on the island 
where the Indians had secreted them- 
selves. The soldiers rushed upon the 
Indians, killed several of them, took the 
others prisoners, and chased the rest into the 
river, where they were either drowned or 
shot before reaching the opposite shore. 
Thus ended the battle, the Indians losing 
three hundred, besides fifty prisoners; the 
whites, but seventeen killed and twelve 
wounded. 

Black Hawk, with his twenty braves, 
retre:»ted up the Wisconsin river. The 
Winnebagos, desirous of securing the 
friendship of the whites, went in pursuit 
and captured and delivered them to Gon. 
Street, the United States Indian Agent. 
Among the prisoners were the son of 
Black Hawk and the prophet of the tribe. 
These, with Black Hawk, were taken to 



n^ 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



35 



Washington, D. C, and soon consigned 
as prisoners at Fortress Monroe. 

At the interview Black Hawk had with 
the President, he closed his speech deliv- 
ered on the occasion in the following 
words: "We did not expect to conquer 
the whites. They have too many houses, 
too many men. I took up the hatchet, for 
my part, to revenge injuries which my 
people could no longer endure. Had I 
borne them longer without striking, my 
people would have said: 'Black Hawk is a 
woman; he is too old to be a chief; he is 
no Sac' These reflections caused me to 
raise the war-whoop. I say no more. It 
is known to you. Keokuk once was here; 
you took him by the hand, and when he 
wished to return to his home, you were 
willing. Black Hawk expects, like Keo 
kuk, he shall be permitted to return, too." 

By order of the President, Black Hawk 
and his conipauions, who were in confine- 
ment at Fortress Monroe, were set free on 
the 4th day of June, 1833. 

After their release from prison they 
were conducted in charge of Major Gar- 
land, through some of the principal cities, 
that they might witness the power of the 
United States and learn their own inability 
to cope with them in war. Great multi- 
tudes flocked to see them wherever they 
were taken, and the attention paid them 
rendered their progress through the coun- 
try a triumphal procession, instead of the 
transportation of prisoners by an ofiicer. 
At Rock Island the prisoners were given 
Hteir liberty amid great and impressive 
ceremony. In 1838 Black Hawk built him 



a dwelling near Des Moines, this State, 
and furnished it after the manner of the 
whites, aud engaged in agricultural pur- 
suits and hunting and fishing. Here, with 
his wife, to whom he was greatly attached, 
he passed the few remaining days of his 
life. To his credit, it may be said that 
Black Hawk remained true to his wife, 
and served her with a devotion uncommon 
among Indians, living with her upward of 
forty years. 

At all times when Black Hawk visited 
the whites he was received with marked 
attention. He was an honored guest at 
the old settlers' reunion in Lee county, 
Illinois, at some of their meetings, and 
received marked tokens of esteem. In 
September, 1838, while on his way to 
Kock Island to receive his annuity from 
the Government, he contracted a severe 
cold, which resulted in a severe attack of 
bilious fever, and terminated his life Oct. 
3. After his death he was dressed in the 
uniform presented to him by the President 
while in Washington. He was buried in a 
grave six feet in depth, situated upon a 
beautiful eminence. The body was placed 
in the middle of the grave, in a sitting 
position upon a seat constructed for the 
purpose. On his left side the cane given 
him by Henry Clay was placed upright, 
with his right hand resting upon it. His 
remains were afterwards stolen and car- 
ried away, but they were recovered by the 
Governor of Iowa, and placed in the 
museum of the Historical Society at Bur- 
lington, where they were finally destroyed 
by tire. 



9 



36 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



CHAPTER III. 



INDIAN TREATIES. 



As has already been stated, all Iowa was 
in actual possession of the Indians when 
purchased by the United States Govern- 
ment, and for purposes of settlement by 
the whites, could only be obtained by 
forcible ejectment or re-purchase from 
those inhabiting the country. This was 
effected in a series of treaties and pur- 
chases, of which a synopsis is given: 

The territory known as the "Black 
Hawk Purchase," although not the first 
portion of Iowa ceded to the United States 
by the Sacs and Foxes, was the first opened 
to actual settlement by the tide of emi- 
gration which flowed across the Missis- 
sippi as soon as the Indian title was 
extinguished. The treaty which provided 
for this cession was made at a council held 
on the west bank of the Mississippi, where 
now stands the thriving city of Davenport, 
on ground now occupied by the Chicago, 
Rock Island & Pacific R. R. Co , Sept. 21, 
1832. This was just after the "Black 
Hawk War," and the defeated savages had 
retired from east of the Mississippi. At 
the council the Government was repre- 
sented by Gen. Winfield Scott and Gov. 
Reynolds, of Illinois. Keokuk, Pashapaho 
and some thirty other chiefs and warriors 
were present. By this treaty the Sacs and 
Foxes ceded to the United States a strip 
of land on the eastern border of Iowa, fi fty 
miles wide, from the northern boundary of 



Missouri to the mouth of the Upper Iowa 
river, containing about 6,000,000 acres. 
The western line of the purchase was 
parallel with the Mississippi. In consider- 
ation of this cession, the United States 
Government stipulated to pay annually to 
the confederated tribes, for thirty con- 
secutive years, 820,000 in specie, and to 
pay the debts of the Indians at Rock 
Island, which had been accumulating for 
seventeen years, and amounted to §50,000, 
due to Davenport & Farnham, Indian 
traders. The Government also generously 
donated to the Sac and Fox women and 
children whose husbands and fathers had 
fallen in the Black Hawk War, 35 beef 
cattle, 1 2 bushels of salt, 30 barrels of 
pork, 50 barrels of flour, and 6,000 bushels 
of corn. 

The treaty was ratified February 13, 
1833, and took effect on the 1st of June 
following, when the Indians quietly re- 
moved from the ceded territory, and this 
fertile and beautiful region was opened to 
white settlers. 

By terms of the treaty, out of the Black 
Hawk purchase was reserved for the Sacs 
and Foxes 400 square miles of land, sit- 
uated on the Iowa River, and including 
within its limits Keokuk village, on the 
right bank of that river. This tract was 
known as Keokuk's reserve, and was occu- 
pied by the Indians until 1836, when, by 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



37 



a treaty made in September between them 
and Gov. Dodge, of Wisconsin Territory, 
it was ceded to the United States. The 
council was held on the banks of the Mis- 
sissippi, above Davenport, and was the 
largest assemblage of the kind ever held by 
the Sacs and Foxes to treat for the sale of 
lands. About one thousand of their chiefs 
and braves were present, and Keokuk was 
the leading spirit of the occasion, and 
their principal speaker. 

By the terms of this treaty, the Sacs 
and Foxes were removed to another reser- 
vation on the Des Moines river, where an 
agency was established at what is now the 
town of Agency City. The Government 
also gave out of the lilack Hawk purchase 
to Antoine LeClare, interpreter, in fee 
simple, one section of land opposite Rock 
Island, and another at the head of the first 
rapids above the island on the Iowa side. 
This was the first land title granted by 
the United States to an individual in Iowa. 

Gen. Joseph M. Street established an 
agency among the Sacs and Foxes very 
soon after the removal of the latter to their 
new reservation. He was transferred from 
the agency of the Winnebagos for this 
purpose. A larra was selected, upon which 
the necessary buildings were erected, in- 
cluding a comfortable farm house for the 
agent and his family, at the expense of the 
Indian fund. A salaried agent was era- 
ployed to superintend the farm and dispose 
of the crops. Two mills were erected — 
one on Soap creek, and the other on Sugar 
creek. The latter was soon swept away 
by a flood, bat the former remained and 
did good service for many years. 

Connected with the agency were Joseph 
Smart and John Goodell, interpreters. The 



latter was interpreter for Hard Fishes' 
band. Three of the Indian chiefs — Keo- 
kuk, Wapello and Appanoose — had each 
a large field improved, the two former on 
the right bank of the Des Moines, back 
from the river, in what is now " Keokuk's 
Prairie," and the latter on the present 
site of the city of Ottumwa. Among the 
traders connected with their agency were 
the Messrs. Ewing, from Ohio, and Phelps 
& Co , from Illinois, and also J. P. Eddy, 
who established his post at what is now 
the site of Eddyville. The Indians at this 
agency became idle and listless in the ab- 
sence of their natural and wonted excite- 
ments, and many of them plunged into 
dissipation. Keokuk himself became dis- 
sipated in the latter years of his life, and 
it has been reported that he died of de- 
lirium tremens after his removal with his 
tribe to Kansas. On May, 1S4.3, most of 
the Indians were removed up the Des 
Moines river, above the temporary line of 
Red Kock, having ceded the remnant of 
their lands in Iowa to the United States, 
Sept. 21, 1837, and Oct. 11, 1842. By the 
terms of the latter treaty, they held pos- 
session of the "New Purchase" till the 
autumn of 1845, when most of them were 
removed to their reservation in Kansas, 
the balance being removed in 1846. 

Before any permanent settlement was 
made in the Territory of Iowa, white ad- 
venturers, trappers and traders, many of 
whom were scattered along the Mississippi 
and its tributaries, as agents and employes 
of the American Fur Company, intermar- 
ried with the females of the Sac and Fox 
Indians, producing a race of half-breeds, 
whose number was never definitely ascer- 
tained. There were some respectable and 






38 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



excellent people among them, children of 
some refinement and education. For in- 
stance: Dr. Muir, a gentleman educated at 
Edinburg, Scotland, a Surgeon in the 
United States Army, stationed at a mili- 
tary post located on the present site of 
Warsaw, married an Indian woman, and 
reared his family of three daughters in the 
city of Keiikuk. Other examples might 
be cited, but they are probably exceptions 
to the general rule, and the race is now 
nearly or quite extinct in Iowa. 

August 4, 182-4, a treaty was made be- 
tween the United States and the Sacs and 
Foxes, by which that portion c f Lee county 
was reserved to the half-breeds of those 
tribes, and which was afterward known as 
the " half-breed tract." This reservation 
is the triangular piece of land containing 
about 119,000 acres, lying between the 
Mississippi and the Des Moines rivers. It 
is bounded on the north by the prolonga- 
tion of the northern line of Missouri. This 
line was intended to be a straight one, run- 
ning due east, which would have caused it 
to strike the Mississippi river at or below 
Montrose; but the surveyor who run it took 
no notice of the change in the variation of 
the needle, as he proceeded eastward, and, 
in consequence, the line he run was bent, 
deviating more and more to the northward 
of a direct line as he approached the Mis- 
sissippi river, so that it struck that river at 
the lower edge of the town of Fort Madi- 
son.- "This erroneous line," says Judge 
Mason, "has been acquiesced in as well in 
fixing the northern limit of the half-breed 
tract as in determining the northern 
boundary line of the State of Missouri." 
The line thus run included in the reserva- 
tion a portion of the lower part of the city 



of Fort Madison, and all of the present 
townships of Van Buren, Charleston, Jef- 
ferson, Des Moines, Montrose and Jackson. 

Under the treaty of 1824, the half-breeds 
had the right to occupy the soil, but could 
not convey it, the reversion being reserved 
to the United States. But January 30th, 
1843, by act of Congress, this reversionary 
right was relinquished, and the half-breeds 
acquired the Ian Is in fee simple. This no 
sooner done than a horde of speculators 
rushed in to buy land of the half-breed 
owners, and, in many instances, a gun, 
blanket, a pony or a few quarts of whisky 
was sufficient for the purchase of large 
estates. There was a deal of sharp prac- 
tice on both sides. Indians would often 
claim ownership of land by virtue of being 
half-breeds, and had no difficulty in prov- 
ing their mixed blood by the Indians, and 
they would cheat the speculators by selling 
land to which they had no rightful title. 
On the other hand, speculators often 
claimed land in which they had no owner- 
ship. It was diamond cut diamond, until 
at last things became badly mixed. There 
were no authorized surveys, and no boun 
dary lines to claim, and, as a natural 
result, numerous conflicts and quarrels 
ensued. 

January 16, 1838, Edward Johnstone, 
Thomas S. Wilson and David Brigham 
were appointed commissioners by the Wis- 
consin Legislature, clothed with power to 
settle their difficulties, and to decide upon 
the validity of claims, or sell them for the 
benefit of the real owners. The act pro- 
vided that these commissioners should be 
paid six dollars a day each. The commis- 
sion entered upon its duties, and continued 
until the next session of the Legislature, 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



39 



when the act creating it was repealed, in- 
validating all that had been done, and 
depriving the commissioners of their pay. 
The repealing act, however, authorized the 
commissioners to commence action against 
the owners of the half-breed tract, to re- 
ceive pay for their services in the District 
of Lee county. Two judgements were 
obtained, and on execution the whole tract 
was sold to Hugh T. Reid, the sheriif exe- 
cuting the deed. Mr. Reid sold portions 
of it to various parties; but his own title 
was questioned, and he became involved 
in litigition. Decisions in favor of Reid 
and those holding undjr him were made 
by both District and Supreme Courts; but 
in December, 1850, these decisions were 
finally reversed by the Supreme Court of 
the Uiiiled States, in the case of Joseph 
Web<ter, plaintiff in error, vs. Hugh T. 
Reid, iiid judgeniL-nt titles failed. 

About nine years before the judgement 
titles were finally abrogated as above, 
another class of titles were brought into 
competition with them, and, in the conflict 
between the two, the final decision was 
obtained. These were the titles Ijased on 
the "decree of partition" issued by the 
United States District Court for the Ter- 
ritory of Iowa, May 8, 1841, and certified 
to by the clerk on the 2d day of June of 
the same year. Edward Johnstone and 
Hugh T. Rt id, then law partners at Fort 
Madison, fili'd the petition for the decree 
in behalf of the St. Louis claimants of 
half-breed lands. Francis S. Key, author 
of the Star-Spangled Banner, who was 
then attorney for the New York Land 
Company, which held heavy interests in 
these lands, took a leading part in the 
measure, and drew up the documents in 



which it was presented to the court. 
Judge Charles Mason, of Burlington, pre- 
sided. The plan of partition divided the 
the tract into 101 shares, and arranged that 
each claimant should draw his proportion 
by lot, and should abide the result, what- 
ever it might be. The arrangement was 
entered into, the lots drawn, and the plat 
of the same filed in the Recorder's office, 
October 6, 1841. Upon this basis the titles 
to the land in the Half-Breed Tract are 
now held. 

We subjoin a synopsis of the different 
treaties male with the Indians of Iowa: 

1. Treaty with the Sioux. — Made July 
15, 1815; ratified December 16, 1815. This 
treaty was made at Portage des Sioux of 
Minnesota and Upper Iowa, and the United 
States, by William Clark and Ninian Ed- 
wards, Commissioners, and was merely a 
treatise of peace and friendship on the 
part of these Indians toward the Unitei 
States at the close of the war of 1812. 

2. Treaty with the Sacs. — A similar 
treaty of peace was made at Portage des 
Sioux, between the United States and the 
Sacs, by William Clark, Niniau Edwards 
and Augustt Choteau, on the 13th of Sep- 
tember, 1815, and ratified at the same date 
as the above. In this the treaty of 1804 
was re-affirmed, and the Sacs here repre- 
sented promised for themselves and their 
binds to keep entirely separate from the 
Sacs of Roo'i river, who, under Black 
Hawk, had joined the British in the war 
just then closed. 

3. Treaty with the Foxes. — A separate 
treaty of peace was made with the Foxes 
at Portage des Sioux, by the same commis- 
sioners, on the 14th of September, 1815, 
and ratified the same as the above, wherein 



TV 



-<. 






40 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



the Foxes re-affirmed the treaty of St. Louis, 
of November 3d, 1804, and agreed to de- 
liver up all their prisoners to the officer in 
command at Fort Clark, now Peoria, Illi- 
nois. 

4. Treaty with the loicas. — A treaty of 
peace and mutual good-will was made 
between the United States and the Iowa 
tribe of Indians, at Portage des Sioux, by 
the same commissioners as above, on the 
16th of September, 1815, at the close of the 
war with Great Britain, and ratified at the 
same date as the others. 

5. Treaty with the Sacs of Hock 
River. — Made at St. Louis, on the 13th of 
May, 1816, between the United States and 
the Sacs of Rock river, by the Commis- 
sioners, Williaoi Clark, Ninian Edwards 
and Auguste Choteau, and ratified Dec. 30, 
1816. In this treaty that of 1804 was re- 
established and enforced by the chiefs and 
head men of the Sacs of Rock river, and 
Black Hawk himself attached to it his sig- 
nature, or, as he said, "touched the goose- 
quill." 

6. Treaty of 1824.— On the 4th of 
August, 1824, a treaty was made between 
the United States and the Sacs and Foxes, in 
the city of Washington, by William Clark, 
Commissioner, wherein the Sac and Fox 
nations relinquished their title to all lands 
in Missouri, and that portion of the south- 
east corner of Iowa known as the "half- 
breed tract" was set off and reserved for 
the use of the half breeds of the Sacs and 
Foxes, they holding title in the same man- 
ner as Indians. Ratified Jan. 18, 1825. 

7. Treaty of August 19, 1825.— At this 
date a treaty was made by William Clark 
and Lewis Cass, at Prairie du Chien, be- 



tween the United States and the Chippe- 
was, Sacs and Foxes, Menominees, Winne- 
bagos, and a portion of the Ottawas and 
Pot'awatomies. In this treaty, in order 
make peace between the contending tribes 
as to the limits of their respective hunting 
grounds in Iowa, it was agreed that the 
United States Government should run a 
boundary line between the Sioux, on the 
north, and the Sacs and Foxes on the south, 
as follows : 

Commencing at the mouth of the Upper 
Iowa river, on the west bank of the Mis- 
sissippi, and ascending said Iowa river to 
its west fork; thence up the fork to its 
source; thence crossing the fork of Red 
Cedar river in a direct line to the lower 
fork of the Calumet river, and down that 
fork to its junction with the Missouri river. 

8. Treaty of 1830.— On the 15th of 
July, 1830, the confederate tribes of the 
Sacs and Foxes ceded to the United States 
a strip of country lying south of the above 
line, twenty miles in width, and extending 
along the line aforesaid from the Missis- 
sippi to the Des Moines river. The Sioux 
also, whose possessions were north of the 
line, ceded to the Government, in the same 
treaty, a strip on the north side of the 
boundary. Thus the United States, at the 
ratification of this treaty, February 24, 
1831, came into possession of a portion of 
Iowa forty miles wide, extending along 
the Clarke and Cass line of 1825, from the 
Mississippi to the Des Moines river. This 
territory was then known as the "Neutral 
Ground," and the tribes on either side of 
the line were allowed to fish and hunt on 
it unmolested until it was made a Winne- 
bago reservation, and the Winnebagos 
were removed to it in 1841. 



^3 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



41 



9. Treaty with the Sacs and Foxes and 
other tribes. — At the same time of the 
above treaty respecting the "Neutral 
Ground" (July 15, 1830), the Sacs and 
Foxes, Western Sioux, Omahas, lowas and 
Missouris ceded to the United States a por- 
tion of the western slope of Iowa, the 
boundaries of which were dt-fined as fol- 
lows: Beginning at the upper fork of ihe 
Des Moines river, and passing the sources 
of the Little Sioux and Floyd rivers, to the 
bank of the first creek tli;it falls into 'he 
Big Sii ux, or Calumet, on the easi side; 
thence down said creek and the Calumet 
river to the Missouri river; thence down 
said Missouri river to the Missouri Slate 
line above the Kansas; thence along said 
line to the northwest corner of said State; 
thence to the high lands between the 
waters falling into the Missouri and Des 
Moines, passing to said hgh lands along 
the dividing ridge between the forks of 
the Grand river; thence along said high 
lands or ridge separating the waters of the 
Missouri from those of the Des Moines, to 
a point opposite the source of the Boyer 
river, and thence in a direct line to the 
upper fork of the Des Moines, the place of 
beginning. 

It was understood that the lands ceded 
and relinquished by this treaty were to be 
assigned and allotted, under the direction 
of the President of the United States, to 
the tribes then living thereon, or to such 
otlier tribes as the President might locale 
thereon for hunting and other purposes. 
In consideiation of three tracts of land 
ceded in this treaty, the United States 
agreed to pay to the Sacs $.3,000; to the 
Foxes, $3,000; to the Sioux, $-',000; to the 
Yankton and Santee bands of Sioux, $3,000; 



to the Oraahas, $],500; and to the Ottoes 
and Missouris, $2,500— to be paid annually 
for ten successive years. In addition to 
these annuiiies, the Government agreed to 
furnish some of the tribes with back- 
smiths and agricultural im|)lements to the 
amount of $200, at the expense of the 
United Statts, and to set apart $3,000 an- 
nually for the education of the children of 
these tribes. It does not appear that any 
fcrt was erected in this territory prior to 
the erection of Fort Atkinson on the Neu- 
tral (-! round in I84u-'4l. 

This treaty was made by William Clark, 
Superintendent of Indian Affairs, and Col. 
Willoughby Morgan, of the United States 
First Infantry, and came into effect by 
proclamation, February 24, 1831. 

10. Treaty with the Wumebagos. — 
Made at Fort Armstrong, Rock Island, 
September I5tb, 1832, by General Winfield 
Scott and Hon. John R-^ynolds, Governor 
of Illinois. In this treaty the Winne- 
bagos ceded to the United States all their 
land lying on the east side of the Missis- 
sippi, and in part consideration therefor 
the United States granted to the Winne- 
bngos, to be held as other Indian lands 
are held, that portion of Iowa known as 
the Neutriil Grounds The exchange of 
the two tracts of country was to lak.j place 
on or before the Ist day of June, 1833. In 
addition to the Neutral Grounds, it was 
stipulated that the Uuiied States should 
give the Winnebagos, beginning in Sep- 
tember, lSi3, and continuing for twenty- 
seven successive years, $10,000 in specie, 
and esttiblish a school among theoi with a 
farm and garden, and provide olher facili- 
ties for the education of their chi dren, not 
to exceed in cost $3,000 a year, and to con- 



;r^ 



4-2 



HISTOEY OF IOWA. 



tinue the same twenty-seven successive 
years. Six agriculturists, twelve yoke of 
oxen, and plows and other farming tools 
were to be supplied by the Government. 

11. Treaty of liiZ'i with the Sacs and 
Foxes. — Already mentioned as the Black 
Hawk purchase. 

12. Treaty of 1836 with the Sacs and 
Foxes. — Ceding Keokuk's reserve to the 
United States, for which the Government 
stipulated to pay $30,000, and an annuity 
of $10,000 for ten successive years, to- 
gether with other sums and debts of the 
Indians to various parties. 

13. Treaty of 1837.— On the 21st of 
October, 1837, a treaty was made at the 
city of Washington, between Carey A. 
Harris, Commissioner of Indian Affairs, 
and the confederate tribes of Sacs and 
Foxes, ratified February 21, 1838, wherein 
another slice of the soil of Iowa was ob- 
tained, described in the treaty as follows: 

"A tract of country containing 1,250,000 
acres, lying west and adjoining the tract 
conveyed by them to the United States in 
the treaty of September 21, 1832. It is 
understood that the points of termination 
for the present cession shall be the north- 
ern and southern points of tract as fixed 
by the survey made under the authority of 
the United States, and that a line shall be 
drawn between them so as to intersect a 
line extended westwardly from the angle 
of said tract nearly opposite to Kock Island, 
as laid down in the above survey, so far as 
may be necessary to include the number of 
acres hereby ceded, which last mentioned 



line, it is estimated, will be about twenty- 
five miles." 

This piece of land was about twenty-five 
miles in the middle, and ran off to a point 
at both ends, lying directly back to the 
Black Hawk purchase, and of the same 
length. 

14. Treaty of Relinquishment. — At the 
same date as the above treaty, in the city 
of Washington, Carey A. Harris, Commi.s- 
sioner, the Sacs and Foxes ceded to tl e 
United States all their right and interest 
in the country lying south of the boundary 
line between the Sacs, Foxes and Sioux, as 
described in the treaty of August 19, 1825, 
and between the Missouri and Mississippi 
rivers, the United Slates paying f < r the 
same $160,000. The Indians also gave up 
all claims and interests under the treaties 
previously made with them, for the satis- 
faction of which no appropriations had 
been made. 

15. Treaty of 1842.— The last trfaty 
was made with the Sacs and Foxes October 
11, 1842; ratified March 23, 1843. It was 
made at the Sao and Fox agency (Agency 
City), by John Chambers, Commissioner 
on behalf of the United States. In this 
treaty the Sac and Fox Indians ceded to 
the United States all their lands west of 
the Mississippi to which they had any 
claim or title. By the terms of this treaty 
they were to be removed from the country 
at the expiration of three years, and all 
who remained after that were to move at 
their own expense. Part of them were 
removed to Kansas in the fall of 1845, and 
the rest the spring following. 



^ — njLi 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



43 



CHAPTER IV. 



EARLY SETTLEMENTS. 



The first permanent settlement m^de by 
whites within the limits of Iowa, was b}' 
Julien Dubuque, in 1788, when, with a small 
party of miners, he settled on the site of 
the city that now bears his name, where he 
lived until his death, in 1810. What was 
known as the Girard settlement, in Clayton 
county, was made by some parties prior to 
the commencement of the present century. 
It consisted of three cabins, in 1805. Louis 
Honori settled on the site of the present 
town of' Montrose, probably in 1799, and 
resided thereuntil 1805, when his property 
passed into other bands. Indian traders 
bad established themselvesatvarious points 
at, an early date. Mr. Johnson, an agent 
of the American Fur Cowpany, had a 
trading post below Burlington, where he 
carried on traffic with the Indians some- 
time before the United States purchased 
Louisiana. In 1820, LeMoliese, a French 
trader, had a station at what is now San- 
dusky, si.x miles above Keokuk, in Lee 
county. The same year, a cabin was built 
where the city of Keokuk now stands, by 
Dr. Samuel C Muir, a surgeon in the 
United States Army. His marriage and 
subsequent life were very romantic. While 
stationed at a military post on the Upper 
Mississippi, the post was visited by a beau- 
tiful Indian maiden — whose native name, 
unfortunately, has not been preserved — 
who, in her dreams, had seen a white brave 



unmoor his canoe, paddle it across the 
river, and come directly to her lodge. She 
felt assuied, according to the superstitious 
belief of her race, that in her dreams she 
had seen her future husband, and had come 
to the fort to tind him. Meeting Dr. Muir, 
she instantly recognized him as the hero of 
her dream, which, with childlike innocence 
and simplicity, she related to him. Her 
dream was indeed prophetic. Charmed 
with Sophia's beauty, innocence and devo- 
tion, the doctor honorably married her; but 
after awhile the sneers and gibes of his 
brother officers — less honorable than he, 
perhaps — made him feel ashamed of his 
dark-skinned wife, and when his regiment 
was ordered down the river to Bellefon- 
taine, it is said he embraced the opportu- 
nity to rid himself of her, never expecting 
to see her again, and little dreaming that 
she would have the courage to follow him. 
But, with her infant child, this intrepid 
wife and mother started alone in lier canoe, 
and after many days of weary labor an 1 a 
lonely journey of 900 miles, she at last 
reached him. She afterward remarked, 
when speaking of this toilsome journey 
down the river in search of her husband: 
"When I got there I was all perished 
away — so thin !" The doctor, touched by 
such uuexampled devotion, took her to his 
heart, and ever after, until his death, treat- 
ed her with mirked respect. She always 



D fy 



'k 



44 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



presided at his table with gr.ice and dig- 
nity, but never abandoned her native style 
of dress. In 1819-'20 he was stationed at 
Fort Edward, now Warsaw, but the sense- 
less ridicule of some of his brother officers 
on account of his Indian wife induced him 
to resign his commission. He then built 
a cibin, as above stated, where Keokuk is 
now situated, and made a claim to some 
land. This claim he leased to Otis Rey- 
nolds and John Culver, of St Louis, and 
went to La Pointe (afterward Galena), 
where he practiced his profession for ten 
years, when he returned to Keokuk. His 
Indian wife bore to him four children — 
Louise, James, Mary and Sophia. Dr. 
Muir died suddenly of cholera, in 1832, 
but left his property in such a condition 
that it was soon wasted in vexatious liti- 
gation, and his brave and faithful wife, left 
friendless and penniless, became discour- 
aged, and, with her two younger .jhildrcn, 
disappeared. It is said she returned to her 
people, on the Upper Missouri. 

The gentleman who had leased Dr. 
Muir's claim at Keokuk, subsequently em- 
ployed as their agent Moses Slillwel), who 
arrived with his family in 182S, and took 
possession. His brothers in-law, Amos and 
Valencourt Van Ansdal, came with him 
and settled'near. Mr Stillwell's daughter 
Margaret (afterward Mrs. Ford), was born 
in 1S31 at the foot of the rapids, called by 
the Indians Puckashetuck. She was prob- 
ably the first white American child born 
in Iowa. 

In 1829 Dr. Isaac Gallaud made a set- 
tlement on the Lower Rapids, at what is 
now Nashville. The same year James S. 
Langworthy, who had been engaged in 
lead milling at Galena since 18-24, resolved 



to visit the Dubuque mines. The lead 
mines in the Dubuque region were an 
object of great ii.terest to the miners about 
Galena, for they were known to be rich in 
lead ore. To explore these mines, and to 
obtain permission to work them was there- 
fore eminently desirable. Crossing the 
Mississippi at a point now known as Dun- 
leith, in.a canoe, and swimming his horse 
by his side, he landed on the spot known 
as the Jones Street Levee. Before him 
was spread out a beautiful prairie, on 
which the city of Dubuque now stands. 
Two miles south, at the mouth of Catfish 
creek, was a village of Sacs and Foxes. 
Thither Mr, Langworthy proceeded, and 
was well received by the natives. He 
endeavored to obtain permission from 
them to mine in their hills; but this they 
refused. He, however, succeeded in gaivi- 
ing the confidence of the chi<rf to such an 
extent as to be allowed to travel in the 
interior for three weeks, and explore the 
country. He employed two young Indians 
as guides, and traversed in different direc- 
tions the whole region lying between the 
Maqu 'keta and Turkey rivers. lie re- 
turned to the village, secured the good will 
of the Indians, and, returning to Galena, 
formed plans for future operations, to be 
executed as soon as the circum~tances 
would permit. In the following year, with 
his brother, Lucius H., and others, having 
obtained the consent of the Indians, Mr. 
Langworthy crossed the Mississippi and 
commenced mining in the vicinity around 
Dubuque. 

Although these lands had been pur- 
chased from France, they were not in the 
actual posession of the Unitecfc States. 
The Indian titles had not been ex- 






f 



M 



II I STORY OF IOWA. 



45 



tinguished, and these adventurous persjns 
were beyond the limits of any State or 
Territorial government. The first settlers 
were therefore obliged to be their own 
law-makers, and to agree to such regula- 
tions as the exegencies of the case de- 
manded. The first act resembling civil 
legislation in Iowa was done by the miners 
at this point, in June, 1830. They met on 
the bank of the river, by the side of an old 
Cottonwood drift log, at what is now the 
Jones Street Leevee, Dubuque, and elected 
a committee, consisting of J. C. Lang- 
worthy, H F Lander, James McPhetres, 
Samuel Scales and E. M. Wren. This may 
be called the first Legislature in Iowa, the 
members of which gathered arouud that 
old Cottonwood log, and agreed to and re- 
ported the following, written by Mr. Ling- 
worthy, on a half sheet of coarse, unruled 
paper, the old log being the writing desk: 

"We, a Committee, having been chosen 
to diaft certain rules and regulations 
(laws), by which we, as miners, will be 
governed, and, having duly considered the 
subject, do unanimously agree that we will 
be governed by the regulations on the east 
side of the Mississippi river, with the fol- 
lowing exceptions, to-wit: 

Article I, That each and every man 
shall hold two hundred yards square of 
ground by working said ground one day 
in six." 

'Article II. We further agree that 
there shall be chosen by the raaj )rity of 
the miners present, a person who shall hold 
this article, and who shall grant letters of 
arbitration on application having been 
made, and that said letters of arbitration 
shall be obligatory on the parties so apply- 
ing." 



The report was accepted by the miners 
present, who elected Dr Jarote in accord- 
ance with article second. Here, then, we 
have, in 1830, a primitive Legislature 
elected by the people, the law drafted by 
it being submitted to the people for ap- 
proval, and under it Dr. Jarote was elected 
first Governor. And the laws thus enacted 
were as promptly obeyed as any have been 
since. 

After this, the miners, who had thus 
erected an independent g )vernment of 
their own on the west side of the Missis- 
sippi river, continued to work succ ssfully 
for a long time, and the new settlement 
attracted considerable attention. But the 
west side of the Mississippi belonged to 
the Sac and Fox Indians, and the Govern- 
ment, in order to preserve peace on the 
frontier, as well as to protect the Indians 
in their rights under the treaty, ordered 
the settlers not only to stop raining, but to 
remove from the Indian Territory. They 
were sinijily intruders. The execution of 
this order was intrusted to Col. Zachary 
Taylor, then in command of the military 
post at Prairie du Chien, who, early in 
July, sent an officer to the miners to forbid 
settlement, and to command the miners to 
remove, within ten days, to the east side 
of the Mississippi, or they would be driven 
off by armed force The miners, how- 
ever, were reluctant about leaving the rich 
"leads" they had already discovered and 
opened, and were not disposed to obey the 
order to remove with any considerable 
degree of alacrity. 

In due time Colonel Taylor dispatched 
a detachment of troops to enforce his 
order.' The miners, anticipating their 
arrival, had, excepting three, recrossed the 



^ 



>2 k- 



46 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



river, and from the east bauk saw the 
troops land on the . western shore. The 
three who had lingered a little tot) long 
were, however, permitted to make their 
escape unmolested. From this time a mil- 
itary force was stationed at Dubuque ;o 
prevent the settlers from returning, until 
June, 1832. The Indians returned, and 
were encouraged to operate the rich mines 
opened by the late white occupants 

In June, 1832, the troops were ordered 
to the east side of the Mississippi to assist 
in the annihilation of the very Indians 
whose rights they had been protecting on 
the west side. Immediately after the close 
of the Black Hawk war, and the negotia- 
tions of the treaty in September, 1832, by 
which the Sacs and Foxes ceded the tract 
known as the "Black Hawk Purchase," the 
settlers, supposing that now they had a 
right to re-enter the territory, returned and 
took possession of their claims, built cab- 
ins, erected furnaces and prepared large 
quantities of lead for market. But the 
prospects of the hardy and enterprising 
settlers and miners were again ruthlessly 
interferred with by the Government, on 
the ground that the treaty with the Indians 
would not go into force until June 1st, 
1833, although they had withdrawn from 
the vicinity of the settlement. Col. Taylor 
was again ordered by the War Department 
to remove the miners, and, in January, 
1833, troops were again sent from Prairie 
du Chien to Dubuque, for that purpose. 
This was a serious and perhaps unneces- 
sary hardship imposed upon the miners. 
They were compelleJ to abandon their 
cabins and homes in mid-winter. This, 
too, was only out of respect for forms, for 
the purchase had been made, and the In- 



dians had retired. After the lapse of fifty 
years, no very satisfactory reason for this 
rigorous action of the Government can be 
given. But the orders had been given, 
and there was no alternative but to obey. 
Many of the settlers re-crossed the river, 
and did not return; a few, however, re- 
moved to an island near the east bank of 
the river, built rude cabins of poles, in 
which to store their lead until spring, when 
they could float the fruits of their labors 
to St. Louis for sale, and where they could 
remain until the treaty went into force, 
when they could return. Among these 
were the Langworthy brothers, who had 
on hand about 300,000 poun is of lead. 

No sooner had the miners left than Lieu- 
tenant Covington, who had been placed in 
command at Dubuque, by Colonel Taylor, 
ordered some of the cabins of the settlers 
to be torn down, and wagons and other 
property to be destroyed. This wanton 
and inexcusable action on the part of a 
subordinate, clothed with a little brief 
authority, was slerulj' rebuked by Col. 
Taylor, and Covington was superseded by 
Lieut. George Wilson, who pursued a just 
and friendly course with the p'oneers, who 
were only waiting for the time when they 
could repossess their claims. 

The treaty went formally into effect 
June, 1833; the troops were withdrawn, 
and the Langworthy brothers and a few 
others at once returned and resumed pos- 
session of their homes and claims. From 
this time must date the first permanent set- 
tlement of this portion of Iowa. Mr. John 
P. Sheldon was appointed superintendent 
of the mines, by the Government, and a 
system of permits to miners and licenses 
to smelters was adopted, similar to that 



■*^;. 



^u e 



,^^ 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



47 



which had been in operation at Galena 
since 1825, under Lieut. Martin Thomas 
and Capt. Thomas C. Legate. Substan- 
tially the primitive law enacted by the 
miners assembled around that old cotton- 
wood drift log in 1830, was adopted and 
enforced by the United States Govern- 
ment, except that miners were required to 
sell their mineral to licensed smelters, and 
the smelter was required to give bonds for 
the payment of six per cent, of all lead 
manufactured, to the Government. 

The rule in the United States mines, 
on Fever river, in Illinois, had been, 
until 18.30, that the miners must pay a ten 
per cent. tax. This tax upon the miners 
created much dissatisfaction among the 
miners on the west side, as it had on the 
east side of the Mississippi. They thought 
they had suffered hardships and privations 
enough in opening the way for civilization, 
without being subjected to the imposition 
of an odious Government tax upon their 
means of subsistence, when the Federal 
Government could better afford to aid than 
to extort from them. The measure soon 
became very unpopular. It was difficult 
to collect the taxes, and the whole system 
was abolished in about ten years. 

About five hundred people arrived in 
the mining district in 18.33, after the In- 
dian title was fully extinguished, of whom 
one hundred and fifty were' from Galena. 
In the same year Mr. Langworthy assisted 
in building the first school-house in Iowa, 
and thus was formed the nucleus of the 
populousand thriving city of Dubuque. Mr. 
Langworthy lived to see the naked prairie 
on which he first settled become the site 
of a city of 15,000 inhabitants; the 
small school-house which he aided in con- 



structing replaced by three substantial ed- 
ifices, wherein 2,000 children were being 
trained; churches erected in every part of 
the city, and railroads connecting the wil- 
derness, which he first explored, with all 
the eastern world. He died suddenly, on 
the 13th of March, 1865, while on a trip 
over the Dubuque tfe Southern railroad, at 
Monticello, and the evening train brought 
the news of his death, and his remains. 

Lucius H. langworthy, his brother, was 
one of the most worthy, gifted and influ- 
ential of the old settlers of this section of 
Iowa. He died greatly lamented by many 
friends,, in June, 1865. 

The name "Dubuque" was given to the 
settlement by the miners, at a meeting held 
in 1334. 

Soon after the close of the Black Hawk 
war, in 1832, Zachariah Hawkins, Benja- 
min Jennings, Aaron White, Augustine 
Horton, Samuel Gooch, Daniel Thompson 
and Peter Williams made claims at Fort 
Madison. In 1833, Gen. John H Knapp 
and Col. Nathaniel Knapp purchased these 
claims, and, in the summer of 183-5, they 
laid out the town of "Fort Madison," and 
lots were exposed for sale early in 1836. 
The town was subsequently re-surveyed 
and platted by the United States Govern- 
ment. The population rapidly increased, 
and in Jess than two years the beautiful 
location was covered by a flourishing town 
containing nearly 600 inhabitants, with a 
large proportion of enterprising merchants, 
mechanics and manufacturers. 

In the fall of 1832, Simpson S. White 
erected a cabin on the site of Burlington, 
79 miles below Rock Island During the 
war, parties had looked longingly upon the 
"Flint Hills" from the opposite side of the 



<J 



^ 



4^ 



HISiOHY OF IOWA. 



river, and White was soon followed by 
others. David Tothers made a claim on 
the prairie, about three miles back from 
the river, at a place since known as the 
farm of Judge Morgan. The following 
winter the settlers were driven ( S by tVe 
military from Rock Island, as intruders 
upon the rights of the Indians. White's 
cabin was burned by the soldiers. He 
retuined to Illinois, wheie he remained 
during the winter, anJ, in the following 
summer, as soon as the Indian title was 
extinguished, returned and re-built his 
cabin. White was joined by his brother- 
in-law, Doulittle, and they laid out the 
town of Burlington in 1S34, on a beautiful 
area of sloping eminences and gentle de- 
cltvities, enclosed within a natural amphi- 
theater formed by the surrounding hills, 
which were covered with luxuriant forests, 
and presented the most picturesque scenery. 
The same autumn witnessed the opening 
of the lirst dry goods stores, by Dr. W. R. 
Ross and Major Jeremiah Smith, each well 
supplied with Western merchandise. Such 
was the beginning cf Burlington, which, 
in less than four years, became the seat of 
goveriiment for the territory of Wisconsin, 
and, in three years more, contained a pcip- 
ulation of 1,400 persons. 

Immediately after the treaty with the 
Sacs and Foxes, in September, 1832, Col. 
George Davenport made the first claim on 
the site of the present thriving city of 
Davenport. As early as 1827, Col. Daven- 
port had established a flat-boat ferry, which 
ran between the island and the main shore 
of Iowa, by which he carried on a trade 
with the Indians west of the Mississippi. 

In 1S33 Capt. Benjamin W. Clark moved, 
from Illinois, and laid the foundation of 



the town of Buffalo, in Scott county, wh'ch 
was the first actual settlement within the 
limits of that county. 

The first settlers of Davenport were 
Antoine LeClaire, Col. George Davenport, 
Major Thomas Smith, Major Wm. Gordon, 
Philip Hambough, Alex. W. McGregor, 
Levi S. Colton, Captain James May, and 
others. 

A settlement was made in Clayton county 
in the spring of 1832, on Turkey river, by 
Robert Hatfield and Wm. W. Wayman. 
No further settlement was made in this 
part of the State until 1836 

The first settlers of Muscatine ctinty 
were Benjamin Nye, John Vanater and G. 
W. Kasey, all of whom came in 1834. E. 
E. Fay, Wm. St. John, N. Fullington, 11. 
Reece, Jona Pettibone, R. P. Lowe, Stephen 
Whicher, Abijah Whitney, J. E Fletciar, 
W. D. Abernethy and Alexis Smith were 
also early settlers of Muscatine. 

As early as 1824 a French trader named 
Hart had established a trading post, and 
built a cabin on the bluffs above the large 
spring now known as "Mynster Spring," 
within the limits of the present city of 
Council Bluffs, and had probably been 
there some time, as the post was known to 
the employes of the American Fur Com- 
pany as "La Cote de Hart," or "Hart's 
Bluff." 

In 1827 an agent of the American Fur 
Company, Francis Guitar, with others, en- 
camped in the timber at the foot of the 
bluffs, about on the present location of 
Broadway, and afterward settled there. 
In 1839 a block house was built on the 
bluff in the east part of the city. The 
Pottawatomie Indians occupied this part 
of the State until 1846 7, when they re- 



•^ 



'J I,** 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



49 



linquished the territory and removed to 
Kansas. Billy Caldwell was then princi- 
pal chief. There were no white settlers in 
that part of the State except Indian traders, 
until the arrival of the Mormons under the 
lead of Brigham Young. These people, 
on their way westward, halted for the win- 
ter of 1846-7 on the west bank of the Mis- 
souri river, about five miles above Omaha, 
at a place now called Florence. Some of 
them had reached the eastern bank of the 
river the spring before, in season to plant 
a crop In the spring of 1847 Young and 
a portion of the colony pursued their jour- 
ney to Salt Lake, but a large portion of 
them returned to the Iowa side and settled 
mainly within the present limits of Potta- 
watomie county. The principal settlement 
of this strange community was at a place 
first called ''Miller's Hollow," on Indian 
creek, and afterward named Kanesville, in 
honor of Col. Kane, of Pennsylvania, who 
visited them soon afterward. The Mor- 
mon settlement extended over the county 
and into neighboring counties, wherever 
timber and water furnished desirable loca- 
tions. Orson Hyde, priest, lawyer and 
editor, was installed as President of the 
Quorum of Twelve, and all that part of the 
State remained under Mormon control for 
several years. In 1847 they raised a bat- 
talion, numbering 500 men, for the Mexi- 
can war. In 1848 Hyde started a paper, 
called the Frontier Ouardian, at Kanes- 
ville. 



In 1849, after many of the faithful had 
left to join Brigham Young, at Salt Lake, 
the Mormons in this section of Iowa num- 
bered 0,552, and, in 1850, 7,828, but they 
were not all within the limits of Pottawat- 
omie county. This county was organized 
in 1848, all the first officials being Mor- 
mons. In 1852 the order was promulgated 
that pll the true believers should gather 
together at Salt Lake. GeiUi es flocked 
in, and in a few years nearly all the first 
settlers were gone. 

May 9, 1843, Capt. James Allen, with a 
small detachment of troops, on board the 
steamer "lone," arrived at the present site 
of the capital of the State, DesMoines. 
This was the first steamer to ascend the 
DesMoines river to thi.s point. T he troops 
and stores were landed at what is now the 
foot of Court Avenue, DesMoines, and 
Capt. Allen returned in the steamer to 
Fort Sanford, to arrange for bringing up 
more soldiers and supplies. In due time 
they, too, arrived, and a fort wrs built 
near the mouth of Raccoon Fork, at its 
confluence with the DesMoines, and named 
Fort DesMoines. Soon after the arrival of 
the troops, a trading post was established 
on the east side ot the river, by two noted 
Indian traders, named Ewing, from Ohio. 
Among the first settlers in this part of 
Iowa were Benjamin Bryant, J. B. Scott, 
James Drake (gunsmith), John Sturtevant, 
Robert Kinzie, Alexander Turner, Peter 
Newcomer, and others. 



;r^ 



rk 



50 



IIISTOEY OF IOWA. 



CHAPTER V. 



TEREITOEIAL AND STATE ORGANIZATIONS. 



The immigration to Iowa after the Black 
Hawk piD'chase was so rapid and steady 
that some provision for civil government 
became necessary. Accordingly, in 1834, 
all the territory comprising the present 
States of Iowa, Wisconsin and Minnesota 
was made subject to the jurisdiction of 
Michigan Territory. Up to this time there 
had been no county or other organization 
in what is now the State of Iowa, although 
one or two justices of the peace had been 
appointed, and a postoffice was established 
at Dubuque in 1833. In September of 
1834, therefore, the Territorial Legislature 
of Michigan created two counties on the 
west side of the Mississippi river — Du- 
buque and DesMoines — separated by a line 
drawn westward from the foot of Rock 
Island. These counties were partially or- 
ganized. John King was apjiointed Chief 
Justice of Dubuque county, and Isaac Lef- 
fler (of Burlington) of DesMoines county. 
Two associate justices, in each county, 
were appointed by the Govetmor. 

In October, 1835, Gen. George W. Jones, 
now a citizen of Dubuque, was elected a 
delegate to Congress. April 20, 1836, 
through the efforts of Gen. Jores, Con- 
gress passed a bill creating the Territory 
of Wisconsin, which went into operation 
July 4, of the same year. Iowa was then 
incladed in the Territory of Wisconsin, of 
which Gen Henry Dodge was appointed 






Governor; John S. Horner, Secretary; 
Charles Dunn, Chief Justice; David Irwin 
and William C. Frazer, Associate Justices. 

Sept. 9, ] 836, Governor Dodge ordered 
a census of the new Territory to be taken. 
This census showed a population of 10,531, 
of which DesMoines county contained 
6,257, and Dubuque 4,274. Under the 
apportionment, the two above named 
counties were entitled to six members 
of the Council and thirteen of the House 
of Representatives. The Governor issued 
his proclamation for an election to be held 
on the first Monday of October, 1836, on 
which day the following members of the 
first Territorial Legislature of Wisconsin 
were elected from the two counties in the 
Black Hawk purchase : 

DuBUQiE — Council: John Fally, Thos. 
McKnight, Thos. McCraney. Home: Lor- 
ing Wheeler, llaldin Whelan, Peter Hill 
Engle, Patrick Quigly, Hosea F. Camp. 

Di.sMoiNES — Council: Jeremiah Smith, 
Jr., Joseph B. Teas, Arthur B. Ingram. 
House: Isaac Leffler, Thos. Blair, Warren 
L. Jenkins, John Box, George W. Teas, 
Eli Reynolds, David R Chance. 

The Legislature assembled at Belmont, 
in the present State of Wisconsin, October 
25th, 1836, and organized by electing Henry 
Baird President of the Council, and Peter 
Hill Engle (of Dubuque) Speaker of the 
House. 



'V 



,u 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



51 



At this session the county of DesMoines 
was divided into DesMoines, Lee, VanBu- 
ren, Henry, Muscatine and Cook. This 
last is now called Scott county. The first 
Legislature adjourned December 9th, 1836. 

The second Legislature assembled at 
Burlington, November 9, 1 337. It divided 
Dubuque into the counties of Dubuque, 
Clayton, Fayette, Delaware, Buchanan, 
Jackson, Jones, Linn, Benton, Clinton and 
Cedar, and adjourned January 20th, 1838. 

A third session was held at Burlington, 
commencing June 1st, and ending June 
12th, 1838. Most of the new counties 
were not organized nntil several years 
afterward 

The question of the organization of the 
Territory of Iowa now began to be agi- 
tated, and the desires of the people found 
expression in a convention held Nov. 1st, 
which memoralized Congress to organize a 
Territory west of the Mississippi, and to 
settle the boundary line between Wiscon- 
sin Territory and Missouri. The Territorial 
Legislature of Wisconsin, then in session 
at Burlington, joined in the petition. Gen. 
George W. Joaes, of Dubuque, then re- 
siding at Linsinawa Mound, in what is now 
Wisconsin, was delegate to Congress from 
Wisconsin Territory, and labored so earn- 
estly that the act was passed dividing the 
Territory of Wisconsin, and providing for 
the territorial government of Iowa. This 
was approved June 12, 1838, to take effect 
and bo in force on and after July 3, 1838. 

The new Territory embraced "all that 
part of the pr. sent Territory of Wisconsin 
west of the Mississippi river, and west of 
a line drawn due north from the head- 
waters or sources of the Mississippi to the 
Territorial line." The organic act pro- 



vided for a Governor, whose term of office 
should be three years; and for a Secretary, 
Chief Justice, two Associate Justices, and 
Attorney and Marshal, who should serve 
four years, to be appointed by the Pr si- 
dent, by and with the advice and consent 
of the Senate. 

The act also provided for the election, by 
the white male inhabitants, citizens of the 
United States, over 21 years of age, of a 
House .of Representatives, consisting of 
26 members, and a council, to consist of 13 
members. It also appr^ipriated $5,000 for 
a public library, and $20,000 for the erec- 
tion of public buildings. 

In accordance with this act, President 
Van Buren appointed ex-Governor Robert 
Lucas, of Ohio, to be the first Governer of 
the new Territory. Wm. B. Conway, of 
Pittsburg, was appointed Secretary of the 
Territory; Charles Mason, of Burlington, 
Chief Justice, and Thomas S. Wilson, of 
Dubuque, and Joseph Williams, of Penn- 
sylvania, Associate Judges of the Supreme 
and District Courts; Mr. Van Allen, of 
New York, Attorney; Francis Gehon, of 
Dubuque, Marshal; Augustus C. Dodge, 
Register of the Land Ofhce at Burlington, 
and Thos McKnight, Receiver of the Land 
Office at Dubuque. Mr. Van Allen, the 
District Attorney, died at Rockingham 
soon after his appointment, and Col. Chas 
Weston was appointed to fill his vacancy. 
Mr. Conway, the Secretary, also died at 
Burlington during the second session of 
the Legislature, and James Clarke, editor 
of the (rastftfe, was appointed to succeed him. 

Governor Lucas, immediately after his 
arrival, issued a proclamation for the elec- 
tion of members of the first Territorial- 
Legislature, to be held on the 10th of Sep- 



9 \' 



Jk 



Q i- 



52 



HISIORY OF IOWA. 



tember, dividing the Territory into eUction 
districts for that purpose, and appointing 
the I2th of November for tbe meeting of 
the Legislature to be elected at Burlington. 
The members were elected in accordance 
with this proclamation, and assembled at 
the appointed time and place. The fol- 
lowing are their names : 

Council— Jesise B. Brown, J. Keith, E 

A. M. Swazey, Arthur Ingram, Robert 
Ralston, George Hepner, Jesse J. Payne, 
D. B. Hughes, James M. Clark, Charles 
Whittlesey, Jonathan W. Parker, Warner 
Lewis, Stephen Hempstead. 

House — Wm. Patterson, Hawkins Tay- 
lor, Calvin J. Price, James Brierly, James 
Hall, Gideon S. Bailey, Samuel Parker, 
James W. Grimes, George Temple, Van 

B. Delashmutt, Thomas Blair, George H. 
Beeler, Wm. G. Coop, Wm. H. Wallace, 
Asbury B. Porter, John Frierson, Wm. L. 
Toole, Levi Thornton, S. C. Hastings, 
Robert G. Roberts, Laurel Summers, Ja- 
bez A. Burchard, Jr, Chauncey Swan, An- 
drew Bankson, Thomas Cox and Hardin 
Nowlin. 

Although a large majority of both 
branches of the Legislature were Demo- 
ocrats. Gen. Jesse B. Brown (Whig), of 
Lee county, was elected President of the 
Council, and Hon. Wm. H. Wallace (Whig), 
of Henry county. Speaker of the House of 
Representatives — the former unanimously 
and the latter with but little opposition 
At that time national politics were little 
heeded by the people of the new Territory, 
but in 1840, during the Presidential cam- 
paign, party lines were strongly drawn. 

At the same time with this Legislature, 
a Congressional delegate was also elected. 



Out of four candidates, William W. Chap- 
man was elected. 

The first session of the Iowa Territorial 
Legislature was a stormy and exciting one. 
By the organic law the Governor was 
clothed with almost unlimited veto power. 
Governor Lucus seemed disposed to make 
free use of it, and the independent Hawk- 
eyes could not quietly submit to arbitrary 
and absolute rule, and the result was an 
unpleasant controversy between the execu- 
tive and legislative departments; Congress, 
however, by act approved March 3d, 1839, 
amended the organic law by restricting 
the veto power of the Governor to the two- 
thirds rule, and took from him the power 
to appoint sheriffs and magistrates. Among 
the first important matters demanding at- 
tention was the location of the seat of 
government, and provision for the erection 
of public buildings, for which Congress 
had appropriated $20,000. Gov. Lucas, 
in his message, had recommended the ap- 
pointment of commissioners with a view 
to selecting a central location. The extent 
of the future State of Iowa was not known 
or thought of. Only a strip of land fifty 
miles wide, bordering on the JSIississippi 
river, was the Indian title extinguished, 
and a central location meant some ccntial 
point in the Black Hawk Purchase. 

The friends of a central location sup- 
ported the Governor's suggestion. The 
Southern members were divided between 
Burlington and Mount Pleasant, but finally 
united on the latter as the proper location 
for the seat of government. The central 
and southern parties were very nearly equal, 
and, in consequence, much excitement pre- 
vailed. The central party at last tri- 
umphed, and, on January 21st, 1839, an act 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



53 



was passed appointing Chauncey Swan, of 
Dubuque county, John Ronalds, of Louisa 
county, and Robert Ralston, of DesMoines 
county. Commissioners to stlect a site for 
a permanent seat of government within 
the limits of Johnson county. 

The first settlement within the limits of 
Johnson county was made in 1837. The 
county was created by act of the Territorial 
Legislature of Wisconsin, approved Dec. 
21, 1837, and organized by act pa sed at 
the special session at Burlington, in June, 
1838, the organization to date from July 4, 
following. Napoleon, on the Iowa river, 
a few miles below the future Iowa City, 
was designated as the temporary county 
seat. 

All things considered, the location of 
the capital in Johnson county was a wise 
act. The Territory was bounded on the 
north by the British possessions; east, by 
the M;s.sissippi river to its source; thence 
by a line drawn due noith to the northern 
boundary of the United States; south, by 
the State of Missouri, and west by the 
Missouri and White Earth rivers. But 
this imnaeuse territory was in undisputed 
possession of the Indians, except a strip 
on the Mississippi, known as the Black 
Hawk Purchase. Johnson county was, 
from north to south, in the geographical 
center of this purchase, and as near the 
east and west geographical center of the 
future State of Iowa as could then be made, 
as the boundary line between the lands of 
the United States and the Indians estab- 
lished by the treaty of Oct. 21, 1837, was 
immediately west of the county limits. 

After selecting the site, the Commission- 
ers were directed to lay out 640 acres into 
a town, to be called Iowa City, and to pro- 



ceed to sell lots and erect public buildings 
thereon, Congress having granted a section 
of land to be selected by the Tei ritory for 
this purpose. The Commissioners met at 
Napoleon, Johnson county, May 1, 18:^9, 
selected for a site section 10, in township 
79 north, of range 6 west of the fifth prin- 
cipal meridian, and immediately surveyed 
it and laid off the town. The first sale of 
lots took place Aug. 16, 1839. The site 
selected for the public buildings was a 
little west of the center of the section, 
where a square of 10 acres, on the elevated 
grounds overlooking the river, was reserved 
for the purpose. The capitol is located in 
the center of this square. The second Ter- 
ritorial Legislature, which assembled in 
November, 1839, passed an act requiring 
the Commissioners to adopt such plan for 
the building that the aggregate cost, when 
complete, should not exceed SsljfOO, and 
if they had already adopted a plan involv- 
ing a greater expenditure, they were direct- 
ed to abandon it. Plans for the building 
were designed and drawn by Mr. John F. 
Rague, of Sprina^field, Ills., and July 4, 
1840, the corner-stone of the edifice was 
laid with appropriate ceremonies. Samuel 
C. Trowbridge was marshal of the day, 
and Governor Lucas delivered the address 
on that occasion. 

On July 13, 1840, Governor Lucas an- 
nounced to the Legislature then as- 
sembled in special sess^ion, that on the 
4th of that month he had visited Iowa 
City, and found the basement of the cap- 
itol nearly completed. A bill authorizing 
a loan of $^0,000 for the building was 
passed January 15, 1841, the unsold lots of 
Iowa City being the security offered, but 
only $5,500 was obtained under the act. 



v^ 






54 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



Monday, December 6, 1841, the fourth 
Legislative Assembly met at the new cap- 
ital, Iowa City, but the capitol building 
could not be used, and the Legislature oc- 
cupied a temporary frame house, that had 
been erected for that purpose during the 
session of 1841-2. At this session, the 
Superintendent of Public Buildings (who, 
with the Territorial Agent, had superseded 
the Commissioners first ajjpuinted,) esti- 
mated the expense of completing the build- 
ing at 133,330, and of completing rooms 
for the use of the Legislature at f 15,600. 

During the following year the Superin- 
tendent commenced obtaining stone from a 
new quarry about ten miles northeast of the 
city. This is now known as the "Old Cap- 
itol Quarry," and is thought to contain an 
immense quantity of excellent building 
stone. Here all the stone for completing 
tlie building was obtained, and it was so 
far completed that, on the 5th day of De- 
comber, 1842, the Legislature assembled in 
the new Capitol. At this session the Su- 
perintendent estimated that it would cost 
$39,143 to finish the building This was 
nearly $6,000 higher than the estimate of 
tlie previous year, notwithstanding a large 
sum had been expended in the meantime. 
This rather discouraging discrepancy was 
accounted for by the fact that the officers 
in charge of the work were constantly 
short of funds Except the Congressional 
appropriation of $20,000, and the loan of 
$5,500 obtained from the Miners' Bank of 
Dubuque, all the funds for the prosecution 
of the work were derived from the sale of 
the city lots (which did not st'll very rap- 
idly), from certificates of iiideblfdiifss, 
and from scrip, based upon unsold lots, 
which was to be received in payment for 



such lots when they were sold. At one 
time the Superintendent midea requisition 
for bills of iron and glass, which could not 
be obtained nearer than St. Louis. To 
meet this, the agent sold some lots for a 
draft payable at Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, 
for which he was compelled to pay 25 per 
cent, exchange. This draft amounted to 
$507, which that officer reported to be more 
than one-half the cash actually handled by 
him during the entire season, when the dis- 
bursements amounted to very nearly $24,- 
000. With such uncertainty, it could not 
hi expected that the estimate could be 
very accurate. With all these disadvan- 
tages, however, the work appears to have 
been prudently prosecuted, and as rapidly 
as circumstances would permit. 

In 1841, John Chambers succeded Robert 
Lucas as Territorial Governor. The office 
was held by him until 1845, when it was 
filled by James Clarke. 

The first Legislative Assembly laid the 
broad foundation of civil equality, on which 
has been constructed one of the most lib- 
eral governments in the Union. Its first 
act was to recognize the equality of woman 
with man, before the law, by providing 
that " no action commenced by a single 
woman, who marries during the pendency 
thereof, shall abate on account of such 
marriage." This principle has Jbeen 
adopted in all subsequent legislation in 
Iowa, and to-day woman has full and equal 
rights with man, excepting only the right 
of the ballot. 

Religious toleration was also secured to 
all, per.-5onal liberty strictly guarded the 
rights and privileges of ci izenship ex- 
tended to all white personjf, and the puritv 
of elections secured by lie.avy penalties 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



55 



against bribery and corruption. The 
judiciary power was vested in a Supreme 
Court, District Court, Probate Court and 
justices of the peace. Real estate was 
made divisible by will, and intestate pro- 
. perty divided equitably among heirs. 
Murder was made punishable by death, 
ani^ proportionate penalties fixed for lesser 
crimes. A system of free schools, open 
for every class of white citizens, was estab- 
lished. Provision was made for a system 
of roads and highways. Thus, under the 
Territorial organization, the country began 
to emerge from a savage wilderness, and 
take on the forms of civil government. 

The Territorial Legislature held its 
eighth and last session at Iowa City, com- 
mencing December 1, 1845. James Clark 
was the same year appointed the successor 
of Governor Chambers, and was the third 
and last Territorial Governor. In 1843 the 
Territorial Legislature compiled and pub- 
lished a code of general statutes, making 
a volume of 800 pages, that continued in 
force until July, 1851. 

TUE MISSOUEI WAR. 

In defining the boundaries of the coun- 
ties bordering on Missouri, the Iowa 
authorities had fixed a line which has 
since been established as the boundary 
between Iowa and Missouri. The consti- 
tution of Missouri defined her northern 
boundary to be the parallelof latitude which 
passes through the rapids of Des Moines 
river. The lower rapids of the Mississippi 
immediately above the mouth of the Des 
Ml ines river had always been known as 
the Des Moines Rapids, or the " rapids of 
the Des Moines river." The Missourians 
(evidently not well versed in history or 



geography), insisted on running the 
northern boundary line from the rapids in 
the Des Moines river, just lelow Keosau- 
qua, thus taking from Iowa a strip of ter- 
ritory eight or ten miles wide. Assuming 
this ashernorihern boundary line, Missouri 
attempted to exercise jurisdiction over ihe 
disputed territory by assessing taxes, and 
sending her sheriffs to collect them by 
distraining the personal property of the 
settlers. The lowans, however, were not 
disposed to submit, and the Missouri offi- 
cials were arrested bv the sheriffs of Davis 
and Van Buren counties and confined in 
jail. Governor Boggs, of Misstui i, called 
out his milita to enforce the claim aLd 
sustain the officers of Missouri. Governor 
Lucas called out the militia of Iowa. 
About 1,200 men were enlisted, and 500 
were actually armed and encamped in 
Van Buren county, ready to defend the 
integrity of the Territory. Subsequently, 
Gen. A. C. Dodge, of Burlington, General 
Churchman, of Dubuque, and Dr. Clark, 
of Fort Madison, were sent to Missouri as 
envoys plenipotentiary, to effect, if possi- 
ble, a peaceable adjustment of the diffi- 
culty. Upon their arrival, they found that 
the county commissioners of Clark county, 
Missouri, had rescinded their order for the 
collection of taxes, and that Governor 
Boggs had dispatched messengers to the 
Governor of Iowa proposing to submit an 
agreed case to the Supreme Court of the 
United States for the settlement of the 
boundary question. This proposition was 
declined; but afterward, upon petition (f 
Iowa and Missouri, Congress authorized a 
suit to settle the controversy. The suit 
was duly instituted, and resulted in the 
decision that Iowa had only asserted "the 



Jd'. 



4 



56 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



truth of history," and that she knew 
where the rapids of Des Moines river were 
located. Thus ended the Missouri war. 
"Ti.ere was much good sense," says Hon. 
0. C. Nourse, "in the basi< upon which 
peace was secured, to-wit: ' If Missourians 
did not know where the rapids of the river 
Des Moines were located, that was no suf- 
ficient reason for killing them off with 
powder and lead; and if we did know a 
little more of history and geography than 
they did, "ve ought not to be shot for our 
learninar. We commend our mutual for- 
bearance to oldtr and greater people.' " 
Under an order from the Supreme Court 
of the United States, William G. Miner, of 
Mi>;souri, and Henry B. Hendershott, of 
Iowa, acted as commissioners, and surveyed 
and established the boundary. The ex- 
penses of the war on the part of Iowa were 
never paid, either by the United States or 
the Territorial Government. The patriots 
who furnished supplies to the troops had 
to bear the cost and charges of the struggle 
The population being sufficient to justify 
the formation of a State government, the 
Territorial Legislature of Iowa pas.«ed an 
act, which was approved February 12th, 
1844, submitting to the people the ques- 
tion of the formation of a State constitu- 
tion and providing for the election of 
delegates to a convention to be convened 
for that purpose. The people voted upon 
this at their township elections in the fol- 
lowing April. The measure was carried 
by a large majority, and the delegates 
elected assembled in convention at Iowa 
City October 7th, 1844. On the first day 
of November following, the convention 
completed its work, and adopted the first 
State constitution 



Hon Shepherd Lefller, the president of 
this convention, was instructed to transmit 
a certified copy of this constitution to the 
delegate in Congress, to be by him sub- 
mitted to that body at the earliest practi- 
cable day. It als J ;.rovided that it should 
be submitted, together with any conditions 
or changes that might be made by Con- 
gress, to the People of the Territory, fi.T 
their approval or rejection, at the township 
election in April, 18 15. 

The Constitution, as thus prepared, pro- 
vided the following boundaries for the 
State: Beginnins; in the middle of the 
channel of the Mississippi river, opposite 
the mouth of the Des Moines river; thence 
up the said river Des Moines, in the mid- 
dle of the main channel thereof, to a point 
where it is intersected by the old Indian 
boundary line, or line run by John C. Sul- 
livan in 1816; thence westwardly along 
said line to the "old" northwest corner of 
Missouri; thence due west to the middle 
of the main channel of the Missouri river; 
thence up the middle of the main channel 
of the river last mentioned, to the mouth 
of the Sioux or Calumet river; thence in a 
direct line to the middle of the main chan- 
nel of the St. Peters river, where the Wa- 
tonwan river — according to Nicollett's 
map — enters the same; thence down the 
middle of the main channel of the said 
river to the middle of the main channel 
of the Mississippi river; thence down the 
middle of the main channel of said river 
to the place of beginning. 

These boundaries were considerably 
more extended than other Western States, 
and Congress therefore amended the "^"on- 
stitution, by act approved March 3, 1S45, 
as follows: Beginning at the mouth of 



V 



_^ S) 



IIISTOHY OF IOWA. 



:kv 



thu Deo Moines river, at the middle of the 
Mississippi; ibeuce by the middle of the 
cbaanel of that river to a parallel of lati- 
tude, passing through the moulh of the 
Maiikato or Blue Earth river; thence west, 
along said parallel of latitude, to a point 
where it is intersected by a meridia-i line 
17® 30' west of the meridian of Wash- 
ington City; thence due south, to the 
northern boundary line of the State of 
Missouri; thence eastwardly, following 
that boundary to the point at which the 
same intersects the Des Moines river; 
thence by the middle of the channel of 
that river to the place of beginning. 

Had these boundaries been accepted, 
they would have placed the northern 
boundary of the State about 30 miles 
north of its present location, and would 
have deprived it of the Missouri slope and 
the boundary of that river. The western 
boundary would have been near the west 
line of what is now Kossuth county. But 
it was not so to be. Itf consequence of 
this radical and unwelcome change in the 
boundaries, the people refused to accept 
the act of Congress, and rejected the Con- 
stitution, at the election held Aug. 4, 1845, 
by a vote of 7,656 to 7,235. 

May 4, 1846, a second Convention met 
at Iowa City, and on the 18th of the same 
month another Constitution, prescribing 
the boundaries as they now are, was 
adopted. This was accepted by the people, 
Augu.st 3, by a vote of 9,492 to 9,036. The 
new Constitution was approved by Con- 
gress, and Iowa was admitted as a sov- 
ereign State in the American Union, Dec. 
28, 1846. 

The people of the State, anticipating 
favorable action by Congress, held an 



election for ■ State officers October 26, 
which resulted in Ansel Briggs being de- 
clared .Governor; Elisha Cutler, Jr , Secre- 
tary of State; Joseph T. Pales, Auditor; 
Morgan Reno, Treasurer; and members of 
the Senate and House of Representatives. 

The act of Congress which admitted 
Iowa gave her the 1 6th section of every 
township of land in the State, or its 
equivalent, for the support of schools; 
also, 72 sections of land for the purpose of 
a university; also, five sections of land for 
the completion of her public buildings; 
also, the salt springs within her limits, not 
exceeding 12 in number, with sections of 
land adjoining each; also, in consideration 
that her public lands should be exempt 
from taxation by the Slate, she gave the 
State live per cent, of the net proceeds of 
the sale of public lands within the State. 
Thus provided for as a bride with her 
marriage portion, Iowa commenced house- 
keeping on her own account. 

A majority of the Constitutional Con- 
vention of 1846 were of the Democratic 
party; and the instrument contains some 
of the peculiar tenets of the party of that 
day. All banks of issue were prohibited 
within the State. The State was prohibited 
from becoming a stockholder in any cor- 
poration for pecuniary profit, and the Gen- 
eral Assembly could only provide for pri- 
vate corporations by general statutes. The 
constitution also limited the State's indebt- 
edness to $100,000. It required the Gen- 
eral Assembly to provide public schools 
throughout the State for at least three 
months in the year. Six months previous 
residence of any white male citizen of the 
United Slates coiistitutel him an elector. 



^ 



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.k 



5S 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



The government was started on an 
economical basis. The members of the 
General Assembly received, each, two dol- 
lars per day for the first fifty days of the 
session, and one dollar per day thereafter. 
The sessions were to be biennial. The 
salaries of the State officers were limited 
the first ten years as follows: Governor, 
$1,000 per annum; Secretary of State, $500; 
Treasurer of State, $400; Auditor of State, 
$600; and Judges of the Supreme Court, 
$1,000 each. And it may be said here that 



these prices did not discourage the best 
talent of the State from seeking these 
positions, and that during these ten years 
none of these officers were ever known to 
receive bribes, or to steal one dollar of the 
public money. At the time of organiza- 
tion as a State, Iowa had a popuktion of 
116,651, as appears by the census of 1847. 
There weie twenty-seven organized coun- 
ties in the State, and the settlements were 
being rapidly pushed toward the Missouri 
river. 



CHAPTER VI. 



GEOWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OP THE STATE. 






The first General Assembly was com- 
posed of nineteen Senators and forty Rep- 
resentatives. It assembled in Iowa City, 
November 30th, 1840, about one month be- 
fore Congress passed the act of admission. 
The most important business transacted 
was the passage of a bill authorizing a 
loan of $50,000 for means to run the State 
government and pay the expenses of the 
Constitutional Convention. The election 
of United States Senators was called up at 
this session, and was the occasion of much 
excitement and no little hard feeling. The 
Whigs had a majority of two in the House 
and the Democrats a majority of one in 



the Senate. After repeated attempts to 
control these majorities for caucus nom- 
inees, and frequent sessions of a joint con 
vention for purposes of an election, the 
attempt was abandoned. A public school 
law was passed at this session, for the or- 
ganization of public schools in the State. 
In pursuance of its provisions, an election 
f.r superintendent of public instruction 
was held the following spring, and James 
Harlan received a majority of the votes 
cast. After the election the Democratic 
Secretary of State discovered that the law 
contained no provision for its publication 
in the newspapers, and he claimed it had 






HISTORY OF IOWA. 



^A 



not gone into effect. He, therefore, and 
tlie Governor, refused Harlan a certificate 
of election. The Supreme Court sustained 
their action. 

At this first session of the General As- 
sembly, the Treasurer of State reported 
that the capitol building was in a very 
exposed condition, liable to injury from 
storms, and expressed the hope that some 
provision would be made to complete it, at 
least sufficiently to protect it from the 
weather. The General Assembly re- 
sponded by appropriating $2,500 for the 
completion of the public buililings. At 
the first session, also, arose the question of 
the relocation of the capitol. The western 
boundary of the State, as now 'determined, 
left Iowa City too far toward the eastern 
and southern boundary of the State; this 
was conceded. Congress had appropri 
ated five sections of land for the erection 
of public buildings, and toward the close 
of the session a bill was introduced pro- 
viding for the relocation of the seat of 
government, involving to some extent the 
location of the State University, which 
had already been discussed. This bill 
gave rise to much discussion, and parlia- 
mentary maneuvering almost purely sec- 
tional in its character. It provided for 
the appointment of commissioners, who 
were authorized to make a location as near 
the geographical centre of the State as 
a healthy and eligible site could be ob- 
tained; to select the five sections of land 
donated by Congress, to survey and plat 
into town lots not exceeding one section of 
the land so selected; to sell lots at public 
sale, not to exceed two in eaah block. 
Having done this, they were then required 
to suspend further operatio s, and make a 



report of their proceeding to the Governor. 
The bill passed both Houses by decisive 
votes, received the signature of the Gov- 
ernor, and became a law. Soon after, by 
"An act to locate and establish a State 
University," approved Feb. 25, 18 JY, the 
unfinished public buildings at Iowa City, 
together with the ten acres of lands on which 
they were situated, were granted for the 
use of the University, reserving their use, 
however, by the General Assembly and the 
State ofKcers, until other provisions were 
made by law. 

The Commissioners forthwith entered 
upon their duties, and selected four sec- 
tions and two half sections in Jasper 
county. Two of these sections are in what 
is now DesMoines township, and the others 
in Fairview township, in the southern part 
•of that county. These lands are situated 
between Prairie City and Monroe, on the 
Keokuk & DesMoines railroad, which runs 
diagonally through them. Here a town 
was platted called Monroe City, and a sale 
of lots took place. The number of 415 
lots were sold, at prices that were not con- 
sidered remarkably remunerative. The 
cash payments (one-fourth) amounted to 
$1,797.43, while the expenses of the sale 
and the claims of the Commissioners for 
services amounted to $2,206.67. The Com- 
missioners made a report of their proceed- 
ings to the Governor, as required by law, 
but the location was generally condemned. 

When the report of the Commissioners, 
showing this brilliant financial operation, 
had been read in the House of Represent- 
ativ s, at the next session, and while it was 
under conside'.Ttion, an imlignant member, 
afterward known as the eccentric Judge 
McFarland, moved to lefer the report to a 



~K 



A 



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■t. 



60 



HISIORY OF roWA. 



select coraiuittee of five, with instructions 
to report "how much of said city of Mon- 
roe was under water, and how much was. 
burned." The report was referred, with- 
out the instructions, but Monroe City never 
became the seat of government. By an 
act approved January 15, 1849, the law by 
which the location had been made was re- 
pealed, and the new town was vacated, the 
money paid by purchasers of lots being 
refunded to them. This, of course, re- 
tained the seat of government at Iowa 
City, and precluded for the time the occu- 
pation of the building and grounds by the 
University. 

At the same session $3,000 more were 
appropriated for completing the State 
building at Iowa City. In 1352, the fur- 
ther sum of $5,000, and in 1851 $-t,000 
more were a;ipropriated for the same pur-* 
pose, making the whole cost $1-23,000, paid 
partly by the general Government and 
partly by the State, but principally by the 
proceeds of the sale of lots in Iowa City. 

After the adjournment of the first Gen- 
eral Assembly, the Governor appointed 
Joseph Williams, Chief Justice, and Geo. 
Green and John F. Kinney Judges, of tbe 
Supreme Court. They were afterward 
elected by the second General Assembly, 
and constituted the Supreme Court until 
1855, with the exception that Kinney re- 
signed in January, 1 1-54, and J. C. Hail, of 
Burlington, was appointed in his place. 
Hall was one of the earliest and ablest 
lawyers of the State, and his memory will 
long be cherished by the early members of 
the profession. Some changes having 
occurred by death and removal, the Gov- 
ernor was induced to call an extra session 
of the General Assembly in January, 1843, 



with the hope of an election of United 
States Senators. The attempt, however, 
was again unsuccessful. .At this session, 
Charles Mason, William G. Woodward and 
Stephen Hempstead were appointed Com- 
missioners to prepare a code of laws for 
the State. Their work was finished in 
1850, and was adopted by the General As- 
sembly. This "code" contained, among 
other provisions, a code of civil practice, 
superseding the old common-law forms of 
actions and writs, and it was admissible 
for its simplicity and method. It remained 
in force until 1863, when it was superseded 
by the more complicated and ipetaphys- 
ical system of the revision of that year. 

The first Representatives in Congress 
were S. Clinton Hastings, of Muscatine, 
and Shepherd Lefller, of DesMoines county. 

The second General Assembly elected 
to the United States Senate, Augustus 
Caesar Dodge and George W. Jones. The 
State government, after the first session, 
was under the c ntrol of Democratic ad- 
ministration till 1855. The electoral vote 
of the State was cast for Lewis Cass, in 
1848, and for Franklin Pierce in 1852. 
The popular vote shows that the Free-Soil 
element of Slate during this period very 
nearly held the balance of power, and thai 
up to 1854 it acted in the State elections 
to some extent with the Democratic party. 
In 1848 Lewis Cass received 12,093 votes, 
Zachary Taylor 11,043, and Martin Van 
Buren,the Free-Soil candidate, 1,2:6 votes, 
being 176 less than a majority for Cass. 

In 1852, Pierce leojived 17,762 votes, 
Scott 15,855, and Hale (Free-Soil) 1,606, 
being for Pierce 301 votes more than a 
majority. 



^ 






HISTORY OF IOWA. 



61 



The question of the permanent location 
of the' seat of government was not settled, 
and in 1851 bills were introduced for its 
removal to Fort DesMoiues. The latter 
appeared to have the support of the major- 
ity, but was finally lost in the House on 
the question of ordering it to its third 
reading. 

At the next session, in 1853, a bill was 
again introduced in the Senate for the re- 
moval of the seat of government to Fort 
DesMoines, and, on final vote, was just 
barely defeated. At the next session, how- 
ever, the effort was more successful, and 
January 15th, 1855, a bill relocating the 
Capital within two miles of the Raccoon 
Fork of the DesMoiues, and, for the ap- 
pointment of Commissioners, was approved 
by Gov. Grimes. The site was selected in 
1850, in accordance with the provisions of 
this act; the land being donated to the 
Slate by citizens and property-holders of 
DesMoines. An association of citizens 
erecttd a building for a temporary capitol, 
and leased it to the State at a nominal 
rent. 

The passage by Congress of the act 
organizing the Territories of Kansas and 
Nebraska, and the provision it contained 
abrogating that portion of the Missouri 
bill that proh bited slavery and involuntary 
seivitude north of 36 ° 30' was the begin- 
ning of a political revolution in the North- 
ern States, and in none was it more marked 
than in the State of Iowa. Iowa was the 
"first free child born of the Missouri com- 
promise," and has always resented the de- 
struction of her foster parent. 

In the summer of 1854 there was a tacit 
coalition or union of the Whig and Free- 
Soil elements of the State. Alarmed at 



the aggressive spirit manifested by the ad- 
herents of the peculiar institution, the 
Free-Sollers, who almost held the balance 
of power in the State, readily adopted as 
their candidate the Whig nominee for Gov- 
ernor. Many of the, old-line Whigs aban- 
doned their party because of this coalition, 
but many strong and able men among the 
Democrats co-operated with it. James W. 
Grimes was the nominee of the Whigs, 
and. Curtis Bates, of Polk county, was the 
nominee of the Democratic party. Grimes 
was then in the vigor of his manhood, and 
all the energies of his being a]^peared to 
be aroused by what he denominated the 
aggressions of the slave power. He was 
thoroughly in earnest, and canvassed most 
of the organized counties of the State. 
The people Hocked by the thousands to 
hear him, and were elec'rificd by his elo- 
quence. No one of the oppo.sition at- 
tempted to meet him iu Jeb.ue The re- 
sult was his eleclion by a majority of 1 ,404 
in a vote of 21,794. A majority was also 
secured in the General Assembly on joint 
ballot of the two Houses in opposition to 
the Democratic party. The opposition 
party in 1854-'5 were known as anti-Ne- 
braska Whigs. A caucus of this opposing 
element nominated James Harlan as their 
candidate for United States Senator, Geo. 
G. Wright for Chief Justice, and Norman 
W. Isbell and Wm. G. Woodward for 
Judges of the Supreme Court. 

A portion of the opposition, however, 
refused to go into this caucus, or to abide 
by its decision as to the United States Sen- 
ator. They were the personal friends of 
Ebenez«r Cook, of Scott county. 

A joint convention was secured, and the 
Judges of the Supreme Court were elected. 



?ls 



J^ 



<2 W_ 



62 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



After frequent balloting and adjournments, 
it was at last understood that Cook's 
friends had yielded, and would support 
Mr. Harlan. When the hour arrived to 
which the joint convention had adjourned, 
messengers were sent to the Senate by the 
House, to inform that body that the House 
was ready to meet them in joint conven- 
tion. Before this message could be de- 
livered, the Senate 'had adjourned over 
until the next day. The anti-Nebraska 
Senators, however, entered the hall of the 
House and took their seats in joint conven- 
tion. Much confusion prevailed, but 
iinally a President j>ro tein of the conven- 
tion was chosen, and Mr. Harlan was 
elected. His seat was contested, and his 
ell ction declared invalid by the United 
Slates Senate. 

At the next session of the General As- 
sembly, held in 1857, Mr. Harlan was re- 
elected, and was permitted to take his seat. 

The year 1856 marked a new era in the 
history of Iowa. In 1854 the Chicago & 
Rock Island railroad had been completed 
to the east bank of the Mississippi river, 
opposite Davenport. In the same year the 
corner-stone of a railroad bridge that was 
to be the first to span the "Father of 
Waters," was laid with appropriate cere- 
monies, at this point. St Louis had re- 
solved that the enterprise was unconstitu- 
tional, and by writs of injunction made an 
unsuccessful effort to prevent its comple- 
tion. Twenty years later in her history 
St. I.ouis repented her foll_y, and made 
atonement for her sin by imitating Iowa's 
example. January 1st, 1856, this railroad 
was completed to Iowa City. In the mean- 
time two other railroads had reached the 
east bank of the Mississippi — one opposite 



Burlington and one opposite Dubuque — • 
and these were being extended into the 
interior of the State. Indeed, four other 
lines of railroads had been projected across 
the State, from the Mississippi to the Mis- 
fouri, having eastern connections. 

May 15th, 1856, Congress passed an act 
granting to the State, to aid in the con- 
struction of railroads, the public lands in 
alternate sections, six miles on each side 
of the proposed lines An extra session 
of the General Assembly was called in 
July of this year, that disposed of the 
grant to the several companies that pro- 
posed to complete these enterprises. The 
population of Iowa was now 500,000. Pub- 
lic attention had been called to the neces- 
sity of a railroad across the continent. 
The position of Iowa, in the very heart 
and center of the republic, on the route 
of this great highway of the continent, 
began to attract attention. Cities and 
towns sprang up through the State as if 
by magic. Capital began to pour into the 
State, and had it been employed in devel- 
oping the vast coal measures and establish- 
ing manufactories, or if it had been 
expended in improving the lands, and in 
building houses and barns, it would have 
been well. But all were in haste to get 
rich, and the spirit of speculation ruled the 
hour. 

In the meantime, every effort was made 
to help the speedy completion of the i ail- 
roads. Nearly every county and city on 
the Mississippi, and many in the interior, 
voted large corporate subscriptions to the 
stock of the railroad companies, and issued 
their negotiable bonds for the amount. 
Thus enormous county and city debts were 
incurred, the payment of which these mu- 




HISTORY OF IOWA. 



63 



nicipalities tried to avoid, upon the plea 
that they had exceeded the constitutional 
limitation of their powers. The Supreme 
Court of the United States held these 
bonds to be valid, and the courts, by man- 
damus, compelled the city and county 
authorities to levy taxes to pay the judg- 
ments recovered upon them. These debts 
are not all paid, even to this day; but the 
wortit is over, and the incubus is in the 
course of ultimate extinction. The most 
valuable lessons are those learned in the 
school of experience, and, accordingly, the 
corporations of Iowa have ever since been 
noted for economy. 

In 1856 the Republican party of the 
State was duly organized, in full sympathy 
with that of the other free Staies, and at 
the en.-uing presidential election th'e elec- 
toral vote of the State was cast for John 
C. Fremont. The popular vote was as 
follows : Fremont, 43,954; Buchanan, 36,- 
170, and Fillmore, 9,180. This was 1,396 
le.ss than a majority for Fremont. The 
follow! g year an election was held, after 
an exciting campaign, for State officers, 
rei-ulting in a majority of 1,406 for Ralph 
P. Lowe, the Republican nominee. Ttie 
Legislature was largely Republican in both 
branches. 

In June, 1854, a Board of State Com- 
missioners contracted with the DesMoines 
Navigation Railroad Company, an organ- 
ization composed principally of New York 
capitalists, to undertake the work, agree- 
ing to convey to the company lands at 
$1.25 an acre for all moneys advanced 
and expended. In the meantime difficul- 
ties arose in regard to the extent of the 
grant. The State claimed lands through- 
out the whole extent of the river to the 



north line of the State. The Department 
of the Interior changed its rulings under 
the several administrations. The Com- 
missioner of the General Land Office cer- 
tified to the State about 320,000 acres of 
land beh w the Raccoon Fork of the river, 
and about 270,000 acres above it prior to 
1857, when he refused to certify any re ore. 
This led to a settlement and compromise 
with the Navigation Company in 1858, 
whereby the company took all the land 
certified to the State at that date, and paid 
the State $20,0(0 in addition to what ihey 
had already expended, cancelled their con- 
tract and abandoned the work. 

The General Assembly granted to the 
DesMoines Valley Railroad Company the 
remainder of the grant to the State line, to 
aid in building a railroad up and along the 
DesMoines Valley; and Congress, in 1862, 
extended the grant, by express enactment, 
to the rorth line of the State. 

The most injurious result to the State, 
arising from the spirit of spfculation pre- 
valent in 1856, was the purchase and entry 
of great bodies of Government land within 
the Slate by non-residents. This land was 
held for speculation, and placed beyond 
the reach of actual settlers for many 
years. 

From no other one cause has Iowa suf- 
fered so much as from the short-sighted 
policy of the Federal Government in sell- 
ing lands within her borders. The money 
thus obtained by the Federal Government 
has been comparatively inconsiderable. 
The value of this magnificient public do- 
main to the United States was not in the 
few thousands of dollars she might exact 
from the hardy settlers, or that she might 
obtain from the speculator who hoped to 



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64 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



profit by the settlers' labors in improving 
the country. Statesmen should have taken 
a broader and more comprehensive view 
of national economy, and a view more in 
harmony with the divine economy that had 
prepared these vast fertile plains of the 
West for the "homes of men and the seats 
of empire." It was here that new States 
were to be builded up that should be the 
future strength of the nation against for- 
eign invasion or home revolt. A single 
regiment of Iowa soldiers during the dark 
days of the Rebellion was worth more to 
the nation than all the money she ever ex- 
acted from the toil and sweat of Iowa's 
early settlers. Could the statesmen of 
forty years ago have looked forward to this 
day, when Iowa pays her $1,000,000 annu- 
ally into the treasury of the nation for the 
extinction of the national debt, they would 
have realized that the founding of new 
States was a greater enterprise than the 
retailing of public lands. 

In January, 1857, another Constitutional 
Convention assembled at Iowa City, which 
framed the present State constitution. One 
of the most pressing demands for this con- 
vention grew out of the prohibition of banks 
under the old constitution. The practical 
result of this prohibition was to flood the 
State with every species of "wild-cat" 
currency. Our circulating medium was 
made up in part of the free-bank paper of 
Illinois and Indiana. In addition to this, 
we had puper issued by Iowa brokers, who 
had obtained bank charters from the Ter- 
ritorial Legislature of Nebraska, and had 
their pretended headquarters at Omaha and 
Florence. Our currency was also well 
assorted with the bills from other States, 
generally such as had the best reputation 



where they were least known. This paper 
was all at 2, and some of it from 10 to 15 
per cent, discount. Every man who was 
not an expert in detecting counterfeit bills, 
and who was not posted in the history of 
all manner of banking institutions, did 
business at his peril. The new constitution 
made ample provisions for house banks 
under the supervision of our own laws. 
The limitation of our State debt was en- 
larged to $250,000, and the corporate in- 
debtedness of the cities and counties were 
also limited to five per cent, upon the valu- 
ation of their taxable property. 

The Judges of the Supreme Court were 
to be elected by the popular vote. 

The permanent seat of government 
was fixed at DesMoines, and the Stato Uni- 
versity located at Iowa City. The qualifi- 
cations of electors remained the same as 
under the old constitution, but the schedule 
provided for a vote of the people upon a 
separate proposition to strike the word 
"white" out of the suffrage clause, which, 
had it prevailed, would have resulted in 
conferring the right of suffrage without 
distinction of color. Since the early or- 
ganization of Iowa there had been upon 
the statute books a law providing that no 
nesro, mulatto or Indian should be a com- 
petent witness in any suit or proceeding to 
which a white man was a party. The Gen- 
eral Assembly of 18.56-'7 repealed this law, 
and the new constitution contained a clause 
forbidding such disqualification in the 
future. It also provided for the education 
of "all youth of the Slate" through a sys- 
tem of common schools. This constitution 
was adopted at the ensuing election by a 
vote of 40,-Sll to 38,681. 



d^ 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



65 



Outobei- 19, 1857, Gov. Grimes issued a 
proclamation declaring the City of Des- 
Moines to be the capital of the State of 
Iowa. The removal of the archives and 
offices was commenced at once and con- 
tinued through the fall. It was an under- 
taking of no small magitude; there was 
not a mile of railroad to facilitate the 
work, and the season was unusually dis- 
agreeable. Rain, snow and other accom- 
paniments increased the difficulties, and it 
was not until December that the last of the 
effects, — the safe of the State Treasurer, 
loaded on two large "bob-sleds," drawn by 
ten yokes of oxen, — was deposited in the 
new capitol. Thus Iowa City ceased to be 
the capital of the State after four Territo- 
rial Legislatures, six State Legislatures and 
three Constitutional Conventions- had held 
their sessions there. 

In 1856 and 1858 large appropriations 
were made for the erection of public build- 
ings and the support of the unfortunate 
classes, and a loan of $200,000 was author- 
ized. 

During the years 1858-60, the Sioux In- 
dians became troublesome in the north- 
western part of the State. They made 
frequent raids for the purpose of plunder, 
and on several occasions murdered whole 
families of settlers. In 1861 several com- 
panies of militia were ordered to that por- 
tion of the State to hunt down and expel 
the thieves. No battles were fought, the 
Indians fleeing as soon as they ascertained 
systematical measures had been adopted 
for their punishment. 

In 1870 the General Assembly made an 
appropriation and provided for the appoint- 
ment of a Board of Commissioners to 
commence the work of building a new cap- 



itol. The corner-stone was laid with ap- 
propriate ceremonies November 2-3, 1871. 

The building is a beautiful specimen of 
modern architecture. 

When Wisconsin Territory^ was organ- 
ized, in 1836, the entire population of that 
portion of the Territory now embraced in 
the State of Iowa, was 10,531. The Terri- 
tory then embraced two counties, Dubuque 
and' DesMoines, erected by the Territory 
of Michigan, in 1834. Since then, the 
counties have increased to ninety-nine, and 
the population in 1880 was 1,624,463. The 
following table will show the population at 
different periods since the erection of Iowa 
Territory: 

Tear. Population. 

1838 22,5S9 

1840 43,115 

1844 75,152 

1846 97,588 

1 647 1 16,65 1 

1849 152,988 

1 850 1 91,982 

1851 204,774 

1 852 . , 230,7 1 3 

1854 326.01 3 

1856 51 9,055 

1859 638,775 

1860 674,913 

1 863 701,732 

1 865 750,699 

1867 902,040 

1869 1,040,8 1 9 

1870 1,1 91 ,727 

1873 1,251,333 

1875 1,366,000 

1880 1,624,463 

The most populous county is Dubuque, 
42,097. Polk county has 41,395, and Scott 
41,270. Not only in population, but in 



T[s- 



•V 



60 



HISTOEY OB^ IOWA. 



everything contributing to the growth and 
greatness of a State has Iowa made rapid 
progress. In a little more than thirty-live 
years its wild but beautiful prairies have 
advanced from the home of the savage to 
a highly civilized commonwealth, embra- 
cing all the elements of progress which 
characterize the older States. 

The first railroad across the State was 
completed to Council Bluffs in January, 
1861 The completion of three others 
soon followed. 

In 1854 there was not a mile of railroad 
in Iowa. Within the succeeding twenty 
years, 3,765 miles were built and put in 
successful operation. 

The present value of buildings for State 
institutions, including the estimated cost 
of the capitol, is as follows : 

State Capitol $2,500,000 

State University 400,000 

Agricultural College and Farm. 300,000 

Institution for the Blind 150,000 

Institution for the Deaf and 

Dumb 225,000 

Ini-titutions for the Insane 1,149,000 

Orphans' Home 62,000 

Penitentiaries 408,000 

Normal School 50,000 

R form School 90,000 

The State has never levied more than 
two and one-half mills on the dollar for 
State tax, and this is at present the consti- 
tutional limit. The Slate has no debt. 

No other influence has contributed so 
much to the progress and development of 
Iowa as the newspapers of the Stale. No 
class of men have labored more assiduously 
and disinterestedly for the development of 
the State and the advancement of her ma- 
terial interests, than her editors. There 



are now published in Iowa 25 daily papers, 
364 wtekly papers, and 13 monthly publi- 
cations. These are as a rule well supported 
by the people. 

Such is briefly a summary of the history 
and resources of I >wa. There is perhaps 
no other country on earth where so few 
people are either rich or poor as in Iowa; 
where' there is such an equality of condi- 
tion, and where so many enjoy a compe- 
tence. The law exempts from execution 
a homestead to every head of a famil}'. 
Every sober, industrious man can in a short 
time acquire a home. Iowa is the home 
for the immigrant. The children of the 
laboring man have no prejudice of caste to 
overcome in the effort they may choose to 
make for the improvement of their condi- 
tion in life. Here all men enjoy the alien 
able blessings of "life, liberty and the pur- 
suit of happiness," not only unfettered by 
legal disabilities, but also untrammeled by 
those fixed conditions of social and busi- 
ness life that elsewhere result from accu- 
mulated wealth in the possession of the 
few. As education is free, so also the ave- 
nues of success are open in every pursuit 
and calling. The highest incentives exist 
to exertion. Labor and effort, wheiher 
manual or mental, are held alike honorable; 
and idleness and crime are alone consid- 
ered disreputable. 

Thriving cities and towns dot the land; 
an iron. net- work of thousands of miles of 
railroads is woven over its troad acres; 
10,000 school-houses, in which more than 
500,000 children are being taught the rudi- 
ments of education, testify to the culture 
and liberality of the people; high schools, 
colleges and universities, are generously 
endowed by ihe State; manufactories are 



^l^ 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



G7 



busy on all her water-courses, and in most 
of her cities and towns. 

We quote from Judge Nourse: ''The 
great ultimate fact that America would 
demonstrate is, the existence of a people 
capable of attaining and preserving a su- 
perior civilization, with a government self- 
imposed, self-administered and self-perpet- 
uated. In this age of wonderful progress, 
America can exhibit nothing to the world 
of mankind more wonderful or more glo- 
rious, than her new States — young empires, 



born of her own enterprise, and tutored at 
her own political hearth-stone. Well may 
she say to the monarchies of the old world, 
who look for evidence of her regal grandeur 
and state: 'Behold, these are my jewels !' 
And may she never blush to add: 'This 
one in the center of the diadem is called 
Iowa I" ' 

Tile following is the census of Iowa 
by counties, as taken by the National Gov- 
ernment at each decade: 



CENSUS OF IOWA. 



COUKTIES. 


1840. 


1850. 


1860. 


1870. 


18t0. 


Adair 






984 

1, 533 

12. 237 

11,931 

454 
8,496 
8,244 
4^232 
4 915 
7,906 
57 
3,724 

147 

281 
1,612 

12, 949 
940 

58 
4,336 

5, 427 

53 

20, 728 

18, 938 

383 

6,244 

13, 764 
8,677 

11,0;;4 

19,611 

180 

31, 164 

105 

12. 073 

3,744 

1, 3110 

6, 074 
1,374 

-.93 
3, O.ia 


3,982 
4,614 
17.868 

16. 466 
1,212 

22, 4a4 
21, 7r8 
14,584 
18,528 

17. 034 
l,5b5 
9,951 
1,602 
2,451 
5 464 

19, 731 

4,722 

1,967 

10,180 

8,735 

1,.S23 

27, 771 

35. 357 

2, 530 

12,019 

15, 565 

12,018 

17, 432 

•i7. 256 

1, 389 

38, 969 

1, 392 

16,973 

10.-68 

4, 738 

11, 174 

4,liJ7 

H, 399 

7,061 


11 199 








11 188 






777 
3,131 


19.^91 






16. 636 






7 4 43 






673 
135 
735 


24, 888 
23,913 










20, 838 
14. 1 










517 


18 547 






7 537 


Butler 






14, 293 
5 .''95 














12 351 








16, 943 
18 937 


Cedar 


1,253 


3,941 




11,461 








6 -240 








14 534 


Clarke 




709 


11,512 


Clay 




4 248 




1,101 


3,873 

2,eaj 


28,829 
36, 764 






12,413 


Dallas 




854 
7,264 

965 
1,759 
12, 988 


18, 746 
16. 468 


Davis 








15 336 




163 
5, 577 


17,9 2 




33, 099 
1 901 






8,069 


10, 841 


42 'l!17 




1. ."550 






625 


22 258 


Floyd 




14,677 
10,248 












1,244 


17, fri53 






12, 723 








12,63.) 
14,863 


Guthrie 







^^— ^ 



68 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



CBA^SC/S OF lOlVA—Coniiiiued. 



COUNTIES. 


1840. 


1850 


1860. 


1870. 


1880. 








1,6!)9 

179 

5,440 

3,621 

18, 701 

3, 168 

332 

43 

8, 0J9 
IS. 493 

9. r«:) 
15. :8 
17, 573 
13.306 
13,271 

416 
29, 232 
18,917 
10,370 
5,766 


6, 055 

999 

13,684 

8,931 
21,4«3 

6,282 

2, 5!'6 
236 
16, 664 
22. 619 
8-, 116 
17,839 

24, 898 
19,731 
19, 414 

3,351 
37, 210 
28.859 

12, 877 
10, 3?8 

221 

13, 884 

25, 51 8 
24, 436 
17, 576 

8,718 
9, 582 
3,654 

12,724 
5,934 

21,683 
715 


ll,2->2 
3,453 
17, 808 
16.649 
20, 836 
10.837 








Hardin 






Harrison.... ... 




8,"767"" 


Henry 


3,778 


Howard 


Hamboldt ,.,, 






Ida 






4 '18'* 






828 
7,210 
1,280 
9,904 
4,472 
3,007 
- 4,822 

18,' 861 

5,444 

4, 9o9 

471 




Jackson 


1,411 








Jeflferson 


8,773 

1, 49l 

471 


17 47h 










Keolink 


21 "">4 


Knsauth 




6 179 


Lee 


6,093 
1,373 
1,937 




Linn 


37 "'35 










Lyon ,....-.. ... 




1 968 


Ma'lison 




1,179 

5, 9-9 

5, 48 > 

338 


7,339 

14,816 

16,811 

6,015 

4,481 

3, 40y 

833 

8,612 

I, -356 

16, 444 

8 


17,285 
25 201 


Mahaska .,.,..... 




Marion 




25 111 


Marshall 




23 7.i8 


Mills 




14 135 


Mitchell 






14 361 








9, 05'i 


Moi.roe, ...... 




*,8e4 

S.TSl"" 


13 719 


Montgomery 




15^ 895 




1,942 


23. Ih-i 


O'Brien 


4 IJ5 


Osceola 






2, 319 


PasB 




551 


4,419 

138 

148 

103 

1l.62i 

4,iia8 

5,668 

2, 933 
246 

85, 9r.9 

MS 

10 

4,051 

5, 885 

3, 590 
2 012 

17,081 

14,518 

10. 38 1- 

14,835 

6,4(9 

2, B04 

163 

13,942 

1,119 

75-^ 

653 


9, 975 
1,336 
9, l!i9 
1.446 
27. 857 
16, (<93 

15, 581 
5.691 
1,4)1 

38, 509 

2, 549 

.570 

11.651 

16, 131 
6,989 
.5, 986 

17.672 

22, 3)6 
17,980 
IH, 952 
11,387 
10, 484 

1, 53fl 

23. 570 
6. 172 
2,893 
2,392 


19 66' 


Palo Alto 




4, 131 


Plymouth 






8. 5f'7 








.3, 7 11 


Polk 




4, on 

7, 82b 
615 


48. 395 






39, 846 


Powi-bhiek 




18, 'S.W 






12, 085 


Sao 






8,771 


Scott 


2,140 


.5,986 


41,270 


Shelby 


12, 6116 


Sioux....... ......••.•.. .......... 






5, 436 


Story 






16, 96ij 


Tama 




8 
901 


21,5-5 


Taylor 




15, 635 


Union 




14 980 




6,146 


12, 270 

8,471 

961 

4. 9.,7 

340 


17,043 


Wapello 


25, 283 


Warren 




19, .578 




1,594 


20, 375 


Wavne 


16, 137 


Webster , .,,. 




15, 9..0 


Winnebago. 






4,917 


Winneshiek 




.'46 


23, 937 






■ 14,997 


Worth 






7,953 


Wright 






5 062 










Total 


13,112 


192, 214 


674,913 


1,191,793 


1, 634, 463 



'W 



"^* e) 






^ 


V 








-^ « 


t^ 


e 

^ 


HISTORY OF IOWA. 09 


f 




• 

CHAPTER VII, 






GEOLOGY — TOPOGEAPHT — WATER COURSES. 






Geologists divide the soil of Iowa into 


State, and adjacent to the Missouri river. 






three general divisions — drift, bluff and 


Although it contains less than one percent. 






alluvial. The drift occupies a much larger 
part of the surface of the State than both 


of clay in its composition, it is in no re- 
spect inferior to the best drift soil. The 






the others. The bluff has the next greatest 


alluvial soil is that of the flood plains of 






area of surface, and the alluvial least. All 


the river valleys, or bottom lands. That 






soil is disintegrated rock. The drift de- 


which is periodically flooded by the riveis 






posit of Iowa was derived, to a consider- 


is of little value for agricultural purposes; 






able extent, from the rocks of Minnesota; 


but a large part of it is entirely above the 






but the greater part of Iowa drift was de- 


reach of the highest flood, and is very pro- 






rived from its own rocks, much of which 


ductive. 






has been transported but a short distance. 


The stratified rocks of Iowa range from 






In northern and northwestern Iowa the 


the Azoic to the Mesozoic, inclusive; but 






drift contains more sand and gravel than 


the greater portion of the surface of the 






elsewhere. In southern Iowa the soil is 


State is occupied by those of the PaliBOZoic 






frequently stiff and clayey. The bluff soil 


age. The table below will show each of 






is found only in the western part of the 


these formations in their order: 






BT6TKM8. 
AGE8 


GROUPS. 
PEUI0D8. 


FORMATIONS. 

EPOCHS. 


THICKNESS 
IK FEET. 






Cretaceona .....■•■•••. 


( Post Tertiary 


Dii 

il 

■ 

!■ 

Hf 

Ni 
M 


ift 


IS to 200 

50 

130 

100 

200 

20 < 

200 

15 

90 

196 

175 

2i,0 

350 

eo 






I L ower Cretaceous 


jioceramons Bed 








Voodbury Sandstcne and Shales , 












Jpper Coal Measures 












Sabcarboniferons 

Hamilton 














Devonian ..,,.,..... 


























Upper SUarian ...,.,, 


Niagara 


















. Lower Silarian... ....•■ 




1 
1 

Si 




250 

SOQ 

80 

2.'iO 

300 

50 






Primordial 


rrenton Limestone. 






Azoio 


5t Peter's Sandstone 


b. 




Huronianl 








iux Qaanzite 


I 


e 










"^ s 


y^ 


«t' 


(B r 


■ 



,4^ 






vo 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



AZOIC SYSTBM. 

The Sioux quartzite is found exposed in 
natural ledges only upon a few acres in 
the extreme northwest corner of the State, 
upon the banks of the Big Sioux river, 
for which reason the specific name of 
Sioux quartzite has been given thera. It 
is an intensely hard rock, breaks in 
splintery fracture, and of a color varying, 
in different localities, from a light to deep 
red. The process of metamorphism has 
been so complete throughout the whole 
formation, that the rock is almost every- 
where of uniform textuie. The dip is 
four or five degrees to the northward, and 
the trend of the outcrop is eastvard and 
westward. 

LOWER SILURIAN SYSTEM. 

Primordial Group. — The Potsdam sand- 
stone formation is exposed only in a small 
portion of the noi-theastern part of the 
State. It is only to be seen in the bases 
of the bluffs and steep valley sides which 
border the river there. It is nearly value- 
less for economic purposes. No fossils 
have been discovered in this formation in 
Iowa. 

Lower Magnesian Limestone. — This 
formation has but little greater geographi- 
cal extent in Iowa than the Potsdam sand- 
stone. It lacks a uniformity of texture 
and stratification, owing to which it is not 
generally valuable for building purposes. 
The only fossils found in this formation in 
the State are a few traces of crinoids, near 
McGregor. 

The St. Peters sandstone formation is 
remarkably uniform in thickness through- 



out its knowQ geographical extent, and it 
occupies a large portion of the northern 
half of Allamakee county, immediately 
beneath the drift. 

Trenton Group. — With the exception of 
the Trenton limestone, all the limestones 
of both Upper and Lower Silurian age in 
Iowa are magnesian limestone — nearly 
pure dolomites. This formation occupies 
large portions of Winneshiek and Allama- 
kee counties and a small part of Clayton. 
The greater part of it is useless for eco- 
nomic purposes; but there are some com- 
pact, even layers that furnish fine material 
for window-caps and sills. Fossils are so 
abundant in this formation that in some 
places the rook is made up of a mass of 
shells, corals and fragments tf trilobites, 
cemented by calcareous material into a 
solid rock. Some of these fossils are new 
to science and peculiar to Iowa. 

The Galena limestone is the upper form- 
ation of the Trenton Group. It is 150 
miles long, and seldom exceeds 12 miles 
in width. It exhibits its greatest develop- 
ment in Dubuque county. It is nearly a 
pure dolomite, with a slight admixture of 
silicons matter; good blocks for dressing 
are sometimes found near the top of the 
bed, although it is usually unfit for such a 
purpose. This formation is the source of 
the lead ore of the Dubuque lead mines. 
The lead region proper is confined to an 
area of about 15 miles square in the vicinity 
of Dubuque. The ore occurs in vertical 
fissures, which traverse the rock at regular, 
intervals from east to west; some is found in 
those which have a north and south direc- 
tion. This ore is mostly that known as 
Galena, or sulphuret of lead, very small 



w 



A 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



Tl 



quantities only of the carbonate being 
found with it. 

Cincmnati Group — The surface occu- 
pied by the Maquoketa shales is more than 
100 miles iu length, but is singularly long 
and narrow, seldom reaching a mile or two 
in width. The most northern exposure 
yet recognized is in the western part of 
Winneshiek county, while the most south- 
erly is in Jackson county, in the bluffs of 
the Mississippi. The formation is largely 
composed of bluish and brownish shales, 
sometimes slightly arenaceous, soraelimea 
calcareous, which weather into a tenacious 
clay upon the surface, and the soil derived 
from it is usually stiff and clayey. Several 
species of fossils which characterize the 
Cincinnati Group are found in the Maquo- 
keta shales, but they contain a larger num- 
ber than have been found anywhere else 
in these shales in Iowa, and their distinct 
fauual characteristics seem to warrant the 
separation of the Maquoketa shales as a 
distinct formation from others in the 
group. 

UPPER SILURIAN SYSTEM. 

Niagara Group. — The area occupied by 
the Niagara limestone is 40 and 50 miles 
in width, and nearly 160 miles long, from 
north to south. This formation is entirely 
a magnesian limestone, with a considerable 
portion of silicious matter, in some places, 
in the form of chert or coarse flint. A 
large part of it probably affords the best 
and greatest amount of quarry rock in the 
State. The quarries at Anamosa, LeClaire 
and Farley are all opened iu this forma- 
tion. 

DEVONIAN SYSTEM. 

Ramilton Group — The area of surface 
occupied by the Hamilton limestone and 



shales is as great as those by all the form- 
ations of both Upper and Lower Silurian 
age in the State. Its length is nearly 200 
miles, and width from 40 to 50. A large 
part of the material of this is quite worth- 
less, yet other portions are valuable for 
economic purposes; and, having a large 
geographical extent in the State, is a very 
important formation Its value for the 
production of hydraulic lime has been 
demonstrated at Waverly, Bremer county; 
the heavier piers and other material re- 
quiring strength and durability. All the 
Devonian strata of Iowa evidently belong 
to a single epoch. The most conspicuous 
and characteristic fossils of this formation 
are brachiopodes, corals and mullusks. 
The coral Acervnlaria Dauidsoni occurs 
near Iowa City, and is known as "Iowa 
City marble" and "Bird's Eye marble." 

CARBONIFEROUS SYSTEM. 

Of the three groups of formations that 
constitute the carboniferous, viz: the sub- 
carboniferous, coal measures and Permian, 
only the first two are found in Iowa. 

Subcarboniferous Group. — This group 
occupies a very large area of surface. Its 
eastern border passes from the northeast- 
ern part of Winnebago county, with con- 
siderable directness in a southeasterly 
direction to the northern part of Washing- 
ton county. It then makes a broad and 
direct bend nearly eastward, striking the 
Mississippi at Muscatine. The southern 
and western boundaries are to a consider- 
able extent the same as that which separates 
it from the real field. From the southern 
part of Pocahontas county it passes south 
east to Fort Dodge, thence to Webster 
City, thence to a yioint 3 or 4 miles north- 



■^A 



-Jt s L> 



t 



72 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



east of Elilora, in Hardin county, thence 
southward to the middle of the north line 
of Jasper county, thence southeastward to 
Sigourney, in Keokuk county, thence to 
the northeastern corner of Jeiferson county, 
thence sweeping a few miles eastward to 
the southeast corner of Van Buren county. 
Its arc is about 250 miles long, and from 
20 to 50 miles wide. 

The KinderhooTc Bech — The most south- 
erly exposure of these beds is in Des- 
Moines county, near the mouth of Skunk 
river. The most northei'ly now known is 
in the eastern part of Pocahontas county, 
more than 200 miles distant. The princi- 
pal exposures of this formation are along 
the bluffs which border the Mississippi and 
Skunk rivers, where they form the eastern 
and northern boundary of DesMoines 
county; along English river, in Washing- 
ton county; along the Iowa river in Tama, 
Marshall, Hamlin and Franklin counties, 
and along the DesMoines river in Hum- 
boldt county. This formation has consid- 
erable economic value, particularly in the 
northern portion of the region it occupies. 
In Pocahontas and Humboldt counties it 
is invaluable, as no other stone except a 
few boulders are found here. At Iowa 
Falls the lower division is very good for 
building purposes. In Marshall county all 
the limestone to be obtained comes from 
this formation, and the quarries near Le 
Grand are very valuable. At this point 
some of the layers are finely veined with 
peroxide of iron, and are wrought into both 
useful and ornamental objects. In Tama 
county the oolitic member is well exposed, 
where it is manufactured into lime. Upon 
exposure to atmosphere and frost it crum- 



bles to pieces; consequently it is not valu- 
able for building purposes. 

The remains of fishes are the only fossils 
yet discovered in this formation that can 
be referred to the sub-kingdom Vertebrata; 
and so far as yet recognized, they all be- 
long to the order Selachians Of Articu- 
ticulates, only two species have been recog- 
nized, both of which belong to the genus 
Phillipsia. The sub-kingdom Mollusca is 
also largely represented The Radiata are 
represented by a few crinoids, usually 
found in a very imperfect condition. The 
sub kingdom is also represented by corals. 
The prominent feature in the life of this 
epoch was molluscan. It overshadowed 
all other branches of the animal kingdom. 
The prevailing classes are: Lamellibrauch- 
iates, in the more arenaceous portions; and 
Brachropods in the more calcareou.s por- 
tions. No remains of vegetation have 
been detected in any of the strata of this 
formation. 

The Burlington limestone formation 
consists of two distinct calcareous divi- 
sions, separated by a series of siliceous 
beds; both divisions are crinoidal The 
Burlington limestone is carried down by 
the southerly dip of the Iowa rocks, so that 
it is seen for the last time in the State in 
the valley of Skunk river, near the south- 
ern boundary of DesMoines county, which 
is the most northerly point that it has been 
found, but it probably exists as far north 
as Marshall county. Much valuable mate- 
rial is afforded by this formation for eco- 
nomic purposes. The upper division 
furnishes excellent common quarry rock. 
Geologists are attracted by the great 
abundance and variety of its fossils — cri- 
noids — now known to be more thau 300. 



9 ^ 



t\^ 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



73 



Th8 only remains of "\ ertebrates discov- 
ered in this formation are those of fishes, 
and consist of teeth and spines. Bones of 
bony fish, on Buffi ngton creek, Louisa 
county, is an exposure so fully charged 
with these remains that it might with pro- 
priety be called bone breccia. 

Remains of Articulates are rare in this 
formation; so far as yet discovered, they 
are confined to two species of trilobites of 
the genus Phillipsia. Fossil shells are 
very common. 

The two lowest classes of the sub-king- 
dom Radiata are represented in the genera 
Zaphrentis, Amplexus and Syringaposa, 
while the highest class, Echinoderms, are 
found in most extraordinary profusion. 

The Keokuk limestone formation is to 
be seen only in four counties — Lee, Van 
Buren, Henry and DesMoines. In some 
localities the upper siliceous portion is 
known as the Geode bed; it is not recog- 
nizable in the northern portion of the 
formation, nor in connection with it where 
it is exposed, about 80 miles below Keo- 
kuk. The geodes of the Geode bed are 
more or less masses of silex, usually hol- 
low and lined with crystals of quartz; the 
outer crust is rough and unsightly, but the 
crystals which stud the interior are often 
very beautiful; they vary in size from the 
size of a walnut to a foot in diameter. 

This formation is of great economic 
value. Large quantities of its stone have 
been used in the finest structures in the 
State, among which are the postoflices at 
Dubuque and DesMoines. The principal 
quarries are along the banks of the Missis- 
sippi, from Keokuk to Nauvoo. The only 
vertebrate fossils in the formation are 
fishes, all belonging to the order Selachians, 



some of which indicate that their owners 
reached a length of 25 or 30 feet. Of the 
Articulates, only two species of the genus 
Phillipsia have been found in this forma- 
tion. Of the Mollusks no Cepbalopods 
have yet been recognized in this forma- 
tion in Iowa. Gasteropods are rare; 
Brachiopods and Polyzoans are quite 
abundant. Of Radiates, corals of genera 
Zaphrentis, Amplexus and Aulopora are 
found, but crinoids are most abundant. Of 
the low forms of animal life, the proto- 
zoans, a small fossil related to the sponges, 
is found in this formation in small num- 
bers. 

The St. Louis limestone is the uppermost 
of the sub-carboniferous group in Iowa. It 
occupies a small superficial area, consisting 
of long, narrow strips, yet its extent is 
very great. It is first seen resting on the 
geode division of the Keokuk limestone, 
near Keokuk; proceeding northward, it 
forms a narrow border along the edge of 
the coal fields in Lee, DesMoines, Henry, 
Jefferson, Washington, Keokuk and Ma- 
haska counties; it is then lost sight of 
until it appears again in the banks of 
Boone river, where it again passes out of 
view under the Coal Measures, until it is 
next seen in the banks of the DesMoines, 
near Fort Dodge. As it exists in Iowa, it 
consists of three tolerably distinct sub- 
divisions — the magnesian, arenaceous and 
calcareous. The "upper division furnishes 
excellent material for quicklime, and when 
quarries are well opened, as in the north- 
western part of VanBuren county, large 
blocks are obtained. The sandstone, or 
middle division, is of little ( conomicvalue. 
The lower, or mugnesian division, furnishes 
a valuable and durable stone, exposures of 



If 



^ 



<a i_ 



74 



HISTOEY OF IOWA. 



which are found on Lick creek, in Van 
Buren county, and on Long creek, seven 
miles west of Burlington. 

Of the fossils of this formation, the 
vertebrates are represented, only by the 
remains of fish, belonging to the two 
orders, Selachians and Ganoids. The 
Articulates are represented by one species 
of the trilobite, genus Phillipsia; and two 
ostracoid genera, Cythra and Beyricia. 
The Mollusks distinguished this formation 
more thau any other branch of the animal 
kingdom. Radiates are exceedingly rare, 
showing a marked contrast between this 
formation and the two preceding it. 

The Coal Measure Group is properly 
divided into three formations, viz: the 
Lower, Middle and Upper Coal Measures; 
each having a vertical thickness of about 
two hundred feet. 

The Lower Coal Measures exists east- 
ward and northward of the DesMoines 
river, and also occupy a large area west- 
ward and southward of that river; but 
their southerly dip passes below the Middle 
Coal Measure at no great distance from 
the river. This formation possesses 
greater economic value than any otlier in 
the whole State. The clay that underlies 
almost every bed of coal, furnishes a large 
amount of material for potters' use. The 
sandstone of these measures is usually soft 
and unfit for use; but in some places, as in 
Red Rock, in Marion Sounty, blocks of 
large dimensions are obtained, which make 
good building material, samples of which 
can be seen in the State Arsenal, at Des 
Moines. 

But few fossils have been found in any 
of the strata of the Lower Coal Measures, 
but such animal remains as have been 



found are, without excejition, of marine 
origin. All fossil plants found in these 
measures, probably belong to the class 
Acrogens. Specimens of Calaraites and 
several species of ferns are found in all the 
Coal Measures, but the genus Lepidoden- 
dron seems not to have existed later than 
the epoch of the Middle Coal Measures. 
The latter formation occupies a narrow 
belt of territory in the southern-central 
portion of the State, embracing a superfi- 
cial area of about 1,400 square miles The 
counties underlaid by this formation are, 
Guthrie, Dallas, Polk, Madison, Warren, 
<"larke, Lucas, Monroe, Wayne and Appa- 
noose. 

Few species of fossils occur in these 
beds. Some of the shales and sandstone 
have afforded a few imperfectly preserved 
land plants, three or four species of ferns, 
belonging to the genera. Some of the 
carboniferous shales afford beautiful speci- 
mens of what appears to have been sea- 
weed. Radiates are represented by coraU-. 
The Mollusks are most numerously repre- 
sented. Trilobites and ostracoids are the 
only remains known of Articulates. Ver- 
tebrates are only known by the remains of 
Selachians, or sharks and ganoids. 

The Upper Coal Measures occupy a very 
Ir.rge area, comprising thirteen whole 
counties, in the southwestern part of the 
State. By its northern and eastern bjun- 
daries it adjoins the area occupied by the 
Middle Coal Measures. This formation 
contains a considerable portion of shales 
and sandstone, but the prominent litho- 
logical features are its limestones. Al- 
though it is known by the name of Upper 
Coal Measures, it contains but a single bed 
of coal, and that only about 20 inches in 









M 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



75 



k. 



maximum thickness. The limestone ex- 
posed in thi.s formation furnishes good 
building material, as in Madison and Fre- 
mont counties. The sandstones are quite 
worthless. No beds of clay, for potters' 
use, are found in the whole formation. 
The fossils are more numerous than in 
either the Middle or Lower Coal Measures. 
The vertebrates are represented by the 
fishes of the orders Selachians and Ganoids. 
The Articulates are represented by the 
trilobites and ostracoids. Mollusks are 
represented by the classes Cephalapoda, 
Gasterapoda, Lamellibranchiata, Brachio- 
poda and Polyzoa. Radiates are more 
numerous than in the Middle and Luwer 
Coal Measures. Protozoans are repre- 
sented in the greatest abundance, some 
layers' of limestone being almost entirely 
composed of their small fusiform shells. 

CEETACEOUS SYSTEM. . 

The next strata in the geological series 
are of the Cretaceous age. They are found 
in the western half of the State, and do 
not dip, as do all the other formations 
upon which they rest, to the southward 
and westward, but have a general dip of 
their own to the north of westward, which, 
however, is very slight. Although the 
actual exposures of cretaceous rocks are 
few in Iowa, there is reason to believe that 
nearly all the western half of the State was 
originally occupied by them; but they have 
been removed by denudation, which has 
taken place at two separate periods. The 
first period was during its elevation from 
the cretaceous sea, and during the long 
Tertiary age that passed between the time 
of that elevation and the commencement 
of the Glacial epoch. The second period 



was during the Glacial epoch, when the ice 
produced their entire removal over consid- 
erable areas. All the en t.aceous rocks in 
Iowa are a part of the same deposits f,arther 
up the Missouri river, and, in reality, form 
their eastern boundary. 

The Nishnabotany sandstone has the 
most easterly and southerly extent of the 
cretaceous deposits of Iowa, reaching the 
southeastern part of Guthrie county and 
the southern ]iart of Montgomery county. 
To the northward, it passes beneath the 
Woodbury sandstones and shales, the latter 
passing beneath the Inoceramus, or chalky 
beds. This sandstone is, with few excep- 
tions, valueless for economic purposes. 
The only fossils found in this formation 
are a few fragments of angios permous 
leaves. The strata of Woodbury sand- 
stones and shales rest upon the Nishnabot- 
any sandstone, and have not been observed 
outside of Woodbury county; hence their 
name. Their principal exposure is at Ser- 
geant's Bluffs, seven miles below Sioux 
City. This rock has no value, except for 
purposes of common masonry. Fossil re- 
mains are rare. Detached scales of a lepi- 
doginoid species have been detected, but 
no other vertibrate remains of vegetation, 
leaves of Salix Meekii and Sassfras creta- 
ceum have been occasionally found. 

The Inoceramus beds rest upon the 
Woodbury sandstone and shales. They 
have not been observed in Iowa except in 
the bluffs which border the Big Sioux river 
in Woodbury and Plymouth counties. 
They are composed almost entirely of cal- 
careous material, the upper portion of 
which is extensively used for lime. No 
building material can be obtained from 
these beds, and the only value they possess, 



76 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



except lime, are the marls, which at some 
time may be useful on the soil of the adja- 
cent region. The only vertebrate remains 
found in the oretaeeous rocks are the fishes. 
Those in the Inoceramus beds are two 
species of squaloid Selachians, or certra- 
cionts, and three genera of teliosts. Mol- 
luscau remains are rare. 

PEAT. 

Extensive beds of peat exist in Northern 
Middle Iowa, which, it is estimated, con- 
tain the following areas: Cerro Gordo 
county, 1,500 acres; Worth, 2,000; Winne- 
bago, 2,000; Hancock, 1,500; Wright, 500; 
Kossuth, 700; Dickinson, 80. Several con- 
tain peat beds, but the peat is inferior to 
that in the northern part of the State. 
The beds are of an average depth of four 
feet. It is estimated that each acre of 
these beds will furnish 250 tons of dry 
fuel for each foot in depth. At present 
this peat is not utilized, but, owing to its 
great distance from the coal fields, and the 
absence of timber, the time is coming when 
their value will be fully realized. 

GYPSUM. 

The only sulphate of the alkaline earth 
of any economic value is gypsum, and it 
may be found in the vicinity of Fort 
Dodge, in Webster county. The deposit 
occupies a nearly central position in the 
county, the DesMoines river running nearly 
centrally through it, along the valley sides 
of which the gypsum is seen in the form of 
ordinary rock cliff and ledges, and also oc- 
curring abundantly in similar positions 
along both sides of the valleys of the 
smaller streams and of the numerous 
ravines coming into the river valley. The 



most northerly known limit of the deposit 
is at a point near the mouth of Lizaid 
creek, a tributary of the DesMoines river 
and almost adjoining the town of Fort 
Dodge. The most southerly point at which 
it has been exposed is about six miles, by 
way of the river, from the northerly point 
mentioned. The width of the area is un- 
known, as the gypsum becomes lost be- 
neath the overlying drift, as one goes up 
the ravines and minor valleys. 

On either side of the creeks and ravines 
which come into the valley of the Des 
Moines river, the gypsum is seen jutting 
out from beneath the drift in the form of 
ledges and bold quarry fronts, having 
almost the e.\act appearance of ordinary 
limestone exposures, so horizontal and reg- 
ular are its lines of stratification, 'and so 
similar in color is it to some varieties of 
that rock. The principal quarries now 
opened are on Two-Mile creek, a couple of 
miles below Fort Dodge. 

Age of the Gypsum Deposit — No trace 
of fossil remains has been found in the 
gypsum or associated clays; neither has 
any other indication of its geologic age 
been observed except that which is afforded 
by its stratigraphical relations; the most 
that can be said with certainty is that it is 
newer than the coal measures, and older 
than tlie drift. The indications afforded 
by the stratigrapbical relations of the gyp- 
sum deposit of Fort Dodge are, however, 
of considerable value. No Tertiary de- 
posits are known to exist within or near 
the borders of Iowa, to suggest that it 
might be of that age, nor are any of the 
Palaeozoic strata newer than the subcar- 
boniferous unconformable upon each other 



^^ 



Tv" 



Q i^ 



!lA 



HISTORY OP IOWA. 



11 



as the other gypsum is unconfoiinable upon 
the strata beneath it. It therefore seems, 
in a measure, conclusive that the gypsum 
is of Mesozoic age; perhaps older than 
the cretaceous. 

The lithological origin of this deposit is 
as uncertain as its geological age. It seems 
to present itself in this relation, as in the 
former one, — an isolated fact. None of 
the associated strata show any traces of a 
double decomposition of pre-existing ma- 
terials, such as some have supposed all de- 
posits of gypsum to have resulted from. 
No considerable quantities of oxide of iron 
nor any trace of native sulphur have been 
found in connection with it, nor has any 
salt been found in the waters of the region. 
These substances are common in associa- 
tion with other gypsum deposits, and by 
many are regarded as indicative of the 
method of or resulting from their origin 
as such. Throughout the whole region the 
Furl Dodge gypsum has the exact appear- 
ance of a sedimentary deposit. From 
these facts it seems not unreasonable to en- 
tertain the opinion that this gypsum origin- 
ated as a chemical precipitation in com- 
paratively still waters which were satu- 
rated with sulphate of lime and destitute 
of iife; its stratification and impurities 
being deposited at the same time as clayey 
impurities which had been suspended in 
the same waters. 

Physical Prnperties. — Mur-h has already 
been said of the physical character of this 
gypsum; but as it is so ditferent in some 
respects fi;om other deposits, there are still 
other matters worthy of mention in con- 
nection with those. According to the re- 
sults of a complete analysis of Praf.Emery, 



the ordinary gray gypsum contains only 
about eight per cent, of impurity, and it 
is possible that the average impurity for 
the whole deposit will not exceed that pro- 
portion, so uniform in quality is it from 
top to bottom and from one end of the 
region to the other. As plaster for agri- 
cultural purposes is sometimes prepared 
from gypsum that contains thirty per cent, 
of impurity, it will be seen that this is a 
very superior article for such purposes. 
The impurities are of such a character 
that they do not in any way interfere with 
its value for use in the arts. 

Although the gypsum rock has a gray 
color, it becomes quite white by grinding, 
and still whiter by the calcimining process 
necessary in the preparation of plaster of 
Paris. These tests have all been practi- 
cally made in the rooms of the Geological 
Survey, and the quality of the plaster of 
Paris still further tested by actual use and 
experiment. The only use yet made of 
the gypsum by the inahabitants is for the 
purposes of ordinary building stone. It is 
so compact it is found to be comparatively 
unaffected by frost, and its ordinary situa- 
tion in walls of houses is such that it is 
protected from the dissolving action of 
water, which can, at most, reach it only 
from occasional rains, and the effect of 
these is too slight to be perceived after the 
lapse of several years. Hon. John F. 
Buncombe, of Fort Do^'ge, built a fine 
residence of it in 1861, the walls of which 
appear as unaffected by exposure and as 
beautiful as they were when first erected. 
Several other houses in Fort Dodge have 
been constructed of it, including the depot 
buildings of the Dubuque and Sioux City 
Railroad. Marv of the sidewalks in the 



(5 1^ 



73 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



town are made of the slabs or flags of gyp- 
sum which occur in some of the quarries 
in the form of thin layers. 

MINOR DEPOSITS OP SULPHATE OF LIME. 

Suljihate of lime in the various forms 
of fibrous gypsum, selenite and small 
amorphous masses, has also been discov- 
ered in various formations in different 
parts of the State, including the Coal 
Measure shales near Fort Dodge, where it 
exists in small quantities, quite independ- 
ently of the great gypsum deposit there. 
The quantity of gypsum in these minor 
deposits is always too small to be of any 
practical value, usually occurring in shales 
and shaly clays. Associated with strata 
that contain more or less sulphuret of 
iron, gypsum has thus been detected in 
the Coal Measures, the St. Louis lime- 
stone, the Cretaceous strata, and also in 
the Dead Caves of Dubuque. 

SULPHATE OP STRONITA. 

This mineral is found at Fort Dodge, 
wliich is, perhaps, the only place in Iowa 
or in the valley of the Mississippi where 
it has as yet been discovered. There, it 
occurs in very small quantities in both the 
shales of the Lower Coal Measures and in 
the clays that overlie the gypsum deposit, 
and which is regarded as of the same age 
with it. The mineral is fibrous and ciys- 
talline, the fibers being perpendicular to 
the plane of the layer; it resembles, in 
physical character, the layer of fibro-crys- 
talline gypsum, before mentioned. Its 
color is of light b'.ue, is transparent, and 
shows crystalline facets upon both the 



upper and under surfaces of the layer, of 
the upper surface being smaller and more 
numerous. The layer is probably not 
more than a rod in extent in any direction, 
and about three inches in maximum thick- 
ness. Apparent lines of stratification 
occur in it, corresponding with those of 
the shales which imbed it. The other 
deposit was still smaller in amount, and 
occurred as a mass of crystals imbedded 
in the clays that overlie the gypsum at 
Cummins' quarry, in the valley of Sol- 
diers' creek, upon the north side of the 
town. The mineral in this clay is nearly 
colorless, and somewhat resembles masses 
of impure salt. The crystals are so closely 
aggregated that they enclose but litlle im- 
purity in the mass, but in almost all other 
cases their fundamental forms are ob- 
sured. This mineral has almost no prac- 
tical value, and is only interesting as a 
mineralogical fact. 

SULPHATE OF BARYTA. 

In Iowa this mineral has been found 
only in minute quantities. It has been de- 
tected in the Coal Measure shales of De- 
catur, Madison and Marion counties, 
Devonian limestone of Johnson and Bre- 
mer counties, and, also, in the lead caves 
of Dubuque. It is in the form of crystals 
or small crystalline masses. 

SULPHATE OP MAGNESIA. 

Epsomite, or native Epsom salts, having 
been discovered near Burlington, all the 
sulphates of alkaline earths . of natural 
origin have been recognized in Iowa; all 
except the sulphate of lime being in very 
small quantity. The Epsomite mentioned 



(5 W_ 



-U S 



^ 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



Y9 



was found beneath the overhanging cliff of 
Burlington limestone near Starr's Mill. It 
occurs in the form of efflorescent encrusta- 
tions upon the surface of stones, and in 
similar small fragile masses among the 
pine debris that has fallen down beneath 
the overhanging cliff. The projection of 
the cliff over the perpendicular face of the 
strata beneath, amounts to near 20 feet at 
the point where Epsomite was found. The 
rock upon which it accumulates is an im- 
pure limestone, containing also some car- 
bonate of magnesia, together with a small 
proportion of iron pyrites, in a finely 
divided condition. By experiments with 
this native salt in the office of the Survey, 
a fine article of Epsom salts was produced, 
but the quantity obtained there is very 
small, and would bo of no practical* value 
on account of the cheapness in the market. 

CLIMATE. 

The greatest objection to the climate of 
this State is the prevalence of wind, which 
is somewhat greater than in the States 
south and east, but not so great as it is 
west. The air is pure and generally bra- 
cing, — the northern part particularly so 
during the winter. The prevailing direc- 
tion of the wind during the whole year is 
easterly. Correspondingly, thunder-storms 
are somewhat more violent in this State 
than east or south, but not near so much so 
as toward the mountains. . As elsewhere iu 
the Northwestern States, easterly wind* 
bring rain and snow, while westerly ones 
clear the sky. While the highest temper- 
ature occurs here in August, the month of 
July aver.iges the hottest, and January the 
coldest. The mean temperature of April 
and October nearly corresponds to the 



mean temperature of the year, as well as to 
the seasons of spring and fall, while that 
of summer and winter is best represented 
by August and December. Indian summer 
is delightful and well prolonged. Untimely 
frosts sometimes occur, but seldom severely 
enough to do great injury. The wheat 
crop being a staple product of the State, 
and is not injured at all by frost, this great 
resource of the State continues intact. 

TOPOGRAPHY. 

All the knowledge we have at present 
of the topography of the Stale of Iowa is 
that derived from incidental observations 
of geological corps, from the survey.s made 
by railroad engineers, and from barometri- 
cal observations made by authority of the 
Federal Government. No complete topo 
graphical survey has yet been made, lut 
this will doubtless be attended to in a few 
years. 

The State lies wholly within, and com- 
prises a part of, a vast plain, and there is 
no mountainous or even hilly country 
within its borders; for the highest point is 
but 1,200 feet above the lowest point; these 
two points are nearly 3(jO miles apart, and 
the whole State is traversed by gently 
flowing rivers. A clearer idea of the great 
uniformity of the surface of the State may 
be obtained from a statement of the gen- 
eral slopes in feet per mile, from point to 
point, in straight lines across it. 

Per Mile. 

From N. E. corner to S. E. cor- 
ner of State 1 ft. 1 in. 

From N. E. corner to Spirit Lake, 5 ft. 5 in 

From N. W corner to SpiritLake, 5 ft. 

From N.W. corner to S W. cor- 
ner of the State 2 ft. 



^1 



60 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



Per Mile. 

From S. W. corner to highest 
ridge between the two great 
rivers (in Ringgold county).. 4 ft. 1 in. 

From the highest point in the 
Slate (near Spirit Lalie) to the 
lowest point in the State (at 
the mouth of DesMoines river) 4 ft. 

We thus find that there is good degree 
of propriety in regarding the whole State 
as belonging to a great plain, the lowest 
point of which within its border, the south- 
eastern corner of the State, is only 444 
feet above the level of the sea. The aver- 
age height of the whole State above the 
level of the sea is not far from 800 feet, 
although it is a thousand miles from the 
nearest ocean. 

These remarks are, of course, to be un- 
derstood as applying to the State as a 
whole. On examining its surface in detail, 
■we find a great diversity of surface by the 
formation of valleys out of the general 
level, which have been evolved by the 
actions of streams during the unnumbered 
years of the terrace epoch. These river 
valleys are deepest in the northwestern 
part of the State, and consequently it is 
there that the country has the greatest di- 
versity of surface, and its physical features 
are most strongly marked. 

The greater part of Iowa was formerly 
one vast ' prairie. It has, indeed, been 
estimated that seven-eighths of the surface 
of the Slate was prairie when first settled. 
By prairie it must not be inferred that a 
level surface is meant, for they are found 
in hilly countries as well Nor are they 
confined to any particular variety of soil, 
for they rest upon all formations, from 
those of the Azotic to those of the Creta- 



ceous age, inclusive. Whatever may hav.- 
been their origin, their present existence 
in Iowa is not due to the influence of cli- 
mate, of the soil, or of any of the under- 
lying formations^ The real cause is the 
prevalence of the annual fires. If these 
had been prevented fifty years ago, Iowa 
would now be a timbered country. The 
encroachment of forest trees upon prairie 
farms as soon as the bordering wood- 
land is protected from the annual prairie 
fires, is well known to farmers throughout 
the State. The soil of Iowa is justly 
famous for its fertility, and there is prob- 
ably no equal area of the earth's surface 
that contains so little untillable land, or 
whose soil has so high an average of fer- 
tility. Ninety-five per cent, of its surface 
is capable of a high state of cultivation. 

LAKES AND STKEAMS. 

Lakes — The lakes of Iowa may be prop- 
erly divided into two distinct classes. The 
first may be called drift lakes, having had 
their origin in the depressions left in the 
surface of the drift at the close of the gla- 
cial epoch, and have rested upon the undis- 
turbed surface of the drift deposit ever 
since the glaciers disappeared. The others 
may be properly termed fluviatile or allu- 
vial lakes, because they have had their 
origin by the action of rivers while cut- 
ting their own valleys out from the surface 
of the drift as it existed at the close of the 
glacial epoch, and are now found resting 
upon the alluvium. By "alluvium" is 
meant the deposit which has accumulated 
in the valleys of rivers by the action of 
their own currents. It is largely composed 
of sand and other coarse material, and 



^- 



<2 l^ 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



81 



upon that deposit are some of the best 
productive soils in the State. It is this 
deposit which forms the flood plains and 
deltas of our rivers, as well as the terraces 
of their valleys. The regions to which the 
drift lakes are principally confined are near 
the head waters of the principal streams 
of the State. They are consequently found 
in those regions which lie between the 
Cedar and DesMoines rivers, and the Des 
Moines and Little Sioux. No drift lakes 
are found in Southern Iowa. The largest 
of the lakes to be found in the State 
are Spirit and Okoboji, in Dickinson 
county, Clear Lake in Cerro Gordo county, 
and Storm Lake in Buena Vista county. 

Spirit Lake. — The width and length of 
this lake are about equal, and it contains 
about 12 square miles of surface, its north- 
ern border resting directly on the boun- 
dary of the State. It lies almost directly 
upon the great water-shed. Its shores 
are mostly gravelly, and the country about 
It fertile. 

Okoboji La^kb. — This body of water 
lies directly south of Spirit Lake, and has 
somewhat the shape of a horse-shoe, with 
its eastern projection within a few rods 
of Spirit Lake, where it receives the out- 
let of the- latter. Okoboji Lake extends 
about five miles southward from Spirit 
Lake, thence about the same distance 
westward, and it then bends northward 
about as far as the eastern projection. 
The eastern portion is narrow, but the 
western is larger, and in some places 100 
feet deep. The surroundings of this and 
Spirit Lake are very pleasant; fish are 
abundant in them, and they are the re- 
sort of myriads of water-fowl. 



Cleae Lake. — This lake is situated 
upon the water-shed between the Iowa and 
Cedar rivers. It is about 5 miles long, 2 
or 3 miles wide, and has a maximum 
depth of only 15 feet. Its shores and the 
country around are like that of Spirit 
Lake. 

Storm Lake. — This lake rests upon the 
great water-shed in Buena Vista county. 
It is a clear, beautiful sheet of water, con- 
taining a surface area of between 4 and 5 
square miles. The outlets of all these 
drift lakes are dry during a portion of the 
year, except Okoboji. 

Walled Lakes. — Along the water-sheds 
of Northern Iowa great numbers of small 
lakes exist, varying from half a mile to a 
mile in diameter. One of the lalies in 
Wright county, and another in Sac, have 
each received the name of "Walled Lake," 
on account of the embankments on their 
borders, which are supposed to be the work 
of ancient inhabitants. These embank- 
ments are from 2 to 10 feet in height, and 
from 5 to 30 feet across. They are the 
result of natural causes alone, being refer- 
able to the periodic action of ice, aided to 
some extent by the action of the waves. 

These lakes are very shallow, and in win- 
ter freeze to the bottom, so that but little 
unfrozen water remains in the middle. The 
ice freezes fast to everything on the bot- 
tom, and the expansive power of the water 
in freezing acts in all directions from the 
center to the circumference, and whatever 
was on the bottom of the lake has been 
thus carried to the shore. This has beeft 
going on from year to year, from century 
to century, forming the embankments 
which have caused so much wonder. 






^ ^ — ^ 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



Springs issue from all the geological 
formations, and form the sides of almost 
every valley, but they are more numerous, 
and assume proportions which give rise to 
the name of sink-holes, along the upland 
borders of the Upper Iowa river, owing to 
the peculiar fissued and laminated charac- 
ter and great thickness of the stra'a of the 
age of the Trenton limestone which under- 
lies the whole region of the valley of that 
stream. No mineral springs, properly so- 
called, have yet been discovered in Iowa, 
though the water of several artesian wells 
is frequently found charged with soluable 
mineral substances. 

Rivers. — The two great rivers, the Mis- 
sissipi and Missouri, from the eastern and 
the western boundaries, respectively, of 
the State, receive the eastern and western 
drainage of it. The Mississippi with its 
tributaries in Eastern Iowa drain two- 
thirds of the State, and the Missouri with 
its tributaries drain the western third. The 
great water-shed which divides these two 
systems is a land running southward from 
a point on the northern boundary line of 
the State, near Spirit Lake, in Dickinson 
county, to a nearly central point in the 
northern part of Adair county. From the 
last named point this highest ridge of land 
between the two great rivers continues 
southward, without change of character, 
through Ringgold county, into the State 
of Missouri; but it is no longer the great 
water-shed. From that point another ridge 
bears off southward, through the counties 
of Madison, Clsrke, Lucas and Appanoose, 
which is now the water-shed. 

All streams that rise in Iowa occupy, at 
first, only slight depressions of the laud, 



and are scarcely perceptible. These uniting 
into larger streams, though still flowing 
over drift and bluflf deposits, reach consid- 
erable depth into these deposits, in some 
cases to a depth of nearly 200 feet from 
the general prairie level. 

The greater part of the streams in West- 
ern Iowa run either along the whole or a 
part of their course, upon that peculiar 
deposit known as bluff deposit. The 
banks even of the small streams are often 
five to ten feet in lieight and quite perpen- 
dicular, so that they render the streams 
almost everywhere unfordable, and a great 
impediment to travel across the open 
country where there are no bridges. 

This deposit is of a slightly yellowish 
ash color, except when darkened by decay- 
ing vegetation, very fine and silicious, but 
not sandy, not very cohesive, and not at 
all plastic. It forms e.xcellent soil, and 
does not bake or crack in drying, except 
limy concretions, which are generally dis- 
tributed throughout the mass, in shape 
and size resembling pebbles; but cot a 
stone or a pebble caa be found in the 
whole deposit. It was called "silicious 
marl" by Dr. Owen, in his geological re- 
port to the Government, and he attribuies 
its origin to an accumulation of sediment 
in an ancient lake, which was afterward 
drained, and the sediment became dryland. 
Prof. Swallow gives it the name of ''bluff," 
which is here adopted; but the term, "la- 
custrine" would have been more appro- 
priate. The peculiar properties of this 
deposit are that it will stand securely with 
a precipitous front 200 feet high, and yet 
is easily excavated with a spade. Wells 
dug in it require only to be walled to a 
point just above the water-line. Yet, com- 



e; - 



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iU 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



83 



pact, as it is, it is very porous, so that 
water which falls on it does not remain at 
the surface, but percolates through it; 
neither does it accumulate within it at any 
point, as it does upon and within the drift 
and the stratified formations. 

The thickest deposit yet known in Iowa 
is in Fremont county, where it reaches 200 
feet. It is found throughout a region 
more than 200 miles in length, and nearly 
100 miles in width, and through which the 
Missouri runs almost centrally. 

This fine sediment is the same which 
the Missouri once deposited in a broad 
depression in the surface of the drift that 
formed a lake-like expansion of that river 
in the earliest period of the history of its 
valley. The extent of the deposit shows 
this lake to have been 100 miles wide and 
more than twice as long. The water of 
the river was muddy then as now, and the 
broad lake became filled with the sediment 
which the river brought down. After the 
lake became filled with the sediment, the 
valley below became deepened by the con- 
stant erosive action of the waters, to a 
depth sufficient to have drained the lake 
of its first waters; but the only effect then 
was to cause it to cut its valley out of the 
deposits its own muddy waters had formed. 
Thus along the valley of that river, so far 
as it forms the western boundary of Iowa, 
the bluffs which border it are composed of 
that sediment known as bluff deposit, 
forming a distinct border along the broad, 
level flood plain, the width of which varies 
from five to fifteen miles, while the orig- 
inal sedimentary deposit stretches far in- 
land. 

Chariton and Ghrand rivers rise and? 
run for twentj'-five miles of their course 



upon the drift deposits alone. The first 
strata that are exposed by the deepening 
valleys of both these streams belong to 
the Upper Coal Measures, and they both 
continue upon the same formation until 
they make their exit from the State, (the 
former in Appanoose county, the latter in 
Ringgold county,) near the boundary of 
which they passed nearly or quite through 
the whole of that formation to the Middle 
Coal Measures. Their valleys deepen 
gradually, and 15 or 20 miles from the 
river they are nearly 150 feet below the gen- 
eral level of the ailjacent highland. When 
the rivers have cut their valleys down 
through the series of limestone strata,.they 
reach those of a clayey composition. Upon 
these they widen their valleys, and make 
broad flood plains or " bottoms," the soil 
of which is stiff and clayey, except where 
modified by sandy washings. These 
streams are prairie streams in their upper 
branches and tributaries, but flow through 
woodland farther down. The proportion 
of lime in the drift of Iowa is so great that 
the water of all the wells and springs is 
too " hard " for washing purposes, and the 
same substance is so prevalent in the drift 
clays that they are always found to have 
sufficient flux when used for the manufac- 
ture of brick. 

Platte river belongs mainly to Missouri. 
Its upper branches pass through Ringgold 
county. Here the drift deposit reaches its 
maximum thickness on an east and west 
line across the State, and the valleys are 
eroded in some instances to a depth of 
200 feet, apparently, through this deposit 
alone. The term "drift deposit " applies 
to the soil and sub soil of the gre iter part 



If^ 



^ 



84 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



of the State, and in it alone many wells 
are dug and our forests take root. It rests 
upon the stratified rocks. It is composed 
of clay, sand, gravel and boulders, promis- 
cuously intermixed without stratification, 
varying in character in different parts of 
the State. 

One Hundred and Two river is repre- 
sented in Taylor county, the valleys of 
which have the same 'general character of 
those just described. The country around 
and between the east and west forks of 
this stream is almost entirely prairie. 

Nodaway river is represented by east, 
middle and west branches. The two for- 
mer rise in Adair county, the latter in 
Cass county. These rivers and valleys are 
fine examples of the small rivers and 
valleys of Southern Iowa. They have the 
general character of drift valleys, and with 
beautiful undulating and sloping sides. 
The Nodaway drains one of the finest 
agricultural regions in the State, the soil 
of which is tillable almost to their very 
banks. The banks and the adjacent nar- 
row flood-plains are almost everywhere 
composed of a rich, deep, dark loam. 

Nishnahotany river is represented by 
east and west branches, the former having 
its source in Anderson county, the latter 
in Shelby county. Both these branches, 
from their source to their confluence, and 
also the main stream from there to the 
point where it enters the great flood-plain 
of the Missouri, run through a region, the 
surface of which is occupied by the bluff 
deposit. 

The West Nishnabotany is probably 
without any valuable mill-sites. In the 
western part of 'Cass county, the East 



Nishnabotany loses its identity by becom- 
ing abruptly divided up into five or six 
different creeks. A few good mill-sites 
occur here on this stream. None, how- 
ever, that are thought reliable, exist on 
either of these rivers, or on the main 
stream below the confluence, except, per- 
haps, one or two in Montgomery county. 
The valleys of the two branches, and the 
intervening upland, possess remarkable 
fertility. 

Boyer river, until it enters the flood- 
plain of the Missouri, runs almost, if not 
quite, its entire course through the region 
occupied by the bluff deposit, and has cut 
its valley entirely through it along most of 
its passage. The only rocks exposed are 
the upper coal measures, near Reed's mill, 
in Harrison county. The exposures are 
slight, and are the most northerly now 
known in Iowa. The valley of this river 
has usually gently sloping sides, and an in- 
distinctly defined flood-plain. Along the 
lower half of its course the adjacent up- 
land presents a surface of the billowy 
character, peculiar to the bluff deposit. 
The source of this river is in Sac county. 

Soldier river — The east and middle 
branches of this stream have their source 
in Crawford county, and the west branch 
in Ida county. The whole course of this 
river is through the bluff deposit. It has 
no exposure of strata along its course. 

Little Sioux river. — Under this head are 
included both the main and west branches 
of that stream, together with the Maple, 
which is one of its branches. The west 
branch and the Maple are so similar to 
the Soldier river that they need no sep- 
arate description. The main stream has 



y^=± 



!lA 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



85 



its boundary near the northern boundary 
of the State, and runs most of its course 
upon drift deposit alone, entering the 
region of the bluff deposit in the southern 
part of Cherokee county. The two prin- 
cipal upper branches near their source in 
Dickinson and Osceola counties are small 
prairie creeks within distinct valleys. On 
entering Clay county the valley deepens, 
and at their confluence has a depth of 200 
feet. Just as the valley enters Cherokee 
county it turns to the southward, and be- 
comes much wi'ened, with its sides gently 
sloping to the uplands. When the valley 
enters the region of the bluff deposit, it 
assumes the billowy appearance. No ex- 
posures of strata of any kind have been 
found in the valley of the L ttle Sioux or 
any of its branches. 

Floyd river. — This river rises upon the 
drift in O'Brien county, and flowing south- 
ward enters the region of the bluff deposit 
a little north of the centre of Plymouth 
county. Almost from its source to its 
mouth it is a prairie stream, with slightly 
sloping valley sides, which blend gradually 
with the uplands. A single slight exposure 
of sandstone of cretaceous age occurs in the 
valley near Sioux City, and which is the 
only known exposure of rock of any kind 
along its whole length. Near this exposure 
is a mill-site, but farther up the stream it 
is not valuable for such purposes. 

Rock rioer. — This stream passes through 
Lyon and Sioux counties. It was, evi- 
dently, so named from the fact that con- 
siderable exposures of the red Sioux 
quartzite occur along the main branches 
of the stream in Minnesota, a few miles 
north of the State boundary. Within the 



State the main stream and its branches are 
drift streams and strata are exposed. The 
beds and banks of the streams are usually 
sandy and gravelly, with occasionally 
boulders intermixed. 

Big Sioiix River. — The valley of this 
river, from the northwest corner of the 
State to its mouth, possesses much the 
same character as all the streams of the 
surface deposits. At Sioux Falls, a few 
miles above the northwest correr of the 
State, the streams meet with remarkable 
obstructions from the presence of Sioux 
quartzite, which outcrops directly across 
the stream, and causes a fall of about 60 
feet within a distance of half a mile, pro- 
ducing a series of cascades For the first 
25 miles above its mouth, the valley is 
very broad, with a broad, flat flood-plain, 
with gentle slopes, occasionally showing 
indistinctly defined terraces. These ter- 
races and valley bottoms constitute some 
of the finest agricultural land of the re- 
gion. Oil the Iowa side of the valley the 
upland presents abrupt bluffs, steep as the 
irfaterials of which they are composed will 
stand, and from 100 to nearly 200 feet 
high above the stream. At rare intervals, 
about 15 miles from its mouth, the creta- 
ceous strata are exposed in the face of the 
bluffs of the Iowa side. No other strata 
are exposed along that part of the valley 
wh^ch borders our State, with the single 
exception of Sioux quartzite at its extreme 
northwestern corner. Some good mill- 
sites may be secured along that portion of 
this river which borders Lyon county, but 
below this the fall will probably be found 
insiifiicient and the locations for dams in- 
secure. 



'^W 



^. 



-® K> 



sa 



mSlORY OF IOWA. 



Missouri River. — This is one of the 
muddiest streams on the globe, and its 
\Katers are known to be very turbid far 
toward its source. The chief peculiarity 
of this river is its broad flood-plains, and 
its adjacent bluff deposits. Much the 
greater part of the flood-plain of this river 
is upon the Iowa side, and continues from 
the south boundary line of the State to 
Sioux City, a distance of more than 100 
miles in length, varying from three to five 
miles in width. This alluvial plain is esti- 
mated to contain more than half a million 
of acres of land within the State, upward 
of 400,000 of which are now tillable. 

The rivers of the eastern system of 
drainage hq,ve quite a different character 
from those of the western system. They 
are larger, longer and have their valleys 
modified to a much greater extent by the 
underlying strata. For the latter reason, 
water-power is much more abundant upon 
them than upon the streams of the western 
system. ' 

DesMoines River. — This river has its 
source in Minnesota, but it enters Iowa 
before it has attained any size, and flows 
almost centrally through it from northwest 
to southeast, emptying into the Mississippi 
at the extreme southeastern corner of the 
State. It drains a greater area than any 
river within the State. The upper portion 
of it is divided into two branches, known 
as the east and west forks These unite 
in Humboldt county. The valleys of these 
branches above their confluence are drift 
valleys, except a few small exposures of 
subcarbouiferous limestone about five 
miles above their confluence. These ex- 
posures produce several small mill-sites. 



The valleys vary from a few hundred yards 
to half mile in width, and are the finest 
agricultural lands. In the northern part 
of Webster county the character of the 
main valley is modified by the presence of 
ledges and low cliffs of the subcarbouifer- 
ous limestone and gypsum. From a point 
a little below Fort Dodge to near Amster- 
dam, in Marion county, the river runs all 
the way through and upon the lower Coal 
Measure strata. Along this part of the 
course the flood-plain varies from an 
eighth to a mile or more in width. From 
Amsterdam to Ottumwa the subcarbonifer- 
ous rocks pass beneath the river again, 
bringing down the Coal Measure strata 
into its bed; they rise from it in the ex- 
treme northwestern part of VanBuren 
county, and subcarbouiferous strata re- 
sume and keep their place along the valley 
to the north of the river. 

From Fort Dodge to the northern part 
of Lee county the strata of the Lower 
Coal Measures are present in the valley. 
Its flood-plain is frequently sandy from 
the debris of the sandstone and sandy 
shales of the Coal Measures produced by 
their removal in the process of the forma- 
tion of the valley. 

The principal tributaries of the Des 
Moines are upon the western side. These 
are the Raccoon and the three rivers, viz: 
South, Middle and North rivers. The 
three latter have their sources in the re- 
gion occupied by the Upper Coal Measure 
limestone formation, flow eastward over 
the Middle Coal Measures, and enter the 
valley of the DesMoines upon the Lower 
Coal Measures. These streams, especially 
South and Middle rivers, are frequently 
bordered by high, rocky cliffs. Raccoon 



3?. 



^ 



j^i 



^fei 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



87 



river has its source upon the heavy surface 
deposits of the middle region of Western 
Iowa, and along the greater part of its 
course it has excavated its valley out of 
those deposits and the Middle Coal 
Measure alone. The valley of the Des 
Moines and its branches are destined to 
become the seat of extensive raanufac- 
turies, in consequence of the numerous 
mill-sites of immense power, and the fact 
that the main valley traverses the entire 
length of the Iowa coal fields. 

Skunk river. — This has its source in 
Hamilton county, and runs almost its en- 
tire course upon the border of the outcrop 
of the Lower Coal Measures, or, more prop- 
erly speaking, upon the subcarboniferous 
limestone, just where it begins to pass be- 
neath the Coal Measures by its southerly 
and westerly dip. Its general course is 
southeast. From the western part of 
Henry county, up as far as Story county, 
the broad, flat flood-plain is covered with a 
rich, deep clay soil, which, in time of long- 
continued rains and overflows of the river, 
has made the valley of Skunk river a ter- 
ror to travelers from the earliest settlement 
of the country. There are some excellent 
mill-sites on th^" lower half of this river, 
but they are not so numerous or valuable 
as on other rivers of the eastern system. 

Iowa river. — This river rises in Han- 
cock county, in the midst of a broad, 
slightly undulating drift region. The first 
rock exposure is that of subcarboniferous 
limestone, in the southwestern corner of 
Franklin county. It enters the region of 
the Devonian strata near the southwestern 
corner of Benton county, and in this it 
continues to its confluence with the Cedar 



in Louisa county. Below the junction 
with the Cedar, and for some miles above 
that point, its valley is broad, and especi- 
ally on the northern side, with a well- 
marked flood-plain. Its borders gradually 
blend with the uplands as they slope away 
in the distance from the river The Iowa 
furnishes numerous and valuable mill-sites. 

Cedar river. — This stream is usually 
understood to be a branch of the Iowa, but 
it ought, really, to be regarded as the main 
stream. It rises by numerous branches in 
the northern part of the State, and flows 
the entire length of the State, through the 
region occupied by the Devonian strata and 
along the trend occupied by that formation. 
The valley of this river, in the upper part 
of its course, is narrow, and the sides slope 
so gently as to scarcely show where the 
lowlands end and the uplands begin. Be- 
low the confluence with the Shell Rock, 
the flood-plain is more distinctly marked, 
and the valley broad and shallow. Tne 
valley of the Cedar is one of the linest re- 
gions in the State, and both the main 
stream and its branches afford abundant 
and reliable mill-sites. 

Wapsipinnicon river. — This river has 
its source near the source of the Cedar, 
and runs parallel and near it almost its en- 
tire course, the upper half upon the same 
formation — the Devonian. lu the north- 
eastern part of Linn county it enters the 
region of the Niagara limestone, upon 
which it continues to the Mississippi. It 
is 100 miles long, and yet the area of its 
drainage is only from 12 to 20 miles in 
width. Hence, its numerous mill-sites are 
unusually secure 



_ l9 



88 



HISTOEY OF IOWA. 



Turkey river — This river and the Upper 
Iowa are, in many respects, unlike other 
Iowa rivers. The difference is due to the 
great depth to which they have eroded 
their valleys and the dififerent character of 
the material through which they have 
worked. Turkey river rises in Howard 
county, and in Winneshiek county, a few 
miles from its source, its valley has attained 
a depth of more than 200 feet, and in Fay- 
ette and Clayton counties its depth is in- 
creased to 300 and 400 feet. The summit 
of the uplands, bordering nearly the whole 
length of the valley, is capped by the Ma- 
quoketa shales. These shales are under- 
laid by the Galena limestone, between 200 
and 300 feet thick. The valley has been 
eroded through these, and runs upon the 
Trenton limestone. Thus all the forma- 
tions along and within this valley are Lower 
Silurian. The valley is usually narrow, 
and without a well-marked flood-plain. 
Water-power is abundant, but in most 
places inaccessible. 

Upper Iowa river. — This river rises in 
Minnesota, just beyond the northern boun- 
dary line, and enters our State in Howard 
county before it has attained any consider- 
able size. Its course is nearly eastward 
until it reaches the Mississippi. It rises in 
the region of the Devonian rocks, and 
flows across the outcrops, respectively, of 
the Niagara, Galena and Trenton lime- 
stone, the lower magnesian limestone, and 
Potsdam sandstone, into and through all 
of which, except the last, it has cut its val- 
ley, which is the deepest of any in Iowa. 
The valley sides are almost everywhere 
high and steep, and cliffs of lower magne- 
sian and Trenton limestone give them a 



wild and rugged aspect. In the lower part 
of the valley the flood-plain reaches a 
width sufiicient for the location of- small 
farms, but usually it is too narrow for such 
purposes. On the higher surface, however, 
as soon as you leave the valley you come 
immediately upon a cultivated country. 
This stream has the greatest slope per mile 
of any in Iowa, and consequently it fur- 
nishes immense water-power. In some 
places where creeks come into it, the valley 
widens and affords good locations for 
farms. The town of Decorah, in Winne- 
shiek county, is located in one of these 
spots, which makes it a lovely location; 
and the power of the river and the small 
spring streams around it offer tine facilities 
for manufacturing. This river and its 
tributaries are the only trout streams in 
Iowa. 

Mississippi river. — This river may be 
described, in general terms, as a broad 
canal cut out of the general level of the 
country through which the river flows. It 
is bordered by abrupt hills or bluffs. The 
bottom of the valley ranges from one to 
eight miles in width. The whole space 
between the bluffs is occupied by the river 
and its bottom, or flood-plain only, if we 
except the occasional terraces or remains 
of ai^cient flood-plains, which are not now 
reached by the highest floods of the river. 
The river itself is from half a mile to 
nearly a mile in width. There are but four 
points along the whole length of the State 
where the bluffs approach the stream on 
both sides. The Lower Silurian formations 
compose the bluffs in the northern part of 
the State, but they gradually disappear by 
a southerly dip, and the bluffs are con- 



"7 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



89 



tinned successively by the Upper Silurian, 
Devoriian and Subcarboniferous rocks 
which are reached near the southeastern 
corner of the State. 

Considered in their relation to the pres- 
ent general surface of the State, the rela 
tive ages of the river valley of Iowa date 



back only to the close of the gl.icial epoch; 
but that the Mississippi and all the rivers 
of Northeastern Iowa, if no others, had at 
least a large part of the rocky portions of 
their valleys eroded by pre-glacial, or, per- 
haps, by palaeogoic rivers, can scarcely be 
doubted. 



CHAPTER VIII, 



IOWA AND THE EKBBLLION. 



By her record in the war of the rebellion 
Iowa proved herself a truly loyal Stale. 
The Presidential campaign of 1860 was 
an exciting one, and the fact that civil war 
might be inaugurated in case Abraham 
Lincoln was elected, was well understood 
and duly considered. The people of Iowa 
indulged in no hatred or ill-will toward 
any section of the country, but were deter- 
mined to hold such opinions upon questions 
of public interests, and vote for such men 
as to them seemed for the general good, 
uninfluenced by any threat of violence or 
civil war. 

The General Assembly of the State of 
Iowa, as early as 1851, had by joint resolu- 
tion declared that the State of Iowa was 
" bound to maintain the union of these 
Stales by all the means in her power." 
The same year the State furnished a block 



of marble for the Washington Monument 
at the national capitol, and by order of the 
General Assembly there was inscribed 
upon its enduring surface the following: 
'•Iowa — Her affections, like the rivers of 
her borders, 'flow to an inseparable Union." 
The time was now approaching in her his- 
tory when these declarations of attachment 
and fidelity to the nation were to be put 
to a practical test. 

Certainly the people of no State in the 
nation could be more vitally interested in 
the question of our national unity than the 
people of Iowa. The older Stales of the 
Union, both North and South, were repre- 
sented in its population. lowans were 
nearly all immigrants, bound to those older 
communities by the most sacred ties of 
blood, and most endearing recollections of 
early days. In addition to these consider- 



'*. 



00 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



ations of a personal character, there were 
others of the gravest political importance. 

Iowa's geographical position as a State 
made the dismemberment of the Union a 
matter of serious concern. The Missis- 
sippi had been for years its highway to 
the markets of the world. The people 
could not entertain the thought that its 
navigation should pass under the control 
of a foreign government. But more than 
this was to be feared the consequence of 
introducing and recognizing in our national 
system the principal of secession or disin- 
tegration. 

If this should be recognized as a right, 
what security had the States of the interior 
against their entire isolation from the com- 
merce of the world, by the future secession 
of the Atlantic and Pacific States? And 
the fact also remained, that secession or 
separation removed none of the causes of 
war. Whatever there was in the peculiar 
institution that created differences of sen- 
timent or feeling, or caused irritation, still 
existed after the separation, with no court 
or constitution as the arbiter of rights, and 
with the one resort, only, of the sword to 
settle differences. In secession and its 
logical and necessary results, we saw 
nothing but dire confusion and anarchy, 
and the utter destruction of that nation- 
ality through which alone we felt that our 
civil liberties as a people could be pre- 
served, and the hopes of our civilization 
prepetuated. 

The declaration of Mr. Buchanan's last 
annual message, that the nation posssesed 
no constitutional power to coerce a seced- 
ing State, was received by the great 
majority of our citizens with humiliation 



and distrust. Anxiously they awaited the 
expiring hours of his administration, and 
looked to the incoming President as to an 
expected deliverer that should rescue the 
nation from the. hands of traitors, and the 
control of those whose non-resistance in- 
tI6!?»3 her destruction. The firing upon the 
national flag at Sumter aroused a burning 
indignation throughout the loyal States of 
the Republic, and nowhere was it more 
intense than in Iowa. And when the 
proclamation of the President was pub- 
lished, April 15, 1861, calling for 75,000 
citizen soldiers to "maintain the honor, 
the integrity, and the existence of our 
national Union, and the perpetuity of pop- 
ular government," they were more than 
willing to respond to the call. Party lines 
gave way, and for a while, at least, party 
spirit was hushed, and the cause of our 
common country was supreme in the affec- 
tions of the people. Peculiarly fortunate 
were the people of Iowa at this crisis, in 
having a truly representative man as ex- 
ecutive of the State. Thoroughly honest 
and thoroughly earnest, wholly imbued 
with the enthusiasm of the hour, fully 
aroused to the importance of the crises, 
and the magnitude of the struggle upon 
which *" were entering, with an indomit- 
able wiU under the control of a strong 
common sense, Samuel J. Kirkwood, was, 
indeed, a worthy chief to organize and 
direct the energies of the people. Within 
thirty days after the date of the President's 
call for troops, the First Iowa Regiment 
was mustered into the service of the 
United States, a second regiment was in 
camp ready for the service, and the Gen- 
eral Assembly of the Stale w^.s convened 
in special session, and had by joint resoiu- 



^7 



^ s 



>?-. 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



91 



tion solemnly pledged every resource of 
men and money to the national cause. 

So urgent were the offers of companies, 
that the Governor conditionally accepted 
enough additional companies to compose 
two additional regiments. These were 
soon accepted by the Secretary of War. 
Near the close of May, the Adjutant Gen- 
eral of the State reported that 170 compa- 
nies had been tendered the Governor to 
serve against the enemies of the Union. 
The question was eagerly asked, " Which 
of us will be allowed to go? " It seemed 
as if Iowa was monopolizing the honors 
of the period, and would send the larger 
part -of the 75,000 wanted from the whole 
North. 

There were much difficulty and consid- 
erable delay experienced in fitting the first 
three regiments for the field. For the 
First Infantry a complete outfit (not uni- 
form) of clothing was extemporized, prin- 
cipally by the volunteered labor of loyal 
women in the different towns — from mate- 
rial of various colors and qualities, ob- 
tained within the limits of the State. The 
same was done in part for the Second 
Infantry. Meantime, an extra session of 
the General Assembly had been called by 
the Governor, to convene on the 15th of 
May. With but little delay, that body 
authorized a loan of $800,000, to meet the 
extraordinary expenses incurred, and to be 
incurred, by the Executive Department, 
in consequenre of the new emergency. A 
wealthy merchant of the State (ex-Gov. 
ISIerrell, then a resident of McGregor) 
immediately took from the Governor a 
contract to supply a complete outfit of 
clothing for three regiments organized, 
agreeing to receive, should the Governor 



so elect, bis pay therefor in the State bonds 
at par. This contract he executed to the 
letter, and a portion of the clothing (which 
was manufactured in Boston, at his order) 
was delivered at Keokuk, the place at 
which the troops had rendezvoused, in ex- 
actly one month from the day in which 
the contract had been entered into. The re- 
mainder arrived only a few days later. This 
clothing was delivered to the soldiers, but 
was subsequently condemned by the Gov- 
ernment, for the reason that its color was 
gray, and blue had been adopted as the 
color to be worn by the National troops. 
Other States had also clothed their troops, 
sent forward under the first call of Presi- 
dent Lincoln, with gray uniforms, but it 
was soon found that the Confederate forces 
were also clothed in gray, and that color 
was at once abandoned by the Union 
troops. If both armies were clothed alike, 
annoying, if not fatal, mistakes were liable 
to be made. 

While engaged in these efforts to dis- 
charge her whole duty in common with all 
the other Union-loving States in the great 
emergency, Iowa was compelled to make 
immediate and ample provision for the 
protection of her own borders from threat- 
ened invasions on the south by the seces- 
sionists of Missouri, and from danger of 
incursions from the west and northwest by 
bands of hostile Indians, who were freed 
from the usual restraint imposed upon 
them by the presence of regular troops 
stationed at the frontier posts. These 
troops were withdrawn to meet the greater 
and more pressing danger threatening the 
life of the Nation at its very heart. 

The Governor of the State, in order to 
provide for the adequate defense of Iowa's 






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HISTORY OF IOWA. 



borders from the ravages of both rebels 
in arms against the Government and of the 
more irresistible foes from the Western 
plains, was authorized to raise and equip 
two regiments of infantry, a squadron of 
cavalry (not lees than five companies) and 
a battalion of artillery (not less than three 
companies). Only cavalry were enlisted 
for home defense, however, but in times of 
special danger, or when calls were made 
by the Unionists of Northern Missouri for 
assistance against their disloyal enemies, 
large numbers of militia on foot often 
turned out, and remained in the field until 
the necessity for their services had passed. 
June 13th, Gen. Lyon, then command- 
ing the United States forces in Missouri, 
issued the first order for the Iowa volun- 
teers to move to the field. The First and 
Second Infantry immediately embarked in 
steamboats and proceeded to Hannibal. 
Two weeks later the Third Infantry was 
ordered to the same point. These three, 
together with many other of the earlier 
organized Iowa regiments, rendered their 
first field service in Missouri. The First 
Infantry formed a part of the little army 
with which Gen. Lyon moved on Spring- 
field, and fought the bloody battle of Wil- 
son's creek. It received unqualified praise 
for its gallant bearing on the field. In the 
following month (September), the Third 
Iowa, with but very slight support, fought 
with honor the sanguinary engagement of 
Blue Mills Landing; and in November the 
Seventh Iowa, as a part of the force com- 
manded by Gen. Grant, greatly distin- 
guished itself in the battle of Belmont, 
where it poured out its blood like \pater — 
losing more than half of the men it took 
into action. 



The initial operations in which the bat- 
tles referred to took place were followed 
by the more important movements led by 
Gen. Grant, Gen. Curtis, of this State, and 
other commanders, which resulted in de- 
feating the armies defending the chief 
strategic lines held by the Confederates in 
Kentucky, Tennessee, Missouri and Arkan- 
sas, compelling their withdrawal from 
much of the territory previously controlled 
by them in those States. In these and 
other movements, down to the grand cul- 
minating campaign by which Vicksburg 
was captured and the Confederacy perma- 
nently severed on the line of the Missis- 
sippi river, Iowa troops took part in 
steadily increasing numbers. In the in- 
vestment and siege of Vicksburg, the 
State was represented by thirty regiments 
and two batteries, in addition to which 
eight regiments and one battery were 
employed on the outposts of the besieg- 
ing army. The brilliancy of their exploits 
on the many fields where they served, 
won for them the highest meed of praise, 
both in military and civil circles. Mul- 
tiplied were the terms in which expres- 
sion was given to this sentiment, but these 
words of the journals of a neighboring 
State: "The Iowa troops have been heroes 
among heroes," embody the spirit of all. 
In the veteran re-enlistment that dis- 
tinguished the closing month of 1863, 
above all other periods in the history of 
re-enlistment for the National armies, the 
Iowa three-years' men (who were rela- 
tively more numerous than those of any 
other State), were prompt to set the ex- 
ample of volunteering for another term 
of equal length, thereby adding many 
thousands to the great army of those who 



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HISTORY OF IOWA. 



93 



gave this renewed and practical assurance 
that the cause of the Union should not 
be left without defenders. 

In all the important movements of 1864 
and '65, by which the confederacy was pen- 
etrated in every quarter, and its military 
power finally overthrown, the Iowa troops 
took part. Their drum-beat was heard on 
the banks of every great river of the 
South, from the Potomac to the Rio Grande, 
and everywhere they rendered the same 
faithful devoted service, maintaining on 
all occasions their wonted reputation for 
valor in the field, and endurance on the 
march. 

Two Iowa 3-year cavalry regiments were 
employed during their whole term of ser- 
vice in the operations that were in progress 
from lb63 to 1866 against the hostile In- 
dians of the Western plains. A portion 
of these men were among the last of the 
volunteer troops to be mustered out of ser- 
vice. The State also supplied a consider- 
able number of men to the navy, who took 
part in most of the naval operations pros- 
ecuted against the Confederate power on 
the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts, and the riv- 
ers of the West. 

The people of Iowa were early and con- 
stant workers in the sanitary field, and by 
their liberal gifts and personal efforts for 
the benefit of the soldiery, placed their 
State in the front rank of those who be- 
came distinguished for their exhibitions of 
patriotic benevolence during the period 
covered by the war. Agents appointed by 
the governor were stationed at points con- 
venient for rendering assistance to the sick 
and needy soldiers of the Slate, while oth- 
ers were employed in visiting, from time 
to time, hospitals, camps and armies in the 



field, and doing whatever the circumstances 
rendered possible for the health and com- 
fort of such of the Iowa soldiery as might 
be found there. 

Charitable enterprises also found a ready 
support in Iowa. Some of the benevolent 
people of the State early conceived the 
idea of establishing a home for such of the 
children of deceased soldiers as might be 
left in destitute circum.stances. This idea 
first took form in 1863, and in the follow- 
ing year a home was opened at Farming- 
ton, VanBuren county, in a building leased 
for that purpose, and wliiuh soon became 
filled to its utmost capacity. The institu- 
tion received liberal donations from the 
general public, and also from the soldiers 
in the field. In 1865 it became necessary 
to provide increased accommodations for 
the large number of children who were 
seeking the benefits of its care. This was 
done by establishing a branch at Cedar 
Falls, in Black Hawk county, and by secur- 
ing, during the same year, for the use of 
the parent home, Camp Kinsman, near the 
city of Davenport This property, by act 
of Congress, was soon afterward donated 
to the institution. In 1866, in pursuance 
of a law enacted for that purpose, the Sol- 
diers' Orphans' Home (which then con- 
tained about 450 inmates), became a State 
institution, and thereafter the sums neces- 
sary for its support were appropriated from 
the State treasury. A second branch was 
established at Glenwood, Mills county. 
Convenient tracks were secured, and valu- 
able improvements made at all the diflEe rent 
points. Schools were also established, and 
employments provided for such of the 
children as were of suitable age. In every 
way the provision made for these wards 



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94 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



of the Stale has been such as to challenge 
the approval of every benevolent mind. 
The number of children who have been 
inmates of the home from its foundation 
to the present time is considerably more 
than 2,000. 

No bounty was paid by the State on 
account of the men she placed in the field. 
In some instances, toward the close of the 
war, bounty, to a comparatively small 
amount, was paid by cities and towns On 
only one occasion, that of the call of July 
18, 1804, was a draft made in Iowa. This 
did not occur on account of her proper lia- 
bility, as established by previous rulings 
of the War Department, to supply men 
under that call, but grew out of the great 
necessity that there existed for raising 
men. The Government insisted on tem- 
porarily setting aside, in part, the former 
rule of settlements, and enforciog a draft 
in all cases where sub-districts in any of 
the States should be found deficient in 
their supply of men. In no instance was 
Iowa, as a whole, found to be indebted to 
the General Government for men, on a 
settlement of her quota accounts. 

Not satisfied with merely doing her duty 
under the law, Iowa, of her patriotic gen- 
erosity, did more than was required. The 
I7th, 18th and 37th regiments of infantry, 
the 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th regiments of cav- 
alry were all enrolled, not to meet any 
call from the General Government, but to 
enable citizens of the State to enlist un- 
der the banners of the Union, in excess of 
all demands which could lawfully be made. 

The State also contributed a large num- 
ber of men and many officers to regiments 
in Missouri, Nebraska, Kansas, Illinois, 
Wisconsin and Minnesota, and out of a 



population of less than 2,000 arms-bearing 
colored citizens, raised nearly a whole reg- 
iment of African troops. But besides the 
troops thui regularly enrolled within the 
State, and those who formed part of regi- 
ments in neighboring States, there were 
not a few of Iowa's citizens in the regular 
army, in the different staff departments of 
the volunteer army, and in commands to 
far distant States. 

Those, alsOj should be noticed who were 
called upon to protect the State and -adjoin- 
ing States from raids, to preserve the inter- 
nal peace of the State, etc., in 1861, when 
Northern Missouri was overrun by preda- 
tory bands, and the loyal citizens were 
being driven from their homes by hun- 
dreds, and suffering in life, person and 
estate, the border Iowa yeomanry, unskilled 
in anything pertaining to war, responded 
to the Macedonian cry of their neighbors 
and speeded across the line to help them 
to the number of 1, .500; they were armed 
with old fowling pieces and antiquated 
militia gear, but they proved effective, 
nevertheless, their hearts being in the right 
place. In the same year three expeditions 
were sent out to beat back the Jackson 
bushwhackers who were advancing on 
Iowa, driving out the Union people on 
their way. These expeditions numbered 
about 1,300 men, and performed valuable 
service in Missouri 

On the northern border, during the 
same year, the Sioux City cavalry, ninety- 
three men, and Captain Tripp's company, 
about fifty men, were employed to protect 
the borders against the Indians. 

In 1862, under authority of the General 
Assembly, the Northern and Southern 
Border Brigades were organized — the one 



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HISTORY OF IOWA. 



95 



for the protection of the State against 
guerilla bands on the south along the entire 
border, the other to keep in check the dis- 
affected Indians intent on mischief in the 
northwest. There were five companies of 
the Northern Border Brigade, two hun- 
dred ana fifty men, and ten companies of 
the Southern Border Brigade, seven hun- 
dred and ninety-four men, judiciously 
stationed at exposed points. For two 
years the State, at her own expense, sup- 
ported these organizations. There can be 
no doubt that this was a wise expenditure, 
considering the service done — that of stay- 
ing murder, rapine and arson, which were 
threatening to stalk through the State. 

Subsequently eight hundred militia in 
eleven companies were called out to sup- 
press the celebrated Talley treason in 
Keokuk county, and five hundred on ac- 
count of the disturbances in Poweshiek 
and Davies counties. 

At the beginning of the war, the popu- 
lation of Iowa included about 150,000 men 
presumably liable to render military ser- 
vice. The State raised for general service 
thirty-nine regiments of infantry, nine 
regiments of cavalry, and four companies 
of artillery, composed of three years' men; 
one regiment of infantry, composed of 
three months' men, and four regiments 
and one batallion of infantry, composed of 
100 days' men. The original enlistments 
in these various organizations, including 
1,727 men raised by draft, numbered a 
little more than 69,000. The re-enlist- 
ments, including upward of 7,000 vete- 
rans, numbered very nearly 8,000. The 
enlistments in the regular army and navy, 
and organizations of other States, will, if 
added, raise the total to upward of 80,000. 



The number of men who, under special 
enlistments, and as militia, took part at 
different times in the operations on. the 
exposed borders of the State, was probably 
as many as 5,000. 

As an inevitable result of war, many 
became prisoners, and suffered the cruel- 
ties of Libby, Andersonville and other 
"pens" in the South, which have become 
famous the world over, solely because of 
the incredible barbarities practiced in 
them. Considerable portions of the 8th, 
12th and 14th Regiments were captured, 
after hard fighting, at Shiloh; the 16th 
was nearly all surrendered at Atlanta; the 
17th atTilton; the 19th at Sterling farm; 
the 36th at Mark's Mill. Many escaped 
heroically from rebel imprisonment, and 
the narratives of their sufferings would 
make many interesting volumes. 

Every loyal State of the Union had 
many women who devoted much time and 
great labor toward relieving the wants of 
our sick and wounded soldiery, but for 
Iowa can be claimed the honor of inaugu- 
rating the great charitable movement 
which was so successfully supported by 
the noble women of the North. Mrs. 
Harlan, wife of Hon. James Harlan, 
United States Senator, was the first woman 
of our country among those moving in 
high circles of society who personally 
visited the army and ministered to the 
wants of the suffering soldiery. In many 
of her visits to the army, Mrs. Harlan was 
accompanied by Mrs. Joseph T. Fales, 
wife of the first State Auditor of Iowa. 
No words can describe the good done, the 
lives saved, and the deaths made easy by 
the host of noble women of Iowa, whose 
names it would take a volume to print. 



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96 



^ ® 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



Every county, every town, every neighbor- 
hood in the Slate had these true heroines, 
whose praise can never be fully known, till 
the final rendering of all accounts of deeds 
done in the body. The contributions of 
the State to "sanitary fairs" during the 
war were enormous, amounting to many 
hundred thousand dollars. Highly suc- 
cessful fairs were held at Dubuque, Mus- 
catine, Burlington and Marshalltown, 
while all the towns contributed most gen- 
erously to fairs of a less general nature. 
All this must be added to the work of the 
many "Florence Nightingales" of Iowa, 
whose heroic sacrifices have won for them 
the undying gratitude of the nation. 

It is said, to the honor and credit of 
Iowa, that while many of the loyal Stales, 
o'der and larger in population and wealth, 
iii'curred heavy State debts for the purpose 
of falfilling their obligations to the Gene- 
ral Government, Iowa, while she was fore- 
most in duty, while she promptly discharged 
all her obligations to her sister States and 
the Union, found herself at the close of 
the war without any material additions to 
her pecuniary liabilities incurred before 
the war commenced. Upon final settle- 
ment after restoration of peace, her claims 
upon the Federal Government were found 
to be fully equal to the amount of her 
bond issued and sold during the war to 
provide the means for raising and equip- 
ping her troops sent into the field, and to 
meet the inevitable demands upon her 
treasury in consequence of the war. 

It was in view of these facts that Iowa 
had done more than her duly during the 
war, and that without incurring any con- 
siderable indebtedness, and that her troops 
had fought most gallantly on nearly every 



battle-field of the wai, that the Newark 
Advertiser and other prominent Eastern 
journals called Iowa the " Model State of 
the Eepublic." 

In the following pages a brief account 
is given of each regiment, which was cred- 
ited to Iowa during the war. 

The First Regiment was organized 
under the President's first proclamation 
for volunteer's for three months, with John 
Francis Bates, of Dubuque, as Colonel; 
William H. Merritt, of Cedar Rapids, as 
Lieutenant-Colonel, and A. B. Porter, of 
Mt. Pleasant, as Major. 

The regiment was mustered into' the 
service of the United States May i4th, 
1861, at Keokuk. The different compa- 
nies were independent military organiza- 
tions before the war; and tendeied their 
service before the breaking out of hostili- 
ties. The regiment was in quarters in 
Keokuk for two weeks, During this time 
they became proficient in the use of arms, 
and they learned something of practical 
camp life. June 13th, the regiment re- 
ceived orders to join General Lyon in 
Missouri. They immediately embarked 
on board a steamer, and by midnight were 
at Hannibal, Mo., where they slept on the 
floor of a large warehouse. They pro- 
ceeded without delay to the interior of the 
Slate, where Gen. Lyon had just defeated 
Gov. Jackson with his so-called State 
troops. Joining Lyon, they were soon 
given a taste of active service. For two 
months tliey were almost constantly on 
the march, and occasionally skirmished 
with the enemy. August 10th, a sharp 
battle was fought with the enemy at 
Wilson's Creek, when the gallant and 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



97 



noble Gen. Lyon was killed, and the regi- 
ment lost 10 killed and 50 wounded. 
After the battle the regiment proceeded to 
St. Louis, and their three months having 
expired, were mustered out August 25th, 
1861. The number of officers anJ men in 
this reg'ment were 959. Of these 13 were 
killed, 13 died, 141 were wounded, and 
three were missing. 

Tub Second Infantry was organized 
soon after the coniraenctment of the war, 
with Samuel R. Curtis, of Keokuk, as 
Colonel; James M. Tuttle, of Keosauqua, 
as Lieutenant-Colonel; and M. M. Crocker, 
of DesMoines, as Major; and was mustered 
into the service of the United States, at 
Keokuk, in May, 1861. It participated in 
the following engagements: Fort Donel- 
son, Shiloh, advance on Corinth, Corinth, 
Little Bear Creek, Ala., Resaca, Ga., Rome 
Cross Roads, Dallas, Kenesaw Mountain, 
Nickajaek Creek, in front of Atlanta, Jan- 
uary 22, 186-t, siege of Atlanta, Jonesboro, 
Eden Station, Little Ogeechee, Savannah, 
Columbia, Lynch's Creek and Bentonville; 
went with Sherman on his march to the 
sea, and through the Carolinas, home. 
This regiment was one of Iowa's most 
distinguished commands in the war. It 
was the first three years' riglment, and it 
left for the theatre of war even before the 
First Regiment, by a few hours. 

Its companies were enrolled during that 
first splendid enthusiasm which followed 
the bombardment of Fort Sumter, and 
they contained many men of talent and 
reputation. The regiment especially dis- 
tinguislied itself in the capture of Fort 
Donelson, in entering which it was 
awarded the post of honor. It was then 



that the unenthusiastic Gen. Halleck pro- 
nounced the Iowa Second the " bravest of 
the brave." The Second Veteran Infantry 
was formed by the consolidation of the 
battalions of the Second and Third Vet- 
eran Infantry, and was mustered out at 
Louisville, Ky , July 12, 1865. The total 
number of ofiiceis and men who iulisted 
in this regiment was 1,247. Of this num- 
ber durii;g the war 65 were kil ed, 1.S4 
died, 330 were discharged, 268 were 
wouuded, 14 were missing and 24 were 
captured. 

The Third Infantry was organized at 
about the same time as the Second, with 
Nelson G. Williams, of Dubuque county, 
as Colonel; John Scott, of Story county, 
Lieutenant-Colonel; William N. Stone, of 
Marian county,as Major, and was mustered 
into the United States service in June, 
1861, at Keokuk. The regiment was en- 
gaged at Blue Mills, Mo., Shiloh, Ilatchie 
river, Matamoras, Vicksburg, Johnson, 
Miss., in the Meridian expedition at At- 
lanta, in Sherman's march to the sea, and 
through the Carolinas to Richmond and 
Washington. The regiment was veteran- 
ized aiid organized as a battalion in 1864, 
but before the ofiicers received their com- 
missions the battalion bravely fought itself 
out of existence at the battle of Atlanta. 

The remnant was consolidated with the 
veterans of the Second, and the regiment 
was mustered out at Louisville, Ky., July 
12, 1864. The total number of officers 
and men in the regiment was 1,074. Of 
this number, during the war, 57 were 
killed, 133 died, 231 were discharged, 269 
were wounded, 10 were missing, 93 were 
captured and 19 were transferred. 



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98 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



The Fodeth Infantry was organized 
with G. M. Dodge, of Council Bluffs, as 
Colonel; John Galligan, of Davenport, as 
Lieutenant-Colonel; Wm R. English, of 
Glenwood, as Major. The regiment was 
engaged at Pea Ridge, Chickasaw Bayou, 
Arkansas Post, Vicksburg, Jackson, Look- 
out Mountain, Missionary Ridge, Ring- 
gold, Eesaca and Taylor's Ridge. It came 
home on veteran furlough February 26, 
18G4; returned in April; was in the cam- 
paign against Atlanta, Sherman's march to 
the sea, and thence through the Carolinas 
to Washington, and home; was mustered 
out at Louisville, Ky., July 24, 1865. The 
total number of officers and men in this 
regiment was 1,184, of whom CI were 
killed, 205 died, 299 were discharged, 338 
were wounded, 5 were missing, 44 were 
captured and 37 were transferred. 

The Fifth Infantry was organized 
with Wm. H. Worthington, of Keokuk, as 
Colonel; C. Z. Mathias, of Burlington, as 
Lieutenant-Colonel; W. S. Robertson, of 
Columbus Ciiy, as Major, and was mas- 
tered into the service of the United States, 
at Burlington, July 15, 1861. The regi- 
ment was engaged at New Madrid, siege 
of Corinth, luka, Corinth, Champion Hills, 
siege of Vicksbuig and Chickamauga. 
Went home on veteran furlough in April, 
1864, the non-veterans went home in July, 
1S64, leaving 180 veterans, who were trans- 
ferred to the Fifth Iowa Cavalry. The 
Fifth Cavalry was mustered out at Nash- 
ville, Tenn., August 11, 1865. The regi- 
ment had done brave service, and amply 
deserves the high encomium passed upon 
it by the generals of the army. The total 
number of officers and men in the regi- 
ment was 1,037, of whom 65 were killed. 



126 died, 244 were discharged, 288 were 
wounded, 103 were captured, and 50 were 
transferred. 

The Sixth Infantry ■ was organized 
with John A. McDowell, of Keokuk, as 
Colonel; Markoe Cummins, of Muscatine, 
as Lieutenant-Colonel; John M Corse, of 
Burlington, as Major; and was mustered 
into the service of the United Slates July 
6, 1861, at Burlington. It was engaged at 
Shiloh, Mission Kidge, Resaca, Dallas, Big 
Shanty, Kenesaw Mountain, Jackson, 
Black River Bridge, Jones' Ford, in Sher- 
man's march, then returned through the 
Carolinas. The regiment served with dis- 
tinction at the siege of Jackson, winning 
high praise from General Smith, command- 
ing. It marched through most of the 
Southern States, thousands of miles, and 
bore its share of fatigue with unflinching 
devotion to duty. The total number of 
offi'iers and men in the regiment was 1,013, 
of vhom 109 were killed, 157 died, 205 
werv. discharged, 355 were wounded, 3 were 
missLig, and 8 were transferred. 

TbjS Seventh Infantry was organized 
with J. G. Lauman, of Burlington, as Col- 
onel; Augustus Wentz, of Davenport, as 
Lieut.-Colouel; E M. Rice, of Oskaloosa, 
as Major; and was mustered into the 
United States service at Burlington, July 
24, 1861. The regiment was engaged in 
the battles of Belmont, Fort Henry, Fort 
Donelson, Shiloh, siege of Corinth, Cor- 
inth, Rome Cross Roads, Dallas, Big 
Shanty, Kenesaw Mountain, Nickajack 
Creek, siege of Atlanta, July 22d in front 
of Atlanta, Sherman's campaign .to the 
ocean, through the Carolinas to Richmond, 
and thence to Louisville. Was mustered 



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HISTORY OB^ IOWA. 



99 



out at Louisville, Ky., July 12, 1865. The 
battle in which the Seventh did the most 
service vv^as that of Belmont, in which it 
lost &27 in killed, wounded and missing. 
The regiment, by four years of faithful 
service, earned as honorable a name as can 
be found anywhere in the annals of our 
volunteer soldiery. The Seventh contained 
altogether 1,133 officers and men, and of 
these, during the war, 98 were killed, 178 
died, 2'Jl discharged, 354 were wounded, 
and 29 were transferred. 



The Eighth Infantry was organized 
with Frederick Steel, of the regular army, 
as Colonel; James L. Gedds, of Vinton, 
as Lieutenant-Colonel; J. C. Ferguson, of 
Knoxville, as Major; and was mustered 
into the service of the United States Sep- 
tember 12, 1861, at Davenport, Iowa. The 
regiment was engaged in the following 
battles: Shiloh, Corinth, Vicksburg, Jack- 
son and Spanish Fort. Was mustered out 
at Selma, Ala., April 20, 1866. The Eighth 
fought nobly at Stiiloh for ten hours, but 
was finally forced to surrender. Most of 
the command then suffered in rebel 
prisons for eight months, when they were 
paroled or released. A portion of the 
regiment was not surrendered, and it went 
into the famous "Union Brigade." The 
regiment was re-orgaijized in 1863, and 
performed faithful service until mustered 
out in 1866. It was on duly in Alabama 
nearly a year after the collapse of the Re- 
bellion, and by the "Campaign of Mobile" 
earned as wai ra a reception as Iowa gave 
to any of her returning heroes. Of 1,027 
( fficcrs and men, 53 were kil'ed, 187 died, 
.314 were discharged, 288 were wounded, 



8 were missing, 394 were captui-ed, and 
38 were transferred. 

Tub Ninth Infantry was organized 
with Wm. Vandever, of Dubuque, as Colo- 
nel; Frank G. Herron, of Dubuque, as 
Lieutenant-Colonel; Wm. IL Coyle, of 
Decorah, as Major. The regiment was in 
the following engagements: Pea Ridge, 
Chickasaw Bayou, Ai'kansas Post, siege of 
Vicksburg, Ringgold, Dallas and Lookout 
Mountain. It also participated in the 
Adanta campaign, Sherman's march to the 
sea, and the return home through North 
and South Carolina to Richmond. Was 
mustered out at Louisville, July 18, 1865. 
The Ninth Iowa was rec.uited and oi'gan- 
ized by its first colonel, Wm. Vandever, 
who was, in 1862, made a Brigadier-Gene- 
ral. The regiment performed most bril- 
liant service during the whole war, and 
took a prominent part in the battle of 
Pea Ridge. It had marched more than 
4,000 miles, been transported by rail and 
steamer more than 6,000, and traversed 
every State by the Confederacy except 
Florida and Texas. The regiment brought 
home four flags, of which two were de- 
posited with the Adjutant-Geneial, one 
given to the State Historical Society, and 
one was kept by the regimental associa- 
tion, formed by them on being mustered 
out. Of 1,090 men and officers, t:4 were 
killed, 275 died, 274 were discharged, 385 
were wounded, 1 was missing, 32 were 
captured, and 30 were transferred. 

The Tenth Infantry was organized 
with Nicholas Perczel, of Davenport, as 
Colonel; W. E. Small, of Iowa City, as 
Lieutenant-Colonel; John C. Bennett, of 



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100 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



Polk county, as Major; and was mustered 
into the service of the United States at 
Iowa City, September 6, 1861. The regi- 
ment participated in the following engage- 
ments: Siege of Corinth, luka, Corinth, 
Port Gibson, Raymond, Jackson, Cham- 
pion Hills, Vicksbiirg and Mission Ridge 
Was mustered out August 15, 1865. 

The bio diest battle in which the Tenth 
took a prominent part was that of Cham- 
pion Hills, in which it lost half its number 
in killed, wounded and missing. Many 
regiments, on coming home, gave to the 
State banner."* with the names on them of 
the principal battles in which they had 
been engaged. The Tenth gave up its 
colors with the simple inscription, "Tenth 
Iowa Veteran Volunteers;" and when a 
visitor to the State Department looks at 
this banner, torn and bloody with four 
years of hard service, he will think that 
"Tenth Iowa Veteran Volunteers" is as 
proud an inscription as flag ever unfurled 
to the breeze of heaven. Of 1,027 officers 
and men, 63 were killed, 170 died, 256 
were discharged, 277 were wounded, 17 
were captured, and 49 were transferred. 

The Eleventh Infanthy was organ- 
ized with A. M. Hare, of Muscatine, as 
Colonel; John C. Abercrombie as Lieu- 
tenant-Colonel; Wm. Hall, of Davenport, 
as Major; and was mustered into the ser- 
vice of the United States, at Davenport, 
in September and October, 1861 The 
regiment was engaged in the battle of 
Shiloh, siege of Corinth, batUes of Cor- 
inth, Vicksburg, Atlanta campaign, and 
battle of Atlanta. Was mustered out at 
Louisville, Ky., July 15, 1865. No regi- 
ment did better service in the war, and no 



regiment met with heartier welcome on its 
return home. Of 1,022 men, 58 were 
killed, 178 died, 158 were discharged, 234 
were wounded, 4 were missing, 63 were 
captured, and 42 were transferred. 

The Twelfth Infantry was recruited 
soon after the disaster at Bull Run, under 
a proclamation by President Lincoln call- 
ing for more volunteers. It was organized 
with J. J. Wood, of Maquoketa, as Colonel; 
John P. Coulter, of Cedar Rapids, as Lieu- 
tenant-Colonel; Samuel D. Brodtbeck, of 
Dubuque, as Major; and was mustered into 
the service of the United States in October 
and November, 1861, the last company 
November 25. The regiment was engaged 
at Shiloh, Fort Donelson, siege of Vicks- 
burg, Tupelo, Mississippi, White River, 
Nashville and Spanish Fort. Was mus- 
tered out at Memphis, January 20, 1866. 
In the battle of Shiloh the Twelfth fought 
gallantly all day in company with the 
Eighth and Fourteenth, and at sunset sur- 
rendered. They endured a loathsome 
captivity in rebel prisons for eight months, 
when they were exchanged, and the regi- 
ment was re-organized. A few who were 
not captured at Shiloh performed ac ive 
service in the " Union Brigade," during 
these eight months; The newly equipped 
regiment immediately joined the army be- 
fore Vicksburg, and served actively the 
rest of the war. When the regiment vet- 
eranized, January 4, 1864, a larger propor- 
tion of men re-enlisted than in any other 
regiment from Iowa The following 
spring the regiment was home for a few 
weeks on veteran furlough. After Lee's 
surrender the regiment was continued in 
the service in Alabama, on guard and gar- 



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HISTORY OF IOWA. 



101 



rison duty for several months. Of 981 
officers and men, 33 were killed, 285 died, 
258 were discharged, 222 were wounded, 
404 were captured, and 23 were trans- 
ferred. 

The Thirteenth Infantey was or- 
ganized with M. M. Crocker, of DesMoines, 
as Colonel; M. M. Price, of Davenport, as 
Lieutenant-Colonel; John Shane, of Vin- 
ton, as Major; and was mustered into the 
service of the United States, November 1, 
1861. The regiment was in the battle of 
Shiloh, siege of Corinth, Corinth, Kenesaw 
Mountain, siege of Vicksburg, campaign 
against Atlanta, Sherman's march to the 
sea, and through the Carolinas, home. 
Was mustered out at Louisville, July 21, 
1865. This regiment was especially fortu- 
nate in having such a commander as Col. 
Crocker. The men at first objected to 
drilling five or six hours every day, and 
other fevere disoip'ine; but afterward, in 
the battle of Shiloh and elsewhere, they 
had ample reason to be grateful for their 
drill under Col. Crocker The Thirteenth 
did noble service in many important affairs 
of the war, and had the honor of being the 
first Union troops to enter Columbia, S. C, 
where the secession movement first began. 
Of a total of 9f 9 officers and men, 68 were 
killed, 224 died, 270 were discharged, 313 
were wounded, 6 were missing, 88 were 
captured, and 34 were transferred. 

The Fouetebnth Infantet was or- 
ganized in the fall of 1861, under the call 
of October 3. Before the regiment was 
organized, the first three companies raised, 
A, B and C, were ordered on garrison duty 
at Fort Randall, Dakota Territory, and re- 



mained ever afterward detached from the 
regiment. So that, although in form they 
were a part of the Fourteenth Iowa for 
some time, they were never under its com- 
manding officer. Afterward, these com- 
panies for a time were called the First 
Battalion of the 41st Infantry; but this 
regiment never being organized, they 
finally were attached to a cavalry regi- 
ment. The Fourteenth, therefore, had at 
first but seven companies. In June, 1863, 
the number of companies was raised to 10, 
and thus constituted for the first time a 
full regiment. The regiment was first 
organized with Wm. T. Shaw, of Anamosa, 
as Colonel; Edward W. Lucas, of Iowa 
City, as Lieutenant-Colonel; Hiram Leon- 
ard, of DesMoines county, as Major; and 
was mustered into the^ervice of the United 
States at Davenport, in October, 1861. 
The regiment was in the battle of Fort 
Donelson, Shiloh, Corinth, Pleasant Hill, 
Meridian, Fort De Russej', Tupelo, Town 
Creek, Tallahatchie, Pilot Knob, Old 
Town, Yellow Bayou, and others. Was 
mustered out, except veterans and recruits, 
at Davenport, November 16, 1864. The 
regiment was nearly all captured at the 
battle of Shiloh, but was after a few 
months exchanged and reorganized. The 
Fourteenth did some of the hardest fight- 
ing that was done in the war. Of 840 
officers and men, 31 were killed, 148 died, 
191 were discharged, 186 were wounded, 1 
was missing, 269 were captured, and 23 
were transferred. 

The Fifteenth Infantry was organ- 
ized in the winter of 1861-2, with Hugh 
T. Reid, of Keokuk, as Colonel; William 
Dewey, of Freemont county, as Lieutenant- 



t) Vw 



\ 



102 



HISTORY OF low A. 



Colonel; W, W. Beliiap, of Keokuk, as 
Major; and was mustered iuto the service 
of the United States at Keokuk, March 19, 
1862. 

The regiment participated in the battle 
of Shiloh, siege of Corinth, battles of 
Corinth, Vioksburg, campaign against At- 
lanta, battle in front of Atlanta, in Sher- 
man's march to the sea, and through the 
Carolinas to Richmond, Washington and 
Louisville, where it was mustered out 
August 1, 1864. The regiment was most 
actively engaged at the siege of Atlanta, 
where it was under fire from the rebels 
for 81 days. The gallant Fifteenth will 
long be honored by the grateful people of 
Iowa for its faithful service of three years 
and a half in the heart of the rebellion. 
Of 1,196 men, 58 were killed, 277 died, 
306 were discharged, 416 were wounded, 
7 were missing, 83 were captured, and 27 
were transferred. 

Thb Sixtbknth Infantry was organ- 
ized under the first call of 1861, and was 
at that time supposed to be the last Iowa 
would be called upon to furnish. But the 
war was only begun, and Iowa was des- 
tined to furnish more troops alter the 
Si.xteenth than before. As organized, the 
Sixteenth had Alexander Chambers for 
Colonel; A. H. Sanders, of Davenport, for 
Lieutenant-Colonel; and William Purcell, 
of Muscatine, for Major. It was mus- 
teied into the service of the United States 
at Davenport, Dtcember 10, 1861. 

The Sixteenth was in the battles of 
Shiloh, siege of Corinth, luka, Corinth, 
Kenesaw Mountain, Nickajack Creek, and 
the various battles around Atlanta; in 
Sherman's campaigns, and those in the 



Carolinas. Its first battle was the bloodiest 
of the war — Shiloh; and that they behaved 
80 well under their first fire, showed that 
they were good men. After the battle of 
Shiloh, the "Iowa Brigade" was formed, 
of which the Sixteenth ever after formed a 
part. This "Iowa Brigade" was most 
highly praised by the Inspector-General of 
the Seventeenth Array Corp-', who de- 
clared in his official report that he had 
never seen a finer looking body of men, in 
any respect. In the battle before Atlanta, 
the greater part of the regiment was cap- 
tured, and remained in captivity two 
months. The Sixteenth was mustered out 
July 19, 1865, at Louisville. Of its 819 
officers and men, 62 were killed, 255 died, 
211 were discharged, 311 were wounded, 
14 were missing, 257 were captured, and 
29 were transferred 

The Seventeenth Infantry was raised 
during the spring of 1862, and organized 
with John W. Rankin, of Keokuk, as 
Colonel; D. B. Hillis, of Keokuk, as 
Lieutenant-Colonel; and Samuel M. Wise, 
of Mt. Pleasant, as Major. It was mus- 
tered into the service of the United 
States at Keokuk, April 16, 1862. 

The Seventeenth was irr the siege of 
Corinth, the battles of luka, Corinth, Jack- 
son, Champion Hills, Fort Hill, siege of 
Vicksburg, Mission Ridge, and Tilton, 
Ga., where most of the regiment were 
made prisoners of war, October 13, 18G4. 
The regiment won special commendation 
at the battle of Corinth. Of its 956 mem- 
bers, 45 weie killed, 121 died, 222 were 
discharged, 245 were wounded, 8 were 
missing, 278 were cap'.ured, and •-•8 were 
transferred. 



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HISTORY OF IOWA. 



103 



The Eighteenth Infantry, as well as 
the Seventeenth, was not recruited in re- 
sponse to any call of the President, but 
was a free gift from the people of Iowa. 
It was raised in the early summer of 1862, 
and was mustered into the service of the 
United States at Clinton, August 5, 6 and 
7, 1862, with John Edwards, of Chariton, 
as Colonel; T. Z. Cook, of Cedar Rapids, 
as Lieutenant-Colonel; Hugh J. Campbell, 
of Muscatine, as Major. It was engaged 
in the battles of Springfield, Moscow, 
Poison Spring, Ark., and others. Much of 
its time was spent in garrison duty, west 
of the Mississippi, and therefore it did not 
share in the brilliant honors of the great 
battles east of that river. Had oppor- 
tunity offered, no doubt they would have 
assaulted Vicl<sburg, or fought above the 
clouds on Lookout Mountain, as bravely 
as any troops in the Union. It was mus- 
tered out July 20, 186.5, at Little Rock, 
Arkansas. Of 875 officers and men, 28 
were killed, 122 died, 233 were discharged, 
79 were wounded, 63 were captured, and 
15 were transferred. 

The Nineteenth Infantry was the 
first regiment organized under President 
Lincoln's call of July 2, 1863, made when 
the cause of the Union looked most 
gloomy. It was mustered into the United 
States service August 17, 186 3, at Keokuk, 
with Benjamin Crabb, of Washington, as 
Colonel; Samuel McFarland, of Mt Pleas- 
ant, as Lieutenant-Colonel; and Daniel 
Kent, of Ohio, as Major. 

The regiment served faithfully at Prai- 
rie Grove, Vicksburg, in the Yazoo river 
expedition, at Sterling Farm, and at Span- 
ish Fort. At Sterling Farm, September 



29, 1863, most of the regiment surrend- 
ered, after a hard fight. They were ex- 
changed July 22d of the following year, 
when they rejoined their regiment at New 
Orleans. The Nineteenth was mustered 
out at Mobile, Ala., July 18, 1865. Of 9^5 
men and officers, 58 were killed, 133 died, 
191 were discharged, 198 were wounded, 
216 were captured, and 43 were transferred. 

The Twentieth Infantry was the sec- 
ond of the twenty-two regiments raised in 
Iowa under the call of July 2, 1862. .The 
regiment was raised within two counties, 
Linn and Scott, each of which contributed 
five companies, and which vied with each 
other in patriotism. Wm. MoE Dye, of 
Marion, Linn county, was commissioned 
Colonel; J. B. Leek, of DaveuiKsrt, L'eut- 
Colonel; and Wm. G. Thompson, of Ma 
rion, Major. The muster-in took place at 
Clinton, August 25, 1862. The I'weiitieth 
fought at Prairie Grove and at Ft. Blakely. 
Though not engaged in prominent battles, 
it performed valuable garrison duties on 
the southern coast. It was on MiisLang 
Island, off the coast of Texas, seven months. 
Was mustered out at Mobile, Ala., July 8, 
1865, and on its return home received a 
royal welcome from Iowa's citizens. Of 
925 officers and men in the Twentieth, 9 
were killed, 144 died, 166 were discharged, 
52 were wounded, 13 were captured and 
39 were transferred. 

The Twenty- First Infantry was raised 
in August, 1862, with Samuel Merrill (e.\- 
Governor of Iowa) as Colonel; Cornelius 
W. Dunlap, of Mitchell, as Lieut.-Colonel; 
S. F. Van Anda, of Delhi, as Major; and 
was mustered into the service of the 



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A 



_s|^ 



104 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



United StateB August 18, 20,22 and 23, 
except one company, which had been mus- 
tered in June. The Twenty-first was en- 
gaged at Hartsville, Mo., Black River 
Bridge, Fort Beauregard, siege of Vicks- 
burg, and battles of Mobile and Fort 
Blakely. For nearly a year the regiment 
served in Missouri, where it distinguished 
itself by the well-fought battle of Harts- 
ville. Then it fought in Mississippi, in 
Louisiana, in Texas, in Louisiana again, in 
Arkansas, in Tennessee, in Louisiana once 
more, and in Alabama. In the battle of 
Fort Gibson, this and several other Iowa 
regiments were prominent. The Twenty- 
first was mustered out at Baton Rouge, La., 
July 15, 1865. Of its 980 officers and men, 
39 were killed, 192 died, 159 were dis- 
charged, 161 were wounded, 2 were miss- 
ing, 21 were captured, and 56 were trans- 
ferred. 

The Tv^entt-Second Infantet was or- 
ganized in August, 1862, with Wm. M. 
Stone, of Knoxville (formerly Major of 
the Third Infantry, and since Governor of 
Io«a), as Colonel; John A. Garrett, of 
Newton, as Lieut.Colonel; Harvey Gra- 
ham, of Iowa City, as Major; and was mus- 
tered iuto the United States service at Iowa 
City, September 10, 1862. 

The Twenty-second served in many of 
the Southern States, and was engaged at 
Vicksburg, Tompson's Hills, in Sherman's 
campaign to Jackson, at Winchester, Fish- 
er's Hill, and Cedar Creek. The regiment 
particul irly distinguished itself in an as- 
sault upon the enemy's works at Vicks- 
burg, and in the battle of Winchester, in 
the Shenandoah Valley, where it lost 109 
men. In the Vicksburg assault, the regi- 



ment lost 164 men. General Grant says 
in that assault, only Sergeant Griffith and 
11 privates (of the Twenty-second,) suc- 
ceeded in entering the fort. Of these, 
only the Sergeant and one man returned. 
Altogether, there were 30 Iowa regiments 
concerned in the siege of Vicksburg. The 
regiment was mustered out at Savannah, 
Ga., July 25, 1865. Of 1,008 members, 58 
were killed, 182 died, 161 were discharged, 
267 were wounded, 84 were captured, and 
42 were transferred. 

The Twbnty-Thied Infantry was or- 
ganized with William Dewey, of Fremont 
county, as Colonel; W. H. Kinsman, of 
Council Bluffs, as Lieut.-Colonel; S. L. 
Glasgow, of Corydon, as Major; and was 
mustered into the service of the United 
States at DesMoines, September 19, 1862. 
The regiment was engaged at Vicksburg, 
Port Gibson, Black River, Champion Hills, 
Jackson, Milliken's Bend, and Ft. Blakely. 
The Twenty-third are the acknowledged 
heroes of the battle of Black River Bridge, 
and the equal sharers w;ith other troops of 
the honors of many battle-fields At Black 
River but a few minutes were used in as- 
saulting and carrying the rebel works, but 
those few were fought with fearful loss to 
the Twenty-third Iowa. After the success- 
ful fight, in which the Twenty-first also 
took part. Gen. Lawler passed down the 
line and shook every man's hand, so great 
was his emotion. Gen. Grant called it a 
brilliant and daring movement. It was 
mustered out at Harrisburg, Texas. July 
26, 1865. Of its 961 officers and men, 41 
were killed, 233 died, 181 were discharged, 
135 were wounded, 3 were captured, and 42 
transferred. 






:xj: 



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HISTORY OF IOWA. 



105 



The TwENTY-FouETii Infantry, called 
" The Iowa Temperance regiment," was 
raised by Eber C. Byarn, of Linn county, 
and consisted of men who were pledged to 
abstain from the u>e of liquor in any shape. 
EbetC. Byarn, of Mt Vernon, was Colonel; 
John Q. Wilds, of Mt Vernon, Lieutenant- 
Colonel; Ed. Wright, of Spriugdale, as 
Maj'jr. The regiment was mustered 
into the service of the United States at 
Muscatine, September 18, 1862 . The regi- 
ment was engaged at Fort Gibson, Cham- 
pion Hills, General Banks' Red river ex- 
pedition, Winchester, Fishtr's Uill and 
Cedar Creek. The battles in which the 
Twenty-fourth took the most prominent 
part were those of Sabine Cross Roads (in 
the Red river expedition) and Fisher's 
Hill, Of 979 men and officers, 56 were 
killed, 259 died, 205 were discharged, 260 
were wounded, 2 were missing, 76 were 
captured and 55 were transferred. 

Thk Twenty-Fifth Infantry was or- 
ganized near the beautiful little city of 
Mt. Pleasant, with George A. Stone, of 
Mt. Pleasant, as Colonel; Fabian Bry- 
dolph as Lieutenant-Colonel; and Calom 
Taylor, of Bloomfield, as Major. Was 
mustered into the United Stales service, 
at Ml. Pleasant, September 27, 1862. The 
regiment was engaged at Arkansas Post, 
Vickj^buTL', Walnut Bluff, Chattanoosja, 
Campaiii, Ringgold, Resaca, Dallas, Kena- 
saw .Mountain, battles around Atlanta, 
Lnejoy Station, Jonesboro, Stii^M Gap, 
Bentonville and was with Sherman on his 
march through Georgia and the Carolinas, 
to Richmond and Washington. The cap- 
ture of Columbia, the capital of the chief 
disloyal State, was effected by Iowa troops. 



among which were those of the Twenty- 
fifth. The regiment was mustered out at 
Wa.sbington, D. C , June 6, 18b5. Of 995 
men and officers, .39 were k lied, 223 died, 
140 were discharged, 183 were wounded, 4 
were missing, 18 were captured and 71 
were transferred. 

The Twenty-Sixth Infantry was or- 
ganized near the city of Clinton. Milo 
Smith, of Clinton, was Colonel; S. G. 
Magill, of Lyons, was Lieutenant-Colonel; 
Samuel Clark, of De Witt, was Major; and 
the regiment was mustered in at Clinton, 
in August of 1862. The regiment was 
engaged at Arkansas Post, Vicksburg, 
Snake Creek Gap, Ga., Eesaca, Dallas, 
Kenesaw Mountain, Decatur, siege of At- 
lanta, Ezra Church, Jonesboro, Lovejoy 
Station, Ship's Gap, in Sherman's cam- 
paign to Savannah and home through the 
Carolinas. The regiment took part in 
many great battles, and did faithful service 
all through the war, after winning com- 
mendations from its Generals. On the re- 
turn home, the regimental flag was depos- 
ited with the State archives, inscribed in 
golden colors with the names of the battles 
and victories in which they had shared. 
It was mustered out of the service at 
Washington, D. C, June 6, 1865. Of 919 
men and officers, 44 were killed, 244 died, 
147 were discharged, 165 were wounded, 
27 weri^ captured and 70 were transferred. 

The Twenty-Seventh Infantry was 
recruited in the northern part of Iowa, and 
was organized with James I. Gilbert, of 
Lansing, as Colonel; Jed. Lake, of Inde- 
pendence, as Lieutenant-Colonel; and G. 
W. Howard, of Bradford, as Major. It 



5>|^ 






106 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



was mustered into the service of the United 
States at Dubuque, October 8, 1862. Tbe 
Twenty-seventh was engaged at Little 
Rock, Ark., the battles of the Red river 
expedition, Fort De Russey, Pleasant Hill, 
Yellow Bayou, Tupelo, Old Town Creek 
and Fort Blakely. This ^regiment had 
varied experience in the matter of climate; 
for their first active service was in Minne- 
sota, while before the war was over they 
made a voyage on the gulf, from the 
Balize to Mobile Bay. After faithful ser- 
vice through the rest of the war, the regi- 
ment was mustered out August 8, 1865, at 
Clinton, Iowa. Of 940 officers and men, 
9 were killed, 183 died, 207 were dis- 
charged, 142 wounded, 6 were missing, 32 
were captured and 47 were transferred. 



The Twenty-Eighth Infantry was 
organized during the autumn of 1862, with 
tbe following officers: Wm. E. Miller, of 
Iowa City, Colonel; John Connell, of To- 
ledo, Lieutenant-Colonel; and H.B Lynch, 
of Millersburg, as Major. The regiment 
was engaged at Port Gibson, Jackson and 
siege of Vicksburg; was in Bank's Red 
river expedition, and fought at Sabine 
Cioss Roads, in the Shenandoah Valley, 
at Winchester, Fisher's Hill and Cedar 
Creek. In this last the regiment was most 
prominently engaged. During its service 
it fought a dozen battles, and traveled well- 
nigh the entire circuit of the Confederacy. 
The Twenty-eighth was mustered out of 
the service at Savannah, Ga., July 31, 1865. 
Of its 956 officers and men, 56 were killed, 
111 died, 187 were discharged, 262 were 
wounded, 10 were missing, 93 were cap- 
tured and 44 were transferred. 



The Twenty -Ninth Infantry was or- 
ganized at Council Bluffs, and mustered 
into the service of the United States, 
December 1, 1862, with Thomas H. Ben- 
ton, Jr., of Council Bluffs, as Colonel; R. 
F. Patterson, of Keokuk, as Lieutenant- 
Colonel; and Charles B. Shoemaker, of 
Clarinda, as Major. 

The Twenty-ninth was engaged at 
Helena, Arkansas Post, Terre Nolr, and 
Spanish Fort. Though it was one of the 
best disciplined and bravest regiments in 
the war, it was long kept from participa- 
tion in active service by being stationed 
in Arkansas The regiment was mustered 
out at New Orleans, August 15, 1865. Of 
a total of 1,005 officers and men, 21 were 
killed, 268 died, 132 were discharged, 107 
were wounded, 1 was missing, 55 were 
captured and 37 were transferred. 

The Thirtieth Infantry was organ- 
ized in the summer of 1862, with Charles 
B. Abbott, of Louisa county, as Colonel; 
William M. G. Torrence, of Keokuk, as 
Lieut -Colonel; Lauren Dewey,of Ml. Pleas- 
ant, as Major; was mustered into the ser- 
vice of the United States at Keokuk, Sep- 
tember 23, 1862. The regiment was 
engaged at Arkansas Post, Yazoo City, 
Vicksburg, Cherokee, Ala., Chattanooga, 
Ringgold, Resacka, Kenesaw Mountain, 
Atlanta, Lovejoy Station, Jonesboro and 
Taylor's Ridge; accompanied Sherman in 
his campaign to Savannah and through the 
Carolinas to Richmond, and was in the 
grand review at Washington, D. C. The 
Thirtieth was in the thickest of the war, 
and came home loaded with honors, leav- 
ing its honored dead on a score of battle- 
fields. It was mustered out June 6, 1865. 



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HISTORY OF IOWA. 



107 



Of 978 officers and men in this regiment, 
44 were killed, 264 died, 145 were dis- 
charged, 22^ were wounded, 2 were miss- 
ing, 19 were captured, and 48 were trans- 
ferred. 

The Thirty-First Infantry was or- 
ganized in the summer of 1862, with 
William Smyth, of Marion, as Colonel; 
J. W. Jenkins, of Maquoketa, as Lieuten- 
ant-Colonel; and Ezekiel Cutler, of Ana- 
mosa, as Major. It was mustered into the 
service of the United States at Davenpcrt, 
October 13, 1862. 

The Thirty-first was engaged at Chicka- 
saw Bayou, Arkansas Post, Raymond, 
Jackson, Black River, Vicksburg, Chero- 
kee, Lookout Mountain, Mission Ridge, 
Ringgold, Taylor's Hills, Snake Creek 
Gap, Eesaca, Dallas, New Hope Church, 
Big Shanty, Kenesaw Mountain, Atlanta 
and Jonesboro; was in Sherman's cam- 
paign through Georgia and the Carolinas, 
and was mustered out at Louisville, Ky., 
June 27, 1865. The regiment always did 
its part nobly. It was received home with 
speeches, feasting, etc., but the people's 
joy was tempered with sadness, as the 
regiment had gone forth 1,000 strong, and 
returned with 370. But had not so many 
regiments returned with thinned ranks, the 
Rebellion had not been conquered — the 
Union had not been saved. Of 977 officers 
and men, 13 were killed, 279 died, 176 
were discharged, S5 were wounded, 13 
were captured, and 72 were transferred. 

The Thirty-Second Infantry was or- 
ganized in the fall of 1862, with John 
Scott, of Nevada, as Colonel; E. H. Mix, 
of Shell Rock, as Lieutenant-Colonel; and 



G. A. Eberhart, of Waterloo, as Major. 
The regiment was mustered into the ser- 
vice of the United States at Dubuque, 
October 5, 1862. The regiment was en- 
gaged at Fort De Russey, Pleasant Ilill, 
Tupelo, Old Tower Creek, Nashville and 
other battles. For some time the regi- 
ment was separated, and the detachments 
in different fields, but at last they were all 
united, and the regiment served as a unit. 
It was mustered out at Clinton, Iowa, 
August 24,1865. Of 925 officers and men, 
59 were killed, 242 died, 174 were dis- 
charged, 142 were wounded, 98 were cap- 
tured, and 35 were transferred. 

The Thirty-Third Infantry was or- 
ganized in the fall of 1862, with Samuel 
A. Rice, a popular politician of Central 
Iowa, as Colonel; Cyrus II. Maskey, of 
Sigourney, as Lieutenant-Colonel; Hiram 
D. Gibson, of Knoxville, as Major; and 
was mustered into the service of the 
United States at Oskaloosa, October 1, 
1862 The regiment was engaged at Little 
Rock, Helena, Saline River, Spanish Fort 
and Yazoo Pass. The regiment worked 
to best advantage at the brilliant victory 
of Helena. It remained in Arkansas till 
the early part of 1865, when it moved 
south to take part in the closing scenes in 
Alabama. The Thirty-third was mustered 
out of service at New Orleans, July 17, 
1865. Of 985 men and officers, 26 were 
killed, 241 died, 145 were discharged, 177 
were wounded, 7 were missing, 74 were 
captured, and 32 were transferred. 

The Thirty- Fourth Infantry was 
organized in the fall of 1862, with Ge rge 
W. Clarke, of Indianola, as Colonel; W. 



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108 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



S. Dungan, of Chariton, as Lieutenant- 
Colonel; R. D. Kellogg, of Decatur, as 
Major; and was mustered into the service 
of the United States at Burlington, Octo- 
ber 15, 1862. 

The regiment was engaged at Arkansas 
Post, Fort Gaines and other places in 
Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Ala- 
bama. January 1, 1865, the regiment was 
consolidated with the Thirty-eighth. Re- 
cruits from the Twenty-first and Twenty- 
third had bren, on the muster-out of those 
regiments, transferred to the Thirty-fourth, 
and this regiment had a total of 1,131 offi- 
cers and men at its muster-out at Houston, 
Texas, August 15, 1865. Of 953 properly 
belonging to this regiment, 4 were killed, 
234 died, 314 were discharged, 16 were 
wounded, 4 were captured and 22 were 
transferred. The regiment traveled over 
15,000 miles in its service. 

The Thiety-Fifth Infantry was re- 
cruited in the summer of 1862, and mus- 
tered into the service of the United States, 
at Muscatine, September 18, with S. G. 
Hill, of Muscatine, as Colonel; James S. 
Rothrock, of Muscatine, as Lieutenant- 
Colonel, and Henry O'Conner, of Musca- 
tine, as Major. 

The regiment participated in the battles 
of Jackson, siege of Vicksburg, Bayou 
Rapids, Bayou de Glaze, Pleasant Hill, 
Old River Lake, Tupelo, Nashville and 
the Mobile campaign. The Thirty-fifth 
served bravely in a dozen battles, and 
traveled 10,000 nliles. On its return home, 
it was greeted with a most hearty recep- 
tion, and a reunion of old soldiers. The 
regiment was mustered out at Davenport, 
August 10, 1865, and paid and disbanded 



at Muscatine six da^s later. Of 984 offi- 
cers and men, 88 were killed, 208 died, 192 
were discharged, 95 were wounded, 3 were 
missing, 15 were captured and 65 were 
transferred. 

The Thiety-Sixth Infaktey was or- 
ganized in the summer of 1862, with 
Charles W. Kittredge, of Ottumwa, as 
Colonel; F. M. Drake, of Unionville, 
Appanoose county, as Lieutenant-Colonel, 
and T. C. Woodward, of Ottumwa, as 
Major. The regiment was mustered into 
the service of the United States, at Keo- 
kuk, October 4, 1862. 

The Thirty-sixth was engaged at Mark's 
Mills Ark., Elkins' Ford, Camden, Helena, 
Jenkins' Ferry and other places during the 
"Little Rock expedition." The regiment 
suffered greatly from sickness. Before it 
was fully organized, even, small-pox and 
measels attacked the men, and the com- 
mand lost 100 men. Then it was obliged 
to encounter the malarial fluences of Yazoo 
river and Helena. Before they recovered 
their vigor fully, more of them were forced 
to surrender to the rebels. The regiment 
was mustered out at Duvall's Bluff, Ark., 
August 24, 1865. Of 986 officers and men, 
35 were killed, 258 died, 191 were dis 
charged, 166 were wounded, 460 were cap- 
tured and 24 were transferred. 

Tub Thiety-Sevbnth Inpantey was 
generally known as the "Gray-beard Reg- 
iment." It was composed of men over 45 
years of age, and hence not subject to 
military service, but their patriotism in- 
duced them to enlist, and the services of 
the regiment were accepted by the Secre- 
tary of War, for post and garrison service. 



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HISTORY OF IOWA. 



109 



It was organized with George W. Kincaid, 
of Muscatine, as Colonel; Geo. R. West, 
of Dubuque, as Lieutenant-Colonel, and 
Lyman Allen, of Iowa City, as Major. The 
musicr-in took place at Muscatine, Decem- 
ber 15, 18G2. 

The regiment served at St. Louis in 
guard of military prisons, then on the line 
of the Pacific railway, then at Alton, 111. 
Here they remained guarding the rebel 
prisoners till January, 1864, when they 
moved to Rock Island to perform similar 
duties until June 5. They served the next 
three months, in very hot weather, at 
Memphis. Thence the command moved 
to Indianapolis. From here five companies 
went to Cincinnati, three to Columbus and 
two to Gallipolis, Ohio. At these posts 
they remained till May, 1865. This "Gray- 
beard Regiment" was the only one of its 
kind in the war, and it received many 
'favorable expressions from commanding 
officers under whom it served. It was 
mustered out May 24, 1865, the day of the 
grand review at Washington. The Thirty- 
seven' h was the first Iowa three-years' 
regiment to come home, and was mustered 
out thus early by special request of General 
Willich, in whose brigade they were, in 
order that they might save their crops, most 
of them being farmers. Of 914 officers 
and men, 3 were killed, 145 died, 359 were 
discharged, 2 were wounded, none were 
missing and none captured. 

The TniRTT-EiGHTH Infantry was re- 
cruited in August, 1862, and mustered into 
the service of the United States at Du- 
buque, November 4, with D. H. Hughes, 
of Decorah, as Colonel; J. O. Hudmitt, of 
Waverly, as Lieut -Colonel; and Charles 



Chadwick, of West Union, as Major. 
The regiment participated in the siege 
of Vicksburg and Banks' Red River expe- 
dition, and was consolidated \\ilh the 
Thirty-fourth Infantry, January 1, 1865. 
Of all Iowa's regiments, the Thirty-eighth 
was most unfortunate in regard to sick- 
ness. It had not been in the service two 
years when more than 300 enlisted men 
and a number of officers had died of 
disease. Duiing the same period 100 had 
been discharged for inability. There were 
long weary weeks when there were not 
enough well men to take care of the sick — 
not even enough to bury the dead. It was 
at last obliged to give up its own existence. 
Though the regiment had not had an op- 
portunity to achieve brilliant renown in 
the field, it did fulfill a no less honored 
destiny than many whose banners were 
covered with the names of battles. It did 
all that men could do — it gave itself up 
for the good of the service. Of its 910 
men, 1 was killed, 314 died, 120 were dis- 
charged, 2 were wounded and 14 were 
transferred. 

The Thirty-Ninth Infantry was or- 
ganized with H. J. B. Cummings, of Win- 
terset, as Colonel; James Redfield, of 
Redfield, Dallas county, as Lieutenant- 
Colonel; and J. M. Griffiths, of DesMoines, 
as Major. 

The regiment was engaged at Parker's 
Cross Roads, Tenn., Corinth, Allatoona, . 
Ga., Resaca, Kenesaw Mountain, Atlanta, 
and was in Sherman's march to the sea, 
and through the Carolinas to Richmond. 
The regiment was one of the most distin- 
guished in the field, and met with a royal 
welcome from the warm-hearted people 



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HISTORY OF IOWA. 



of Iowa, on its return home. It had pre- 
viously taken part in the grand review at 
Washington. It was mustered out at 
Washington, June 5, 1865, and was dis- 
banded at Clinton, Iowa. Of its 933 officers 
and men, 41 were killed, 143 died, 123 
were discharged, 113 were wounded, 206 
were captured and 16 were transferred. 

TuE Fortieth Infantry was the high- 
est in numerical order of Iowa's three- 
year's regiments, but not the last to leave 
the State. Three or four other regimental 
organizations, too, were commenced, but 
not completed. Some 300 men were 
enlisted for the Forty-first, who united 
with the three companies of the Four- 
teenth, stationed at Fort Eaudall, Dakota 
Territory; another regiment, to be called 
the Forth-second, was attempted, with 
camp at Dubuque; and still another, at 
Ottumwa, was to be called the Forty- 
third. These attempts were unsuccessful 
in so far as the complete formation of an 
infantry regiment after the Fortieth was 
concerned. The Fortieth was organized 
at Iowa City, November 15, 1862, with 
John A. Garrett, of Newton, as Colonel; 
S. F. Cooper, of Grinnell, as Lieutenant- 
Colonel; and S. G. Smith, of Newton, as 
Major. 

The regiment participated in the siege 
of Vicksburg, Steele's expedition. Bank's 
Red River expedition, and the battle of 
Jenkins' Ferry. It was called the "Cop- 
perhead Regiment," by political partisans, 
but it bore its share of the fatigues of war 
in a patriotic way that might have been 
emulated by some of their political ene- 
mies The fact is, moreover, the regiment 
always gave a small Republican majority. 



though the contrary was believed for a 
time. The Fortieth was mustered out at 
Port Gibson, August 2, 1865. Of 900 offi- 
cers and men, 5 were killed, 196 died, 
134 were dischai'ged, 43 were wounded, 3 
were captured, and 26 were transferred. 

The Fortt-Fiest Infantry was never 
completed as an infantry regiment. It con- 
tained three companies Its infantry or- 
ganization was under the command of John 
Pattee, of Iowa City. Under authority 
from the War Department, these three 
companies became K, L and M of the Sev- 
enth Cavalry. 

Tub, Forty - Fourth Infantry was 
raised in the summer of 1864. Generals 
Grant and Sherman being actively en- 
gaged with large armies against the enemy, 
the Governors of the Northwestern States 
proposed to the authorities of the War 
Department to send into the field a consid- 
erable number of troops for a short term 
of service, who might relieve others on 
guard and garrison duty at the rear, and 
thus be the means of adding largely to the 
force of drilled and disciplined men at the 
front. This proposition was, after a time, 
accepted, and the term of service was es- 
tablished at ICO days. Gov. Stone accord- 
ingly issued his proclamation calling for 
such troops, and the citizens responded 
with four regiments and one battalion. 
Because commissions had been issued to 
persons designated as officers of the Forty- 
first, Forty-second and Forty-third Regi- 
ments, which were never organized, how- 
ever, although considerable was done in 
the way of their formation, the number of 
the regiments of 100 days' men commenced 



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HISTORY OF IOWA. 



11] 



witli Forty-four. This regiment was under 
the command of Colonel Stephen H. Hen- 
derson, and was mustered in at Davenport, 
June 1, 1804 

The regiment did garrison duty at 
Memphis and La Grange, Tenn., and was 
mustered out at Davenport, September 15, 
1864. Of 867 officers and men in the 
Forty fourth, 1 was killed and 18 died. 
There were no other casualties. 

TiiE Forty-Fifth Infantry was mus- 
tered in at Keokuk, May 25, 1864, with 
A. J. Bereman, of Mt. Pleasant, as Colonel; 
S. A. Moore, of Bloorafield, as Lieutenant- 
Colonel; and J. B Hope, of Washington, 
as Major. This was the first of the 
regiments of 100 days' men organized; 
it even preceded the Forty-fourth. It 
performed garrison duty in Tennessee, 
and was mustered out at Keokuk, Septem- 
ber 16, 1864 Of 912 officers and men, 2 
were killed, 19 died, 1 wounded, and 2 
were transferred. 

The Foett-Sixth Infantry was organ- 
ized with D. B. Henderson, of Clermont, 
as Colonel; L. D. Durbin, of Tipton, as 
Lieutenant-Colonel; and G. L. Tarbet as 
Major. It was mustered in at Dubuque, 
June 10, 1864. 

The Forty-sixth performed garrison 
duty in Tennessee, and was mustered out 
at Davenport, September 23, 1864. Of its 
892 officers and men, 2 were killed, 24 
died, 1 was wounded, and 3 were captured. 

The Forty-Seventh Infantry was 
mustered into the service of the United 
States at Davenport, June 1, 1864, with 
James P. Sanford, of Oskaloosa, as Colo- 



nel; John Williams, of Iowa City, as 
Lieutenant-Colonel; and G. J. Wright, of 
Des Moines, as Major. 

This regiment was stationed at the 
sickly place of Helena, Arkansas, where 
many succumbed to disease. Of 884 
officers and men, 1 was killed, 46 died, and 
1 was transferred. 

The Forty-Eighth Infantry (Bat- 
talion) was mustered into the United 
States service at Davenport, July 13, 1864, 
with O. H. P. Scott, of Farmington, as 
Lieutenant-Colonel. The battalion served 
its time guarding rebel prisoners on Rock 
Island, in the Mississippi river, opposite 
Davenport. It was mustered out at Rock 
Island barracks, October 21, 1864. Of 34G 
officers and men, 4 died and 4 were trans- 
ferred The services of these lOOdays' men 
were of great value to the national cause. 
They were acknowledged by the President 
of the United States, in a special execu- 
tive order, returning his hearty thanks to 
officers and men. 

The First Cavalry was organized in 
the spring of 1861, with Fritz Henry War- 
ren, of Burlington, as Colonel; Charles E. 
Mrss of Keokuk, as Lieutenant-Colonel; 
E. W. Chamberlain, of Burlington, James 
0. Gower, of Iowa City, and W. M. G. 
Torrence, of Keokuk, as Majors. 

The regiment was engaged at Pleasant 
Hill, Mo , Rolia, New Lexington, Elkin's 
Ford, Little Rock, Bayou Metoe, Warrens- 
burg, Big Creek BlufFs, Antwineville, and 
Clear Creek. The regiment veteranized 
in the spring of 1864. It did not take the 
usual 30 days' furlough until May, for their 
services were needed in the field, and they 






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112 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



.gallantly volunteered to remain. After 
the war was closed the First served in 
Texas, with Gen. Custer, until its muster- 
out, February 15, 1866. Of 1,478 officers 
and men, 43 were killed, 215 died, 207 
were discharged, 88 were wounded, 2 
were missing, 22 were captured, and 39 
were transferred. 

The Second Cavalet was organized 
with W. L. Elliott, a Captain in the third 
cavalry of the regular army, as Colonel; 
Edward Hatch, of Muscatine, as Lieuten- 
ant-Colonel; and N. P. Hepburn, of Mar- 
sballtown, D. E. Coon, of Mason City, 
and H. W. Love, of Iowa City, as Majors. 
The regiment was mustered in at Daven- 
port, September 1, 1861. 

The Second participated in the siege ol 
Corinth, the battles of Farmington, Boone- 
ville, Rienzi, luka, Corinth, Coffeeville, 
Palo Alto, Birmingham, Jackson, Grenada, 
CoUierville, Moscow, Pontotoc, Tupelo, 
Old Town, Oxford and Nashville. The 
regiment performed active and arduous 
service all through the war, and so often 
distinguished itself as to become well 
known throughout the nation. It was 
mustered out at Selma, Ala., September 
19, 1865. Of its 1,394 officers and men, 
41 were killed, 224 died, 147 were dis- 
charged, 173 were wounded, 10 were 
missing, 74 were captured and 42 were 
transferred. 

The Third Cavalby was mustered in at 
Keokuk, August and September, 1861, 
with Cyrus Bussey, of Bloomfield, as 
Colonel; H. H. Trimble, of Bloomfield, as 
Lieutenant-Colonel; and C. H. Perry, H. 
C. Caldwell and W. C. Drake, of Cory- 



don, as Majors. The Third was engaged 
at Pea Ridge, La Grange, Sycamore, near 
Little Rock, Columbus, Pope's Farm, Big 
Blue, Ripley, Cold water, Osage, Talla- 
hatchie, Moore's Mill, near Montevallo, 
near Independence, Pine Bluff, Bott's 
Farm, Gun Town, White's Station, Tupelo 
and Village Creek. The regiment was 
raised by Hon. Cyrus Bussey, who, in his 
call for volunteers, requested each man to 
bring with him a good cavalry horse to 
sell to the Government. In two weeks he 
had a thousand men well mounted, in the 
rendesvous at Keokuk. In order to still 
further hasten matters. Colonel Bussey 
personally contracted in Chicago for 
equipments. In this way the delay exper- 
ienced by other regiments in preparing for 
tbe Held was entirely avoided The regi- 
ment took an active part in many battles 
and raids, and always behaved with dis- 
tinguished gallantry. Was mustered out 
at Atlanta, Ga., August 9, 1865. Of 1,360 
officers and men, 65 were killed, 251 died, 
3)1 were discharged, 166 were wounded 
1 was missing, 146 were captured and 34 
were transferred. 

The Fourth Cavalry was organized 
and mustered into the service of the 
United States at Mt. Pleasant, November 
21, 1861, with Asbury B. Porter, of Mt. 
Pleasant, as Colonel; Thomas Drummond, 
of Vinton, as Lieutenant-Colonel; and S. 
D. Swan, of Mt. Pleasant, J. E. Jewett, of 
DesMoines, and G. A. Stone, of Mt. 
Pleasant, as M.ajors. The Fourth fought 
bravely, and lost men at every one of the 
following engagements: Gun Town, Miss., 
Helena, Bear Creek, Memphis, Town 
Creek, Columbus, Mechanicsburg, Little 



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HISTORY OF IOWA. 



113 



Blue river, Brownsville, Ripley, Black 
River Bridge, Grenada, Tupelo, Yazoo 
River, White River, Osage, Lock Creek, 
Okalona, and St. Francis River. The 
Fourth was one of the bravest and most 
successful regiments in the field, and 
its services were of the utmost value to 
the Union arms. It was mustered out 
at Atlanta, Ga.. August 10, 1865. Of 
1,227 officers and men, 44 were killed, 
207 died, 241 were discharged, 119 were 
wounded, 3 were missing, 94 were cap- 
tured, and 35 were transferred. 

The Fifth Cavalry was but in part an 
Iowa regiment. The States of Minnesota 
and Missouri and the Territory of Ne- 
braska were largely represented; but as 
Iowa had the most, it was designated as an 
Iowa regiment. It was organized and 
mustered into the service at Omaha, with 
Wm. W. Lowe, of the regular army, as 
Colonel; M.-T. Patrick, of Omaha, as Lieu- 
tenant-Colonel; and Carl Schaefferde Bern- 
stein, a German baron, Wm. Kelsay and 
Alfred B. Brackett as Majors. This regi- 
ment was engaged at the second battle of 
Fort Donelson, Wartrace, Duck River 
Bridge, Sugar Creek, Newman, Camp Creek, 
Cumberland works, Tenn., Jonesboro, Ebe- 
nezer Church, Lockbridge's Mills, Pulaski 
and Cheraw. The gallant Fifth was in 
many situations requiring the greatest 
coolnes and courage, and always acquitted 
itself with high honor. At one time the 
regiment was surrounded by rebels, and 
the Colonel in charge of the brigade had 
escaped with two other regiments to the 
Union lines, reporting the Fifth all killed 
or captured. But the result was far from 
that. At the critical lime the brave Major 



Young, afterward the Colonel of the regi- 
ment, thundered out in the still night air, 
"The Fifth Iowa is going straight through; 
let the brave follow!" Then came the 
single word of command, "Forward I " and 
when they reached the rebel lines, 
"Charge 1 " Fifteen hundred troopers 
dashed at full speed over the bodies of 
the surprised rebels, and escaped to the 
Union lines with the loss of but 15 men. 
The regiment was finally mustered out at 
Nashville, Tenn, August 11, 1865. Of 
its 1,245 officers and men, 47 were killed, 
141 died, 224 were discharged, 56 were 
wounded, 217 were captured and 17 were 
transferred. 

The Sixth Cavalry was organized and 
mustered in at Davenport, January 31, 
1863, with D. S. Wilson, of Dubuque, as 
Colonel; S. M. Pollock, of Dubuque, as 
Lieutenant-Colonel, and T. H. Shepherd, 
of Iowa City, E. P. TenBroeck, of Clin- 
ton, and A. E. House, of Delhi, as Majors. 

This regiment was employed on the 
frontier against the Indians, and did excel- 
lent service. Their principal engagement 
was the battle of White Stone Hill, in 
which they severely punished a band of 
hostiles. The Sixth was mustered out at 
Sioux City, October 17, 1865. Of 1,125 
officers and men, 19 were killed, 72 died, 
89 were discharged, 19 were wounded and 
7 were transferred. 

The Seventh Cavalry was organized 
and mustered into the service at Daven- 
port, April 27, 1863, with S. W. Summers, 
of Ottumwa, as Colonel; John Pattee, of 
Iowa City, as Lieutenant-Colonel, and H. 
H. Heath and G. M. O'Brien, of Dubuque, 
and John S. Wood, of Ottumwa, as Majors 



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114 



HISTOEY OF IOWA. 



This regiment also served against the 
Indians in the West. It fought bravely 
in many battles, and won the lasting grati- 
tude of the people of the West. It was 
mustered out at Leavenworth, Kan., May 
17, 1866, except Companies K, L and M, 
which were mustered out ai Sioux City, 
June 22, 1866. Of its 562 officers and 
men, 47 were killed, 101 died, 252 were 
discharged, 8 were wounded and 9 were 
transferred. 

The Eighth Cavalry was recruited by 
Lieutenant Dorr, of the Twelfth Infantry. 
As the result of his energy, 2,000 were 
soon enlisted for the Eighth. Some 300 
were rejected, 450 were turned over to the 
Ninth Cavalry and about 75 to the Fourth 
Battery. The Eighth was organized with 
Joseph B. Dorr, of Dubuque, as Colonel; 
H. G. Earner, of Sidney, as Lieutenant- 
Colonel; John J. Bowen, of Hopkinton; 
J. D. Thompson, of Eldora, and A. J. 
Price, of Guttenberg, as Majors; and was 
mustered into- the United States service, 
at Davenport, September 30, 1863. 

This regiment served gallantly in guard 
ing Sherman's communications, and at the 
battles of Lost Mountain, Lovejoy's Sta- 
tion, Newman and Naihville. It partici- 
pated in Stoneman's cavalry raid round 
Atlanta, and Wilson's raid through Ala- 
bama. After the close of hostilities and 
before the muster-oat, Col. Dorr died of 
disease. He was much beloved by hia 
command, and highly respected at home, 
where he had been an able editor. The 
Eighth was mustered out at Macon, Ga., 
August 13, 1-865. Of its 1,234 officers and 
men, 30 were killed, 106 died, 67 were dis- 



charged, 87 were wounded, 2 were missing, 
259 were captured and 22 were transferred. 

The Ninth Cavalry was the last three 
years' regiment recruited in Iowa. It was 
organized and mustered into the service of 
the United States, at Davenport, Novem- 
ber 30, 1863, with M. M. Trumbull, of 
Cedar Falls, as Colonel; J. P. Knight, 
of Mitchell, as Lieutenant-Colonel; E. T. 
Ensign, of DesMoines, Willis Drummond, 
of McGregor, and William Haddock, of 
Waterloo, as Majors. 

The regiment performed heavy scout- 
ing, guard and garrison duties in Ar- 
kansas, for the small part of the war after 
it was organized. It was mustered out 
at Little Eock, Ark., February 28, 1866. 
Of its 1,178 officers and men, 6 were 
killed, 178 died, 64 were discharged, 15 
were wounded, 1 was captured and 11 
were transferred. 

The First Battery of Light Artil- 
lery was enrolled in the counties of Wa- 
pello, DesMoines, Dubuque, Jefferson, 
Black Hawk and others, and was mustered 
into the service at Burlington, August 17, 
1861, with C. H. Fletcher, of Burlington, 
as Captain ; was engaged at Pea Ridge, 
Port Gibson, in the Atlanta campsign, at 
Chickasaw Bayou, Lookout Mountain, etc.; 
was mustered out at Davenport, July 5, 
1865. Of 149 members, 7 were killed, 55 
died, 35 were discharged, 31 were wounded 
and 3 transferred. 

The Second Battery was enrolled in 
the counties of Dallas, Polk, Harrison, 
Fremont and Pottawatamie, and mustered 
in at Council Bluffs, and at St. Louis, Aug- 



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HISTORY OF IOWA. 



115 



ust 8 and 31, 1861, with Nelson I. Spoor, 
of Council Bluffs, as Captain. The bat- 
tery was engaged at Farmington; Corinth, 
and other places Was mustered out at 
Davenport, August 7, 1865. Of a total of 
123 officers and men, 1 was killed, 30 died, 
16 were discharged, 15 were wounded, 1 
was capluied, and 6 were transferred. 

The Third Battery was enrolled in 
the counties of Dubuque, Black Hawk, 
Butler and Floyd, and was mustered into 
the service at Dubuque, in September, 
1861, with M. M. Hayden, of Dubuque, as 
Captain. The battery was engaged at Pea 
li.dge and other important battles. Was 
mustered out at Davenport, October 23, 
1865. Of 142 officers and men, 3 were 
killed, 3i died, 28 were discharged, and 18 
were wounded. 

The Fourth Battery was enrolled in 
Mahaska, Henry, Mills and Fremont coun- 
ties, and was mustered in at Davenport, 
November 23, 1863. This battery was on 
duty most of the time in Louisiana, but 
did not serve in any important battles. 
Was mustered out at Davenport, July 14, 
1865. Of 152 officers and men, 6 died, 11 
were discharged, and 1 was transferred. 

The Iowa Regiment op Colored Troops 
was organized and mustered into the ser- 
vice of the United States, October 23, 1863. 
John G. Hudson, Captain Company B, 
Thirty-third Missouri, was Colonel; M. P. 
Collins, of Keokuk, was Lieut.-Colonel; 
and J. L. Murphy, of Keokuk, was Major. 
This regiment was afterward the Sixtieth 
Regiment of United States Colored Troops. 
It was not called upon to light, but it per- 



formed valuable guard and garrison duties 
at St. Louis and elsewhere South. 

The Nortiiekn Border Brigade was 
organized by the State of Iowa to protect 
the Northwestern frontier. James A. Saw- 
yer, of Sioux City, was elected Colonel. 
It consisted of five companies, all enlisted 
from the northwestern counties. 

The Si'UTHERN Border Brigade was 
organized by the State for the purpose of 
protecting the southern border of the State, 
and was orgauized in the counties on the 
border of Missouri. It consisted of seven 
companies in three battalions, 

PROMOTIONS. 

The following promotions were made by 
the United States Government from Iowa 
regiments : 

MAJOU-OBNERALS. 

Samuel R. Curtis, Brigadier-General, fr m 
March 21, 1863. 

Frederick Steele, Brigadier-General, from No- 
vember 29, 1863. 

Frank J. Herron, Brigadier-General, from No- 
vember 29, 1863. 

Grenvillc M. Dodge, Brigadier-General, from 
June 7, 1864. 

BRTOADIBB-OENERALS. 

Siimuel R. Curtis, Colonel 3d Infantry, from 
May 17, 1861. 

Frederick Steele, Colonel 8th Infantry, from 

February 6, 1863. 

Jacob U. Lanman, Colonel 7th Infantry, from 
March 31, 1863. 

Grenville M. Dodge, Colonel 4th Infantry, 
from March 31, 1863. 

James M. Tuttle, Colonel 2d Infantry, from 
June 9, 1863. 



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116 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



AVashington L. Elliot, Colonel 2d Cavalry, 
from June 11, 1862. 

Fitz Henry Warren, Colonel 1st Cavalry, from 
July 6, 1862. 

Frank J. Herron, Lieut. -Colonel 9th Infantry, 
from July 30, 1962. 

Charles L. Mntthies, Colonel 5th Infantry, 
from November 39, 1863. 

William Vandever, Colonel 9th Infantry, from 
November S9, 1862. 

Maicellus M. Crocker, Colonel 18th Infantry, 
from November 29, 1803. 

Hugh T. Reid, Colonel 15th Infantry, from 
Mixrch 13, 1863. 

Samuel A. Rice, Colonel 33d Infantry, from 
August 4, 1863. 

John M. Corse, Colonel 6th Infantry, from 
August 11, 1863. 

Cyrus Bussey, Colonel 3d Cavalry, from Jan- 
nary 6, 1864. 

Edward Hatch, Colonel 2d Cavalry, from April 
27, 1864. 

Elliott W. Rice, Colonel 7th Infantry, from 
June 20, 1864. 

Wm. W. Belknap, Colonel 6th Infantry, from 
July 30, 1864. 

Jvhn Edwards, Colonel 18th Infantry, from 
September 26, 1864. 

James A. Williamson, Colonel 4th Infantry, 
from January 13, 1864. 

James I. Gilbert, Colonel 27th Infantry, from 
February 9, 1865. 

Thomas J. McKean, from November 21, 1881 . 

BREVET MAJOR-GBNBRAla. 

John M. Corse, Brigadier-General, from Octo 
ber 5, 1864. 



Edward Hatch, Brigadier-General, from De- 
cember 15, 1864. 

William W. Belknap, Brigadier-General, from 
March 13, 1865. 

W. L. Elliott, Brigadier General, from March 
13, 1865. 

Wm. Vandever, Brigadier-General, from June 
7, 1865. 

BREVET BRIOADIER-GENERALS. 

Wm. T. Clark, A.A.G., late of 13th Infantry, 
from July 22, 1864. 

Edward F. Winslow, Colonel 4th Cavalry, from 
December 12, 1864. 

S. G. Hill, Colonel 35th Infantry, from Decem- 
ber 15, 1864. 

Thus. H. Benton, Colonel 29th Infantry, from 
December 15, 1864. 

Samuel S. Glasgow, Colonel 23d Infantry, from 
December 19, 1864. 

Clark R. Weaver, Colonel 17th Infantry, from 
February 9, 1865. 

Geo. A. Stone, Colonel 25lh Infantry, from 
March 13, 1865. 

Francis M. Drake, Lieut. -Colonel 36lh Infant- 
ry, from February 22, 1865. 

Datus E. Coon, Colonel 2d Cavalry, from 
March 8, 1865. 

George W. Clark, Colonel 34th Infantry, from 
March 13, 1865. 

Herman H. Heath, Colonel 7th Cavalry, from 
March 13, 1865. 

J. M. Hedrick, Colonel 15th Infantry, from 
March 13, 1865. 

W. W. Lowe, Colonel 5th Cavalry, from March 
3, 1865. 



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HISTORY OF IOWA. 



117 



CHAPTER IX. 



EDTTCATIOVAL — STATE INSTITUTIONS. 



The people of Iowa have ever taken a 
deep interer.t in education, and in this 
direction no State in the Union can show 
a better record. The system of free pub- 
lic schools was planted by the early set- 
tlers, and it has expanded and improved 
until now it is one of the most complete, 
comprehensive and liberal in the country. 
In the lead-mining regions of the State, 
the iirst to be settled by the whites, the 
hardy pioneers provided the means for the 
education of their children even before 
they had comfortable dwellings for them- 
selves. School teachers were among the 
first immigrants to Iowa. Wherever a 
little settlement was made, the school 
house was the first thing undertaken by 
the settlers in a body, and the rude, primi- 
tive structures of the early time only dis- 
appeared when the communities increased 
in population and wealth, and were able to 
replace them with more commodious and 
comfortable buildings. Perhaps in no 
single instance has the magnificent pro- 
gress of the State of Iowa been more 
marked and rapid than in her common 
school system and in her school houses. 
Today the school honses which every- 
where dot the broad and fertile prairies of 
Iowa are unsurpassed by those of any 
other State in this great Union. More 
especially is this true in all her cities and 



villages, where liberal and Invish njipro- 
priations have been voted by a generous 
people for the erection of large, commodi- 
ous and elegant buildings, furnished with 
all the modern improvements, and costing 
from $10,000 to 160,000 each. The people 
of the State have expended more than 
$10,000,000 for the erection of public 
school buildings. 

The first school house within the limits 
of Iowa was a log cabin at Dubuque, built 
by J. L. Langworthy, and a few other 
miners, in the autumn of 1833. When it 
was completed, George Cabbage was em- 
ployed as teacher during the winter of 
1833-4, and thirty-five pupils attended his 
school. Barrett Whittemore taught the 
school term, with twenty-five pupils in at- 
tendance. Mrs. Caroline Dexter com- 
menced teaching in Dubuque in March, 
1836. She was the first female teacher 
there, and probably the first in Iowa. In 
1839, Thomas H. Benton, Jr., afterward 
for ten years Superintendent of Public 
Instruction, opened an English and classi- 
cal school in Dubuque. The first tax for 
the support of schools at Dubuque was 
leviod in 1840. 

At Burlington, a commodious log school 
house, built in 1834, was among the first 
buildings erected. A Mr. Johnson taught 
the first school in the winter of 1834-5. 






118 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



lu Scott county, in the winter of 1835-6, 
Simon Crazin taught a four-months term 
of school in the house of J. B. Chamberlin. 

In Muscatine county, the first school 
was taught by George Bumgardner, in the 
spring of 1837. In 1839 a log school 
house was erected in Muscatine, which 
served for a long time as school house, 
church and public hall. 

The first school in Davenport was taught 
in 1838. In Fairfield, Miss Clarissa Saw- 
yer, James F. Chambers and Mrs. Reed 
taught school in 1839. 

Johnson county was an entire wilder- 
ness when Iowa City was located as the 
capital of the Territory of Iowa, in May, 

1839. The first sale of lots took place 
August 18, 1839, and before January 1, 

1840, about twenty families had settled 
within the limits of the town. During 
the same year Mr. Jesse Berry opened a 
school in a small frame building he had 
erected on what is now College street. 

In Monroe county, the first settlement 
was made in 1843, by Mr. John R. Gray, 
about two miles from the present site of 
Eddyville; and in the summer of 1844 a 
log school house was built by Gray, Wm. 
V. Beedle, C. Eenfro, Joseph McMullen 
and Willoughby Randolph, and the first 
school was opened by Miss Urania Adams. 
The building was occupied for school 
purposes for nearly ten years. 

About a year after the first cabin was 
built at Oskaloosa, a log school house was 
built, in which school was opened by 
Samuel W. Caldwell, in 1844. 

At Fort DesMoines, now the capital of 
the State, the first school was taught by 
Lewis Whitten, Clerk of the District 
Court, in the winter of 1846-'7, in one of 



the rooms on "Coon Row," built for 
barracks. 

The first school in Pottawattamie county 
was opened by George Green, a Mormon, 
at Council Point, prior to 1849; and until 
about 1854 nearly all the teachers in that 
vicinity were Mormons. 

The first school in Decorah was taught 
in 1855, by Cyrus C. Carpenter, since Gov- 
ernor of the State. In Crawford county 
the first school house was built in Mason's 
Grove, in 1856, and Morris McHenry first 
occupied it as teacher. 

During the first twenty years of the his- 
tory of Iowa, the log school house pre- 
vailed, and in 1861 there were 893 of these 
primitive structures in use for school pur- 
poses in the State. Since that time they 
have been gradually disappearing. In 
1865 there were 796; in 1870, 336; and in 
1875, 121. 

January 1, 1839, the Territorial Legisla- 
ture passed an act providing that " there 
shall be established a common school, or 
schools, in each of the counties in this 
Territory; which shall be open and free 
for every class of white citizens between 
the ages of live and twenty-one years." 
The second section of the act provided that 
"the County Board shall, from time to 
time, form school districts in their respec- 
tive counties, whenever a petition may be 
presented for the purpose by a majority of 
the voters resident within such contem- 
plated district." These districts were 
governed by boards of trustees, usually of 
three persons; each district was required 
to maintain school at least three months 
in every year; and later, laws were enacted 
providing for county school taxes for the 
payment of teachers, and that whatever 



iffc 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



119 



additional sum might be required should 
be assessed upon the parents sending, in 
proportion to the length of time sent. 

In 1846, the year of Iowa's admission as 
a State, there were 20,000 scholars, out of 
100,000 inhabitants. About 400 school 
districts had been organized. In 1850 
there was 1,200, and in 1857 the number 
jiad increased to 3, .'65. 

In March 1858, upon the recommenda- 
tion of Hon. M. L. Fisher, then Superin- 
tendent of Public Instruction, the Seventh 
<^^eneral Assembly enacted that "each 
civil township is declared a school dis- 
trict," and provided that these should be 
livided into sub-districts. This law went 
into force March 20, 1858, and reduced 
the number of school districts from about 
3,500 to less than 900. This change of 
school organization resulted in a very 
material reduction of the expenditures for 
the compensation of district secretaries 
and treasurers. An effort was made for 
several years, from 1867 to 1872, to abolish 
the sub-district system. Mr. Kissell, 
Superintendent, recommended thin in his 
report of January 1, 1872, and Governor 
Merrill forcibly endorsed his views in his 
annual message. But the Legislature of 
that year provided for the formation of 
independent districts from the sub-districts 
of district townships. 

The system of graded schools was 
inaugurated in 1849, and new schools, in 
which more than one teacher is employed, 
are universally graded. 

Teachers' institutes were organized 
early in the history of the State. Tlie 
tirst oflioial mention of them occurs in the 
annual report of Hon. Thomas H. Benton, 
Jr., made December 2, 1850, who said: "An 



institution of this character was organized 
a few years ajo, composed of the teachers 
of the mineral regions of Illinois, Wiscon- 
sin and Iowa. An association of teachers 
has also been formed in the county of 
Henry, and an effort was made in October 
last to organize a regular institute in the 
county of Jones." At that time, although 
the beneficial influence of these institutes 
was admitted, it was urged that the ex- 
penses of attending them was greater than 
teachers with limited compensation were 
able to bear. To obviate this objection, 
Mr. Benton recommended that " the sum 
of $150 should be appropriated annually 
for three years, to be drawn in installments 
of $50 by the Superintendent of Public 
Instruction, and expended for these insti- 
tutions." He proposed that three institutes 
should be held annually at points to be 
designated by the superintendent. 

The expense of this would be trifling, 
and all recognized the benefits to be 
derived; and yet no legislation was had 
until March, 1858, when an act was passed 
authorizing the holding of teachers' insti- 
tutes for periods not less than six workinii' 
days, whenever not less than 30 teachers 
should desire. The superintendent was 
authorized to expend not exceeding $100 
for any one institute, to be paid out by the 
county superintendent, as the institute 
might direct, for teachers and lecturers, 
and $1,000 was appropriated to defray the 
expenses of these institutes. 

Mr. Fisher at once pushed the matter of 
holding institutes, and December 6, 1858, 
he reported to the Board of Education 
that institutes had been appointed in 20 
counties within the preceding six months, 
and more would have been held but the 






!5 k^ 



120 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



appropriation had been exhausted. At the 
first session of the Board of Education, 
commencing December 6, 1858, a code of 
school laws was enacted, which retained 
the existing provisions for teachers' insti- 
tutes. 

In March, 1860, the General Assembly 
amended the act of the Board by appro- 
priating "a sum not exceeding $50 annually 
for one such institute, held as provided by 
law in each county." In 1865, the super- 
intendent, Mr. Faville, reported that "the 
provision made by the State for the benefit 
of teachers' institutes had never been so 
fully appreciated, both by the people and 
the teachers, as during the last two years." 

By an act approved March 19, 1874, 
normal institutes were established in each 
county, to be held annually by the county 
superintendents. This was regarded a very 
decided step in advance by Mr. Abernethy, 
and in 18V6 the General Assembly estab- 
lished the first permanent State Normal 
School, at Cedar Falls, Black Hawk county, 
appropriating the building and property of 
the Soldiers' Orphans' Home at that place 
for that purpose. This school is now "in 
the full tide of successful experiment." 

The present public school system is ad- 
mirably organized, and if the various offi- 
cers who are entrusted with educational 
interests of the commonwealth continue 
faithful and competent, should and will 
constantly improve. 

Funds for the support of public schools 
are derived in several ways. The 16th 
section of every congressional town.ship 
was set apart by the General Government 
fur school purposes, being oue-thirty-sixth 
part of all the lands in the State. The 
minimum price of these lauds was fixed at 



one dollar and twenty-five cents per acre. 
Congress also made an additional donation 
to the State of 500,000 acres, and an ap- 
propriation of five per cent, on all the 
sales of public lands to the school fund. 
The State gives to this fund the proceeds 
of the sales of all lands which escheat to 
it; the proceeds of all fines for the viola- 
tion of the liquor and criminal laws. The 
money derived from these sources consti- 
tutes the permanent school fund of the 
State, which cannot be diverted to any 
other purpose. The penalties collected by 
the courts for fines and forfeitures go to 
the school fund in the counties where col- 
lected. The proceeds of the sale of these 
lands and the five per cent, fund go into the 
State treasury, and the State distributes 
these proceeds to the several counties accord- 
ing to their request, and the counties loan 
the money to individuals, for long terms, at 
eight per cent, interest, on security of land 
valued at three times the amount of the 
loan, exclusive of all buildings and im- 
provements thereon. The interest on 
these loans is paid into the State treasury, 
and becomes the available school fund of 
the State. The counties are responsible 
to the State for all money so loaned, and 
the State is likewise responsible to the 
school fund for all moneys transferred to 
the counties. The interest on these loans 
is apportioned by the State Auditor semi- 
annually to the several counties of the 
State, in proportion to the number of per- 
sons between the ages of five and twenty- 
one years. The counties also levy an 
annual tax for school purposes, which is 
apportioned to the several district townships 
in the same way. A district tax is also 
levied for the same purpose. The money 



14:- 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



121 



arising from these several sources consti- 
tutes the support of the public schools, 
and is sufficient to enable every sub-district 
in the State to afford from six to nine 
months' school each year. 

The burden of direct taxation is thus 
lightened, and the efficiency of the schools 
increased. The taxes levied for the sup- 
port of the schools are self-imposed. Un- 
der the admirable school laws of the State, 
no taxes can. be legally assessed or col- 
lected for the erection of school houses 
uitil they have been ordered by the elec- 
tion of a district at a school meeting 
legally called. The school houses of Iowa 
are the pride of the State and an honor to 
the people. If they have been built some- 
times at a prodigal expense, the tax-payers 
have no one to blame but themselves. 
The teachers' and contingent funds are 
determined by the Board of Directors, 
under certain legal instructions. These 
Boards are elected annually, except in the 
independent districts, in which the Board 
may be entirely changed every three years. 
The only exception to this mode of levy- 
ing taxes for support of schools is the 
county school tax, which is determined by 
the County Board of Supervisors. The 
tax is from one to three mills on the dol- 
lar; usually, however, but one. 

In 1881 there were in the State 4,339 
school districts, containing 11,244 schools, 
and employing 21,776 teachers. The 
average monthly pay of male teachers was 
$32.50, and of female teachers $27 25. 
There were 594,730 persons of school age, 
of whom 431,513 were enrolled in the 
public schools. The average cost of tuition 
for each pupil per month was $1.62. The 
expenditures for all school purposes was 



$5,129,819.49. The permanent school 
fund is now $3,547,123.82, on which the 
income for 1881 was $234,622.40. In each 
county a teachers' institute is held annu- 
ally, under the direction of the county 
superintendent, the State contributing 
annually $50 to each of these institutes. 

THE STATE UNIVERSITY. 

By act of Congress, approved July 20, 
1840, the Secretary of the Treasury was 
authorized to "set apart and reserve from 
sale out of any of the public lands within 
the Territory of Iowa not otherwise claimed 
or appropriated, a quantity of land not ex- 
ceeding two entire townships, for the use 
and support of a University within said 
Territory when it becomes a State." The 
first General Assembly, therefore, by act 
approved February 25, 1847, established 
the "State University of Iowa," at Iowa 
City, then the Capital of the State. The 
public buildings and other property at Iowa 
City, were appropriated to the University, 
but the legislative sessions and State offices 
were to be held in them until a permanent 
location for a Capital was made. 

The control and management of the 
University were committed to a board of 
fifteen trustees, to be appointed by the 
Legislature, and five were to be chosen 
every two years. The Superintendent of 
Public Instruction was made President of 
this Board. The organic act provided that 
the University should never be under the 
control of any religious denomination 
whatever; and that as soon as the revenue 
from the grant and donations should 
amount to $2,000 a year, the University 
should commence and continue the instruc- 
tion, free of charge, of fifty students annu- 



¥ 



v 



^ ' ^^ 



122 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



ally- Of course the organization of the 
University at Iowa City was impracticable, 
80 long as the seat of government was re- 
tained there. 

In January, 1849, two branches of the 
University anil three normal schools were 
established. The branches were located 
at Fairfield and Dubuque, and were placed 
upon an equal footing, in respect to funds 
and all other matters, with the University 
at Iowa City. At Fairfield, the Board of 
Directors organized and erected a building 
at a cost of $2,500. This was nearly de- 
stroyed by a hurricane the following year, 
but was rebuilt more substantially by the 
citizens of Fairfield. This branch never 
received any aid from the State, and, Jan- 
uary 24, 1853, at the request of the Board, 
the General Assembly terminated its rela- 
tion to the State. The branch at Dubuque 
had only a nominal existence. 

The normal schools were located at An- 
drew, Oskaloosa and Mt Pleasant. Each 
was to be governed by a Board of seven 
Trustees, to be appointed by the Trustees 
of the University. Each was to receive 
$500 annually from the income of the Uni- 
versity fund, upon condition that they 
should educate eight common-school teach- 
ers, free of charge for tuition, and that the 
citizens should contribute an equal sum for 
the erection of the requisite buildings. 
The school at Andrew was organized No- 
vember 21, 1849, with Samuel Ray as 
Principal. A building was commenced, 
and over $1,000 expended on it, but it was 
never completed. The school at Oskaloosa 
was started in the court house, September 
13, 1852, under the charge of Prof. G. M. 
Drake and wife. A two-story brick build- 
ing was completed in 1853, costing $2,473. 



The school at Mt. Pleasant was never or- 
ganized. Neither of these schools received 
any aid from the University fund, but in 
1857 the Legislature appropriated $!,000 
for each of the two schools, and repealed 
the laws authorizing the payment to them 
of money from the University fund. From 
that time they made no further effort to 
continue in operation. 

From 1847 to 1855, the Board of Trus- 
tees was kept full by regular elections by 
the Legislature, and the trustees held fre- 
quent meetings, but there was no actual 
organization of the University. In March, 
1855, it was partially opened for a term of 
16 weeks. July 16, 1855, Amos Dean, of 
Albany, N. Y , was elected President, but 
he never entered fully upon its duties. 
The University was again opened in Sep- 
tember, 1855, and continued in operation 
until June, 1856, under Professors John- 
son, AVelton, Van Valkenburg and Griffin. 

The faculty was then re-organized, with 
some changes, and the University was 
again opened on the third Wednesday of 
September, 1856. There were 124 students 
(83 males and 41 females) in attendance 
during the years 1856-7, and the first regu- 
lar catalogue wag published 

At a special meeting of the Board, Sep- 
tember 22, 1857, the honorary degree of 
Bachelor of Arts was conferred on D. 
Franklin Wells. This was the first degree 
conferred by the University. 

The new constitution, adopted in 1857, 
definitely fixed the Capital at DesMoines, 
the State University at Iowa City, and pro- 
vided that it should have no branches. In 
December of that year, the old capitol 
building was turned over to the Trustees 
of the University. In 1858, $10,000 were 



^ 



4;^, 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



123 



appropriated fur the erection of a board- 
ing hall. The Board closed the University 
April 27, 1858, on account of insufiicient 
funds, and dismissed all the faculty except 
Chancellor Dean At the same time a res- 
olution was passed excluding females. 
This was soon after reversed by the General 
Assembly. 

The University was re-opened Septem- 
ber 19, 1860, and from this date the real 
existence of the University dates. Mr. 
Dean had resigned before this, and Silas 
Totten, D D.,LL.D., was elected President, 
at a salary of 12,000. August 19, 1862, he 
resigned, and was succeeded by Prof. Oli- 
ver M. Spencer. President Spencer was 
granted leave of absence for fifteen months 
to visit Europe. Prof. Nathan E. Leonard 
was elected President ^ro tetn. President 
Spencer resigning, James Black, D D., 
Vice-President of Washington and Jeffer- 
son College, Penn., was elected President. 
He entered upon his duties in September, 
1868. 

The Law Department was established in 
June, 1868, and, soon after, the Iowa Law 
School, at DesMoines, which had been in 
successful operation for three years, was 
transferred to Iowa City and merged in 
the department. 

The Medical Department was established 
in 1869. Since April 11, 1870, the gov- 
ernment of the University has been in the 
hands of a Board of Regents. 

Dr. Black resigned in 1870, to take 
effect December 1; and March 1, 1871, 
Rev George Thatcher was elected Presi- 
dent. 

In June, 1874, the chair of military 
instruction was established, and Lieuten- 
ant A. D. Schenk, Second Artillery, U. S. 



A., was detailed by the President of the 
United Slates as Professor of Military 
Science and Tactics. 

In June, 1877, Dr. Thatcher's connection 
with the University was terminated, and 
C. W. S'agle was elected President. He 
was succeeded in 1878 by J. L. Pickard, 
LL D., who is the present incumbent. 

The University has gained a reputation 
as one of the leading institutions of the 
West, and this position will doubtless be 
maintained. The present educational 
corps consists of the following, besides 
President Pickard: in the Collegiate De- 
partment, nine professors and six in- 
structor?, including the Professor of Mili- 
tary Science; in the Law Department, a 
chancellor, two professors and four lec- 
turers; in the Medical Department, eight 
professors and ten assistant professors and 
lecturers. 

No preparatory work is done in the 
University, but different high schools in 
the State, with approved courses of study, 
are admitted as preparatory departments 
of the University, whose graduates are ad- 
mitted without examination. Common 
schools, high schools and university are 
thus made one connected system. 

The present number of students in the 
Collegiate Department is: males, 163; 
females, 69; total, 2.32; in Law Depart- 
ment, 140; in Medical Department, 195. 

STATE NORMAL SCHOOL. 

This is located at Cedar Falls, Black 
Hawk county, and was opened in lt-76. 
The institution trains teachers for our 
schools, and- is doing excellent, though 
limited, work. What is wanted is more 



-» W- 



121 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



room and increased facilities of every 
kind. Other institutions of a similar kind 
should also be established throughout the 

State. 

STATE AGRICULTUBAI, COLLEGK. 

The State Agricultural College and 
Farm were established by act of the Gen- 
eral Assembly, approved March 23, 1858. 
The farm was located in Story county, at 
Ames. In 1862 Congress granted to Iowa 
240,000 acres of land for the endowment 
of schools of agriculture and the mechani- 
cal arts. In 1864 the Assembly voted 
120,000 for the erection of the college 
building. In 1866 $91,000 more were 
appropriated for the same purpose. The 
building was completed in 1868, and the 
institution was opened in the following 
year. The college is modeled to some 
extent after Michigan Agricultural Col- 
lege. 

Tuition is free to pupils from the State 
over sixteen years of age. Students are 
required to work on the model farm two 
and a half hours each day. The faculty is 
of a very high character, and the institu- 
tion one of the best of its kind. Sale of 
spirits, wine and beer as a beverage is for- 
bidden by law within three miles of the 
college. The current expenses of this 
institution are paid by the income from 
the permanent endowment. A. S. Welch, 
LL. D., is President, and is assisted by 
twelve professors and eight instructors. 
Whole number of students admitted, 2,600; 
present number, 240. The college farm 
consists of 860 acres, of which 400 are 
under cultivation. 

Besides the State University, State 
Agricultural College and State Normal 



School, ample provision for higher edu- 
cation has been made by the diflFerent 
religious denominations, assisted by local 
and individual munificence. There are, 
exclusive of State institutions, 23 universi- 
ties and colleges, 111 academies and other 
private schools. All these are in active 
operation, and most of them stand high. 
A list of the universities and colleges, and 
a brief notice of each, is herewith given: 

Amity College is located at College 
Springs, Page county. S. C. Marshall is 
President. There are 6 instructors and 
225 students. 

^Burlington University is located at Bur- 
lington, Des Moines county. E. F. Stearns 
is President of the faculty. There are 5 
instructors and 63 students. 

Gallanan College is located at Des 
Moines, Polk county. There are 14 in the 
faculty, of which C. R. Pomeroy is Presi- 
dent, and 183 students are enrolled. 

Central University is located at Pella, 
Marian county. It'is an institution of the 
Baptist denomination. Rev. G. W. Gard- 
ner is President of the faculty, which 
numbers 7. There are 196 students. 

Cot College is located at Cedar Rapids, 
Linn county. S. Phelps is President. 
There are 10 in the faculty and 100 
students. 

Cornell College is located at Mt. Vernon, 
Linn county, and is under the control of 
the M. E. Church. W. F. King is Presi- 
dent. There are 20 instructors and 400 



-J! b\^ ^ 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



12J 



students. This college is one of the 
highest in character, and has a large at- 
tendance. 

Drake University is located at Des 
Moines, Polk county. G. T. Carpenter is 
President, and is ably assisted by 25 in- 
structors. There are 125 students. 

Griswold College is located at Daven- 
port, Scott County, and is under the control 
of the Episcopal Church. W. S. Perry is 
President. There are 1 instructors and 80 
students. 

Iowa College is located at Grinnell, Po- 
weshiek county. G. F. Magoun is Presi- 
dent. There are 14 instructors and 359 
students. The institution is one of the 
leading colleges in Iowa, and is perma- 
nently endowed. 

Iowa Wesleyan University is located at 
Mt. Pleasant, Henry county,. W. J. 
Spaulding is President. There are 6 in 
the faculty, and over 160 students in at- 
tendance. The University is under the 
auspices of the M. E. Church, and enjoys 
a high degree of prosperity. 

lAither College is situated in Decorah, 
Winneshiek county. L. Larson is Presi- 
dent of the faculty, which numbers 10. 
There are 165 students in attendance. 

Clin College is located at Olin, Jones 
county. C. L. Porter is President. 

Oskaloosa College is situated in Oska- 
loosa, Mahaska county. G. H. McLaugh- 
lin is President. The faculty numbers 5, 



and the students 190. The college stands 
very high. 

Penn College is situated in Oskaloosa, 
Mahaska county. B Trueblood is Presi- 
dent of the faculty, which numbers 5. 
There are 175 students in attendance. 

Simpson Centenary College is located at 
Indianola, Warren county. EL Parks is 
President. There are 9 instructors and 
150 students. 

Tabor College is located at Tabor, Fre- 
mont county. Wm. M. Brooks is Presi- 
dent. The college was modeled after 
Oberlin college, in Ohio. The faculty 
consists of 6, and there are 109 students. 

Upper Iowa University is located at 
Fayette, Fayette county, and is under the 
control of the M. E. Church. Rev. J. W. 
Bissell is President. There are 1 1 instruc- 
tors and 850 students. This University 
stands very high among the educational 
institutions of the State. 

University of Des Moines, at DesMoines, 
has 5 instructors and 80 students. 

Whittier College was established at 
Salem, Henry county, by the Friends. J. 
W. Coltrane is President. There are 4 
instructors and 105 students. 

Riverside Institute. — This school is 
located at Lyons, on a beautiful elevation 
overlooking the Mississippi river. Rev. 
W. T. Currie is the Principal of this 
Academy. 






1'2G 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



DEAF AND DUMB INSTITUTE. 

By an act of the Legislature of Iowa, 
approved January 24, 1855, the Iowa Insti- 
tute for the Deaf and Dumb was estab- 
lished at Iowa City. 

In 1866 a great effort was made to re- 
move the Institute to DesMoines; but it 
was finally permanently located at Council 
Bluffs, and the school opened in a rented 
building. In 1868 Commissioners were to 
locate a site, and superintend the erection 
of new building, for which the Legisla- 
ture appropriated |1 25,000. The Com- 
missioners selected 90 acres of land two 
miles south of the city. 

In October, 1 870, the main building and 
one wing were completed and occupied. 
In February, 1877, fire destroyed the main 
building and east wing, and during the 
summer following a tornado blew off the 
roof of the new west wing and the walls 
were partially demolished. About 150 
pupils were in attendance at the time of 
the fire. After that, half of the class were 
dismissed, and the number of pupils re- 
duced to 70. 

The present officers are: B. F. Clayton, 
President, Macedonia, term expires in 
1886; A Rogers, Secretary, term expires 
1884; John II. Stnbenranch, term expires 
in 1884. The county superintendent of 
schools annually reports all persons of 
school age that are deaf and dumb; also 
ttiose too deaf to acquire learning in the 
coramou schools. The cost per pupil is 
^■2S per quarter, and is paid by the parents 
or guardian ; but when unable to do so, the 
expense is borne by the respective county. 
The regular appropriation is $11,000 per 
annum, drawn quarterly. Parents and 



guardians are allowed to clothe their 
children. 

The whole number admitted to the 
In.stitution is 621. Present number, 221. 
Last biennial appropriation, $27,830. 

COLLEGE FOR THE BLIND. 

The first person to agitate the subject of 
an Institute for the Blind was Prof. Sam- 
uel Bacon, himself blind, who, in 1852, 
established a school of instruction at 
Keokuk. The next year the Institute was 
adopted by the State, and moved to Iowa 
City, by act of the Legislature, approved 
January 18, 1853, and opened for the re- 
ception of pupils, April 4, 1853. During 
the first term 23 pupils were admitted. 
Prof. Bacon, the Principal, made his first 
report in 1854, and suggested that the 
name be changed from "Asylum for the 
Blind" (which was the name first adopted) 
to that of " Institution for the Instruction 
of the Blind." This change was made in 
1855, and the Legislature made an annual 
appropriation of $55 per quarter for each 
jiupil; afterward this appropriation was 
changed to $3,000 per annum. 

Prof. Bacon was a fine scholar, an eco- 
nomical manager, and in every way adapted 
to his position. During his administration 
the institution was, in a great measure, 
self-supporting by the sale of articles 
manufactured by the blind pupils. There 
was also a charge of $25 as an admission 
fee for each pupil. Prof. Bacon founded 
the Blind Asylum at Jacksonville, Illinois. 

In 1858 the citizens of Vinton, Benton 
eounty, donated a quarter section of land 
and $5,000 for the establishment of the 
asylum at that place. On the 8th of May, 



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l>£. 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



127 



that same year, the trustees met at Vinton 
and made arrangements for securing the 
donation, and adopted a plan for the erec- 
tion of a suitable building. In 1860 the 
contract for enclosing was let to Messrs. 
Finkbine and Lovelace, for $10,420. In 
August, 1862, the goods and furniture were 
removed from Iowa City to Vinton, and in 
the fall of the same year the school was 
opened with 24 pupils. 

The institution has been built at a vast 
expenditure of money, much greater than 
it seemed to require for the number of 
occupants. The Legislative Committee, 
who visited the college in 1878, expressed 
their astonishment at this utter disregard 
of the fitness of things. They could not 
understand why |;282,000 should have been 
expended for a mas.<ive building for the 
accommodation of only 130 people, costing 
the State over $5,000 a year to heat it, and 
about $500 a year for each pupil. 

The present officers are: Robert Car- 
others, Superintendent; T. F. McCune, 
Assistant Superintendent; Trustees: Jacob 
Springer, President; M. H. Westbrook, 
J. F. White, C. O. Harrington, W. H. 
Leavitt, S. H. Watson. Whole number of 
occupants, 436. Present number, males, 
36; females, 50, Salary of superintendent, 
$1,200; assistant, $700; trustees, $4.00 per 
day and mileage. Annual appropriation, 
$8,000, and $128 per year allowed for each 
pupil. Annual meeting of trustees in June. 
Biennial appropriation in 1880, $3,000. 

IOWA HOSPITAL FOB THB INSANE. 

The Iowa Hospital for the Insane was 
established by an act of the Legislature, 
approved January 24, 1855. Gov. Grimes, 



Edward Johnson, of Lee county, and Cha.s. 
S Blake, of Henry county, were appointed 
to locate the institution and suj)orintend 
the erection of the building; $4,4 25 were 
appropriated by the Legislature for the 
site, and $500,000 for the building. The 
commissioners located the institution at 
Mount Pleasant, Henry county, and a plan 
of the building was drawn by Dr. Bell, of 
Massachusetts. The building was designed 
to accommodate 300 patients, and in Octo- 
ber work commenced, superintended by 
Henry Winslow. The Legislature had 
appropriated $258,555.67 before it was 
completed. One hundred patients were 
admitted within three months. In April, 
1876, a portion of the building was de- 
stroyed by fire From the opening of the 
Hospital to the close of October, 1877, 
there were admitted 8,684 patients. Of 
these, 1,141 recovered, 505 were improved, 
589 were discharged unimproved, and 1 
died. During this period 1,384 of the pa- 
tients were females. 

The trustees are elected by the Legisla- 
ture, and all officers are chosen by the 
trustees. Superintendents are chosen for 
six years. Dr. Eanney was first chosen in 
1865; salary, $2,000 annual. Whole number 
of patients admitted, 4,598; present num- 
ber males, 298; present number female?, 
235. Trustees paid $5 per day and mile- 
age, not to exceed 30 days each year. 
Annual meeting, first Wednesday in Octo- 
ber; quarterly, January, April and Sep- 
tember. 

Present officers are: Mark Ranney, M 
D , Superintendent; H.M.Bassett, M.D., 
J. P. Brubaker, M.D., and Max Witte, 
M.D., assistant physicians. 



^I^. 



128 



HISTOEY OF IOWA. 



HOSPITAL FOE THE INSANE, AT INDEPEND- 
£NCB. 

The Legislature of 1^67-8 adopted meas- 
ures providing for an additional hospital for 
the insane, and an appropriation of $125,- 
000 was made for that purpose. Malurin 
L. Fisher, of Clayton county, E. G. Mor- 
gan, of Webster county, and Albert Clark, 
of Buchanan county, were appointed com- 
missioners to locate and superintend the 
erection of a building. These commis- 
sioners commenced their labors June 8, 
1868, at Independence. They were author- 
ized to select the most desirable location, 
of not less than 320, acres, within two 
miles of the city of Independence, that 
might be offered by the citizens free of 
charge. 1 hey finally selected a site on the 
west side of the Wapsipinicon river, about 
a mile from its banks, and about the same 
distance from Independence. The contract 
for building was awarded to David Arm 
strong, of Dubuque, for $88,114. It was 
signed November 7, 1868, and work was 
immediately commenced. George Josse- 
lyn was appointed superintendent of the 
work. The first meeting of the trustees 
was called in July, 1872. At the Septem- 
ber meeting, Albert Reynolds, M. D , was 
elected Superintendent of the Hospital; 
George Josselyn, Steward, and Mrs. Anna 
B. Josselyn, Matron. 

The Hospital opened May 1 ,1873. Whole 
number of patienta admitted, 2,000; pres- 
ent number (1882), 5Sn; males, 290; fe- 
males, 243. Biennial appropriation (IPSO), 
835,300. 

The present officers are: G. H. Hill, 
Superintendent; term expires in 1882; 
salary. Si, 600. H. G. Brainard, M. D., 



Assistant Superintendent; salary, -§1,000. 
Noyes Appleman, Steward; salary, |900. 
Mrs. Lucy M. Gray, Matron; salary, |600. 

soldiers' orphans' home. 

This institution is located at Davenport, 
Scott county, and was originated by Mrs. 
Annie Wittenmeyer, during the late rebel- 
lion. This noble woman called a conven- 
tion at Muscatine, September 7, 1863, for 
the purpose of devising means for the 
education and support of the orphan chil- 
dren of Iowa, whose fathers lost their lives 
in defending their country's honor. The 
public interest in the movement was so 
great that all parts of the State were 
largely represented, and an association was 
organized, cailed the Iowa State Orphan 
Asylum. The first meeting of the trus- 
tees was held February 14, 1864, at Des 
Moines, when Gov. Kirk wood suggested 
that a home for disabled soldiers should be 
connected with the Asylum, and arrange- 
ments were made for raising funds. At 
the next meeting, in Davenport, the fol- 
lowing month, a committee was appointed, 
of which Mr. Howell, of Keokuk, was 
chairman, to lease a suitable building, 
solicit donations, and procure suitable 
furniture. This committee secured a large 
brick buildirg in Lawrence, VanBuren 
county, and engaged Mr. Fuller, of Mount 
Pleasant, as Steward. The work of prepa- 
ration was conducted so vigorously that 
July 13, following, the executive commit- 
tee announced that they were ready to 
receive children. Within three weeks 21 
were admitted, and in a little more than 
six months the soldiers' orphans admitted 
numbered 70. 



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HISTORY OF IOWA. 



129 



Miss M. Elliott, of Washington, was 
appointed the fij-st Matron, but she resigned 
the following Februiry, and was succeeded 
by Mrs. E G. Piatt, of Fremont county. 

The Home was sustained by voluntary 
contributions, until 1866, when it was 
taken charge of by the State. The Leg- 
islature appropriated $10 per month for 
each orphan actually supported, and pro- 
vided for the establishment of three 
homes. The one in Cedar Falls was organ- 
ized in 1865; an old hotel building was 
fitted up for it, and by the following Jan- 
uary there were 96 inmates. In October, 
1869, the Home was removed to a large 
brick building about two miles west of 
Cedar Falls, and was very prosperous for 
several years; but in 1876 the Legislature 
devoted this building to the State Normal 
School. The same year the Legislature 
also devoted the buildings and grounds of 
the Soldiers' Orphans' Home, at Glenwood, 
Mills county, to an Institution for the Sup- 
port of Feeble-Minded Children. It also 
provided for the removal of the soldiers' 
orphans at Glenwood and Cedar Falls 
Homes to the institution located at Daven- 
port. 

The present officers are: S. W. Pierce, 
Superintendent; Mrs. F.W. Pierce, Matron. 
Whole number admitted, 1,525; present 
number, males, 79; females, 90. The 18th 
Grand Array Corps appropriated $2,000 to 
build eight cottages, school house and other 
buildings; these have been completed, and 
the home will, when finished, accommo- 
date 200 children. Superintendent's sal- 
ary, $1,200 per annum. Trustees are 
elected for two years. 



ASYLUM FOR FEEBLE-MINDED CHILDREN. 

An act of the General Assembly, ap- 
proved March 17, 1878, provided for the 
establishment of an asylum for feeble- 
minded children at Glenwood, Mills 
county; and the buildings and grounds of 
the Soldiers' Orphans' Home at that place 
were taken for this purpose. The asylum 
was placed under the management of three 
trustees, one of whom should be a resident 
of Mills County. 

The grounds to be used were found to 
be in a very dilapidated condition, and 
thorough changes were deemed necessary. 
The institution was opened September 1, 
1876, and the first pupil admitted Septem- 
ber 4. By November, 1877, the number 
of pupils had increased to 87. The whole 
number admitted has been 257. Present 
inmates number 200. 

PENAL INSTITUTIONS. 

The first penal institution was estab- 
lished by an act of the Territorial Legisla- 
ture, approved January 25, 1839. This 
act authorized the Governor to draw the 
sum of $20,000, appropriated by an act of 
Congress in 1838, for public buildings in 
the Territory of Iowa. It provided for a 
Board of Directors, consisting of three 
persons, to be elected by the Legislature, 
who should superintend the building of 
a penitentiary to be located within a mile 
of the public square, in the towa of Fort 
Madison, county of Lee, provided that the 
latter deeded a suitable tract of land for 
the purpose, also a spring or stream of 
water for the use of the penitentiary. 

The first directors were John S. David 
and John Claypole. They were given the 
power of appointing the warden, the latter 



jy< 



iti 



130 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



to appoint his own assistants. The citizens 
of Fort Madison executed a deed of 10 
acres of land for the building, and Amos 
Ladd was appointed superintendent June 
5, 1839. The work was soon entered upon, 
and the main building and warden's house 
were completed in the fall of 1841. It 
continued to meet with additions and im- 
provements until the arrangements were 
all completed according to the design of 
the directors. The estimated cost of the 
building was $55,933.90, and was designed 
of sufficient capacity to accommodate 138 
convicts. 

Iowa has adopted the enlightened policy 
of humane treatment of prisoners, and 
utilizes their labor for their own support. 
Their labor is let out to contractors, who 
pay the State a stipulated sum therefor, 
the latter furnishing shops, tools, ma- 
chinery, etc , and the supervision of the 
convicts. 

The present officers of the prison are: 
E. C. McMillen, Warden, elected ISVSand 
1880; Hiel Hale, Deputy Warden; W. C. 
Gunn, Chaplain; A. W. HofEmeister, 
Physician; M. T. Bulterfield, Clerk. 

The whole number of convicts admitted 
up to the present time (1882) is 3,387. 
Number of males in 1881, 350; females, 
3; number of guards, 33. The Warden 
is chosen biennially by the Legislature, 
and receives a salary of $2,000 per annum. 

ANAMOSA PENITENTIARY. 

In 1872 the first steps toward the erec- 
tion of a prison at Anamosa, Jones county, 
were taken, and by an act of the General 
Assembly, approved April 23, this year, 
William Ure, Foster L. Downing and Mar- 
tin Heisey were appointed commissioners 



to construct and control prison buildings, 
They met on the 4th of June, following, 
and selected a site donated by the citizens 
of Anamosa. The plan, drawings and 
specifications were furnished by L. W. 
Foster & Co., of DesMoines, and work on 
the building was commenced September 
28, 1872. In 1873, 20 convicts were trans- 
ferred from the Fort Madison prison to 
Anamosa. 

The officers of the Anamosa prison are: 
A E. Martin, Warden; L. B Peet, Deputy 
Warden; Mrs. A. C. Merrill, Chaplain; L. 
J. Adair, Physician; T. P. Parsons, Clerk. 
The whole number admitted since it was 
opened is 816. Number of males in 1882, 
133; females, 2. Salaries of officers the 
same as those of the Fort Madison peni- 
tentiary. 

boys' bbform school. 

By act approved March 31, 1865, the 
General Assembly established a reform 
school at Salem, Henry county, and pro- 
vided for a Board of Trustees, to consist 
of one person from each Congressional 
District. The trustees immediately leased 
the property of the Iowa Manual Labor 
Institute, and October 7 following, the 
school received its first inmate. The law 
at first provided, for the admission of 
children of both sexes under 18 years of 
age. The trustees were directed to organ- 
ize a separate school for girls. 

In 1872 the school was permanently 
located at Eldora, Hardin county, and 
$45,000 were appropriated for the neces- 
sary buildings. 

In 1876 the law was so amended that 
only children over 7 and under 16 years of 
age were admitted. 



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HISTORY OF IOWA. 



131 



The children are taught the elemental of 
education, in particular the useful branches, 
and are also trained in some regular course 
of labor, as is best suited to their age, dis- 
position and capacity. They are kept 
until they arrive at majority, unless bound 
out to some responsible party, which 
relieves the Slate of their care. Occasion- 
ally they are discharged before the age of 
21, for good conduct 

The institution is managed by five trus- 
tees, elected by the Legislature. Whole 
number of boys admitted, 818. There are 
204 inmates at present, and also 63 in the 
girls' department, at Micbellville. The 
biennial appropriation for 1880 was 
$16,900. 

STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY. 

By act of the General Assembly ap- 
proved January 28, 185'7,a State Historical 
Society was provided for in connection 
with the University. At the commence- 
ment, an appropriation of $250 was made, 
10 be expended in co'lecting and preserv- 
ing a library of books, pamphlets, papers, 
paintings and other materials illustrative 
of the history of Iowa There was appro- 
priated the sum of $500 per annum to 
maintain this Society. The management 
consists of a board of 18 curators, nine 
appointed by the Governor and nine 
elected by vote of the Society. 

The State Historical Society has pub- 
lished a series of very valuable collections, 
including history, biography, sketches, 
reminiscences, etc., with quite a large 
number of finely engraved portraits of 
prominent and early settlers, under the 
title of "Annals of Iowa." 



STATE AGEICULTUEAL SOCIETT. 

This Society is conducted under the 
auspices of the State, and is one of the 
greatest promoters of the welfare of the 
people under the management of the State 
government It should receive more pe- 
cuniary assistance than it does. The 
Society holds an annual fair, which has 
occurred at Des Moines since 1878. At its 
meetings subjects are discui-sed of the 
highest interest and value, and these pro- 
ceedings are published at the expense of 
the State. 

The officers are a President, Vice-Presi- 
dent, Secretary, and Treasurer and five 
Directors. The last hold office for two 
years, and the other officers one year. 

FISH HATCHING-HOUSE. 

This was established in 1874, and has 
for its object the supplying of rivers and 
lakes with valuable fish. The General 
Assembly first appropriated the sum of 
$3,000. Three fish commissioners were 
appointed, and the State is divided into 
three districts, one for each commissioner. 
The Hatching-House was erected near 
Anamosa, Jones county, and is conducted 
in the same manner as similar houses in 
other States. Since 1876 there has been 
but one commissioner, B. F. Shaw. Mr. 
Shaw is enthusiastic in his work, and has 
distributed hundreds of thousands of 
small fish of various kinds in the rivers 
and lakes of Iowa. The 16th General 
Assembly passed an act in 1878 prohibiting 
the catching of any kind of fish except 
brook trout from March until June of each 
year. 



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(1h 



HISTORY 



OF 



FRANKLIN COUNTY, 



lO^TV"^ 



CHAPTER I 



INTRODUCTORY. 



FIFTY years ago the territory compris- 
ing the State of Iowa was inhabited only 
by the red men. Save in the vicinity of Du- 
bu<iue, and in what is known as the Giard 
settlement in Clayton county, the whites 
had made no effort to inhabit this beauti- 
ful land. From these settlements they had 
been ordered away, so that, in the spring 
of 1833, the Indians weie in undisturbed 
possession. Theyear previous, by a treaty 
with the Indian tribes, that portion of the 
State known as the Black Hawk Pur- 
chase, came under the control of the gen- 
eral-government, though the Indian title 
did not become extinct until June, 1833. 

The traveler, as he now wends his way 
tlirough this State, cannot realize that 
such a transformation could have taken 
place in such a brief space of time. 'From 
a trackless wilderness, villages, towns and 
cities have sprung up, beautiful farms are 



seen and the busy hum of machinery is 
heard upon every hand. 

Less than a third of a century ago, that 
portion of the State of Iowa now consti- 
tuting the prosperous county of Franklin, 
was still a wilderness. No effort had been 
made to cultivate its broad and fertile 
prairies, the native forests were undis- 
turbed by the woodman's ax, and all things 
were as they came from the hand of Na- 
ture's God. Now, what a change is be- 
held I Where once the wigwams of the 
red men were erected, prosperous towns 
and cities appear ; where the red men 
passed slowly alongupon thetrail,the iron- 
horse goes whirling by. The change is 
srreat, and one can but marvel at the 
rapidity with which it has been brought 
about. 

It is the duty of the historian to record 
these L:hanges ; to show how they have 



•l 



134 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



been made ; to narrate the trials of the 
liardy pioneers, and thus present a lesson 
to future generations. From the experi- 
ences of the past, the lessons of to-day are 
learned. In these pages will be recorded 
the experiences of the pioneers, together 
with many of those of a later day. Care 
has been taken in the compilation of the 
work, and it is to be hoped that the efforts 
of the historian will be appreciated and 
due credit given for honesty of inten- 
tion. As a local writer has well said : 
'He who writes of events to which eye wit- 
nesses are numerous has no room for 
flights of imagination, and his fancy is 
confined between the perpendicular walls 
of cold naked facts. We, as a community 
or as a county, have no ancestral tree rear- 
ing its proud proportions over our heads. 
We have none of that material, half his- 
tory and half romance, which is so pliable 
and useful in the hands of the ready 
writer, or learned historian. That glo- 
rious privilege must be left to our descend- 
ants, and those who shall write histories 
after we are dead and gone." Continuing, 
the writer, who is none other than Hon. 
L. B. Raymond,* editor of the Franklin 
County Recorder, says : "There is scarcely 
enough happening in twenty-five years to 
make a very extensive history. The wri- 
ter of this has labored to get at the facts, 
and he has labored under a great_ disad- 
vantage in gettingsuch as he has collected, 
from the fact that nearly all the first set- 
tlers of the county have gone to other 
countries. Nothing is stronger than the 
pioneer instinct, and many of those who 
were just behind the Indian and the buffalo 

* Mr. Raymond commenced a few years ag'o the 
publication, in his newspaper, of the History of 
Franltlin county, from which are gleaned many of 
the facts contained i^erein. 



here, are yet at their heels in the west 
and southwest, and such a thing as com- 
munication with them is out of the ques- 
tion. 

"Death, too, has been busy, and while 
some of our first pioneers are sleeping in 
our cemeteries, the silvered heads and 
tottering steps of many of those who 
remain give warning that they too must 
soon pass away. So this work is under- 
taken as much to collect and preserve 
what it contains as for any other reason. 
And we have endeavored to perpetuate 
nothing but what is true, and while of 
course errors must creep in, we believe it 
will be found in the main to be correct as 
far as it goes. 

"It is not yet a hundred years since in 
the broad 50,000,000 acres between the 
Mississippi and the Missouri, there was 
not a white man, and ninety years ago the 
Castilian monarch granted to Julian Du- 
buque the "Mines of Spain," and only 
seventy-five years have elapsed since the 
soil we tread became by the Louisiana 
purchase a part of the LTnited States. 
From belonging to Louisiana this fair 
domain passed, to become a part of Mich- 
igan Territory, known and described as 
the Black Hawk purchase. When still 
later it became a part of Wisconsin Terri- 
tory it had two counties, then, in 1838, it 
was made a Territory and thirty-two years 
ago, in 1846, it became a State. It is safe 
to say that there are no native born citi- 
zens of Iowa over forty-five years of age, 
while to find an adult native born Hawkeye 
is rare^ at least in this portion of the State. 
So, as we have said, what we wriie is 
within the memory of a great majority of 
our readers." 



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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



135 



CHAPTER II. 



T0P0C4RAPHY AND GEOLOGY. 



Franklin is the fifth county west of tVie 
Mississippi river in the third tier from the 
north line of the State. It lies between 
the forty-second and forty-third parallels, 
the forty-third passing six miles north of 
the north line of the county, and between 
the ninety-third and ninety-fourth merid- 
ians, the ninety-third (16 west of Washing- 
ton) passing about two miles east of its 
eastern boundary. It contains sixteen 
ccfngressional townships or 576 square 
miles, being twenty-four miles each way. 

The prin ipal streams are the Iowa river, 
passing through thirteen sections in the 
southwestern portion of the county and 
running in a general southeasterly direc- 
tion; Beaver creek, rising about the center 
of the county east and west, and about two 
miles from its south line, and flowing in 
an easterly direction; Mayne's creek, con- 
sisting of two branches, one rising about 
five miles from the western line of the 
county and about six miles from its 
southern line, and flowing easterly for 
about nine miles, when it is joined by 
another branch that rises about seven 
miles northwest of the confluence, and 
although a very crooked stream, keeps its 
generally eastward course, leaving the 
county on its east line about ten miles 
north of the southeastern corner. 

Hartgraves creek is formed of Squaw, 
Spring, Otter and Buflialo creeks. The 



three first come together about five miles 
west of the east line of the county, and 
about equally distant from its north and 
south lines, and the stream runs in a south- 
easterly direction into Butler county. 
Spring creek rises near the west line of 
the county, eight or nine miles from its 
northwest corner, while Squaw creek has 
its origin northwest of the center of the 
county, and both flow in an easterly direc- 
tion to their junction. Buffalo creek 
has two branches, one rising near 
the north line of the county, about 
seven miles from the northwest corner 
and flowing rather more south than 
southeast; the other branch rising about 
five miles east of the west line of the 
county, and six miles from the north line. 
The two branches come together about 
four miles from the north line of the county. 
Tharp's creek, as it is generally called, 
coming also from the west, joins with the 
Buffalo, and below this juncture and down 
to Spring creek it is known as the 
Otter. Both the South Fork and Mayne's 
creek empty into the West Fork of the 
Cedar, and Beaver creek into the Cedar 
itself. 

The West Fork of the Cedar enters 
Franklin county about six miles west of its 
northeast corner and runs in a southeast- 
erly direction, leaving the county about 
seven miles south of its northeast corner. 






A 



l:iG 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



Aljoiit tliree miles south of where it en- 
ters tlie count}', it is joiucd by Bailey's 
creek, sometimes, but erroneously, called 
the West Fork itself, which rises not far 
from the northwestern corner of the county 
and runs easterly along its north line, 
sometimes in Cerro Gordo county and 
sometimes in Franklin until about the cen- 
ter, east and west, when it bears south 
enough to take it entirely within the lat- 
ter county to its junction with the West 
Fork, as above stated. These are all the 
streams in the county that are of sufficient 
size to be named, and all that rise in the 
county have their origin in the flat marshy 
lands adjoicing their sources, although 
they are all fed by numerous springs af- 
ter they get under way and have a distinct 
channel formed. Above these springs 
they are sometimes, but not often dry. 
They are all clear, limpid streams with 
gravel bottoms, and in some cases with 
rocky banks, and most of them with a free 
rapid current. There are no lakes in the 
county. 

There are no ranges of high hills in 
Franklin county, nor are there any very 
large tracts of entirely level land, either 
wet or dry. The townships with the most 
uneven surface have more small marshes 
and the best grass land. The prairie land 
throughout the east half of the county is 
mostly table plains of nearly level or gen- 
tly rolling surface, whole sections of which 
have not a spot on them too wet for the 
plow. Along most of the streams there 
are tine bottom lands of the best quality, 
and in the four northeast townships these 
bottoms are from one to three miles in 
width — in fact, the slope from the West 
Fork of the Cedar river is so gradual for 



two miles, that it is difficult for the observ- 
er to tell where the bottom ends and 
the higher prairie begins. Except in the 
vicinity of the large groves the banks of 
the streams are low, yet the surface rises 
so much within a short distance that very 
little land is subject to overflow. So nearly 
level is the general surface of the county 
that from the slight, elevations which oc- 
casionally occur, isolated, or in irregular 
ridges, the eye can take in review a circle 
of from thirty to seventy-flve sections, all 
or some portion of nearly every section 
being visible. In most of the best town 
ships there are many points from which 
the whole of several sections of the best 
class of prairie can be seen at the same 
time. But few parts of sections anywhere 
in the county would be denominated vei>y 
rolling, and in these on some of the ridges 
there are some gravel knolls; in the cen- 
tral and northern parts of the county but 
few of these appear, while some of the 
highest knolls and ridges are line loam 
and good soil. The county may be said 
to be a gently undulating j)lain with the 
higher portions in the central and northern 
part and with the valleys depressed to a 
depth and width corresponding with the 
size of the streams. 

The soil is a black loam, containing 
more sand than clay and is of an exceed- 
ingly fertile character. In some portions 
of the county a few gravel knolls are 
found but in most cases the gravel all lies 
near the surface and generally disappears 
with cultivation. 

The county is not very well supplied 
with timber of a natural growth, although 
eleven out of the sixteen Congressional 
townships have more or less timber within 



f 



^t, 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



^s1 



their borders. All the streams have tim- 
ber skirting their banks, in many places 
widening into groves. Mayne's grove is 
the largest body of timber in the count}' 
and embraces over 3,000 acres. Otis 
Grove, on the Iowa river. Van Horn's 
Grove, in the central p.ortion of the county, 
Tharp's Grove, Shobe's Grove and Bailey's 
Grove in the northern portion of tlie 
county, are bodies of timber each contain- 
ing from 800 to 1,200 acres. Tow- 
head and Blake's Groves, in the south- 
eastern part, Four Mile, Highland, Hart- 
graves, and Allen's Groves near the east- 



ern side of the county and Beed's near the 
center are smaller, none of them contain- 
ing over a section each. The timber is 
mostly oak, intei'spersed along the streams 
with basswood, water elm, soft maple, 
honey locust and cottonwood. Aside 
from the granite boulders that are some- 
times found on tlie prairies, tiie only stone 
is a buff colored sandstone and limestone 
that is found in abundance in the central 
and eastern parts appearing for the most 
part in low ledges along the streams or 
ravines. No coal has ever been discovered 
in the county. 



CHAPTER 111. 



EARLY SETTLEMENT 

BY I,. B. RAYMONri. 

The first permanent settlement of Frank- 
lin county was indirectly due to the fact 
that in 1852 a man named Addison Phelpi?, 
residing in Ashtabula Co., Ohio, started 
with his family, to find a new home in 
Iowa, and as one of his neighbor.?, named 
James B. Reeve, had for some time had a 
desire to examine this unknown region for 
himself, Phelps employed him to take a 
team and bring a portion of his goods. 
Phelps had relatives residing on the Cedar 
liver above Cedar Falls, and thither they 
went, and upon arriving there they left 
the family and Phelps, and Reeve struck 
out still further west. They went to Rice's 
mill on the Iowa river (now Hardin City) 
and there were joined by a man named neighbors. 



Moore, of whom nothing is known except- 
ing that they found liim at Hardin City. 
These three men struck out on the track- 
less prairie and lieaded northward toward 
the body of timber now widely known as 
Mayne's Grove. Late in the afternoon 
they reached it and having found a stiit- 
able place to camp, near the Butterfield 
place in the west end of tlie grove, one 
of the party went out and shot a prairie 
chicken for supper. The noise of the gun 
brought to them, in a few moments, to 
their great astonishment, a white man, who, 
when he heard the gun, knew that it was, 
as he afterwards expressed it, "no Injun's 
gun," and started to look up his new 



te ^ 

\ 



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.-« 9 



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138 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



This man was John Mayne, who had 
that day come to the grove, following tip 
the stream from its junction with the West 
Fork of the Cedar. He had an old style 
hoosier wagon drawn by two yoke of 
oxen, his wife and child, a bundle of 
beaver and mink traps, his trusty rifle and 
a very scanty supply of domestic utensils. 
He had in his wagon a tent which he had 
not yet pitched, but upon meeting with 
Phelps, Reeve and Moore, he forthwith 
])roposed that all should camp together, 
and the tent was pitched. Mrs. Mayne 
got supper for the party, and while history 
is silent as to what the major part of the 
meal consisted of, yet it is handed down 
that the hostess made biscuit for supper 
that were shortened with coon's grease. 

Messrs Phelps and Reeve were so well 
satisfied with the appearance of the grove 
and its surroundings that they decided to 
locate there. Maj'ne said that if they 
would make claims, he would do so also. 
So the next day all hands packed up and 
turned down the creek and made their 
claims. Mayne took the farm now occu- 
pied by .John C. Jones, Phelps the present 
Carter farm where S. H. Carter lives, 
and Reeve the place now occupied by his 
widow. With Mayne's oxen they broke 
furrows to mark the boundaries of their 
claims, and Phelps and Reeve returned to 
the Cedar river by way of Rice's mills for 
provisions and for Phelps' family. Mayne 
immediately set about building a shanty, 
which stood near the ford just east of .John 
C. Jones' house and was the first building 
erected in Franklin county. It was of 
logs of course, with no floor but the dirt, 
and covered v ith basswood b.irk, the 
chinks being daubed with mud. In a 



few days Reeve, Phelps and family re- 
turned and all took up quarters with 
Mayne. Phelps began a cabin on his 
claim just north of the house on the farm 
owned for many years by Col. A. T. Reeve, 
but after getting it three or four logs high, 
cold weather set in And he abandoned the 
idea of finishing it until spring. As there 
was no hay to feed the horse teams of 
Phelps and Reeve, the latter returned with 
them to the Cedar, near Janesville, where 
they engaged keejjing for them for the 
winter, and came to Mayne's grove on foot. 
Reeve and Mayne went to trapping and 
hunting for employment, being quite suc- 
cessful, and as the country abounded in 
elk, buffalo and smaller game, they did 
not lack for fresh meat. In fact, their lar- 
der was so scantily supplied with every- 
thing else, and so plentifully supplied in 
this respect, that it began to tell upon the 
health of the party. The supply of flour 
and meal becoming exhausted. Reeve 
started on foot for the Cedar river to bring 
back the much needed supplies with his 
team. The nearest settlement at this 
time was at Bealer's Grove, now Marble 
Rock, so he struck across the trackless 
prairie in that direction. Soon after he 
set out it began to storm and came on bit- 
ter cold. He found along towards night 
that he was freezing, and it required all 
his powers of endurance to keep up. Sev- 
eral times he was upon the point of giving 
n\) and lying down to his fate, but by 
superhuman efforts kept under way. At 
last, just at night fall, he reached the body 
of timber now known as Allen's Grove on 
the West Fork of the Cedar. Having a 
few matches he broke up some twigs, built 
a tire and upon taking off his boots found 



^; 



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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



139 



that his feet were terribly frozen. Sur- 
rounded by howling wolves and sufiEering 
the most excruciating tortures with his 
feet and hands, he wore away the long 
night and in the morning upon attempting 
to put on his boots, found his feet so swol- 
len that it seemed an utter impossibility 
to get them into the boots, but finally, 
after cutting the boots nearly to pieces, he 
managed to get them on and set out for 
Bealer's Grove, where he arrived late that 
night more dead than alive. After two 
or three days rest there, he got a team to 
take him to Janesville, where he remained 
for some weeks, unable to stand upon his 
feet, and only returned to Mayne's Grove 
in March, just in time to find Phelps and 
family discouraged and about to leave, 
which they shortly did. From the effects 
of this adventure Reeve never fully recov- 
ered. The flesh nearly all came off from 
the soles of his feet and his toes, and it 
was several years before he could expose 
himself with impunity during the coldest 
winter weather. 

After Phelps' departure and about the 
time that the winter was breaking up. 
Reeve and Mayne divided their furs, 
Mayne giving Reeve a little dun mare and 
a certain number of weeks board for his 
share. In a few days after the trade was 
made Mayne got up a quarrel, and it imme- 
diately occurred to Reeve that this was 
done to save the board. Mayne was ugly 
and vicious but Reeve was not to be dis- 
couraged nor scared off, and so he staid 
by, and when Mrs. Mayne prepared a meal, 
Mayne would seat himself on one side of 
the table and Reeve would seathimself on 
the other, although they were not on speak- 
ing terms. This state of affairs continued 



for several weeks until Mayne became con- 
vinced that Reeve would not scare nor 
leave, and a sort of a peace was patched 
up, which, however, was a sort of an armed 
neutrality. 

In May, 1853, Leander C. Reeve, a 
brother of J. B., came from Ashtabula 
county, Ohio, and took the Phelps' claim. 
Reeve broke ten acres on his claim and 
Mayne who had also claimed J. M. Soper's 
present farm, broke ten acres on that. Late 
in June of that year George Sturms, Henry 
Garner and a man named Fairchild, with 
their families came to Mayne's Grove. 
Mayne claimed all the best locations, and 
sold his original claim, with the shanty 
wherein he had wintered (the Jones place) 
to Mr. Sturms, the Soper place to Henry 
Garner, and the place where Mr. Amos 
Sheppard now lives, to Fairchild. Like a 
true pioneer he went farther west, going 
up into the grove above Maysville and 
making a location on what in later years 
was known as the Lacy farm A man 
named Stevens also came with this last 
party, but did not stay. In September 
Garner sold his claim to Dr. Arledge, who 
had previously made a claim where Ack- 
ley now stands, and had sold out to Thomas 
Downs. A little later came Samuel Garner 
and Job Garner. 

In July the Reeve's returned to Ohio, 
and in August of that year, J. B., with a 
team, his wife and eight children, started 
for their new home in Iowa, reaching there 
the 1.5 til of September, 1853. Upon their 
arrival he finished up the shanty that 
Phelps had begun on the claim now owned 
by S. H. Carter, and in it they wintered. 

In October, 1853, there was quite an 
addition to the colony at Mayne's Grove. 






M* 



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140 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY, 



Silas Moon came and made a claim where 
J. D. Parks now resides. Peter Rhine- 
hart came and made his claim to the place 
in Geneva township now owned by W. C. 
Haines. Rhinehart came too late to get 
his cabin up before winter set in, so he 
wintered with Sturms. Still later, in the 
fall of 1853, the little settlement was 
re-inforced by the addition of two men 
named Crouch and Webb. They made 
their claim.s at the head of Mayne's Grove, 
Webb taking the claim known to all old 
settlers as the May place, now occupied 
and owned by J. H. Bond, and Crouch, 
who was a brother-in-law of Mayne, mov- 
ing in with him on the Lacy farm. 
Late in the winter a babe of Mr. Crouch's, 
a few months old, died. This was the 
first death in the county. Mrs. J. B. 
Reeve tells how upon a Sunday Mrs. Mayne 
came to her house on horseback to borrow 
a little sugar, and to invite her to the fu- 
neral at the same time, although the child 
was not dead. "Come day after to-mor- 
row," she said, "for it will surely be gone 
before that time." On Tuesday the fu- 
neral came off according to appointment. 
In April 1854, Mr. Webb, who had gone 
to Rice's Mills' on the Iowa river, to 
work, died, and was brought home and 
buried. Dr. Arledge officiated, making 
a prayer and returning the thanks of the 
bereaved ones to the few and scattering 
neighbors for their sympathy. These two 
graves, yet visible in a lonely and secluded 
spot near the west end of Maj'ne's Grove, 
have been jn'onounced Indian graves by 
many persons who were not informed as 
to the circumstances of the case. 

As early as the s)iring of 1853, Dr. 
Arledii-e liicated at the little "rove known 



in later years as Downs' Grove and 
where that portion of Ackley that lies in 
Franklin county is located. Arledge built 
a cabin on the north side of the county 
line about forty rods west of where A. 
Severance now resides. With him, or 
about the same time, came a man named 
McCormick, who made his claim in the 
grove generally known since by his name, 
his cabin standing south of where John 
Fahey now lives and near the north bank 
of the Beaver creek, being land now 
owned by R. T. Blake. Both Arledge and 
McCormick came from the Iowa river, 
somewhere about Hardin City, and it is 
possible that they made their claims in the 
fall of 1852, although neither of them 
wintered there. In fact the exact time 
that they located on their claims is some- 
what obscure, but Mr. Blake, who bought 
out McCormick's claim in 1854, says that 
there were eight or ten acres of breaking 
upon it done in 1853. Arledge sold out to 
Thomas Downs in 1853 and moved to 
Mayne's Grove not long after J. B. Reeve 
brought his family from Ohio. Arledge 
bought out Henry Garner, who had claimed 
the present Soper farm, and the cabin on 
the place was in the timber south of the 
old saw mill on Mayne's creek and north 
of Soper's present residence. All the 
families that wintered in the county the 
winter of 1853-54 have been mentioned, 
and their names are here repeated: Judge 
Reeve, Job, Samuel and Henry Garner, 
John Mayne, Fairchild, George Sturms, 
Peter Rhinehart, Silas Moon, Dr. /^ rledge. 
Crouch and W'ebb, who came about mid- 
winter. The settlement was also re-in- 
forced during the winter by two additions 
in the "good old way," the families of Mr. 



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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



143 



Sturms and Samuel Garner each having a 
son born to them. Abner Sturms, born in 
January, 1854, was the first white chihl 
born in Franklin county. 

It was quite a common custom tor the 
settlers to pick out some eligibly located 
(juarter section or eighty near them and 
claim it for some friend who had not 
yet arrived, so as to have him in their 
neighborhood when he did come. If he 
failed to come entirely, why, then the 
claim was for sale. James B. and Lean- 
der Reeve had a friend back in Ohio, 
named Andrew Coffin, so they had 
claimed, for him the Stark's farm, known 
better as the Reed place. ' Job (Tarner, 
when he came in the summer, wanted it, 
and came to the Reeve's to see about the 
prospect of getting it. They told liim 
that Cotfin had authorized them to sell 
it, and they thought it was worth $200. 
Garner said that he was a preacher and 
therefore entered into an argument to con- 
vince them what an advantage it would 
be to their settlement to have a minister 
of the gospel in their midst. Although 
not really church-going people the Reeve's 
finally told him that he might take the 
place and pay for it in preaching, but it 
must be recorded that although he took 
the claim, he never preached but once and 
that was some time during the winter of 
18.53 or 1854, at the house of Mr. Fair- 
child, on the Sheppard place. 

The laud office for this portion of the 
State, at that time, was at Des Moines, and 
the abstract of original entries shows the 
following entries as made in the county 
during the year 1853 : 

Sometime during the early part of the 
summer of 18.34, James Van Horn came 



from near Janesville in Bremer county, 
and located where C. J. Mott now lives, 
about a mile north of Hampton. He did 
not move on to his claim, however, until 
fall. A man named Endsley about the 
same time settled on the place about a 
mile further north, now owned by Walter 
Beed, but occupied for many years by 
Henry Hacker. Amon Rice thinks that 
two brothers named Ellis were trapping 
about Shobe's grove the spring before he 
came to the county, and that they had 
made claims there, and also that a man 
named Collyer must have c )me in there 
t'lat same summer and located on the 
place now owned by John T. Richards. 
Collyer had run away from some place 
further east with a daughter of his second 
wife, and after a time one of the Ellis 
brothers got the girl away from the old 
man, and, his wife coming on, he sold out 
his claim to a man named Berdell and 
went up near Forest City, in Winnebago 
county, and died there. He had always 
been on the frontier, and never saw a 
tbreshing machine nor a train of cars. 
He did not leave his claim at Shobe's 
Grove, however, until 1855. 

John I. Popejoy is the oldest settler on 
the Iowa river that is there at this writ- 
ing. He left Ohio in the spring of 
1854 on a tour of observation in tho« 
west. He came firft to McLean coun- 
ty, Illinois, and there, in company 
witli a brother-in-law, M. H. Pearsons, 
took a team and coming westward across 
the State of Illinois, crossed the Missis- 
sippi at Burlington going to Palmyra, in 
Warren county, where Popejoy's father 
had in 1853, located and entered an 
eighlv acre tract. Not finding anything 



TipT' 



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144 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 






there to suit him, he went to the land 
office atDes Moines and upon looking over 
the plats of the different counties, noticed 
that tTere were timber lots not entered in 
Franklin county, both on the Iowa river, 
in Oakland township, and at Highland 
Grove, in Geneva township. Reentered 
the forty in Highland Grove, then and 
there, "unsiglit and unseen," and he and 
Pearsons started for Franklin county. 
They went to Iowa Falls, stayed there all 
night and the next day went up to the 
grove, where Popejoy now resides. They 
drove into the grove on the east side of 
the river, stopped at a spring a few 
rods south of his present residence, and 
after drinking from the spring, sat down 
to rest. In a few moments, two men with 
guns came over the brow of the hill and 
rapidly approaching them, sung out: 
"What the h — 1 are you doing here?" 
Popejoy replied: "We came to look at 
this grove." One ot them replied: "Well, 
there were three men here a day or two 
ago to look at this grove, and they left 
rather sudden." Popejoy rose to his feet, 
put his fingers in his mouth and blew a 
shrill whistle. The two fellows evidently 
thought that re-enforcements were near at 
hand, and changed their tactics immedi- 
ately. Popejoy says: "Let me see your 
gun," and taking it without resistance, 
raised it and fired at a tree a few rods off, 
and said, "Now, I want this grove. If you 
have a claim on it, I will buy you out. If 
you haven't, I will make one in a few mo- 
ments." The fellow then said he had 
a claim and if they would go up onto the 
hill, he would show them where he had 
begun a cabin, which they did, and there 
it was, not far from Mr. Popejoy's present 



residence. He then said he would take 
fifty dollars for his claim, wluch Popejoy 
paid him without more ado, and thus the 
grove changed hands. This man's name 
was Hurlbut C. Holmes, and he lived at 
that time across the river with one Dr. 
Crawford, in a cabin on the Brand place. 
Francis M. Mitchell, heretofore mentioned 
as making the first entry of land in Frank- 
lin county, had a family in the same cabin 
at that time, but was then away, Mr. 
Popejoy thinks at Des Moines. This was 
in May, 1854, and these were all the set- 
tlers on the Iowa in Franklin county at 
that time, excepting that a man named 
Dennis Sprague had a claim where Oak- 
land village is now, although he had 
neither built a cabin or moved there at 
this time. 

Popejoy and Peai-sons went back to 
Des Moines, and the former bought land 
enough adjoining his new claim to make 
a section, before he got away from the 
land office. They then returned to Illi- 
nois, Popejoy going back to his home in 
Ohio. 

There does not appear to have been 
many entries of government land made in 
1854 in the county, and among those made 
in the first part of the season were those 
of James Van Horn, who made his entries, 
as mentioned, about May 1.3,1854; an- 
drew Cole, who entered the northeast 
quarter of the northeast quarter of section 
22, township 91, range 20, where his fam- 
ily now resides; on the 20th of June, the 
same year, Leander C. Reeve, who en- 
tered part of section 23, same township; 
on the 14tli of April, William May, who 
entered the southeast quarter of the north- 
west quarter of section 27, where Mays. 



itu 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



145 



ville now is, and also the farm where 
J. H. Bond now resides ; on the 22d 
day of May, James Newell, who also 
entered the land that is now a part 
of the old plat of Maysville, where 
the school house is and westward of it, on 
the 13th of May; Sanford B. Mitchell, who 
entered the northwest quarter of section 
21 in township 90, range 22, (Oakland 
township), on the 27th of April. Also 
June 26, David Allen entered land on 
section 12, in Ingham township, at the 
grove that now bears his name. None of 
these, so far as we can find out, moved 
their families into the county before July 
4, 1854 

In June of this year, Charles M. Leg- 
gett and a man named Loorais, came from 
Lake county, Ohio, to take a look in Iowa 
and as he was from the same vicinity as 
.Judge Reeve, naturally bent his steps to 
Franklin county. From Waterloo they 
walked up to Maynes' Grove and as it 
was exceedingly hot weather, they had a 
hard and tedious trip. For water they 
were often compelled to drink out of 
sloughs and to find a hole wherein an elk 
or buffalo had stepped in the soft ground, 
leaving a hole that they could drop an 
empty pint bottle into and have it fill 
with the lukewarm water was counted a 
streak of good luck. Leggett selected 
120 acres in Geneva township on section 
18, where J. A. Pickering now resides 
and Loomis bought Peter Rhinehart's 
claim, which it will be remembered is 
where W. C. Haines now resides, although 
the house was further west, up the creek 
where O. D. Andrews lived for many 
years. Loorais engaged forty acres of 
breaking to be done immediately on his 



claim and Leggett and Loomis, engaging 
Judge Reeve to take them to Cedar Falls, 
returned to Ohio. 

About this time Fairchild, who, it will 
be remembered, had settled on the present 
Sheppard place, got into a difficulty that 
had the effect of terminating his residence 
at Mayne's Grove. Among the settlers 
"jumping a claim" was called the greatest 
crime known to the community, and they 
were consequently banded together in a 
league offensive and defensive against all 
speculators and interlopers. Sometimes 
there was a question as to the legality of 
the pre-emption by which a settler held his 
claim, but it was always construed in favor 
of the settler, such little trifling irregular- 
ities as failing to properly mark his bound- 
aries or give the proper notice being 
overlooked. A speculator came to the 
grove on a land hunt along in June and 
took a fancy to the claim occupied by 
Mayne, and falling in with Fairchild he 
obtained the information as to wherein 
Mayne's claim was defective, and accord- 
ingly the speculator "entered Mayne out" 
as it was termed. This raised such a feel- 
ing against Fairchild that he packed up 
and left the settlement forthwith, and, as 
one old settler naively remarked : "'Twas 
the best thing he could do, for he would 
have been shot if he had stayed." 

About the middle of May, 1854, Daniel 
Allen and his sons, James and Jonathan, 
Wesley Hogan and L. Tatum left Janes- 
ville, in Bremer county, where they then 
resided, for a look at Franklin county. 
They came across to Jamison's Grove and 
then struck across for the little grove 
three or four miles northeast of Hampton, 
now called Beed's Grove. They went up 



1' 



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14G 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



and clown the stream that runs through 
the grove, hjokiiig for a spring, as old Mr. 
Allen was bound never to locate until he 
found a spring of pure water to suit him. 
Finally they abandoned the idea of find, 
ing one there, and crossing over, looked 
along the north side of Van Horn's Grove 
but not as far down as C. J. Mott's place, 
and then went back to Jamison's Grove, 
crossed the West Fork and upon discover- 
ing the large spring on the present Gour- 
ley place abowt half a mile north of the 
county line bridge iu Ingham township, 
the elder Allen forthwith drove his stake, 
declaring himself satisfied at last. Tatum 
went up the stream and found another 
spring on the Hoxie placp, where he 
located, Hogan going further back from 
the river and locating where James Ray 
lives, just over the line in West Fork 
townshi]). It was Saturday night when 
all had their claims made, but time was 
]irecious, and on Sunday they cut the logs 
••ind put up the walls of Tatum's house on 
tlie Hoxie place, covered it with basswood 
bark and on Monday morning were ready 
to commence on Mr. Allen's house, which 
they did, and when that was finished up, 
all returned to Janesville. 

On the second of May they all returned 
with their families, and became the first 
settlers in Franklin county outside of the 
settlement at Mayne's Grove and the two 
families of Downs and McCormickin the 
southeastern corner of the couflty. No 



one was above them on the West Fork 
and only two families at Jamison's Grove. 
David Allen was born in North Carolina) 
in 1804, and when about ten years of age, 
removed with his parents to Indiana 
where he resided until nearly thirty years 
of age, when he moved to Kentucky and 
while there married, and after residing 
there a few years returned to Indiana. 
About 184f> he moved from Putnam 
county in that State to Wapello county in 
this State and two years later to JJremer 
county where he had resided about three 
years when he came to Franklin county 
in 1854. lie has lived always on the 
frontier until now in his old age he is 
fairly overtaken by civilization, and as 
he is advanced in years and somewhat 
broken down by hard work and priva- 
tions incident to pioneer life, it will 
probably not be his lot to go further 
west. He has now, at this writing, re- 
sided in Franklin county almost a third 
of a century, and he has seen more 
changes within its borders in that in- 
terval than usually falls to the lot of any 
man to witness in a lifetime. 

This brings the settlement of P^ianklin 
county up to a time when immigration set 
in rapidly, and it is impossible to trace it 
further in this chapter. In the histories 
of the various townships, the settlement is 
treated more at length and carried to a 
much later date. 



-n^ 



A 



« it^ 



A>L. 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



\V, 



CHAPTER IV. 



THE BEGINNING. 



.Tames M. Marsh, a surveyor, must go into 
history as the tirst white man wlioever set 
foot on Franklin county soil. Tlic records 
state that he had a surveying contract, in 
pursuance of which about the 20tli of Au- 
gust, 1849, he began running the township, 
lines of this county finishing in the latter 
part of September, 1849. Those who as- 
sisted him were: William M. Dean and 
N. P. Cook, chainmen; B. H. Springer, 
flagman; James Casteel, axman. Mr. 
Dean was for many years a resident of 
Cerro Gordo county. Whether the little 
party had ^ny trouble with the Indians or 
not cannot be stated. 

In September and October, 1849, 
John G. McDonald, the deputy sur- 
veyor, sub-divided into sections the 
following territory: Township 90, 
range 19; township 90, range 20; town- 
ship 90, range 21; township 90, range 22. 
This territory now comprises the civil 
townships of Osceola, Grant, Lee and 
Oakland. 

Nothing further was done toward the 
sub-division of the other townships until 
1 851 . In .June, July, August and Septem- 
ber, 1851, Alonzo Shaw ran out the sec- 
tion lines of the following territory: 
Township 91, range 20; township 91, 
range 19 and township 92, range 19, now 
comprising civil townships Reeve, Geneva 
and In"'hara. 



In 1S52, John T. Everett began work 
and surveyed into sections, township 91, 
range 21; township 92, range 21; town- 
ship 9.3, range 21; township 9:1, range 20 
and commenced township 92, range 22, 
but did not complete the work until May, 
1853. He did the work in the fall and 
was probably stopped by cold weather. In 
April and May, 185.3, he ran out township 
93, range 22. The territory referred to 
now embraces the civil townships of Ham- 
ilton, Marion, Richland, Ross, Clinton, 
Scott and Wisner. 

In October, 1852, Charles Gilliam sub- 
divided township 91, range 2, now Morgan 
township. In the middle of the winter of 
1852-3, Leonard B. Hodges sub-divided 
township 93, range 19, now West Fork 
township. He began work December 25, 
1852, and closed January 7, 1853. 

CREATION OF THE COUNTY. 

The third General Assembly convened 
at Iowa City, December 2, 1850, and ad- 
journed Februarys, 1851. Until this time 
the greater part of Iowa was unoi'ganized 
territory. 

The records state that there were forty- 
two counties represented in this General 
Assembly, although several of these coun- 
ties were not organized. Among the first 
bills introduced during this session was 
one to create about fifty new counties, 
which was passed and approved by Gov. 



Ols- 



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148 



fflSTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



Stephen Hempstead, Jan. 15, 1851. That 
portion of the act which related to 
Franklin county was as follows: 

"Section 12. — That the following shall 
be the boundaries of a new county, which 
shall be called Franklin, to-wit: Begin- 
ning at the northwest corner of township 
93 nortli, range 18 west, thence west on 
the line between 93 and 94 to the north- 
west corner of township 93 north, range 
•22 west, thence south on the line between 
ranges 22 and 23, to the southwest corner 
of township 90 north, range 22 west, 
thence east on the line dividing townships 
80 and 90 to the southwest corner of town- 
ship 90, range 18 west, thence north to 
the place of beginning." 

The most diligent inquiry and investiga- 
tion has failed to unearth any information 
in regard to the name of the county 
further than that it was named after Benja- 
min Franklin. 

ORGANIZATION OF THE C'OUNTT. 

Prior to organization, Franklin county 
was for a time attached to Hardin county, 
for civil and judicial purposes. It was 
subsequently made a part of Chickasaw 
county for the same purposes, and the re- 
turns of the first election held here were 
made to the latter county. But there 
seems to have been a conflict of jurisdic- 
tion, both claiming it. It is known, how- 
ever, that in July, 1855, the county judge 
of Chickasaw county issued an order for 
holding an election in Franklin county, 
and that on the 5th of August, 1855, the 
election was held at the house of James 
B. Reeve. It is believed that there were 
forty-eight votes cast. The following was 
the result: James B. Reeve was elected 
county judge; Isaac Miller, treasurer and 



recorder; Dr. S. R. Mitchell, clerk of 
courts; Solomon Staley, sheriflF; Henry 
Shroyer, school fund commissioner; John 
I. Popejoy, asspssor; H. P. Allen, survey- 
or; Q. A. Jordan, prosecuting attorney; 
C. M. Leggett and J. Jones, justices of the 
peace. The ballot box was a small nail 
box, covered with a shingle having a hole 
cut through it. 

One of the judges of this election was 
John Mitchell, who the others were can- 
not be stated. After the election, Mitcli- 
ell went to Bradford, then the county seat 
of Chickasaw county, with the returns, 
and Miller and Reeve went to Davenport 
after books and blanks for county pur- 
poses. A. P. Luse & Co. furnished the 
supplies, and on the 19th of December, 
1855, an order was drawn to pay for the 
same, amounting to $489.50. Among 
them were several books that have never 
yet been used, and, in fact, the only one 
that ever has been used to any great ex- 
tent is the minute book "A," which still 
exists in a good state of preservation. 

Solomon Staley, who had been elected 
sheriff, went over to Bradford and quali- 
fied and upon his return swore in the bal- 
ance of the first oflicials, and each one re- 
ceived the books alloted to him and took 
them home. Ellis Parker, county judge 
of Hardin county had assessed Franklin 
county, and he copied and certified the 
same to Isaac Miller, county treasurer. 

LOCATION OF THE COUNTY SEAT. 

After the organization of the county 
had been effected, the principal place for 
the transaction of public business was at 
the house of the county judge, James B. 
Reeve. This, in fact, was headquarters 
for Franklin county. It was not long, 



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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



149 



however, until the attention of the people 
was directed to the question as to where 
the county seat should be permanently 
located. Cave J. McFarland was then 
district judge, and to him Dr. Mitchell 
went with a petition to have the commis- 
sioners appointed. The settlers had decid- 
ed upon whom they wanted appointed 
as commissioners, but this counted for noth- 
ing with Judge McFarland. Imperiously 
waving Dr. Mitchell aside, with an oath, 
he said : "I appoint Dr. Ault one of the 
commissioners, and I don't care whether 
the people of Franklin county like it or 
not. And I also appoint M. M. Trumbull, 
of Butler county, and J. D. Thompson, of 
Hardin county, who voted for me, as the 
other two commissioners." 

The first record of any move by the 
commissioners, is found in the county 
judge's record under date of January 26, 
1856. It reads as follows : 

"Adam T. Ault, M. M. Trumbull and J. 
D. Thompson, commissioners appointed 
by the district court to locate the seat of 
justice for Franklin county, appeared 
before me and were sworn to perform the 
duties of their appointment to the best of 
their knowledge and ability, and the re- 
quirements of the law. 

James B. Reeve, County Judge." 

The early settlers state that it was not 
hard to see that the people of Franklin 
county were to be made the victims of a 
county seat ring, and that the county seat 
was to be located without consulting their 
convenience or wishes. Thomas B. Abel, 
of Marietta, Marshall Co., one of the 
sharpest business men in the State, owned 
a tract of land about one mile south of 
the present site of Hampton, comprising 



the farm which, in 1883, was owned by G. 
C. Hyndman, and eighty acres lying near 
by. Abel, together with William Lough- 
ridge, of Oskaloosa, and a man named 
Farner entered into a tripartite ar- 
rangement whereby they became joint 
owners of this tract, and several hun- 
dred acres in other sections of Reeve 
township, and they proposed to control the 
location of the county seat to mutual 
advantage. What the people of the 
county then surmised, has since turned 
out to be true — that Farner's interest was 
really owned by J. D. Thompson, as a sub- 
sequent assignment from Farner to 
Thompson shows. Dr. Ault was, to all 
intents and purposes identified with Mc- 
Farland, Abel & Co. 

In 1872, there appeared in one of the 
Hampton papers a sketch of the early set- 
tlement of the county, and the statements 
therein made regarding the location of 
the county seat, called forth the following 
letter from M. M. Trumbull, one of the 
commissioners for its location. The letter 
appeared in the Hampton I'Vcc JPress, of 
February 10, 1872, and as it contains the 
gist of the whole matter it is here pre- 
sented : 

"Dubuque. Iowa, Feb. 1.3, 1872. 
Hampton Free Press: 

In your issue of February 9, appears a 
sketch of the early history of Franklin 
county, in which my name appears as one 
of the commissioners to locate the county 
seat, but my action in that matter was not 
fairly stated. Although I care nothing 
about it, still what is worth making into 
history at all may as well be made up right. 
I thank you for your kindness in adding a 
note, at the foot of the sketch, which sets 



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150 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



me right so far as my vote is concerned, 
but it does not fully explain my action. 

"A. T. Ault, J. D.Thompson and myself 
were appointed commissioners to locate 
the county seat of Franklin county, and 
were ordered to meet, on a certain day, at 
the house of Mr. Reeve to proceed to per- 
form our duties. We did meet there, and 
adjourned for a few days. We met again 
and adjourned. I could not tell why, but 
the reason will appear in the seequel. At 
last we met. We had liberal offers from 
many persons. S. M. Preston had a town, 
W. G. Loughridge, I think, had some laud 
upon which a town might be built. Mr. 
Abel had one also. After looking at the 
sites, we went to Reeve's to decide the 
question. Uncle Job Garner had, in my 
opinion, the most available site, taking 
into consideration, as our oath required us 
to do, the present and future wants of the 
jjeople of Franklin county. I gave my 
voice and vote emphatically for Gar- 
ner's. I was out-voted by the other two, 
and they located the county seat on the 
Abel place. They called it Jefferson, I 
think in compliment to Judge Reeve, 
whose former home in Ohio was near 
Jefferson. I may be wrong in this latter 
point, as I speak from memory. It was 
thought that we had postponed the loca- 
tion of the county seat until it was too 
late to give the requisite notice of a peti- 
tion to the county court to order a vote on 
the question at the next April election. 
On a careful examination of the law, I 
became satisfied that if the notices were 
got out that day, there would be time 
enough. To leave the county seat at 
.Jeft'erson one year might fasten it there 
forever. There was no time to ' lose. 



Instead of going home I wrote the legal 
notices and had tliem posted that day. I 
then made out the petition and left it in 
good hands to obtain signatures; and when 
the proper time arrived I returned to 
Franklin county, laid it before the court, a 
vote was granted, and at the April elec- 
tion the people of the county ratified my 
choice of a location by a nearly unani- 
mous vote. I think Jefferson had but 
two votes. The satisfaction of being 
endorsed by the people of the county was 
all the reward I ever received for my ser- 
vices, and it was all I wanted. I had not 
one dollar's worth of personal interest in 
the matter, and did not own any property 
in Franklin county. 

"If any of the old pioneers should read 
this they will remember the facts — George 
Ryan, L. ReevC; Squire Leggett, Ike Mil- 
ler, Dr. Mitchell, H. Allen, or any of them. 
If you should take the trouble to examine 
any of the old records you will find the 
petition and notices in my hand-writing. 

''The people of Hampton (which I am 
told is nOw a fine town) will never know 
how much they owe to Judge Reeve. He 
was a magnificient specimen of western 
production; a great, big, brave giant of a 
man, with a heart tender as a woman's. 
He was hospitable and generous to a fault, 
if such a thing can be. He was an incor- 
ruptible officer, and a thoroughly honest 
man. He was a great reader, and had 
rare practical sense He had no interest 
at Garner's, but he thought the loca- 
tion at Jefferson was not a good one, and 
was determined that the people of the 
county should have fair play. If he had 
lacked the proper nerve and spirit, or had 
l)een willing to make something out of 



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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



151 



his position, the county seat might never 
have been at Hampton. 

Very respectfully yours, 

M. M. Trumbull." 

Uncle Job Garner had named his pro- 
posed town Benjamin, but he was after- 
words induced to change the name to 
Hampton. At the time he made his 
proposition to the county, his plat em- 
braced the eighty acres bounded on the 
north by First street, on the east by Main 
street in front of Harriman's Opera Hall; 
on the south by Fifth street, and on the 
west by the division line between the 
original plat and Kingman's addition. 
George Kyan, who was something of a 
speculator, owned a quarter section of 
land adjoining the proposed town plat 
The arrangement prior to the location of 
the county seat here, was that Ryan deed 
over to the county one-half of the land; 
but when the time for platting came, he 
deeded the county an undivided half of 
the eighty acres platted, that is, every 
other lot. Ryan's and Garner's lands 
were platted the same day. 

Early in March, 1856, the matter cul- 
minated, as will be seen by the following 
extract from the county judge's minute- 
book: 

"Be it remembered that at a regular term 
of the county court in and for the county 
of Franklin, State of Iowa, held on Mon- 
day the 3d of March, A. D., 1856, a peti- 
tion was filed, signed by S. C. Brazzelton 
and ninety others, praying that the court 
order a vote to be taken, at the next April 
election, on the question of removing the 
county seat of said county from the 
present location to the proposed town 
site situated on the south half of the north- 



east quarter, and the north half of the 
southeast quarter of the northeast quarter 
of section .33, township 92, range 20 west, 
and it appeared by the affidavit of Job 
Garner, a creditable witness, that the peti- 
tioners are legal voters of said county, and 
it appeared to the satisfaction of the court 
that the notices required by law have been 
duly posted up, and that the petitioners 
constitute a lawful majority of the legal 
voters of said county, and all other things 
required by law in relation to such publi- 
cations having been done, it is therefore 
ordered by the court that the prayer of 
said petitioners be heard, and that a vote 
be taken at the next April election between 
said proposed site and the present county 
seat, in accordance with the prayer of 
petitioners. 

James B. Reeve, County Judg^. 

The election was accordingly held. It 
seems that the town of Jefferson did not 
have many friends, and only two votes 
were cast in favor of it as the county 
se it. The county judge made the follow- 
ing oi'der in accordance with the vote : 

"April 15, 1856. At an election held in 
Franklin Co., Iowa, on the 7th day Of 
April, 1856, in pursuance of an order made 
by the county judge that a vote be taken 
on the question of removing the county 
seat from its present location to the pro- 
posed town of Benjamin, and it appearing 
from the whole number of votes cast, that 
the proposed town of Benjamin had a ma- 
jority of all the votes cast, it is therefore 
declared the county seat of said county. 
James B. Reeve, 
County Judge." 

This, however, was not the end of county 
seat struggles, for again at the February 



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152 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



term of court in 1857 a petition was pre- 
sented by James G. Curry, signed by 110 
voters asking that at the April election 
the question of removing the county seat 
be submitted to the voters of the county. 
A remonstrance was sent in against the 
])roposition, and after weighing the ques- 
tion with all of its bearings the county 
judge decided in favor of the latter, and 
the question was not submitted. 

Another attempt was made to change 
the location of the county seat at the Jan- 
uary term of county court in 1858, by the 
presentation of a petition to Judge Reeve, 
signed by S. C. Brazzelton and others. 
H. L. Huff, an attorney from Eldora, ap- 
peared with a remonstrance signed by 
James MoManes and others, and again the 
prayer of the petitioners was denied. 

At the March term of the county court 
in 1860, another attempt was made to re- 
move the county seat from Hampton. A 
petition signed by A. T. Reeve, and others, 
was presented to Judge Henry Shroyer, 
praying that the question be submitted to 
a vote at an election in April, as to 
whether the county seat should not be 
removed from Hampton to Maysville. 
The same day a remonstrance was pre- 
sented by George Ryan, and others, for 
the consideration of the court. The case 
was argued for several days, both parties 
becoming much animated over the subject, 
but finally the court decided against the 
prayer of the petitioners, thus leaving the 
county seat matter quiet again. But at 
the June term the same year the matter 
again came up for hearing before the same 
county judge. This time the petition was 
presenttd by E. H. Sparling, signed by 
162 voters, asking that the county seat be 



removed to Maysville. The same day a 
remonstrance was presented by C Gillett 
and others, against its removal. The 
case was ai'gued for four days, the proceed- 
ings of which covers nine pages in the 
court records. The petitioners employed 
Baker & Bridgeman, and the remonstra- 
tors had N. B. Chapman as counsel. 
During the trial of the case before Judge 
Shroyer, he was requested to vacate the 
bench, as they considered the judge was 
personally interested in the matter, hence 
was unqualified to decide the case. But 
his honor held a different opinion, and 
remained in his seat. The case was taken 
under advisement, and finally an order 
was issued by the county judge to the 
effect that the question should be sub- 
mitted at the April election, 1862. 

But the people were still in favor 
of Hampton, and an injunction was \n-o- 
oured restraining the vote uj)on the ques- 
tion. This apparently settled the matter, 
for it has never since been brought be 
fore the courts. Tiie bitter feeling that 
was once felt over the question has quieted 
down, and been forgotten, and as succeed- 
ing months, years and decades roll by, 
Hampton will give still better satisfaction 
as the seat of justice of Franklin county. 

COUNTY BUILDINIJS. 

The contract for building the first court 
house in Hampton must have been let 
early in 1857, as under the date of May 
29, 1857, an order was issued to F. A. 
Denton for $200, being the amount due 
him as the second payment for building 
the court house. The court house was built 
on the southeast corner of the court house 
square, in Hampton, and was a one-story 
building about 18x30 feet in size, built 



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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



153 






mostly of native lumber sawed at Mays- 
ville and Hampton. It was finished about 
the 1st of July, 1857. July 4, 1857, it was 
informally dedicated by a celebration, the 
first Fourth of July celebration ever held 
in Hampton. No committee of arrange- 
ments was appointed and no preliminary 
meeting held, but the settlers generally 
hitched up their ox teams and came to- 
gether. If they organized by electing 
any president of the day, his name has 
not been mentioned to the historian. 
Speeches were made by W. R. Jamison, 
of Union Ridge, S. H. Vankirk, of Reeve 
township and others. It is believed that 
Mr. Vankirk read the Declaration of In- 
dependence. All were patriotic and in- 
spiring, and as the honest people started 
fur home in time to do the night chores, 
they felt as well repaid for the day spent 
as their descendants of to-day, when re- 
turning from a celebration in their car- 
riages, where more pomp, fuss and feath- 
ers, but perhaps no more patriotism and 
enthusiasm were exhibited. 

The old court house did duty until 
1866, when the erection of the new court 
house was commenced, and the old one 
was sold to some members of the M. E. 
Church and moved on to a lot just south 
of J. S. Cole's residence, on Main street, 
the intention being to fit it up as a place 
of worship. This was never done, how- 
ever, but it was remodeled into a dwell- 
ing house and was so used until 1879, 
when it was removed to lots belonging 
to Peter Chance, at ihe south end of 
Reeve s ree , and is now doing du'y as 
a stable. 

The old court house was for years the 
place for all public gatherings, even 



dances; and many and bitter were the 
controversies between the dancing and 
anti-dancing parties as to whether it 
should be used for such purposes or not. 
Generally, however, the dancing party 
carried the day. 

After I he sale of the court house, ihe 
county ofticers moved their records and 
apparatus to the rooms of the school 
house, where they remained until the 
present court house was built. This 
building was erected upon a contract le' 
to U. Weeks, for $12,500, but the ac ual 
cost somewhat exceeded this amount. It 
is a neat stone building, 48x70 feet 
in size, and stands in the center of the 
court house square, in the midst of the 
business portion of Hampton. The 
grounds are decorated with an abun- 
dance of shade trees which were set out 
in 1872 or 1873 by C. J. Mott. 

The county jail and sheriff's residence 
were erected in 1880, at a cost of $9,850. 
The lots on which the building stands, 
cost $625, of which amount the citizens 
of Hampton gave |i225, in private sub- 
scriptions. The building was erected by 
D. W. Dow, contractor, who was the 
lowest bidder, and the cells and iron 
work were purchased of PauUey & Bro., 
of St. Louis, Missouri. That part of the 
building devoted to the residence of the 
sheriff is 33x32 feet, two stories high, and 
attached to it is the jail, 20x27 feet, one 
story high, built of red brick. The prop- 
erty is now valued at about $12,000. 

ORGANIZATION OF TOWNSHIPS. 

According to the laws of the State, 
when Franklin county was organized, it 
was considered a single township. That 
is, where there was no organization, the 



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154 



lllsruKV OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



territory was attached to - ome adjoining 
county, and treated as one of its civil sub- 
divisions, and was authorized to elect 
township officers. Prior to organization, 
there is no record stating that Franklin 
county had a township organization. It 
was attached to Hardin and Chickasaw 
counties for judicial and civil purposes. 
In August, 1855, the county was organ- 
ized and officers elected. Not much was 
done the first winter toward getting the 
governmental wheels of the county in mo- 
tion, but the following spring the county 
was divided into three townships, and or- 
ders \vere issued for the election of town- 
ship officers. 

At the March term of the county court, 
1 856, the original township was organized, 
liy the following order of the county judge, 
.lames B. Reeve: 

"Be it remembered, that at a regular term 
(if the county court, in and for the county of 
Franklin and State of Iowa, held on Mon- 
day, March .3, 1856, that townships 9U, 
range 19; 90, range 20; 90, range 21 and 
ui, 19; 9], 20; 91, 21; be it known that it 
is ordered by the court, that they be or- 
ganized into one township and it be called 
Reeve; and that townships 92, 19; 92, 20; 
92, 21 and 93, 19; 93, 20 and 93, 21, be 
organized into one township and called 
Washington; and that townships 90, 22; 
91, 22; 92, 22 and 93, 22, be organized in- 
to one township, and it be called Morgan. 
James B. Rekve, 
County Judge." 

It will be seen that Morgan township 
comprised the territory now embraced in 
the townships of Morgan, Oakland, Scott 
and Wisner, being twenty-four miles 
north and south , and six east and west. 



Reeve comprised the present townships of 
Osceola, Grant, Lee, Geneva, Reeve and 
Hamilton, and was twelve miles north 
and south, and eighteen miles east and 
west. Washington township included 
Ingham, Mott, Washington, Marion, West 
Fork, Clinton, Ross and Richland, being 
the same size as Reeve. 

Since 1856, there have been many 
changes made in the boundaries of town- 
ships, until they have assumed their pres- 
ent limits. At present the civil townships 
of Franklin county respectively embrace 
territory as follows: 

West Fork, township 93, range 19. 

Ross, the most of township 93, range 20. 

Clinton, 3,360 acres in township 93, 
range 20. 

Richland, township 93, range 21. 

Wisner, township 93, range 22. 

Ingham, township 92, range 19. 

Mott, all of townshij) 92, range 20, ex- 
cept 800 acres. 

Washington, 800 acres of township 92, 
range 20. 

Marion, township 92, range 21. 

Scott, township 92, range 22. 

Geneva, township 91, range 19. 

Reeve, township 91, range 20. 

Hamilton, township 91, range 21. 

Morgan, township 91, range 22. 

Osceola, township 90. range 19. 

• ■Jrant, township 90, range 20. 

Lee, township 90, range 21. 

Oakland, township 90, range 22. 

FIRST EVENTS. 

Addison Phelps and JamcA B. Reeve 
were the first settlers of Franklin county. 

Abner Sturms, born in .lanuary, 1854, 
was the first while child boi-n in the 
county. 



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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



155 



The tirst death was that of a bahe of 
Mr. Crouch, in the winter of 1854-5. 

The first entry of land in the county 
was made in wliat is now Oakland town- 
ship, by Francis M. Mitchell, being the 
southeast quarter of the southwest quarter, 
and the southwest quarter of the southeast 
(|uarter of section 35. 

The first notary public's commission 
erer issued to a resident of the county was 
to John I. Popejoy, Feb. 14, 1856. It 
was signed by James W. Grimes, as 
Governor, and Geo. W. McCrary — after- 
wards Secretary of War — as Secretary of 
State. 



The first marriage ever solemnized in 
Franklin county took place on the evening 
of July 5, 1855. The parties were Alex- 
ander Arledge and Julia Peters. The 
ceremony was performed by Esquire Mc- 
Crary, or McCreery, who at that time 
lived on the J. D. 1 'arks' place, and who 
held his office by virtue of an appointment 
from the county judge of Hardin county. 
The happy couple walked down to the 
Squire's, and as it was dark before they 
returned, the boys of the neighborhood 
improved the occasion to make it interest- 
ing for tlie newly wedded pair, by placing 
logs and brush in the road for them to 
stumble over on their return. 



CHAPTER V 



COUNTY GOVERNMENT AND OTHER OFFICIAL MATTERS. 



When Franklin county was organized, 
the local government of the counties 
throughout the State was vested in what 
was termed the "county court," which con- 
sisted of a judge, clerk and sheriff. The 
county judge had entire jurisdiction in all 
matters which could not properly be 
brought before the district court, and 
which to-day is vested in the board of 
supervisors, and was therefore, to a certain 
extent, "supreme ruler," in county matters. 
The office was the most important one in 
the gift of the people of the county. 

COUNTY COUET. 

The first term of county court was held 
March 3, 1856, Judge J. B. Reeve presid- 
ing. Nothing of much importance was 



transacted at this term, except the order- 
ing of the April election, at which time 
the question of re-locating the county seat 
was to be submitted to the voters of Frank- 
lin county. The tirst statement rendered 
by the county judge in regard to the 
salaries of the several officers read as 
follows: 

"It appears from the books of the county 
officers that the county judge has received 
nothing; the county treasurer thirty-eight 
dollars and forty cents; the clerk seventy 
cents, amounting to thirty-nine dollars and 
ten cents, for the last quarter of A. D. 
1856, ending on the first Monday of Au- 
gust, which is to be equally divided be- 
tween them, making for each of them 



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156 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



thirteen dollars and three cents, and that 
the balance of their salary be drawn upon 
the treasurer which amounts to sixty-one 
dollars and ninety-seven cents each. 
James B. Reeve, 
County Judge." 

In November, 1856, Samuel R. Mitchell 
resigned the office of clerk of court, and 
Judge Reeve appointed James Thompson 
to till the vacancy. 

In 1856, and for some years afterward, 
the State liquor laws of Iowa were so 
framed that it was left to township, and 
counties to regulate the sale of liquors, 
by the appointment of what was known as 
liquor agents, who had the exclusive sale 
of the same and usually received a com- 
mission on their sales, but in Franklin 
county a salary was paid, as will be seen 
by the following order issued by Judge 
Reeve : 

"August 27, A. D. 1856.— This day 
Thomas Baker was appointed agent to 
sell liquors in Maysville, for Franklin 
county and is to have a salary of five 
dollars per month for his services. 
James B. Reeve, 
County Judge." 

HOARD OF SUPERVISORS. 

During the winter of 1859-60 an act 
was passed by the (General Assembly, 
which was approved by the governor, 
changing the mode of local government, 
and creating the board of supervisors of 
the county. This board took charge and 
had all the powers formerly vested in the 
county court, excepting the issuance of 
marriage licenses, probate matters and 
civil cases. 

The county court still held its sessions, 
and continued so to do until 18G9, when it 



was abolished by law ; but nothing of 
interest transpired, as the time was all 
spent in routine matters. 

The board of county supervisors con- 
sisted of one member from each township. 
The election for members occurred at the 
general election, in November, 1860. 

The tirst meeting of the board of super- 
visors was held in January, 1861. The 
board consisted of the following members 
from their respective townships : 

John E. Boyles, two years, Clinton; J. II. 
Allen, one year, Ingham; J.M White, one 
year, Washington ; Richard Horner, two 
years, Geneva; G. M. Davidson, two years, 
Osceola; Erastus Baker, one year. Reeves; 
Jesse R. Dodd, one year, Morgan. John 
E. Boyles was chosen chairman of the 
board. 

At the January session in 1862, Charles 
Flanigan presented a set of rules to govern 
the board of supervisors. The board 
passed upon and finally adopted the same, 
ordering twenty-seven copies to be jmb- 
lished at the liecord office, in Hampton, 
in pamphlet form. One of the rules con- 
tained therein was "that the clerk of llu> 
board copy every resolution and motion 
verbatim." 

At the August session of the board that 
year, the followingresolutions were passed 
in behalf of the brave soldiers who at that 
time were in the field: 

ReHolved, 1. That we at our nest regular 
meeting appropriate the sum of fifty dollars 
out of the county treasury to each volunteer that 
is hereafter sworn into the United States 
service from Franlilin county, and ten dollars to 
each volunteer heretofore sworn into the service, 
who has not received the same, in accordance 
with a resolution heretofore passed. 



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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



157 



%^ 



Resolved,, 3. That the wife of each volunteer, 
from this county, receive the sum of one dollar 
per week and each child, under the age of 
twelve years, receive the sum of fifty cents per 
week during the termof such volunteer's service 
in the army. 

In 1863, the board consisted of the fol- 
lowing named, from the various town- 
shipsj John O. Craper, Ingham; Charles 
Flanagin, Washington; Levi Jones, Reeve; 
Jesse R. Dodd, Morgan; John Ashman, 
Clinton; John Fahey, Osceola; Rufus 
Benson, Geneva. Charles Flanagin was 
elected chairman. 

In 1864, the board convened Jan. 3, 
and organized by the election of A. Pick- 
ering as chairman for the ensuing year. 
The supervisor elect, and those present to 
answer the roll call, were as follows: 
John Ashman, Clinton; Rufus Benson, 
Geneva; Henry Bushyager, Ingham; A. 
Pickering, Reeve; Daniel Scott, Washing- 
ton; L. A. Morgan, Morgan; John Fahey, 
Osceola. 

At the July session, the board passed 
this resolution: 

Resolx'o That the board make an appropria 
tion of $400 out of the county fund for the pur- 
pose of procuring arms and aiding a vigilance 
committee of Franklin county in the protection 
of property against thieves. 

In 1865, the board met Jan. 1, and 
elected Charles Pickering, of Reeve town- 
ship, as chairman. The following con- 
stituted the board: Charles Pickering, 
Reeve; James Scott, Washington; L. A. 
Morgan, Morgan H.; Bushyager, Ingham; 
D. G. Carbaugh, Geneva; John Fahey, 
Osceola; B. H. Gibbs, Clinton. 

In 1866, the board convened Jan. 5, 
and elected D. G. Carbaugh chairman. 
This board was made up of the following: 



D. G. Carbaugh, Geneva; B. II. Gibbs, 
Clinton; John Fahey, Osceola; E. L. Clock, 
Reeve; W. G. Beed, Washington; E. A. 
Howland, Morgan; W. H. Hoxie, Ingham. 
Nothing of great importance transpired 
during the administration of this board, 
except letting the contract for building 
the court house at Hampton. It was 
awarded to U. Weeks, for $1:^,500. The 
specifications called for a stone building, 
48x70 feet and two stories high. In 1807, 
the supervisors met in session, the first 
week in January, and elected from their 
number, D. G. Carbaugh, as chairman. 
The members were: W. H. Hoxie, Will- 
iam G. Beed, E. L. Clock, E. A. Howland, 
H. H. Grinnell, D. G. Carbaugh and John 
Fahey. At their June meeting they sold 
the old court house at auction, to J. G. 
Lambert, for $264. 

In 1868, the board consisted of D. G. 
Carbaugh, H. H. Grinnell, John Fahey, 
A. T. Reeve, Milo Ross, W. H. Hoxie 
and E. A. Howland. D . G. Carbaugh was 
elected chairman of the board. 

At the June session of the board, upon 
a petition presented by E. A. Howland, 
the territory known as Oakland township, 
was set off from Morgan and Reeve town- 
ships. West Fork township was also cre- 
ated this year. 

The board of 1869, was made up of 
representatives from the nine townships, 
as follows: E. A. Howland, Morgan; A. 
T. Reeve, Reeve; Milo Ross, Washington; 
W. H. Hoxie, Ingham; J. I. Popejoy, 
Oakland; Philip Salsberry, Osceola; Allen 
Andrews, Geneva; Lyman Hunt, Clinton; 
and Isaac Patterson. E. A. Howland 
served as chairman. 






Ml 



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i^ 



15S 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



In 1870, the following constituted the 
board of supervisors: T. E. B. Hudson, 
West Fork; W. H. Iloxie, Ingham; C. J. 
Mott, Washington; A. Andrews, Geneva; 
Philip Salsberry, Osceola; E. L. Clock, 
Reeve; R. L. Kenyijn, Clinton; J. I. Pope- 
joy, Oakland; and R. E. Train, Morgan. 

The following resolution was passed by 
the board: 

"liesoliied, That the amount of exemption 
from taxation, shall be $2. 50 on each acre 
of forest trees planted for timber; 50c on 
each mile of shade trees, along the high- 
way. Also |!1.00 for each half mile of 
hedge, and $2.50 for each acre of fruit 
trees, in a healthy, growing condition. 
The fruit trees to be not more than eight 
feet apart. This resolution applies to 
trees planted in 1870, only." 

This was the last meeting of the county 
board of supervisors made up of one mem- 
ber from each township. The General As- 
sembly, by an act, changed the manner of 
local government, and the board of supervi 
sors was re-arranged so as to be composed 
of three, who were to be elected at large 
throughout the county. The first board, 
which convened under this law, met 
during the first week in January, 1871, the 
members being : C. J. Mott, chosen for 
three years ; E. L. Clock, two years, and 
John I. Popejoy, o,ne year. C J. Mott 
was chosen chairman. 

COUNTY SUPERVISORS SINCE 1871. 

1872— C. J. Mott, E. L. Clock and U. 
K. Jackson, the former being chairman. 

187.3— C. J. Mott, D. W. Elliott and B. 
K. Jackson. 

1874— B. K. Jackson, D. W. Elliott and 
L. D. Lane, with 15. J. Jackson as chair- 



1875— D. M. Elliot, L. D. Lane and 
David Church, the former serving as 
chairman. 

1876— David Church, W. A. Alexander 
and J. I. Popejoy. 

1877 — John I. Popejoy, David Church 
and W. A. Alexander. Mr. Church served 
as chairman. 

1878 — J. I. Popejoy, W. A. Alexander 
and David Church, with the first named 
member as chairman. 

1879 — W. A. Alexander, David Church 
and J. I. Popejoy. W. A. Alexander was 
chosen chairman that year. 

1880 — David Church, J. I. Popejoy and 
W. A. Alexander, with Mr. Church as 
their chairman. 

1881— J. I. Popejoy, W. A. Alexander 
and William Barry. J. I. Popejoy was 
chosen chairman again. 

1882- W. A. Alexander, William Barry 
and A. D. St. Clair. W. A. Alexander 
was chairman. 

1883— A. D. St. Clair, G. W. Hanscll 
and W. H. McMillen, with the first 
named member as their chairman. 

FINANCIAL. 

A few of the important facts concern- 
ing the finances of Franklin county, have 
been taken from the records, and are here 
presented : The first levy of taxes in the 
county was made on the fourth Monday 
of August, 1856, by Judge Reeve, of the 
county court, and was as follows : 

"At a regular session of the county court, 
held on the fourth Monday of August, A. 
D. 1856, for the levying of taxes upon the 
assessed value of taxable property in 
Franklin county. It is ordered for State, 
one and a quarter mills on the dollar ; for 
county, five mills ; for schools, one and 



-7^, 







t nr i"''?N'.^"* 



j/.f^. ^J^^J^^^. 



^ 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



161 



one half mills ; roads, two mills, and fifty 
cents for county revenue on each poll, and 
one dollar for road revenue on each poll. 
James B. Reeve, County Judge. 

S. R. Mitchell, County Clerk. " 

In 1858 the total valuation of property 
in the county was $1,114,401, of which 
but §48,692 was personal property. The 
total taxes collected from same was $10,- 
812.06. 

In 1870 it had increased as follows: 
Total valuation, $1,507,517 ; total amount 
of tax collected, $25,471.90, which showed 
an increase of tax in proportion to the 
valuation. 

A marked contrast was seen in the 
valuation of the property in 1882, and 
that of 1870. The total valuation in 1882, 
being $2,934,249 ; the full amount of tax 
collected for that year being $85,042.46. 
Five mills of this tax, per dollar, was 
county tax ; one, poor ; three, bridge ; and 
county school tax, one mill. 

POPULATION. 

In 1856, the population of Franklin 
county was 780, in 1859 it was 1,159. 
Four years later it was 1,548. In 1865 it 
had increased to 1,899; in 1867, to 2,321, 
and in 1870, to 4,738. Five years later, 
1875, the population was 6,558. 

The following gives the population by 
townships, in 1880 : 

Clinton 807 

Geneva, 826 

Grant, 592 

Hamilton, 417 

Ingham 592 

Lee, 411 

Marion, 432 

Morgan, 484 

Mott, ( including Hampton ) 3,304 

Oiikliind 5.54 

Osceolri 856 



Reeve, 763 

Richland, 409 

Ross 634 

Scott, 63 

West Fork, 615 

Total, 10,349 

REGISTBY OF DEEDS. 

The records pertaining to this county 
commence by the record of a deed tiled 
June 4, 1855. It was a land conveyance 
from James Van Horn and wife to Eldridge 
Young; the land being the northwest 
quarter of the southwest quarter of section 
21, township 92, range 20. The consider- 
ation was fifty-five dollars. It was re- 
corded by J. H. Cusack, county recorder, 
and acknowledged by John Hunter, notary 
public. This was while Franklin formed 
a part of Hardin county. 

The first mortgage on record was filed 
on the 25th of January, 1856, by Thomas 
T. Rawson and wife, to John H. Martin, 
of Butler county. Consideration $735. 

In 1883, the books of deeds had run 
through all the letters in the alphabet and 
up to seven on the numerals; thirty-three 
in all. The real estate mortgage books 
run by the alphabet to "Q." 

MATRIMONIAL. 

In the early matrimonial days young 
men and women were not married in 
the grand style which usually character- 
izes marriages of the present time. 
They did not wait for riches to come be- 
fore marriage, as is generally the pres- 
ent custom, but married and lived in 
simple and comfortable style, generally 
living happily and gaining the respect of 
their neighbors by attending to their own 
business. There were no diamond wed- 
dings in those days, and the extravagance 
that often now attends the marriasre cere- 



•^1(3- 



t 



^1 



162 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COTNTY. 



mony was unheard of. The old folks 
were plain, economical and hospitable 
people, and the young folks were imbued 
with the same attributes that character- 
ized their fathers and mothers. They 
were willing to commence housekeeping 
in a style corresponding with their means, 
trusting to the future for larger houses and 
more expensive furniture. 

It would doubtless be of interest to give 
the record of marriages for the first ten 
years of the county's existence, but they 
are too numerous, therefore, only the first 
few years are given as shown by the mar- 
riase license record in the office of the 

o 

clerk of court. 

The first marriage performed under the 
authority of a license issued by Franklin 
county, took place Oct. 9, 1855. The 
parties were Daniel B. Martin and 
Nancy Garner. C. M. Leggett, a justice 
of the peace, officiated. 

The following is a list of those married 
in 1856: 

Thomas Perdue and Sarah Ann Rine- 
hart, married by James B. Reeve, county 
judge. 

Thomas Newell and Ellen Lathrop, by 
C. M. Leggett, Esq. 

Samuel R. F^^eed and Margaret Garner, 
by John E. Boyles, Esq. 

John C. Jones and Sarah Jane Creigh- 
ton, by Rev. James Skillen. 

Lewis Shroyer and J. Ferman Jones, by 
H. I. Burley, Esq. 

Amzi Dodd and Rebecca Gilson, by 
Judge J. B. Reeve. 



The following is a list of those securing 
certificates in 1857: 

Henry W. Smith and Hannah Eaves. 
They were married by James B. Reeve, 
county judge. 

Edward L. Clock an4 Fanny E. Wheeler. 

Andrew Newell and Sarah Arnold, by 
James Utley. 

Owen E. VanHorn and Lydia Ann 
Thatcher. 

John Butterfleld and Mary Jane Jones, 
by J. Jones, justice of the peace. 

G. W. Soper and Constantina M. Leg- 
gett, by James B. Reeve. 

Wm. Sharp and S. Baker. 

Solomon Staley and Philo Wheeler, by 
John Wilcox. 

Wm. Murphy and Marietta Stickland. 

Wm. C. Horner and Emaline Berry, l)y 
R. F. Pratt, acting county judge. 

The following table shows the number 
of marriages contracted each year from 
1858 to 1882, inclusive: 



1858 


... 9 


1871 

1872 


37 


1859 


.... 8 


49 


I860 


.... 11 


1873 

1874 

1875 


50 


1861 


.... 9 


53 


1863 


.... 7 


U 


1 863 


.... 


1876 


79 


1864 

1865 


.... 13 

.... 17 


1877 


80 


1878 


84 


1866 


.... 23 


1879 


93 


1867 


... 26 


1880 


139 


1868 


. .. 31 


1881 


98 


1869 


.... 30 


1883 


97 


1870 


..., 31 






Total 




1106 



r 



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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



163 



CHAPTER VI 



THE COURTS OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



Man is an imperfect being, and, as 
such, requires that laws shall be enacted 
for his government. When the Almighty 
placed Adam and Eve in the garden of 
Eden, He gave laws for their observance, 
with penalties attached for their violation. 
Tlie children of Israel, after leaving Egypt, 
were given the ten commandments, the 
principles underlying which have proba- 
bly been the basis of all laws from that 
time to the present. The existence of 
laws necessarily implies the existence of 
courts wherein all questions of law 
shall be determined. This fact being 
determined, the framers of the State 
constitution instituted certain courts 
of justice with well defined powers. 
Changes have been made in the jurisdic- 
tion of these courts from time to time, but 
the rights of every citizen of high or low 
degree have ever been maintained. 

DISTRICT COURT. 

Prior to the organization of Franklin 
county, the territory now comprising it 
was made a part of the fifth judicial dis- 
trict. Cave J. McFarland, of Polk county, 
was judge of this district ; but as the 
county was not organized, he never held 
here a term of court. However, he issued 
many official orders affecting Franklin 
county, and appointed the commissioners 
who located the county seat. 

Judge McFarland was an odd character, 
although one of the brightest men that 



ever presided over the courts of the fifth 
or eleventh judicial district. 

Cave J. McFarland was born at Mount 
Vernon, Knox Co., Ohio. He read law 
with John C. McNulty, clerk of the house 
of representatives. He went to Lee 
Co., Iowa, in 1844, and was subsecjuently 
prosecuting attorney for that county for 
several years, and also represented that 
county in the legislature. He afterwards 
moved to Boone county, where he was ap- 
pointed judge of the fifth judicial district, 
and was afterwards elected. He died in 
April 1869, at Boonesborough. Many anec- 
dotes are related of Judge McFarland, some 
of which are too good to be lost. He had 
nicknames for many of the attorneys who 
practiced before his court. James W. 
Wood he called Old Timber, and Gov. 
Eastman Old Spot, from the fact of his 
being marked with small-pox. On one 
occasion, while Old Timber was address 
ing the court, an ass walked up near one 
of the windows and set up a terrible bray. 
The judge quickly turned to Mr. Wood 
and cried out : "Sit down. Old Timber, sit 
down; one at a time, if you please." 

In March, 1857, the thirteenth judicial 
district was created, composed of the 
counties of Franklin, Butler, Grundy, 
Hamilton, Hardin, Marshall, Story and 
Wright; to which Webster county wns 
added in February, 1858. 






A ^-~^- 



104 



HISTORY VF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



1 



The first term of the district court in 
Franklin county, as shown by the records, 
was held in March, 1851, at Hampton, 
with Hon. J. D. Thompson, judge of the 
thirteenth judicial district, presiding. It 
was a busy term, as all the cases that had 
been accumulating for years came up for 
trial. S. C. Brazzelton, was clerk of 
court, and Solomon Staley, county sheriff. 
In those days there was no district attor- 
ney, the work of that officer being per- 
formed by a county prosecuting attorney. 
R. F. Piatt acted in that capacity. 'J'he 
home attorneys beside Piatt, were W. N. 
Davidson, T. H.Baker and A. H. Bridge- 
man, all at that time residents of Maysville. 
The attorneys from abroad were E. \\ . 
Eastman and H. L. Huff, of Eldora ; G. 
C4. and R. G. Reiniger of Charles City ; 
A. F. Brown of Cedar Falls; J. W. Wood, 
(Old Timber) now of Steamboat Rock, 
and Lee and Newton, whose residence at 
that time is unknown. 

The first grand jurors impanelled were : 
Samuel Carbaugh, David G. Carbaugh, 
William W. Ward, W. H. Thompson, 
Benjamin Jones, Henry W. Smith, ^Y. B. 
Freeborn,Robert Darrah, James VanHorn, 
Chauncey Gillett, Jacob Schideler, Lemon 
Armstrong, Joseph Riddle, John O. Crap- 
ser, S. L. Utley, R. St. Clair, J. F. Robbins, 
L. H. Morgan, H. P. Allen, J. A. Sim 
pier, I. White, D. C. Jones and Obadiah" 
Smith. Herman P. Allen was foreman of 
the grand jury, and Henry White and G. 
\V. Thompson, were appointed bailiffs. It 
is presumed the jury met at the Hampton 
House, as Dr. J. A. Guthrie, who kept the 
house at that time, had a bill audited for 
room rent. 



The first case to coine up was entitled 
Thomas H. Baker vs. Peter Rinehart. 
The case was brought from justice's court 
upon writ of error. After hearing argu- 
ments of counsel, the court sustained the 
error, and ordered that the judgment of 
the court below be reversed. The attor- 
neys were A. F. Brown and R. F. Piatt. 

The tirsl jury trial to come before the 
district court of Franklin county, was 
entitled Trumond Stoddard vs. Thomas 
H. Baker, and was tried March 1, 1858. 
The jury rendered a verdict of twenty dol- 
lars damage for the plaintiff, and an execu- 
tion was issued therefor. 

The first petit jury impanelled com- 
prised L. H. Arledge, J. E. Boyles, G. W. 
Eckley, James Hogan, William May, 
J. ilaller and R. F. Quivy. 

The first entKy upon the judgment 
docket of Franklin county was dated Jan. 
19, 1856. The parlies were William K. 
Jamison against Isaac Stover; the amount 
of judgment :§ 12. 124. The record st.ites: 
"Execution returned for want of a suffi- 
cient bid April the 8th, 1856." 

James D. Thompson, the first judge of 
the thirteenth judicial district, was born 
Sept. 19, 1832, near Fredonia, Chautauqua 
Co. N. Y., and is the second son 
of Capt. Isaac K. and Emily D. Thompson, 
natives respectively ol Massachusetts and 
Vermont, desceudeuts of English fore- 
fathers who settled in New England 
before the Revolution He lived with his 
parents on a farm, attending the common 
schools, and afterwards the academy in 
Fredonia, N. Y., till sevei4teen years 
of age, when he went to Niagara county 
and taught his first school. During the 
winter his father was accidentally killed, 




EiI't 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



165 



and from that time he was left to his own 
unaided exertions. At the close of his 
school, in the spring of 1850, he returned 
to Fredonia, and again resumed his 
studies at the academj', and in his leisure 
hours read law, teaching again the follow- 
ing winter in Laona, a town near Fredonia, 
still continuing his law studies. In 
the spring he entered the law office of 
Hon. O. W. Johnson, of Fredonia, and at 
the same time recited with his class in the 
academy until he finished his law studies. 
Always of slight physical development 
and high nervous temperment, such close 
application told seriously on his health. 
Having been a sufferer from neuralgia to 
such an extent for three or four years as 
to compel him to I'ead mostly at night, it 
now completely prostrated him; and for 
more than a year he was unable to read 
even the weekly newspaper, and for more 
than two years it stuck to him closer than 
a brother. Never, during all that time, was 
he free from it two weeks in succession. 
In the spring of 1854, he came to Towa, 
having passed one year in Kentucky and 
one year in Ohio, engaged in railroading, 
both in constructing and engineering; 
arrived at Marietta, the county seat of 
Marshall county, on the 24th of May, meet- 
ing there Hon. Delos Arnold, an old friend 
and schoolmate, his only acquaintance in 
the State. After remaining at Marshall a 
few weeks, he concluded to make Hardin 
county his home, and on the evening of 
the 15th of June he walked into Eldora 
with his satchel on his back, and soon 
opened a law office, engaging in surveying 
and real estate business. He was elected 
prosecuting attorney at the next regular 
election, and in the summer of 1855, be- 



came county judge by the resignation of 
Judge Alexander Smith. He was nomi- 
nated by the democrats for that office 
during the Know-Nothing excitement, but 
withdrew from the contest. In the fall 
he returned to New York and was married 
to Dorinda Clough, of Laona, on the 
12th of September, 1855, and immediately 
started for Iowa. In the spring of ISSV, 
at the request of the democracy and a 
few personal friends of the republican 
party, he consented to run for the office of 
judge of the district court, and though the 
district was largely republican, was elect- 
ed for the term of four years, holding the 
office until legislated out by the adoption 
of the new constitution. At the request 
of the Democratic Central Committee of 
the different counties, he announced him- 
self as an independent candidate for re- 
election; but owing to the aspiration of 
others then professing to belong to that 
party, he consented to go before a conven- 
tion of his party, and was nominated, re- 
ceiving thirty-six out of thirty-nine votes 
on the first ballot. The district being 
largely republican, and the excitement of 
the "Dred Scott decision" at its height, a 
regular nominee of a democratic convention 
could expect nothing but defeat, and when 
the contest was decided, his opponent, 
Hon. John Porter, had a majority of less 
than 300 votes. This was a time, alsO; 
of county seat removals. Of the counties 
forming the district, three-fourths had, 
during his term of office, held elections, and 
in most cases the contest was carried into 
the district court for adjudication. While 
holding the office of judge, being largely 
interested in the town of Hamption, the 
county seat of Franklin county, he moved 



jS' 



166 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



there and resided a portion of the time. 
Returning to Eldora after the expiration 
of his term of office, he entered into part- 
nership with Hon. H. L. Huflf, and con- 
tinued in the practice of his profession till 
he entered the army, in 1861; was a mem- 
ber of the State convention that sent dele- 
gates to Charleston, in 1860, and canvassed 
a portion of the State for Douglas in that 
exciting campaign; volunteered as a 
l>rivate in Capt. Stump's company, but 
withdrew by permission to assist in the 
organization of the 1st Iowa Cavalry; rais- 
ing and commanding company G of that 
regiment; returned to Hardin county and 
look an active part in the election of the 
fall of 1861, supporting Hon. W. J. Moir 
as the Union candidate against Mr. Brown, 
the republican nominee. After the elec- 
tion he returned to his regiment, and was 
from that time in active service with his 
company and battalion during the years 
1861 and 1862, that battalion accompany- 
ing Gen. Fremont in his famous campaign 
to Springfield; was present commanding 
his squadron at the battle of Milford, in 
December, 1861, when, after a sharp fight, 
1,300 rebels under Cols. Robinson and 
Magoftin surrendered to 400 men of the 1st 
Iowa Cavalry and fifty regulars under com- 
mand of Gen. J. C. Davis; a success that 
gave Gen. Pope prominence, and which he 
utilized to its full extent. Again at Silver 
Creek, Howard county on Jan. 8, 1862, 
when the 1st Iowa and a part of Merrill's 
Horse defeated Poindexter. In January, 
1862, having been placed in command of the 
cavalry stationed at Sedalia, Mo., he, with 
a detachment of the 1st Iowa, numbering 
120 men, fell upon 800 confederates under 
Gen. E. W. Price, son of Gen. Sterling 



Price, while crossing the Osage river at 
Warsaw, about 4 o'clock on the morning 
of the day of the battle of Fort Donelson, 
and succeeded in cutting off and capturing 
Gen. Price, C'ol. Dorseyand other officers, 
and some fifty or sixty men, 400 horses, 
mules, etc., for which serrice he received 
special commendation from Gen. Halleck. 
In April of the same year, he was ordered 
to Warrensburg to relieve the garrison 
under Major Foster, of the Missouri troops, 
who had been driven into the stockade, 
and besieged by Quantrell and Parker. 

Leaving Sedalia at eleven o'lock on a rainy 
night, by a forced march of thiny miles, 
he reached Warrensburg at sunrise, with 
200 men and a section of artillery, to find 
that Quantrell had raised the siege and 
decamped. So he moved out fifteen miles 
from Warrensburg, fell in wiih Col. Parker 
and a portion of Quan.rell's troops, and 
engaged in a running fight for two or three 
miles through the timber, killing Cap'. 
Griffith and four or five men and wounding 
as many more, captured Col. Parker and fif- 
teen or twenty of his troops. He w'as ordered 
to Lexington inMay, thence to Clinton. 
He was a member of the military commis- 
sion at Butler, Bates county, during the sum- 
mer of 1862, assuming command at Clin- 
ton in August for a while, but owing to 
an unyielding attack of neuralgia and 
sickness and death in his family, he re- 
signed in October, and returned home to 
remain only till his health improved, when 
he again returned to the army, having 
been commissioned major of the 8th regi- 
ment, Iowa Cavalry. Soon after he joined 
his regiment it was ordered south, and by 
the 1st of December reached Nashville, 
Tenn. During that month he « as assigned 



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HISTORY OF FRANKIN COUNTY. 



]6Y 



to the command of a sub-district, under 
the immediate command of Gen. Gillem, 
with headquarters at the terminus of the 
Western railroad, thirty mile.s out from 
Nashville. This winter he succeeded in de- 
featins;, killing and capturing at different 
times the most of the celebrated Hawkins' 
Scouts, and driving Col. Hawkins, their 
commander, into the arms of the 2d Ken- 
tucky Cavalry, as it was marching through 
the country. He was ordered to Iowa in 
March, 1864, in command of a detachment 
to escort recruits to different regiments in 
the department of the Tennessee. After 
discharging that duty, he was detailed on 
court martial at Nashville till Gen. Sher- 
man was ready to begin his march to the 
sea, when he was ordered to his regiment, 
then stationed at Cleveland, Tenn., but 
soon destined to move to the front, where 
it was continually engaged in scouting and 
skirmishing. One time it was thirteen days 
successively under fire, till the unfortu- 
nate raid near Rome, Ga., resulting in the 
capture of its colonel and most of the regi- 
ment, a portion only cutting its way out 
with Gen. Edward McCook. He was bre- 
veted lietenant-colonel for gallant and 
meritorious service. The terrible strain 
of such severe and continued service, the 
exposure and over exertions, resulted in 
an attack of neuralgia of the heart, so 
violent as to compel him to be sent to the 
hospital at Nashville for treatment, where 
he remained three nearly months with- 
out improvement, and until discharged, 
on certificate of permanant disability, by a 
medical board specially appointed. Arriv- 
ing home in the fall of 1864, broken down 
in health but not in spirit, lie located on his 
farm engaging for two years in agriculture. 



In 1866 he was nominated for congress 
by the peoples' party, and made a thorough 
canvass of the district, and, though running 
far ahead of his ticket, was defeated. In 
1867 he received an appointment as pen- 
sion agent at DesMoines, to which place 
he removed, residing there till his term of 
office expired; then returning to Eldora in 
1872, was a delegate to the democratic 
State convention, and was largely instru- 
mental in securing harmony of action be- 
tween that convention and that of the 
liberal republicans. He was also a delegate 
to the Baltimore convention that nomi- 
nated Horace Greeley for president, and 
was selected by his fellow delegates as the 
member (from Iowa) of the committee to 
await on Mr. Greeley, of New York, and 
appraise him of the choice of the conven- 
tion. Having performed this duty, he re- 
turned to Iowa and entered vigorously 
into the campaign that resulted so disas- 
trously to Mr. Greeley and democracy. 
Coming to the conclusion that he was not 
a president maker, he has from that day 
since religiously abstained from all con- 
ventions. Though a member of the 
grange and an active supporter of the 
anti-monopoly movement, he only labored 
as a private, refusing promotion. In 1874 
Judge Thompson closed his office in El- 
dora, and in 1875 removed to San Fran- 
cisco, Cal., where he now resides. 

By the constitution of 1857, Franklin 
county became a part of the eleventh judi- 
cial district, and still forms a part of that 
district. 

John Porter, the successor of Judge 
Thompson, was born in Washington 
Co., Pa., April 14, 1828. His boy- 
hood life was spent in milling and 



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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



farming during the summer seasons, and 
in attending the common schools in the 
winter. At the age of eighteen, he com- 
menced teaching district school, and for 
three years his time was passed altern- 
ately in teaching and attending school to 
perfect himself in the higher branches. 
He then entered the office of Todd, Hoff- 
man & Hutchins, Warren, Ohio, where he 
read law some years. In 1854, on his 
admission to the bar, he located at Ply- 
mouth, Ind., where he remained two 
years, and then removed to Mason City, 
Cerro Gordo Co., Iowa. He soon took 
high rank as a lawyer, and obtained a 
good practice for that day. In 1858 he 
was elected judge of the newly organized 
district, which position he occupied until 
he resigned, in 1866. The energy dis- 
played, with quick and good judgment, 
earned him the good will of both the bar 
and people of the district. Judge Porter 
was united in marriage with Mariam 
Stevens. They had one child. For 
several years the judge has taken great 
interest in railroads, and has devoted 
much of his time to securing roads 
through Hardin county. As a lawyer, he 
is recognized as one of the best in the 
State, and is an honor to the Hardin 
county bar. 

In the fall of 1865, Judge Porter 
resigned and Daniel D. Chase was ap- 
pointed by the governor, Feb. 5, 1866. 
Oct. 9, 1866, he was elected by the people, 
and four years later, re-elected. 

Daniel D. Chase was born in Canajo- 
harie, N. Y., July 4, 18.30. Until he 
attained the age of seventeen he remained 
at the old homestead, attending the dis- 
trict school in the winter season, and la- 



boring like other lads in rural communi- 
ties on the farm during the spring, sum- 
mer and autumn. The four ensuing years 
he passed at the Ames Academy and the 
Cazenovia Seminary, where he acquired a 
good academic education, and taught in 
the meantime to procure the necessary 
funds to pursue his studies. After he 
ceased attending the seminary, he became 
principal of the public schools at Cazeno- 
via, at the same time commencing the 
study of law. He was afterwards called 
to the charge of Woodstock Academy, 
successfully discharging the duties of a 
teacher while pursuing his legal studies. 
He was admitted to the bar of the State 
of New York at the general term of 
the Supreme Court, in Saratoga coun- 
ty, Jan. 1, 1856, and entered at once 
upon the practice of his profession. 
In August, 1858, Mr. Chase removed to 
Iowa, settling at Webster City, Hamilton 
county. He came here with no capital 
save that which was stored up in his brain, 
and an earnest determination to deserve 
success. Upon his arrival in the little fron- 
tier town which he had selected as his home, 
and which then contained scarcely 400 
people, and the county not over 1,600, he 
found the small legal practice in the hands 
of two older lawyers, who settled there 
some time previously. It was many montlis 
before he secured his first retainer — a 
discouraging fact to a man of limited 
means, when the times were liard, and 
growing worse with every succeeding week. 
But he patiently bided his time, and final- 
ly the temperance people were forced to 
employ him in the prosecution of Sunday 
violations of the liquor law ; both of his 
competitors, fortunately for him, being en- 



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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



169 



gaged on the other side. The fight was a 
prolonged and bitter one, and it served to 
bring prominently to the notice of the 
people the fine legal ability and great 
force of character of the hitherto reser.*ed 
and rather reticent and neglected young 
lawyer. This rough and tumble contest 
completely ".westernized" him, and from 
this time forward he was a favored attor- 
ney. In the following winter he visited a 
number of the counties in the eleventh 
judicial district, becoming acquainted and 
securing quite an addition to his slender, 
legal practice. In a short time he was 
accorded a leading position in his profes- 
sion in northwestern Iowa. Noted for his 
purity of character, dealing fairly with his 
clients, and never encouraging litigation, 
except in cases where its necessity and 
justice rendered it imperative — thus mak- 
ing him always the safest of counselors — 
he rapidly won his way to a high place in 
the popular estimation. In the autumn of 
18.59, his name was prominently mentioned 
in connection with the position of county 
judge, every delegate to the convention 
favoring his nomination, but he declined 
the proffered honor. In the ensuing year 
at the republican judicial convention, he 
was unanimously tendered the nomination 
for member of the board of education, to 
which he was chosen in October following 
by a large majority. Before his term of 
service expired he was elected district at- 
torney. In 1865, a vacancy having oc- 
curred in the oftice of district juds^e, he 
was appointed to fill the vacancy by Gov- 
ernor Stone. He was twice nominated by 
acclamation and twice elected to this dis- 
tinguished [)Osilion, and, at the close of 
nine yea''s continuous service on the 



bench, declined a third nomination, and 
retired to private life. Judge Chase was 
always held in the highest esteem by both 
the bar and the people. On his retirement 
from the bench, the bar of Hardin county 
passed a most complimentary resolution, 
declaring that "by his ability, efiiciency 
and integrity in the discharge of every 
official duty. Judge Chase has won, and is 
worthy of, not only the commendation and 
plaudits of the bar, but of the entire people 
who have received the benefits of his 
labor." The bar of the entire district, on 
the last day of his court, united in present- 
ing him with a magnificent gold watch 
and chain, to purchase which they con- 
tributed the sum of $500. Judge Chase, 
in his early days, was a whig, but has 
acted with the republican party since its 
organization. He was a delegate-at-large 
to the national republican convention 
which nominated President Lincoln for 
his second term. 

In the fall of 1874, Isaac J. Mitchell 
was elected judge of the eleventh judicial 
district. Isaac J. Mitchell is a native of 
Ohio, and was born in Cincinnati on the 
31st of May, 1827. While an infant his 
father moved to a farm in Clermont Co., 
Ohio, and there the son worked until he 
was nineteen, when he went to a high 
school in Laurel, Ohio, a few months, to 
))repare himself for a teacher. He taught 
in Brazil, Ind., and adjoining districts, 
for three years. While preparing to 
teach, he worked on a farm for two dollars 
a week, devoting the money thus earned 
to the purchase of textbooks. He read 
law while teaching in Indiana, and com- 
pleted his school education by attending 
Asbury College, Greencastle, Ind.. one 



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170 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



term, when, his health giving way, he had 
to leave the institution. He removed to 
Boonesborough, Iowa, in June, 1855, and 
there resumed his study of law while 
engaged in the drug business. He fin- 
ished reading law early in 1858; was 
admitted to the bar in Boonesborough in 
April, and opened an office there in that 
year. He has since been in constant 
practice, except when in office, building 
up a large business and an enviable reputa- 
tion. He served as justice of the peace in 
1857, while reading law in Boonesborough, 
and the next year was elected a member 
of the State board of education, serving 
two years. In 1868 he was elected State 
Senator for the term of four years. He 
was chairman of the committee on enroll- 
ing and agriculture, and acted on three or 
four other committees. He was a very 
useful and influential member of the 
Assembly. In 1874 he was elected judge 
of the eleventh judicial district. He was 
recognized as a man of great purity of 
character, well read in the law, with good 
judgment, dignity, decision of character, 
and other qualities that tend to make an 
excellent judge. He had a hard struggle 
in securing an education, but success 
crowned his efforts. 

July 10, 1878, J. W. McKenzie, of 
Hampton, was nominated for judge of the 
eleventh judicial district at the conven- 
tion held at Fort Dodge, and was elected 
at the October election following, by a, 
majority of 2,336 over Hon. H. E. J. 
Boardman. 

Judge McKenzie was compelled to re- 
sign on account of ill health, and died 
shortly afterwards. From the Franklin 
County Recorder, under date Jan. 18, 



1882, the following sketch of the judge is 
taken: 

"Judge McKenzie is dead. After a 
lingering illness, which he bore with 
extraordinary fortitude, he peacefully 
breathed his last at half past four o'clock 
last Sunday morning, January 15. 

"James Wheeler McKenzie was the son 
of Roderick and Rachel McKenzie, and 
was born in Wyandot Co., Ohio, July 
2, 1843. His early life was spent on a 
farm, with such early schooling as the dis- 
trict schools cotdd afford. He early man- 
ifested a taste for reading and intellectual 
pursuits, however, and the outbreak of the 
war found him well educated and well in- 
formed for his age. His first enlistment 
was in a regiment known as the 'Squirrel 
Hunters,' which was called into service to 
protect the southern border of Ohio, but 
this service was of short duration, and in 
March, 1864, he enlisted in the Signal 
corps as a private. At this time he was, 
and had been for two years, a student at 
the Ohio Wesleyan University at Dela- 
ware, in that State. He was assigned to 
duty in the department of the Tennessee, 
and most of the time until the close of the 
war he was on duty at the corps head- 
quarters, commanded by Logan, McPher- 
son and Howard. He was an eye-witness 
to the death of General McPherson, in 
1864, and narrowly escaped capture at that 
time. While at Altoona, Oct. 5, IsfU, 
when that place was attacked by the reb- 
els under General French, he was on duty 
with a detachment of signal men and act- 
ing as sergeant, but in reality only a ])ri- 
vate, the occurrence took jilace which has 
passed into history and song under tlie 
title of 'Hold the Fort!' For bravery on 



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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



in 



this occasion McKenzie was mentioned in 
General Order No. 40, from the Bureau of 
the Signal corps, Nov. 30, 180-t, as fol- 
lows: 

For coolness, bravery and good behavior un- 
der fire, during an attack of the enemy on Al- 
touna, Ga., Oct. .5, 18G4. 

In tlie Slimmer of 1865, he was mustered 
out of service, and after one term spent at 
Oberlin College, he taught school dur- 
ing the winter of 1865-6, and com- 
menced the study of law in the office of 
Berry Bros., at Upper Sandusky, in the 
spring of 1866 In the fall of that year 
he entered the law department of the 
Michigan State University, at Ann Arbor, 
graduating therefrom in the spring of 
1868. His father had removed with his 
family to Richland township, inthisconn- 
ty, in the spring of 1867, so that he spent 
the summer at his father's place, returning 
liere upon his graduating in the spring, as 
stated above. At the spring term of tlie 
district court of that year he was admitted 
to the bar and commenced practice. 

"The first year or two was not encour- 
aging to him. He lacked the pushing 
forward and self-sufficient manner that 
brings so many young lawvers to the 
front, especially in the west.; but he was 
during all this time a close student, and 
finally it began to be known that this pale 
faced, quiet young man was a well-read 
lawyer, a safe counselor, and above all, 
an honest, upright man. From about the 
first of the year 1870, his practice steadily 
increased until, when at his nomination 
for district judge, he stood confessedly at 
the head of the bar in Franklin county. 
He was never an office seeker, although he 
was for three years president of the scliool 



board of the independentdistrict of Hamp- 
ton, and, in 1876, was a delegate to the 
National Convention at Cincinnati that 
nominated Hayes. July 10, 1878, he was 
nominated for district judge for the elev- 
enth judicial district at the convention 
held at Fort Dodge, and was elected at 
the October election- following by a ma- 
jority of 2,336 over Hon. H. E. J. Board- 
man, a well known and popular lawyer, 
which was 480 ahead of the State repub- 
lican ticket in the district. In January 
following he assumed the duties of his 
office, and from that time until failing 
health compelled his resignation, he dis- 
charged the duties of his office with in- 
dustry and fidelity, and showed a rare 
adaptation to the position. In fact he 
possessed in perfection the qualities that 
go to make a good judge, and if his life 
and health had been spared he would have 
made for himself a bright record as a 
judge and achieved distinction on the 
bench. 

"Judge McKenzie was, while eminently 
a just man, also a kind-hearted and phil- 
anthropic one, and public-spirited and 
liberal even beyond his means. He was 
a member of the M. E. Church and 
met death without a doubt as to the fu- 
ture. In December, 1871, he was married 
to Delia Hemingway, of Ann Arbor, 
Mich., and she remains with four children, 
a boy and three girls, to mourn the loss of 
the kind husband and father. About a 
year ago he was taken with bleeding at 
the lungs, but-continued to discharge his 
duties until March, when he became so 
much worse that he came home and took 
to his bed. He recovered sufficiently to 
take a trip to Tennessee in May, going 



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172 



lilSruUY^ OF FRANKLIN COUNTV. 



from thence to Michigan, where he spent 
the summer and then returned home, hav- 
ing abandoned all hope, and, as he said 
himself, 'Only waiting for the end.' 
From that time he gradually grew weaker 
and weaker until when death did come to 
him it must have come as a relief. 

"Other citizens of Hampton may become 
more distinguished than he and achieve 
greater notoriety and even popularity, as 
the world goes, but no one will ever hold 
a stronger place in the hearts of our peo- 
ple and of all who knew him than J. W. 
McKenzie." 

In reference to the incident upon which 
the song of "Hold the Fort" is based, the 
following facts are given: Altoona Pass, 
an insignificant station on the Chattanooga 
& Atlanta railroad, is located at the foot 
of the mountains from which it derives its 
name. A railroad pass has been cut 
through one of the foot hills of the mount- 
ains and is named after the station. While 
General Sherman was investing Atlanta, 
he had established a depot of supplies for 
his army at Altoona Pass, and on the 4th 
of October, 1864, there were about 1,500,- 
000 rations stored here. The Pass was 
guarded by the 93d Illinois regiment and 
detachments from the 4th Minnesota and 
18th Wisconsin regiments. The two 
forts, one on either side of the railroad 
pass, were garrisoned by the 12th Wis- 
consin Battery, with six ten pound guns; 
the entire force being under command of 
Lieutenant Colonel Tourtelotte, of the 93d 
Illinois. At this time. General Sherman's 
army was marching towards the Pass, but 
was yet beyond Kenesaw, eighteen miles 
from Altoona. During the night of Oct. 
4, the forces at the Pass were re-inforeed 



by the arrival of General Corse, with the 
7th Illinois, and another detachment of 
the 4th Minnesota. The enemy was ad- 
vancing from the south, destroying the 
railroad and telegraph lines, and the only 
communications to be had with General 
Sherman, and his army, was by means of 
the signal corps, a detachmentunder Lieu- 
tenant Allen, having been sent to Altoona 
some weeks previous, for that purpose. 
Upon the arrival of General Corse, he 
took command of all the forces at Altoona, 
numbering less than 2,000 all told. By 
daylight, on the 5th of October, the little 
garrison was completely invested bj- 
French's division of Stewart's Confederate 
corps, numbering 8,000 men, and a large 
force of Cavalry. As soon as it was light 
enough to enable the gunners to sight 
their gui;s, the Confederates opened fire 
upon the forts from a battery occupying a 
commanding position. The fire was im- 
mediately answered by the 12th Wisconsin 
Battery and a brisk cannonading was kept 
up for the next two hours. During this 
time, Kenesaw was enveloped in a mist so 
dense that the signals could not be seen. 
At half-past 8 o'clock the Federals were 
summoned to surrender, and upon their 
refusal, the Confederates assaulted the 
forts with great fury, charging through 
the town and up the sides of the hill, 
nearly to the Union lines. About ten 
o'clock, and while the fight was raging, 
the mist cleared away from the brow of 
Kenesaw, and the signal flags, for which 
the besieged had been anxiously waiting, 
were plainly visible through the telescope. 
Sherman was calling to the inve>'ted forces. 
At first it was only necessary lo signal a 
recosrnilion, which was done by wavins; 



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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



1V3 



the flag above the parapet and without 
exposure. Then came from Kenesaw the 
famous message, "Hold the Fort for I am 
coming. Where is Corse?" signed, Sher- 
man. When this message was communi- 
cated to General Corse, he said to J. W. 
McKenzie, who was in charge of the sig- 
nal squad, ''Tell Sherman that I am here, 
and we can hold the fort." To send this 
message to Sherman, required that some 
one should mount the parapet of the fort, 
and in plain view of the enemy, exposed 
to a merciless fire, signal, letter by letter, 
each word of the message. McKenzie 
called for volunteers. One of the men 
answered, "I will go if I am ordered but 
will not volunteer," and then McKenzie, 
with noble self-sacrifice, seized the flag, 
stepped into an embrasure, from there 
climbed up to the parapet, and with the 
shot and bullets falling like leaden hail 
about him, waved the message back to 
■ Sherman. 

H. C. Henderson, the present judge of 
the eleventh judicial district, is a native 
of Virginia, and comes of a family who 
were quite prominent in that common- 
wealth. His father was an old-line whig 
and -quite intimate with Henry Clay, John 
Bell, and other noted politicians of that 
school. The family, or a portion of it, 
moved to Illinois at an early day; one of 
the members of it having since attained a 
national reputation — Thomas J. Hender- 
son, colonel of one of the Illinois regi- 
ments during the rebellion, and subset 
quently a member of Congress from that 
State. While residing in Illinois, H. C. 
read law and was admitted to the bar. 
For several years he practiced his profes- 
sion in Rock Island in that State, from 



which place he removed to Iowa, about 
1856, locating in Marshalltown. Here he 
gained a large practice and quite a reputa- 
tion throughout the State, as a lawyer and 
as a politician. He is also a radical pro- 
hibitionist. On the death of Judge Mc- 
Kenzie he was appointed by the governor 
of the State to till the vacancy on the 
bench in this district. The position he 
has tilled in a satisfactory manner, so much 
so as to secure him the nomination and 
election for the full term, beginning Jan. 
1, 1883. 

CIRCUIT COURT. 

By an act of the General Assembly, 
passed and approved April 3, 18(58, circuit 
courts were established in this State, and 
each judicial district was divided into two 
circuits, in each of which, at the general 
election in November, 1868, and every 
four years thereafter, a circuit judge 
should be elected. Four terms of court 
were provided per year in each county in 
the circuits. By this act the office of 
county judge was abolished, and all busi- 
ness pertaining to that oflice was trans- 
ferred to the circuit court, which was also 
to have concurrent jurisdiction with the 
district court in all civil actions at law, 
and exclusive jurisdiction of all appeals 
and writs of error from justices' courts, 
mayors' courts, and all other inferior tri- 
bunals, either in civil or criminal cases. 
Franklin county," together with the coun- 
ties of Hardin, Hamilton, Webster, 
Wright, Marshall, Slory and Boone, were 
made the second circuit of the elevenh 
judicial district. 

Samuel L. Rose, of Hamilton county, 
was the first circuit judge. He was elected 
in the fall of 1868. Samuel L. Rose was 



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174 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



l)orn in Augusta, Oneida Co., N. Y., on the 
lOlli of December, 1818. His father was 
Dr. Nathaniel Rose, and one of the ances 
tors of his mother (whose maiden name 
was Abigail Knowles) came over in the 
Mayflower. The paternal grandfather of 
Samuel was a victim of the Indian massa- 
cre at Wyoming, Pa. The early years 
of young Rose were spent in schools, he 
entering Augusta Academy at an early 
age, and remaining in it until he was 
eighteen, excepting one winter, when, at 
the age of sixteen, he taught school at 
Kennett, Chester Co , Pa. Among his 
pupils that season were Bayard Taylor 
and Mr. Wickersham, since State superin- 
tendent of public instruction in Pennsyl- 
vania. Mr. Rose began the study of med- 
icine before leaving the academy, but at 
nineteen abandoned it for the study of the 
law, reading at first with Judge Beardsley, 
of XTtica, and then with Hon. Timothy 
Jenkins, of Oneida. He was admitted to 
the l)ar in 18-11, and practiced in his native 
town until 1850. During the last named 
year he moved to Beaver Dam, Wis., 
where he rose to eminence as a lawyer, 
giving, meanwhile, part of his time to 
railroad matters. In December, 185*7, he 
removed to Milwaukee, where he engaged 
more extensively in railroading, and was 
at one time president of the Milwaukee 
and Western Railway Company. In 18()'2 
he crossed the Mississippi, halting one 
year at Fort Dodge, Iowa, and then loca- 
ting at Rose Grove, in the adjoining coun- 
ty of Hamilton, fifteen miles from the 
county seat, where he now has one of the 
loveliest homes in this part of the State. 
A farm life has long been his choice. 
He has some 600 acres under improve- 



ment," and raises a great deal of fruit. 
Mr. Rose was elected judge of Dodge 
county, Wis., before he was a voter m 
that State, and served until 1856, wlien 
he resigned. He was a member of the 
Wisconsin legislature four years, two in 
each house, and was one of the most 
prominent men in that body. Mr. Rose 
was the first postmaster at Rose Grove, 
and held the oflice six years. He was 
chairman of the board of county super- 
visors for six. years. While a resident of 
Wisconsin, he was a part of the time very 
active in educational matters. He aided 
in founding Wayland University, at 
Beaver Dam, and was the first president 
of its board of trustees. For six years 
he was one of the regents of the Univer- 
sity of Wisconsin. Mr. Rose belongs to 
the Masonic and Odd Fellows orders. He 
was a democrat of free soil proclivities 
until 1856, since which date he has been 
a republican. As a judge, Mr. Rose gave 
satisfaction to the bar and public. He 
served the full term of four years. 

J. H. Bradley was the successor of Judge 
Rose, and was elected in the fall of 1872^ 
entering upon the discharge of his duties 
in January, 1873. He was re-elected 
in 1876, and served his second 
term, ending January, 1881. .Judge Biad- 
ley made an able and impartial judicial 
ofticer, and was generally esteemed by 
both bar and people. For several years 
previous he had been prosecuting attorney 
for the district, and his (jualifications were 
therefore well known by all. 

D. D. Miracle was elected successor of 
Judge Bradley, in the fall of 1880. His 



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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



175 



qualifications as a judge are indisputable, 
and as a man he is highly respected. He 
is a resident of Webster City, and is a 
brother-in-law of Judge D. D Chase. 

COUNTY COURT. 

In 1851, by an act of the General As- 
sembly, county courts were established 
and the office of county judge created. 
By the same act the office of probate 
judge was abolished, as were also the 
offices of county commissioners; the duties 



of the commissioners and probate judges 
devolving upon the county judge. The 
county of Franklin, not being organized 
until 1855, had no probate judge nor 
county commissioners. The first county 
judge was James B. Reeve, one of the 
first settlers of the county Upon Judge 
Reeve devolved the duty of perfecting 
the organization of the county, dividing 
it into townships, and such other work 
as was necessary to perfect a system of 
county government. 



CHAPTER VII. 



THE BAR OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



There is no class or profession which 
has more influence in social and 
political matters than the bar. Even the 
press, which wields a mighty power 
among the masses, does not surpass it, as 
matters treated by them are generally 
local and varying. The pulpit, a great 
worker for good, is more devoted to the 
moral and spiritual welfare of man. But 
the profession of law embraces all under 
one grand aim. Upon the few principles 
of natural justice is erected the whole 
superstructure of civil law tending to re- 
lieve the wants and meet the desires of all 
alike. The grand object of law is equal 
justice to all, not technicality ; although 
the laCtcr must be strictly adhered to, to 
preserve the supremacy of law. The laws 
are formed as exigencies arise deinandiiis' 



them, by the representatives' of the 
people. Change is necessary. The wants 
of the people of to-day, and the lawful 
restraints to be thrown around those of 
the present age, differ from those of 
former years. They are too lenient or 
too severe — in onecaseto be strengthened, 
in the other, modified. The business of 
the lawyer does not call upon him to form 
laws, but it lies with him to interpret 
them, and to apply them to the daily 
wants of men. Every matter of import- 
ance, every question of weight among all 
classes and grades, come before him in 
one form or another, for discussion. 
Hence, the lawyer is a man of to-day — 
posted upon all matters pertaining to the 
age in which he lives. His capital is his 
ability and individuality, and he cannot 



~""7]<r- 



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o^ 



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±^ 



176 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



bequeath them to his successors. They die 
with him, or live in the memory of his 
deeds and sayings. 

In early days business was not so great 
in extent as to occupy the full time of the 
lawyer. Suits were not so numerous or 
remunerative as to afford him a comforta- 
ble living for himself and family, and 
often other occupations had to be taken 
in connection- to swell the slender income. 
As a rule the lawyer became a politician, 
and more of the prominent lawyers of 
those days went to Congress and the State 
legislatures, than at present. The people 
demanded their services, and they were 
glad to accommodate the people. To-day 
the profession stands at the head, almost 
of all others, and the good lawyer must 
always be prominent, as he is one of the 
forces which move, control and protect 
society. There have been, and still are, 
able and prominent men practicing before 
the courts of Franklin county — men who 
were an honor to the profession to society 
and to the county. 

In this chapter is presented a sketch of 
every lawyer who located in Franklin 
county and followed the profession of 
law. None are omitted intentionally) 
and of some, more would gladly have 
been saidliad material been accessible. 

THE BAR OF THE PAST. 

Among those who located in Franklin 
county, and practiced law, who liave 
either moved away, quit practice, or are 
deceased, are the following : R. F. Piatt, 
Samuel B. Jackson, Q. A. Jordan, T. H. 
Baker, A. H. Bridgeman, W. N. Davidson, 
J. J. Layman, N. B. Chapman, M. A. 
Leahy, John T. Stearns. Col. A. T. Reeve, 
Maj A. G. Kellam, John H. King, J. D. 



Giffen, J. H. Bland, J. T. Haight and J. 
W. Gilger. 

In an early day M. M. Trumbull, of 
Clarksville, Butler county, was connected 
frequently with law cases in this county. 
He was a young man and full of fun. 
When he came to Franklin county he 
would often stop with C. M. Leggett, and 
he happened along once just in time to 
help Leggett out of trouble. Leggett 
had a neighbor named Webster, who lived 
across the creek, and who had a large herd 
of cattle. The cattle were troubling 
Leggett in the fall by getting into his 
coi-n field, but as there was no herd law in 
those days v was almost impossible to get 
any redress. Finally, some of Webster's 
cattle threw down the fence and Leggett's 
own cow got in and ate so much corn that 
she died from the effects thereof. Leg- 
gett was the only justice of the peace in 
the county, and before whom to sue Web- 
ster he could not imagine; but Trumbull 
came along, stopped over ni'jht, and to 
him Leggett confided his troubles. Trum- 
bull went to work and drew up a notice 
to Webster, citing him to appear before 
Judge Reeve, the county judge, at the 
next term of court, and told Leggett to go 
over and serve it. " But the county judge 
hasn't any jurisdiction in such cases," 
says Leggett. "That makes no differ- 
ence," says Trumbull, " the chances are 
ten to one that he don't know it." Ac- 
cordingly, Leggett went over, and with 
great pomp and ceremony read his notice 
to Webster. This scared Webster, and 
he began negotiations for a compromise 
forthwith, which ended by his giving 
Leggett another cow, and paying for ex- 
tra trouble and attorney's fee besides, 



■r 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



no 



which Trumbull donated to Leggett, as 
perhaps his (Trumbull's) conscience would 
not allow him to take money for such ad- 
vice. 

About the first attorney to locate in 
Franklin county was Robert F. Piatt. 
He was a native of Williamsport, Pa., 
was well educated, being a graduate of 
Mifflinbiirg Academy. He afterwards 
studied law, and was admitted to practice 
in Williamsport. Having relatives in 
Cedar Co., Iowa, he came west in 1855, 
and being a cousin of Herman and Charles 
Allen, he came "to view the prospect o'er" 
in Franklin county. He found it just or- 
ganized, but no lawyer, and thinking that 
here was a field that offered good induce- 
ments, he put up at Judge Reeve's, and 
speedily was the legal adviser of the offi- 
cials of the new county, and of everybody 
else who desired legal advice. He was a 
good penman and everything that he 
made a record of was neatly done and in 
a business like manner. The first entry 
in the county judge's minute book was 
written by him. In the spring, after the 
location of the county seat, he removed 
there and became intimately connected 
with the official growth of Franklin 
county. He afterwards got into financial 
trouble and left the county, going still 
farther west. 

Samuel B. Jackson was among the very 
first attorneys to locate at Hampton, arriv- 
ing here about the time the town was 
platted. He was a young unmarried man, 
and " boarded 'round" during his short 
stay. Where he went or what has become 
of him is unknown. 

Q. A. Jordan was the first prosecuting 
attorney of the county, but whether he 



had ever been admitted to the bar is un- 
known. He never made any pretentions 
in regard to the profession. 

P. H. Baker came to Franklin county to 
practice law in 1856, locating at Mays- 
ville. He engaged in the profession for 
a number of years and then began the 
practice of medicine, which he has since 
continued. 

In 1856 the legal profession of Franklin 
county received an additional member, in 
the person of A. H. Bridgeman, who came 
from New York State. Mr. Bridgeman 
was highly educated, having graduated as 
third in his class from Harvard Uni- 
versity. He was also a graduate of the 
Albany Law School. At the beginning 
of the war he enlisted in Company H, 32d 
Iowa Infantry, and after his discharge 
from service went to Buchanan county, 
this State. 

W. N. Davidson came to Franklin 
county in 1857, and located first at Mays- 
ville. In 1858 he removed to Hampton 
and in November of that year, was ap- 
pointed county superintendent of schools 
and was elected to the same office in 1859. 
He commenced the practice of law with 
but little preparatory study ; but being a 
diligent student and a close observer, he 
became well posted in his profession. 
Mr. Davidson was not a thoroughly edu- 
cated man, but he had an indomitable will 
that knew no such thing as " fail. " His 
likes and dislikes were intensely strong, 
and, as his temperament was not such as 
was calculated to make him friends or 
extend his acquaintance, he did not 
achieve that success here that his talents 
entitled him to, although he built up a 
good practice and accumulated consider- 



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180 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



able property. It is said of him that he 
became one of the best special pleaders in 
the State of Iowa. His forte lay entirely 
in the preparation of a case. He was a 
tine writer and his papers and documents 
were faultless. Mr. Davidson was a very 
eccentric man ; he would meet a friend 
on the street and would shake hands in 
the most friendly manner ; but the next 
day meeting the same person he would 
never show the least sign of recognition ; 
his mind being at times so concentrated 
on some particular business that he would 
pass his best friends without noticing 
their presence. He was gifted with a 
poetical mind and would sometimes sit 
and allow his imagination to soar at will 
for hours. Fl e published a book of origi- 
nal poems, replete with poetical thought 
and grand flights of imagination. In 187.5 
he went to Ackley, Hardin county, and 
from there removed to Bloomington, 
111., where he ran a democratic news- 
paper for about a year. He then went to 
Luverne, Minnesota, where he has since 
been judge of the probate court. 

The next lawyer to locate in Franklin 
county, was J. J. Layman. He was a 
native of Elmira, N. Y. and came here 
in 1858. From here he went to Cedar 
Falls and engaged in the insurance busi- 
ness. On the breaking out of the rebell- 
ion, Mr. Layman returned to Elmira, N. 
Y., and was commissioned as colonel of 
a New York regiment. 

The next lawyer to commence practice 
in the county, was N. B. Chapman, who 
came to Hampton in 1S.59, from Rockford, 
Floyd county, this State, where he had 
made his home for three or four years. 
He was originally from Peekskill, N. 



Y., where he had studied law and was 
admitted to the bar. He entered upon 
the practice of his profession here, and 
soon had the best law practice of any 
attorney in the county. In 1861, he was 
elected county superintendent of schools, 
and was re-elected in 1865. Mr. Chap- 
man was a genial, open hearted gentleman 
and had many friends in the county. He 
removed to Grinnell, Iowa, in 1870, from 
there went to Iowa City, and from the lat- 
ter place removed to Atlantic, Cass county, 
where he and his son opened a law office, 
and now enjoy a good practice. 

M. A. Leahy, came to this county in 
1868, and during his first winter taught 
school at Chapin. The next winter he 
taught the Reeve school in Reeve town- 
ship. In 1870, he located at Hampton, 
where he opened a law office. In 1871, 
he was elected to the State legislature 
from Franklin county, and re-elected in 
1873. During his second term, he was 
chairman of the judiciary committee, the 
most important committee of the General 
Assembly. In 1878, Mr. Leahy entered 
into partnership with Colonel Reeve, in 
the practice of law, giving most of his 
attention, however, to the real estate and 
insurance business. Mr. Leahy entered 
the Union army and served in a Wiscon- 
sin regiment until the close of the war, 
coming out of service as a captain. He 
was a fine scholar, having graduated from 
the Wisconsin State University, and from 
the law department of the Michigan Vm- 
versity. He was a man of. good moral 
character and was respected by the whole 
community. He was a good stump speak- 
er, and in later years, was the acknowl- 
edged leader of the greenback party in 



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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNI^Y. 



181 



tliis county. Mr. Leahy is now located in 
Wausau, Wisconsin. 

John T. Stearns must also be noted 
among the lawyers of Franklin county, 
altliough he never devoted his whole at- 
tention to practice. He was a native 
of Rensselaer Co., N. Y., .born April 
9, 1841. In 1856 he removed with his 
parents to Black Hawk Co., Iowa, his 
father settling upon a farm just east of 
Cedar Falls. In November, 1856, John 
entered the store of T. B. and H. H. Car- 
penter, at Cedar Falls, and when, in 
March, 1 859, they decided to start a branch 
store at Hampton, they placed John, then 
only eighteen years old, in sole charge of 
the business. The room occupied was 
one directly adjoining the Hampton House, 
and afterwards became a part of it. 
Stearns bought the first wheat, and the 
first dressed hogs ever sold to any dealer 
in this county. The wheat he stored in a 
little house that stood where Dr. J. H. 
Hutchins now resides, on Iowa street. In 
the spring of 1863, the Carpenter brothers 
closed out their store here, and John 
returned to Cedar Falls, but soon went to 
Dubuque, and secured a place as salesman 
in the house of John Bell & Co. But 
in 1864 he left and started a clothing 
store at Iowa Falls, and in 1865 sold out 
and came back to Hampton, entering into 
trade again at the same old stand. In the 
spring of 1866 he was appointed post- 
master at Hampton, and in the fall of 1866 
erected and moved into the building which 
was afterward occupied by Isaac Robin- 
son. In 186*7 he sold out this establish- 
jnent, and went into the hardware and 
agricultural implement business. From 
1869 to 1873 he engaged in the real estate 



and insurance business, and in the latter 
year removed to O'Brien county, in the 
northwestern part of the State, where lie 
remained a>out three years, returning 
here in 1876, when he became a partner in 
the real estate and insurance business, 
under the firm name of Stearns, King & 
Co., and continued in that line until 1881, 
when he removed to Chamberlain, D. T , 
where he still lives. 

Col. Arthur T. Reeve was for many 
years a member of the bar, and is one of 
the leading men of Franklin county. He 
is a native of Ohio, born at New Lyme, 
Ashtabula county, Dec. 18, 1835, and a 
brother of the first judge of Franklin 
county— James B. Reeve. The Reeve's 
were a patriotic family. 1 he grandfather 
of Arthur, and three brothers were in the 
Revolutionary war, and two of them died 
in a prison ship. Arthur's father was a 
farmer, and the son remained at honie 
until his nineteenth year, having, mean- 
time, pursued one year's course of study 
at the Orwell Academy. In 1854, he 
moved to Iowa, settling at Maysville, 
Franklin county, where he followed farm- 
ing in the summers and teaching in the 
winters. In the spring of 1858 he went 
to Buena Vista county, made a claim on 
the .Little Sioux river, but lost it, and late 
in the s me year returned to Franklin 
county The summer of 1860 he spent in 
the mines of Pike's Peak. In 1861 he 
met John Brown, Jr., in Chicago, and en- 
listed in the 7th regiment Kansas Cavalry, 
better known as the "Jayhawkers." He 
started :.s a private, and became a non- 
commissioned officer, serving eighteen 
months. As soon as colored men began to 
to be mustered in the Union army, Mr. 



A^ 



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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



Reeve was detailed to organize such troops. 
He soon had such a com|iaiiy ready, ^t 
Corinth, Miss., for the 55th regiment Col- 
ored Infantry and he was appointed its 
c.apt in. A little later he aided in org.-ni- 
izing the 88th regiment Colored Inf:<ntry, 
and was appointed major. Still later, he 
organized a regiment of colored militia, 
and was made its colonel. Near the close 
of the rebellion, Col. Reeve wts detailed for 
service in the Freedmen's Bureau, being 
appointed superintendent of the same at 
Memphis. This office he held until Jan- 
uary, 1866, when he returned to his home 
and farm at Maysville. He moved to 
Hampton in 1870; had previously read 
law at sundry limes ; was admitted to the 
bar, and engageil in law pr ctice and real 
estate business. Col. Reeve has held many 
offices of trust in Franklin county ; he 
was elected county judge in 1861, but 
before qualifying enlisted in the army ; 
lie was a member of the board of super- 
visors from 1867 to 1869, and then elected 
treasurer of the county, serving four years. 
He has been for a number of years, one 
of the regents of the State University, and 
in 1873, was a very prominent candidate 
for State treasurer. He is now engaged 
in the pension bureau of the government, 
but still makes Hampton his home. On 
the 2d of April, 185S, Mr. Reeve was mar- 
ried to H. Lavina Soper, of Maysville, 
formerly of St. Lawrence Co.,N. Y. They 
have had seven children, six of whom are 
living. 

Major A. U. Kellam came to Hampton, 
from Delevan, Wis., in 1871, and in com- 
pany with J. F. Latimer, established the 
Franklin County Bank. For about ten 
years he remained connected with the 



institution, and in the meantime became 
a law partner of John H. King and D. W. 
Henley. After closing his connection with 
the bank he devoted his whole time and 
energy to the practice of law. in busi- 
ness and social circles he was much es- 
teemed and respected and his word was 
always as good as his note. Probably no 
man has ever had the thorough respect 
and friendship of the entire county as 
was felt for Mr. Kellam. In 1881 he re- 
moved to Chamberlain, Dakota, and is 
there engaged in business. In his leaving 
the county, Hampton lost a valued citi- 
zen. 

John H. King commenced practice in 
187-', and for a time afterward was in 
partnership with W. N. Davidson. He 
remained here until August, 1882, then 
went to Dakota and was one of the 
founders of the town of Chamberlain, 
at the terminus of the Milwaukee tt St. 
Paul R. R. Mt. King was for two terms a 
member of the State legislature from 
this county, and while there attracted 
considerable attention for his zeal and 
activity in the interest of his constituents. 
No member of the eighteenth General 
Assembly stood higher in the estimation 
of his contemporaries or made a better 
record than did Mr. King. He was an 
indefatigable worker, and although not a 
success as a lawyer, his energy made him 
a man to be sought for. He was one of 
the best known men in the State. . 

J. D. Giffen opened a law office in 
Hampton in 1873, and remained about 
nine months. From here he went to 
Marion, Linn county, this Stale, and in 
1882 was elected judge of the eighth judi- 
cial district. 






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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



183 



J. H. Bland came here from Indianola, 
Iowa, is 1874, for the purpose of practic- 
ing law. He entered into partnership 
with D. W. Dow and remained about six 
months. His health then failed him and 
he went to Los Angelos Co., Cal, where 
he died soon after. In speaking of the 
unexpected death of James H. Bland, 
the State Register said: "Mr. Bland, who 
was well known in Iowa, removed to Cali- 
fornia in 187-t, going partly for health 
and partly for business. His disease was 
diphtheria, and his illness lasted only four 
or five days. Mr. Bland had many friends 
in our city and many at Indianola, where 
he attended college for three years, as 
well as at Hampton, this State, where he 
used to be in business. He was an inti- 
mate friend of Homer Cope, and was him- 
self a fine elocutionist, and had read in 
public at various places in this State. He 
went to California to pursue his profes- 
sion, that of law, and was meeting with 
unusual success. He was a young gentle- 
man of the highest worth and of the 
noblest (jualities. His age was twenty- 
eight." 

In 1377 the legal profession received an 
addition in the person of J. F. Haight, 
who located at Sheffield and commenced 
the practice of law. He had but little 
practice, paying most of his attention to 
insurance business. In 1880 he went to 
Tama county, this State, and in 1883 was 
located in Hamilton county. 

The next lawyer was J. W. Gilger, who 
came here from Greene, Butler county, in 
1880. He was a native of Venango Co., 
Pa., and came to Butler county early in 
the seventies. He was admitted to the 
bar in that county and worked up a fair 



practice. Mr. Gilger was a man of ability 
and was a good lawyer. For eighteen 
months he was in partnershij) with D. W. 
Dow, of Hampton, and for a time with 
D W. Henley. In the spring of 1883, 
Mr. Gilger removed to Minneapolis, Min., 
to pursue the practice of his profession. 

THE BA.R OP TO-DAY. 

In 1883 the legal profession was repre- 
sented in Franklin county by the follow- 
ing named firms and individuals: D. W. 
Dow, McKenzie & Hemingway, .Tames T. 
McCormick, D. W. Henley, Taylor & 
Evans, Harriman & Luke, William Hoy, 
Walter A. Church, G. R Miner and R. 
H. Whipple. 

Daniel W. Dow, the second attorney to 
locate at Hampton, and the oldest resi- 
dent attorney in the county, was born in 
Washtenaw Co., Mich., on the 30th of 
September, 1836. In 1846 his parents 
located in Waukesha Co., Wis., and two 
years later removed to Whiteside Co., 111. 
Having been taught the advantage of an 
education, at the age of fifteen he began 
attending school, woriing during the 
summer season to secure the necessary 
means to attend during the winter. After 
he had sufficient education he taught 
school during the winter months and at- 
tended in the summer At nineteen years 
of age he began the study of law, that 
profession being his aim from early boy- 
hood. For a time he read law with Joseph 
Knox, of Rock Island. Early in 1851) he 
was admitted to the bar, and soon after 
came to Iowa, and was admitted to prac- 
tice before the courts of this State in 
Clinton county. In July, 1859, he located 
at Hampton and began the practice of his 
profession. One year after his arrival he 



■fU 



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184 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



was elected clerk of the courts and re-elect- 
ed twice. After retiring from office he 
again began practicing his profession, in 
which he has since been actively engaged, 
lie is to-day one of the most successful 
attorneys in northern Iowa, and his suc- 
cess is largely due to his untiring zeal and 
ouergy. Mr. Dow has always taken an 
active part in any enterprise of a public 
nature that would tend to advance the 
interests of his county, and probably no 
man has worked harder than Daniel W. 
Dow to make Franklin county what it 
is to-day. He is a forcible speaker, clear 
and logical in his Hrguments, and is an 
honor to the bar of Franklin county. 
For a short time he served in the war 
for the Union, enlisting in 1864 in cora- 
])any G, 44th Iowa Infantry, as lieuten- 
ant, and served in that capacity until 
honorably discharged at the expiration 
of his term of service. On the 4th of 
December, 1864, Mr. Dow was married 
to Miss M J. Carter, daughter of S. H. 
Carter of Reeve township. Their chil- 
dren are — GuyH., Sarah A., Alma and Abi. 

Tom C. McKenzie came to Hampton 
in March, 1867, in company with his 
brother J. W. He remained a ^hort time, 
tlien went to Cedar Falls and studied law 
in the office of Packard cfc Brown. He 
l>ursued his studies until fall, then went 
to Ann Arbor, Mich., and took a law 
course, returning to Hampton the follow- 
ing spring. Mr. McKenzie was admitted 
to the bar in April, soon after his return 
to this place. He then went to Sioux City, 
this State, and engaged in the real estate 
business; but not meeting with the success 
he e.xpCcted, he returned to Hampton in 



the fall, and in company with his brother, 
opened the first regular law office in the 
place. The country was new, however, 
and there was but little business for law- 
yers; so Mr. McKenzie concluded to try 
his skill in a newspaper enterprise. He 
went to Ackley, Hardin county, this State, 
and established the Ackley Mirror, which 
paper he ran until fall, when he sold and 
returned to Hampton. He has since made 
this his home, engaged in the practice of 
his profession. Mr. McKenzie was born in 
in Wyandot Co., Ohio, Sept. 30, 184.5. His 
parents were Roderick and Rachel (Kerry) 
McKenzie; the former a native of New 
York; the latter of Virginia. Mr. McKen- 
zie made his native State his home, until 
coming to Iowa as above stated. He re- 
ceived his education at Ohio Wesleyan 
University, and at Oberlin College, hav- 
ing attended two years at the former 
and part of one year at the latter insti- 
tution. In the spring of 1864, he enlisted 
in the Signal Corps and served until the 
close of the war. Most of this time the 
signal squad was attached to the l.")th 
Army Corps, General John A. Logan, 
commander. Mr. McKenzie was married 
Dec. 1, 186i), to Florence Brown, of Cedar 
Falls. Jan. 16, 1876, Mrs. McKenzie died 
leaving two children — Nellie and Edwin, 
and one month later, little Edwin fol- 
lowed her. Mr. McKenzie was again 
married March 26, 1879, to Louie M. 
Harris, of Kirksville, Mo. This union 
has been blessed with two children — 
(4ertrude and James W. In 1870, .Mr. 
McKenzie was elected clerk of the dis- 
trict court, and resigned in June, 1875. 
In 1877, he was elected county treas- 
urer and was re-elected in 1879. In 



'^'TU 



HISTORY OF FRANKIN COUNTY. 



185 



1878, Mr. McKerizie entered into partner- 
ship with .T. M. Hemingway, for the pur- 
pose of practicing law, under the firm 
name of McKenzie & Hemingway. The 
firm is one of the most reliable in the 
county and have a large law practice. 

J. M. Hemingway, junior member of 
the law firm of MoKenzie & Hemingway, 
lias been a resident of Hampton since 1 875. 
He was born at Hadley, Mich., Dec. 4, 
1848, and is a son of John and Sarah 
(Dexter) Hemingway. In 1869, he entered 
the literary department of the University, 
of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, and graduated 
in ^Sl3. He came to Iowa in 1874, and 
matriculated at the State University at 
Iowa City, and graduated from the law 
department in the spring of 1875. He 
was admitted to practice in the supreme 
court of the Slate in June of that year. 
On opening his office at Hampton, he was 
associated with Hon. J. W. McKenzie, and 
on the latter's election as judge, he formed 
a co-partnership with T. C. McKenzie. 
He is a republican in politics. His busi- 
ness connection is regarded as among the 
leading in the county, and the firm is do- 
ing a prosperous and extensive business. 
Mr. Hemingway was married in 1877, to 
Natalia Zimmerman, born in La Porte, 
Ind. They have one child- — Irma. 

James T McCormick, is (ine of the gen- 
tlemen who can present valid claims to 
the rank of pioneer in Franklin county, 
arriving here in October 1857. Soon after, 
he was appointed deputy treasurer and re- 
corder, which position he tilled three years. 
In 1860, he engaged in the real estate 
business at Hampton. In 1862, he was 
appointed to fill a position in the quarter- 
master's department at Washington, D. C, 



where he remained six years. He has since 
been justice of the peace at Hampton, and 
is a charter member of the Knights of 
Pythias, and belongs to the society of A. 
O. U. W. Mr. McCormick was born in 
Union Co., Penn., May 8, 1836. He is a 
son of Samuel C. and Sarah (Taggart) 
McCormick. He was educated at the 
Baptist University, atLewisburg, Penn. 

D. W. Henley has been engaged in the 
practice of his profession at Hampton, 
since 1875. He was born in what is now 
Hendricks Co., Ind., Jan. 26, 1848. He 
is a son of W. H. and Elizabeth (Pitts) 
Henley. He attended the public schools 
of his native county, and finished his edu- 
cation at Earlham College, where he grad- 
uated in 1871. He soon after began the 
study of law at Indianapolis, and soon 
after entered the law school at Des 
Moines. Iowa. In December 1875, he was 
admitted to the bar. He located at Hamp- 
ton, and associated with John H. King, 
and afterwards with A. G. Kellam. Until 
lately, he has been a member of the law 
firm of Henley & Gil«er. In politics, he 
is a staunch republican and belongs to the 
order of Masons Mr. Henley was mar- 
ried, in 1871, to Emily Stanton. 

T. B. Taylor, senior member of the law 
firm of Taylor & Evans, came to Hamp- 
ton in 1873, and since 1874 has devoted 
his time to his profession. Mr. Taylor 
read law with Judge McKenzie, was ad- 
mitted to the bar in 1874, and then com- 
menced the practice of law in Hampton. 
The next June he was appointed clerk of 
courts of Franklin county, and in 1876 
was elected to the same office which he 
held one term, and then resumed the prac- 
tice ot law, which he has since followed. 






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186 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



He is a republican and a member of the 
y\. E. Church. He was married in 1872 
to Nellie VanSant. They have three 
living children: Olive, Ralph V. and 
Thomas B. Mr. Taylor was born in Du- 
buque Co., Iowa, Jan. 1, 1853, graduated 
at Cornell College in 1872, was afterwards 
principal of Albion !«eminary one year, 
and was engaged in Hampton with Taylor 
& Carhart for about eight months in the 
book and music business. In 1879 he en- 
tered partnership with W. D. Evans for 
the practice of law. 

William D. Evans located and com- 
menced the practice of law in Hampton 
in 1879, being associated with T. B. Tay- 
lor. He was born in Racine Co., Wis., 
May 10, 1852, and in 1858 came with his 
parents and settled in Iowa City, Iowa, 
where at the age of twenty-one he gradu- 
ated at the State University, in the col- 
lege department in 1878, and in the law 
department in 1879. He is a republican, 
an earnest advocate of temperance and a 
member of the Congregational Church at 
Hampton. He and Julia Clark, of Iowa 
City, were married in 1879 and have two 
children: Kvan S. and William Devoid. 

W. F. Harriman, mayor of Hampton, is 
among the leading attorneys of Franklin 
county. He was born at Warner, N. H., 
Aug. 16, 18-tl. Until the age of nineteen 
he was engaged in obtaining his education, 
studying first in the public schools and 
afterward at the New London Literary 
and Scientific Institute. He was employed 
some time subsequently in teaching, and 
later in reading law. He came west to 
Floyd Co., Iowa, in 1860, and in 1869 
was admitted to the bar at Charles City. 
He soon after removed to Cherokee Co., 



Iowa. After a brief residence there he 
was elected to the office of county sui)er- 
intendent of schools, which post he held 
two years. In 1876 he came to Hampton, 
and has since been actively engaged in 
the prosecution of his profession. He is 
of the firm of Harriman & Luke. He is 
independent in politics and gives his sup- 
port to the candidate who is, in his judg- 
ment, most fit for the position. He is 
popular with the people and has held 
several official positions previous to his 
present incumbency. Mr. Harriman is a 
member of the Masonic order, and be- 
longs to Anchor Lodge, No. 191, of Hamp- 
ton. He was married in 1865 to Ella E. 
Mitchell. Ti eir children are: John W., 
Wilbert E. and Charles B. Harriman. 

J. W. Luke, junior member of the law 
firm of Harriman & Luke, was born near 
Albany, Albany Co., N. Y., in 1840. His 
parents were Garrett and Maria (Hotelling) 
Luke, both natives of Albany Co., N. Y. 
In 1849 the family removed to Cayuga 
county, same State, where they lived five 
years. In 1854 they removed to Illinois, 
locating for the first four years in Boone 
county, and at the expiration of that time 
went to Jo Daviess county. In April, 
1861, Mr. Luke enlisted in company E, 
loth Illinois Infantry, and on the organ- 
ization of the company he was elected 
second lieutenant. He commanded the 
company during almost the entire time 
until the summer of 1865, when the com- 
pany disbanded and Mr. Luke was dis- 
charged from service as a captain. Dur- 
ing the war Mr. Luke participated in the 
battles of Fort Donelson, Shiloh, Vicks- 
burg, Atlanta and all of the engagements 
of the Army of the Tennessee, to which his 



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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



187 



company was attached. At the battle of 
Shiloh he was wounded in the right tl;igh 
and in the left leg below the knee, being 
disabled for over two months. On the 
first day of that memorable battle, there 
were seventy men in his company, and 
out of that number there were forty that 
were killed or wounded. After his dis- 
charge Mr. Luke returned to Jo Daviess 
Co., 111., and was elected sheriff of the 
county, which office beheld for two years. 
In the meantime he had been applying 
himself to the study of law, and as soon 
as his term of office expired was admitted 
to the bar, commencing practice at once. 
Shortly after being admitted to the bar 
Mr. Luke was elected prosecuting attor- 
ney of his county, holding the office four 
years. After this he engaged in the prac- 
tice of his chosen profession at Galena, 
111., until the spring of 1882, when he 
came to Hampton. He at once opened a 
law office, engaging in practice alone until 
fall, when he entered into partnership 
with W. F. Harriman, under the firm 
name of Harriman & Luke. Mr. Luke 
was married in September, 1866, to Sarah 
A. Yerrington, a native of Michigan. 

William Hoy has been a practicing at- 
torney in Hampton since 1878. He was 
born Aug. 26, 1840, and when nine years 
of age, moved with his parents to eastern 
Wisconsin, where he grew to manhood 
and obtained a good common school edu- 
cation, which was supplemented by a five 
years course at Hamline University, at 
Red Wing, Minn. He then engaged as 
principal of the schools of Kasson, Minn., 
and afterwards at Newton, Iowa. He 
retained the latter position five years 
and then entered the law office of Hon. 



J. C. Cook, of Newton, afterwards mem- 
ber of Congress from that district. He 
was admitted to the bar in Jasper Co., 
Iowa, in 1876, and soon after transferred 
his interests to Hampton. Mr. Hoy has 
given his attention chiefly to commercial 
law and ranks high as an expert in that 
avenue of his profession. He is doing an 
immense business and has an extensive 
reputation as a commercial lawyer. In 
politics he is a republican, and is a mem- 
ber of the.M. E. Church. . In 1863, he was 
married to Miss M. C. Ferguson of New 
York. 

Walter A. Church came with his parents, 
David and Harriet C. (Shattuck) Church, 
in 1856, to Franklin Co., Iowa. He 
was born March 23, 1853, in Erie Co., 
Penn. He attended the log school 
house; the Albion Seminary; read law 
with W. F. Harriman ; afterwards took a 
law course at Iowa City and was admitted, 
March, 1880, in Franklin county, before 
Judge Bradley. He practiced two years 
in Hampton, and then engaged in farming 
and stock raising, which he still continues. 
In politics he is a republican. In October, 
1880, he married MissL.E. Norton. They 
have one child. 

G. R. Miner came to Sheffield, Iowa, 
1879, having come to Franklin county in 
1869. He was born in Windsor Co., 
Vt., in 1845. Here he grew up on a 
farm, working part of the time in a saw- 
mill, received an academic education at 
Barre, Vt., and in 1856, entered the Mich- 
igan State University at Ann Arbor. On 
leaving that institution he came to Iowa 
and taught sshool two terms at Earlville, 
Iowa He then went to Iowa Falls and 
studied law in the office of N. W. Ander- 



oK~*" 



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1S8 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



son for about a year and a half . In 1860, 
lie came to Franklin county to teach in 
what was then Clinton township. In 1873, 
he moved to what is now Marion town- 
ship and was largely instrumental in its 
organization. Mr. Miner taught the first 
school in the township, was the first town- 
ship clerk, holding the office for three 
years and has also held the offices of treas- 
urer and secretary of the school board, 
each two years. In all he has taught 
school about fifteen terms in this county. 
In 1879, he was admitted to the bar at 
Hampton and at once removed to Sheffield, 
where he has practiced his profession ever 
since, doing at the same time a very ex- 
tensive insurance business. He was one 
of the charter members of the Masonic 
lodge. He served one year in the army, 
enlisting in the 16th Vermont Volunteer 
Infantry in 1862. He is also a member 
and is adjutant of the G. A. R He was 
married, in 1872, to Mary J. Miner, born 
in Ohio. They have five children — -May, 
Ora, Zoa, Rio and Ina. 

R. H. Whipple, an attorney at Dows 
and member of the firm of Whipple & 
Train, was born in Akron, Ohio, May 24, 
1849. When yet a child his parents set- 
tled in Green Lake Co., Wis., and 
two years later removed to Brandon. 
In 1866, they came to Franklin county 
and settled on section 30, Moriran town- 



ship, where the father still lives, the 
mother having been called away by death 
in 1881. R. H. Whipple received his 
early education in Wisconsin. In October, 
1862, he enlisted as a drummer in compa- 
ny I, 11th Wisconsin Infantry, and served 
in that regiment until July, 1864, when 
he re-enlisted in the 1st Wisconsin Bat- 
tery and remained in service until July, 
1865. On receiving his discharge he re- 
turned to Wisconsin, and in 1866, came to 
Iowa with his parents. Since that time he 
has devoted much of his time to teaching, 
and was principal of the high schools at 
Estherville and Spencer, Iowa. In 1877 
and 1878, he read law with Lot Thomas, 
of Storm Lake, after which he engaged 
in railroading for Hon. S. L. Dows, re- 
maining with him during the years 1880, 
1881 and 1882. He was admitted to the 
bar at Clarion, Wright County, before 
Judge Miracle, and then formed the part- 
nership now existing between himself and 
R. E. Train, in the law, collection and 
real estate business. Mr. Whipple was 
married in 1873 to Harriet M. Ellis, 
who was born in Linn Co , Iowa, 
May 29, 1858. They have three children 
— Freddie, Maude and Mamie. Mr. Whip- 
ple is a republican in politics and has 
held various local offices ; he is a mem- 
ber of the Masonic fraternity and a man 
who holds the respect and esteem of all 
who know him. 



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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



189 



CHAPTER Viri. 



EDUCATIONAL. 



The educational history of Franklin 
county is one of interest, and the zeal dis- 
played by many in the interests of good 
schools is indeed commendable. The 
common schools of our country are now 
regarded by many as essential to the 
safety of the Republic. The first settlers 
of the Territory showed in their works 
their faith in the public schools. Gov. 
Robert Lucas, in his message to the first 
legislative assembly of Iowa Territory, 
which convened at Burlington, Nov. 12, 
1838, says, in reference to schools : 

" The 12th section of the act of congress 
establishing our Territory declares, ' that 
the citizens of Iowa shall enjoy all the 
rigl'.ts, privileges and immunities hereto- 
fore granted and secured to the Territory 
of Wisconsin and its inhabitants.' This 
extends to us all the rights, privileges and 
immunities specified in the ordinance of 
congress of the 13th of July, 1787. 

" The 3d article of this ordinance de- 
clares, 'that religion, morality and knowl- 
edge being necessary to good government 
and the happiness of mankind, schools 
and all the means of education shall be 
forever encouraged.' 

" Congress, to carry out this declara- 
tion, has granted one section of land in 
each township to the inhabitants of such 
township for the purposes of schools 
therein. 



"There is no subject to which I wish 
to call your attention more emphatically 
than the subject of establishing, at the 
commencement of our political existence, a 
well digested system of common schools." 
This assembly addressed itself early to 
the task of providing for a system of com- 
mon schools, and enacted a law providing 
for the formation of districts, the estab- 
lishing of schools, and authorized the 
voters of each district, when lawfully 
assembled, to levy and collect the neces- 
sary taxes, " either in cash or good, mer- 
chantable property, at cash price, upon 
the inhabitants of their respective dis- 
tricts, not exceeding one-half per centum, 
nor amounting to more than $10 on any 
one person, to do all and everything nec- 
essary to the establishment and support 
of schools within the same." ' 

The second legislative assembly enacted, 
.Jan. 16, 1840, a much more comprehen- 
sive law to establish a system of common 
schools — a law containing many excellent 
features. Its provisions were, however, 
in advance of the existing public senti- 
ment, on the subject of education, mak- 
ing ample provision as it did for free pub- 
lic schools. Even the people of Iowa were 
scarcely ready for such a law. 

In the United States census of 1 840, 
very few schools, either private or public, 
were reported. One academy in Scott 






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190 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



county, with 25 scholars, and in the State, 
G3 primary and common scliools with 1,500 
scholars, being the whole number reported. 

The first section of the act of 1839 for 
t:e establishment of common schools ])ro- 
vided, that "there shall be established a 
comiuoM school, or schools, in each of the 
counties of this Territory, which shall be 
open and free for every class of white 
citizens betvveen the ages of five and twen- 
ty-one years;" the second section provid- 
ing tiiat " the county board shall, from 
time to time, form such districts in their 
respective counties, whenever a petition 
may be presented for that purpose by a 
majority of the voters resident within such 
contemplated district." These districts 
were governed by aboard of three trustees, 
whose duties were to examine and employ 
teachers, superintend the schools, and 
collect and disburse the taxes voted by 
the electors for school purposes. 

Among the earlier enactments of the 
TerritiM'ial legislature were those requir- 
ing that each district maintain at least 
tliree month's school every year, and that 
the expenses for the same be raised by 
taxes levied upon the property of said dis- 
trict. Among the latter enactments was 
that providing for a county school tax to 
be levied to })ay teachers, and that what- 
ever additional sum might be required 
for this pui-pose should be assessed upon 
the parents sending in proportion to the 
length of time sent. The rate-bill system 
was thus adopted near the close of the 
Territorial period. 

When Iowa was admitted into the 
Union as a State, Dec. 28, 1846, with 
a poi)ulation of 100,000, and a reported 
school population of about 20,000, about 



400 districts had been organized. From 
this time the number of districts rap- 
idly increased, reaching 1,000 in 1819, 
and J, 200 in 1S50. In 1857 the number 
of organized school districts had increased 
to 3,265. The Hon. Maturin L. Fisher, 
who then so ably filled the office of super- 
intendent of public instruction, in his re- 
port, dated November, 1857, urged the re- 
vision of the school law, and of the reduc- 
tion in the number of school districts. 

The seventh general assembly again 
took up the subject of the revision of the 
school laws, and on the 12th day of March, 
1858, passed "An act for the Public In- 
struction of the State of Iowa," the first 
section of which provided that " Each 
civil township in the sever 1 counties of 
this State is hereby declared a school ilis- 
trict for all the pur]ioses of this act, the 
boundaries of said township being the 
boundaries of said school district, and 
every township hereafter laid out and or- 
ganized, a school district; and each dis- 
trict, as at present organized, shall be- 
come a sub-district for the purposes here- 
inafter provided : Proxnded, that each in- 
corporated city or town, including the 
territory annexed thereto for school jiur- 
poses, and which contains not less than 
1,000 inhaliitants, shall be and is hereby 
created a school district." This law took 
effect March 20, 1858, and reduced the 
number of districts from about 3,500 to 
less than 900. 

In December, 1858, a law was enacted 
|>roviding that any city or incorporated 
■town, including the territory annexed 
thereto for school purposes, ni.ay constitute 
a school district, by vote of the majority 
of electo7-s residing upon the territory of 



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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



191 



such contemplated district. In 1860 the 
provisions of this act were extended to 
unincorporated towns and villages con- 
taining not less than 300 inhabitants. 

By an act passed April 3, 1860, this 
privilege was further extended to any city 
or sub-district containing not less than 200 
inhabitants, and certain territory contigu- 
ous thereto. It soon became evident that 
by this amendment a serious innovation 
would be made in the district township 
system, by the formation of independent 
districts in the more thickly settled and 
wealthier portions of the townships. The 
amendment was repealed e.arly in the ses- 
sion of the following General Assembly. 

Hon. D. F. Wells, in his report, dated 
December, 1867, says that " the advantages 
of the district township system are so nu- 
merous and apparent that prominent edu- 
cators in other States where it is not yet 
introduced are laboring earnestly for its 
adoption." 

Hon. A. S. Kissell labored assiduously 
to secure such a change as would remove 
the sub-district feature of our system, 
which had proved a fruitful source of dis- 
cord and dissatisfaction, and was every 
year making the system more unpopular 
as it becanle more difficult of administra- 
tion. He desired to abolish the sub-dis- 
trict meeting and the office of sub-diieclor, 
and make each township a single school 
district, to be governed by a board of di- 
rectors elected at the annual district town- 
ship meeting for the term of three years. 
In his report, dated Jan. 1, 1872, he 
says: "In this system every township 
becomes a school district, and all sub-dis- 
trict boundaries are abandoned ; and if 
this plan were carried into effect in this 



State it would allow no other school di- 
visions than those of the independent and 
township districts. 

" The most experienced educators of the 
country have advocated this system. 
Among these are such men as Horace 
Mann, U. S. Commissioner Barnard, ex- 
Gov. Boutwell, Dr. Newton Bateman, of 
Illinois. Dr. Gregory, late superintendent, 
of Michigan, and the county and State 
superintendents of one-third of the States 
of the Union. The arguments advani ed 
by many of these experienced school men 
are unanswerable. Massachusetts and 
Pennsylvania have tested the system prac- 
tically for several years, it is pronounced 
by these States a success; and this suc- 
cessful experiment of three or four years 
should have greater weight with us in 
this young and growing commonwealth < 
than any theoretical arguments that could 
be advanced." 

Notwithstanding the efforts and array 
of argument, and the conviction on the 
part ot those who had made a special study 
of this subject, the general assembly which 
convened Jan. 8, 1872, enacted a law 
providing for the formation of independent 
districts, from the sub-districts of a dis- 
trict township. This law has ever been a 
plague to county superintendents, and 
several efforts have been made to effect its 
repeal, but without avail. 

Every governor that Iowa has had has 
given his warmest approval of the com- 
mon school system. Gov. James W. 
Grimes, in his inaugural message, Dec. 
9, 1854, displays broad statesmanship, 
advanced and liberal views and eminently 
sound philosophy in the following lan- 
guage : 



"71^ 






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192 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



J 
J 



" Government is established for the pro- 
tection of the governed. But, that protec- 
tion does not consistmerely in the enforce- 
ment of laws against injury to the person 
and property. Men do not make a volun- 
tary abnegation of their natural rights, 
simply that those rights may be protected 
by the body politic. It reaches more vital 
interests than those of property. Its 
greatest object is to elevate and ennoble 
the citizen. It would fall far short of its 
design if it did not disseminate intelli- 
gence, and build up the moral energies of 
the people. It is organized to establish 
justice, promote the public welfare and 
secure the blessings of liberty. It is de- 
signed to foster the instincts of truth, jus- 
tice and philanthrophy, that are implanted 
in our very natures, and from which 
all constitutions and laws derive their va- 
lidity and value. It should afford moral 
as well as physical protection by educat- 
ing the rising generation ; by encouraging 
industry and sobriety; by steadfas ly ad- 
hering to the right, and by being ever true 
to the instincts of freedom and humanity. 

" To accomplish these high aims of gov. 
ernment, the first requisite is ample 
])rovision for the education of the youth 
of the State. The common school 
fund of the State should be scrupu- 
lously preserved, and a more efficient sys- 
tem of common schools than we now have 
should be adopted. The State should see 
to it that the elements of education, like 
the elements of universal nature, are above, 
around, and beneath all. 

"It is agreed that the safety and per- 
petuity of our republican institutions de- 
pend upon the diffusion of intelligence 
among the masses of the people. The 



statistics of the penitentiaries and alms- 
houses throughout the country abundantly 
show that education is the best preventa- 
tive of pauperism and crime. They show, 
also,' that the prevention of those evils is 
much less expensive than the punishment 
of the one, and the relief of the other. 
Education, too, is the great equalizer of 
human conditions. It places the poor on 
an equality with the rich. It subjects the 
appetites and passions of the rich to the 
restraints of reason and conscience, and 
thus prepares each for a career of useful- 
ness and honor. Every consideration, 
therefore, of duty and policy impels us lo 
sustain the common schools of the State 
in the highest possible efficiency." 

SCHOOL FUND COMMISSIONERS. 

When Franklin county came into exist- 
ence, in 1855, the office of superintendent 
had not been created. The only school 
officer was the school fund commissioner, 
who merely had charge of the school funds, 
to a certain extent the same as has the 
board of supervisors of to-day. He had 
authority to make loans of the school 
funds to private parties upon sufficient se- 
curity, and most of the mortgages recorded 
as made in early days were made to him 
in consideration of the loan of school 
funds. In those days the directors hired 
the teacher, examining those whom they 
wished to employ, and public examina- 
tions were unknown. • 

The first school fund commissioner was 
Henry Schroyer, who was elected in 
August, 1865. 

Henry Schroyer settled in Franklin 
county, in 1854, coming from Muncie, 
Delaware Co., Ind. He was not an edu- 
cated man, but was possessed of good 



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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



193 



natural ability. He was an active poli- 
tician and was an efficient officer, serving 
his constituents with good satisfaction. 
He left the county in 1859 and moved to 
Mahaska county. 

In April, 1858, George W. Hansell was 
elected school fund commissioner. 

In tire spring of 1858 the office of school 
fund commissioner was abolished, the 
duties thereafter devolving mostly upon 
the board of supervisors. The office of 
county superintendent of schools was at 
this time created. The duties and work of 
the office was then the same as at the 
present day, visiting schools, holding ex- 
aminations, and looking after the interests 
of educational matters in general. 

The first to fill this office was Robert 

F. Piatt, who was elected in 1858, and re- 
signed in November of the same year. 

W. N. Davidson was appointed to till 
the vacancy occasioned by the resignation 
of Piatt, and in 1859 was elected to the 
office. 

N. B. Chapman succeeded W. N. Dav- 
idson in the office of county superintend- 
ent of schools in the fall of 1861. 

In 1863, Dr. C. F. West was elected 
county superiuteiident of schools. Dr. 
West was a practicing physician of Hamp- 
ton. 

Dr. West was succeeded by N. B. Chap- 
man in 1865, and in 1867 L. B. Raymond 
was elected county superintendent. 

The next superintendent was J. C. 
Whitney, who was elected in 1869 and re- 
elected in 1871. Mr. Whitney was at this 
time editor of the Franklin Beporter. Mr. 
Whitney resigning in the spring of 1872, 

G. G. Clemmer was appointed to fill the 
vacany. Mr. Clemmer held the office 



until fall, when J. W. Myers was elected. 
Mr Clemmer was elected to the office in 
the fall of 1873. 

The office of superintendent was made 
vacant in the fall of 1875, by the resigna- 
tion of Mr. Clemmer. G. H, Brock was 
appointed to the office and held it until 
Jan. 1, 1876, when Miss O. M. Reeve, 
superintendent elect, entered upon the 
duties of the office. In the summer of 
1877, Miss Reeve resigned and L. B. 
Raymond was appointed to complete the 
year. 

In the fall of 1877, I. W. Myers was 
elected county superintendent and served 
for one term. 

The next county superintendent was 
John E Evans, who was elected in 1879, 
and re-elected in 1881. 

John E. Evans, the present superintend- 
ent of schools of Franklin county, came 
here in 1876, and soon after became prin- 
cipal of the schools at Geneva and retained 
the position six terms. He was born in 
Racine Co., Wis., Aug. 22, 1850, 
and is a son of E. J. and Ann (Davis) 
Evans. His parents removed to Iowa 
Co., Iowa, when he was eight years of 
age. He obtained a fair degree of educa- 
tion at the district schools, and studied 
three years at the Universityat Iowa City. 
Mr. Evans is a supporter of the principles 
of the republican party, and a member of 
the Congregational Church at Hampton. 
He was married, in 1875, to Amelia Jones, 
born in the State of New York. 

EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT. 

From the time of the first settlement of 
the county, and the organization of the 
first district, the number of school districts 
increased very rapidly, and educational 



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194 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



facilities became more and more efficient. 
Every decade that passed showed a marked 
contrast to the preceding one. In 1870, 
there were 1,889 persons in Franklin 
county between the ages of five and twenty- 
one years, 985 males and 904 females, and 
of these, 1,129 were enrolled in the schools 
of the county. There were fifty-six schools 
in the county, with one graded. There 
were two brick, four stone and thirty- 
eight frame school houses. Male teachers 
received an average of #6.75 per week 
and female teachers $9.13. In 1875, the 
number between the ages of five and 
twenty-one had increased to 1,191 males 
and 1,142 females, 1,804 being enrolled as 
pupils in thi! public schools. The number of 
.schools had increased to seventy-one, with 
one graded. There were two brick, six 
stone, and sixty-three frame school houses 
in the county. Male teachers received a 
monthly compensation of $34.57, and 
females $25.43. 

PRESENT CONDITION. 

From the last statistical report, a num- 
ber of items have been collected which 
will show conclusively the condition of 
educational matters in Franklin county in 

1883: 

Number of district townships in the 
county 15 

Niiuiber of independent districts 81 

Number of sub-districts 71 

Number of ungraded schools in the 

county 103 

Number of rooms :n graded schools.. 14 

Average term of schools in county. ... 7.19 
Number of male teachers employed in 

the county 53 

Number of female teachers 68 

Average monthly compensation to male 

teiichers $35.3.S 

Female teacbers 27.47 



Total number of children in county 
between ages of five and twenty-one 
years 

Total number of pupils enrolled in ihe 
schools of the county 

Total average attendance 

Number of school houses in ihe county: 

Frame 

Brick 

Stone , 

Total value of houses $64,365 

Total value of apparatus 3,683 

Total number of certificates issued in 
1883 

First grade 

Second grade 

Third grade 

Number of applicants rejected 



3,891 

3,039 
1,717 

107 
1 
4 



180 
74 
65 
41 
38 



The following general remarks concern- 
ing the present condition of educational 
matters in Franklin county was contributed 
by John E. Evans, county superintendent: 

"The schools of Franklin county will 
compare favorably with those of neighbor- 
ing counties. The complaints which 
could be made here can be made as truly 
in other counties, and in fact all over the 
State. Among these may be mentioned 
the scarcity of good teachers, and the con- 
tinual change in the teaching force. 
Other employments offer inducements, 
and the best teachers soon leave the pro- 
fession. The schools are compelled to use 
a srreat deal of raw material or tjo without 
teachers. However, our school may be 
said to be in good condition considering 
the many difficulties to be overcome 

"Our teachers are generally in earnest and 
realize he importance of their work. 

"Our institutes have been well attended 
and have been very successful in every 
respect. 



^ 



-^ sf'V*" 








1. 



r/ ^^ 



1^ 



.4 






^2^<^ ey^a^^ia. a^' 




HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



lO/ 



"The sentiment of our people is strongly 
in favor of the schools. They are willing 
to be taxed for their support, and generally 
appreciate good work. A number of new 
school houses are built each year as the 
settlement demands. These houses are 
generally good substantial buildings, and 
provided with the best patent seats and 
other furniture. 

"Franklin county stands in need of more 
high schools. At present there is only 
one school in the county which has a course 
of study in advance of the common school 
course. A county high school or private 
academy or any similar institution would 
be a great benefit, as the supply of well 
qualified teachers would be increased. 
Such an institution would be welcome. 
John E. Evans, 
County Superintendent. 

THE NORMAL INSTITUTE. 

By an act passed by the General Assem- 
bly of Iowa in 1873, the county superin- 
tendents were required to coTOimence and 
each year hold a teachers' or normal insti- 
tute at some convenient point in each 
county for the drill of those who were 
teachers, or who intended to teach. The 
design was to furnish teachers an oppor- 
tunity to review and enlarge their knowl- 
edge of the branches to be taught, to ac- 
quaint themselves with improved meth- 
ods of teaching, *to awaken an increased 
desire for self-improvement in knowledge 
and skill and power to control others, and 
to give them more confidence and ability 



in managing the affairs of the school. 
For the purpose of defraying the expenses 
incident to such gatherings, the institute 
fund was created, to which the State pays 
fifty dollars, the balance being made up by 
the one dollar examination fees paid to 
the county superintendent, and the fees of 
one dollar each charged to each member 
who attends the institute. This fund is 
under the exclusive control of the county 
superintendent. There is no law com- 
pelling teachers to attend the institutes, 
but each applicant for a certificate is re- 
quired to show good cause for. not having 
attended. The county superintendent is 
very active in this particular and contin- 
ually urges upon the teachers the necessi- 
ty of attending the institutes. The first 
institute was held at Hampton, in 1874, 
by G. G. Clemmer, county superintend- 
ent. There was but a meagre attendance, 
b.ut the results were lasting and beneficial 
and year by year the institutes have been 
growing stronger, with steadily increasing 
attendance. 

The ninth annual normal institute of 
Franklin county was held in the high 
school building at Hampton, Aug. 7, 1882, 
in compliance with the call of John E. 
Evans, county superintendent. The total 
enrollment was 114. Professor Sabin, of 
Clinton, Iowa, was conductor of the insti- 
tute exercises, and occupied that position 
with great credit to himself and to those 
who had chosen him. The lecturers were 
Prof. Sabin, Rev. Mr. Plumraer and Miss 
E. A. Hamilton. 



►fv* 



_^c 



'-^ 



198 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



CHAPTER IX. 



THE MEDICAL PROFESSION. 



It is the general impression that no 
community could well get along without 
jihyslcians, and the impression is well 
founded, although possibly a little exag- 
erated. Yet it would be trying and sor- 
ry work for any community to attempt 
to do entirely without the aid of those 
who have made the work of allaying the 
sufferings of the afflicted a life study and 
a life object. The work of physicians, 
when needed, is not measured by dollars, 
and the long years preparing them for 
emergencies where life and death are 
struggling for supremacy, are above value. 

As to progress, the medical world has 
made wonderful strides, and, in the future, 
will undoubtedly keep up its onward 
march. Even to-day medical science has 
so mastered its intricacies that there are 
remedies for almost every phase of dis- 
ease; and, if the past rapid progress con- 
tinues, fifty years hence will see the 
science of medicine advanced to a wonder- 
ful stage of excellence. 

FIRST PHYSICIAN IN THE COUNTY. 

Dr. L. H. Arlidge was the first practic- 
ing physician to locate in Franklin county. 
He came from Indiana in 1854, and pur- 
chased a farm of Mr. Mayne, the farm 
now owned by J. M. Soper. Arlidge had 
a wife and three children. He had a com- 
mon school education, and, though it is 
said that his medical education was limited. 



yet he had an extensive practice for that 
day. He was a minister in the M. E. 
Church, and a first rate preacher. Many 
of the present settlers remember hearing 
him preach. 

An incident is related of him by Mr. 
Soper. At the time Mr. Soper purchased 
the farm, Franklin county was attached 
to Hardin county, and, before the bargain 
was closed between him 'and the doctor, 
they both went to Eldora to look over the 
records. Finding everything satisfactory, 
the bargain was closed and the money 
was paid to Mr. Soper. The doctor then 
went to a drug store, got a gallon demi- 
john full of the best brandy, to help them 
on the way home. He placed the demi- 
john in the wagon, and the roads being 
rough it struck a projecting bolt in the 
bottom of the box, making a hole through 
which the brandy ran into the wagon box, 
on seeing which, the doctor excitedly ex- 
claimed, "My gracious, I am losing all my 
brandy;" and catching a bucket he got 
under the wagon and caught the liquid as 
it ran through the cracks of the box. He 
was what was termed a Iloosier, and spoke 
that dialect. He went from here to Man- 
kato, Minn., but shortly came back, re- 
mained a few years and then went to 
Nebraska. He fell from the top of a 
wagon load of logs, and the w heel passing 
over his head resulted in his death, lie 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



199 



was married twice — his first wife died in 
Ackley, Iowa; his second wife still sur- 
vives, is married again and lives in the 
souiliern jjart of the State. 

MAYSVILLE PHYSICIANS. 

Dr. L. H. Arlidge located one mile east 
of the present site of Maysville, in 1854, 
as stated. 

Dr. S. R. Mitchell came in 1855, and 
commenced the practice of medicine at 
Maysville, remaining at that place until 
180i!, when he removed to Ottumwa, this 
State. The doctor was very popular as a 
physician, and was held in high esteem. 
He had a large practice, and made many 
long rides to reach his patients. 

Dr. Addis came to Franklin county, and 
located near Maysville in about 1856. He 
remained several years, then moved to 
Ponca, Neb., where he practiced until his 
death. 

HAMPTON PHYSICIANS. 

Among the first physicians to locate in 
Hampton, was Dr. Guthrie. He came 
here in the fall of 1856, and besides 
following his profession, kept hotel in a 
little building which stood on the present 
site of the Beed block. Dr. Guthrie was 
a man of good morals, and had many traits 
of character which made him a respected 
citizen. In 1858, he removed to New 
Hartford, Butler Co., Iowa. His present 
location, if he is still living, is unknown. 

Dr. T. H. Baker began the practice of 
medicine at Hampton at a very early day, 
and is still an honored citizen and physi- 
cian. He is the oldest practicing physician 
in the county. 

Dr. J. S. Hurd practiced here for many 
years. He is still a resident of Chapin, 
this county. 



Dr. C. F. West, allopath, came to this 
place in 1863, and remained until 1865. 
Dr. West was from Missouri, and on leav- 
ing Hampton, went to Indianola, Warren 
Co., Iowa, where he is now following his 
profession. Dr. West was a man of ability, 
but had little practice. He is now doing 
well and has a good business in Indianola. 

Dr. O. B. Harriman located and com- 
menced the practice of medicine at Hamp- 
ton, in 1865. He was born Sept., 29, 1 836, 
in Warner, N. H., where, in his youth, he 
attended Ellenwood Seminary — now Web 
ster. He began the study of medicine in 
Concord, N. H., entered Dartmouth Med- 
ical College in 1857, where he graduated 
in 1860, followed his profession four years 
in Rockford, Iowa, and then settled at 
Hampton. He was the first president of 
the Franklin County Medical Association, 
and a member of the Northwestern and 
Iowa State Medical Association. He was 
superintendent of schools, of his native 
town, at the age of twenty, and has held 
many municipal oflices in Hampton. He 
was an elector on the Harrison and Tyler 
ticket. In a nutshell, he is a demociat, 
Mason, Knight Templar and Odd Fellow. 
In April 1868, he married Ellen J. Don- 
ovan and they have seven children — Ed- 
win, Jennie, Lily, Lura, Vera, Dua and an 
infant. 

Dr. James A. Norton came to Hampton 
in 1869. He practiced here for about three 
years, then returned to Tiffin, Ohio, his 
former home. He has since served three 
terms in the Ohio legislature. Dr. Nor- 
ton was small in stature, of quick, nervous 
temperment, and was as "smart as a whip." 
He was a graduate of the Cleveland Medi- 
cal College, at Cleveland, Ohio. He was 



►Pv 



A^ 



200 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



^' 



married in Franklin county to Miss Hem- 
ing, a native of Ohio. 

J. B. Galer, M. D., born in Milton, 
Penn., Feb. 4, 1822, a son of George and 
Mary (Orr) Galer, lacated at Hampton, 
Iowa, as a physician June 1, 1870, and still 
resides there, having a large practice. He 
is a member of the County Medical Asso- 
ciation, and was one of its charter mem- 
bers. He went with his parents to Muncie, 
Lycoming Co., Penn., and at fourteen he 
went to Clearfield, same State. He has 
also lived at Jefferson and Fayette, Wis., 
and Warren, 111. In 1848, he entered 
Rush Medical College and graduated. 
From Aug. 9, 1862, until Dec. 25, 1863, 
he was assistant surgeon in the 31st regi- 
ment, Wisconsin Volunteers, and resigned 
because of ill-health. In October, 1852, he 
married Louisa E. Beals, of St. Albans, 
Vt., who died Jan. 15, 1870; and Oct. 10, 
1872, he married Abba A. Gould, of 
Georgia, Vt. 

Dr. J. J. Leas came to Hampton, from 
St. Louis, in 1871, for the purpose of practic- 
ing medicine. He was a good physician 
and full of fun. He remained in Hamp- 
ton about ten years, when he went to 
Nebraska. 

Dr. Lincoln, an old school physician, 
came to Hampton, from Ohio, in 1871, 
and remained one year. His practice was 
not very extensive, so he left. 

James H. Hutchins, M. D., came to 
Hampton, Franklin Co., Iowa, in 1873, 
and has since devoted his time to the 
practice of medicine in this vicinity. He 
is senior member of the firm of Hutchins 
& Funk, in the drug business, but gives 
his entire time to his practice. He was 
born Jan. 10, 1845, at Kendall, Niagara 



Co., N. Y., and in August of the same 
year his parents, Osmond B. and Lydia 
(Davis) Hu chins, came wes and settled 
at Rockford, 111. Ai the age of fifteen he 
entered the Rock River Seminary, at 
Mount Morris, 111 , where he spent three 
years in study, after which he engaged 
two years in teaching, and when he was 
twenty years of age began reading medi- 
cine in the office of B. G. Pierce, M. D., at 
Warren, 111. Here he spent two years, 
and then entered Rush Medical College, 
where he graduated, Feb. 1, 1871. He 
practiced a few months at Riverside, 
Wis., then a year and a half at Apple 
River, III., after which he located at 
Hampton, in 1873. The same year he 
graduated he was appointed United States 
Examining Surgeon but resigned the 
same, in consequence of his removal to 
this State, and in 187Glie was re-appointed 
to the same position, which he still holds. 
He is now coroner of this county, and has 
been secretary of the Franklin Coun y 
Medical Society. In June, 1864, he en- 
listed as a non-commissioned officer, com- 
pany B, 142d Illinois Volunteer Infantry 
and was mustered out of the service with 
his regiment in the fall of the same year, 
at Camp Fry, Chicago, 111. In 1880, Dr. 
Hutchins went to New York for the pur- 
pose of more thoroughly preparing him- 
self for his professional work. He took 
special instruction under Professor Alfred 
L. Loomis, at Bellevue Hospital, also at 
the Woman's Hospital, under T. Adis 
Emmet, A. M., M. D., and received a 
thorough course of instruction from Pro- 
fessor Montrose A. Fallen, at tlie I'niver. 
sity Medical College. He also attended 
the general course of lectures ai the med- 



« — ^ 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



201 



ical department of the University of the 
city of New York, graduating there in 
March, 1881. Dr. Hutchins is a skillful 
and successful physician. He is in love 
with his profession and is establishing an 
extensive practice which is well deserved, 
as his medical knowledge has been of the 
highest order. In February 1871, he was 
married to Celesta O. Frank. They have 
one daughter — lone C, now ten years of 
age. 

lu 1874, the medical profession at 
Hampton was re-inforced by the arrival of 
Dr. Chappell, a physician of the homeo- 
pathic school. He remained about five or 
six months, then went to Oregon, 111. 

Dr. C. E. Boott. arrived in VI ay, 1870, 
and at once opened an office. Dr. Booth 
came here from Le Roy, Wis., and was a 
graduate of Rush Medical College, Chica- 
go, 111. He entered into partnership with 
Dr. J. H. Hutchins, and remained six 
months, when he returned to Le Roy, Wis. 
Dr. Booth was a gentleman and a thorough 
scholar. He made many friends and be- 
came very popular. Previous to his locat- 
ing here, he had been professor of physi- 
ology and anatomy in a medical institu- 
tion at Le Roy, and on his return to that 
place was placed in the same position. 

In 1877, Dr. O. P. Thompson, allopath, 
who was born in Hampton, opened an 
office. He remained about six months. 
Dr. Thompson was a graduate of the Iowa 
State University at Iowa City. He came 
home from Wisconsin, where he had been 
practicing. 

Dr. John M. Pride located at Hampton 
in 1878. He entered into partnership 
with Dr. O. B. Harriman and remained 
about one year. Dr. Pride graduated 



from the medical department of the Iowa 
S ate University at Iowa City. He is now 
practicing in Whitamore, Kossuth Co., 
this Slate, and is succeeding remarkably 
well, having a large practice. 

Dr. Gr. A. Corning, homeopathic phy- 
sician and surgeon, located at Hampton in 
1878 and enjoys a lucrative practice. He 
was born at Manchester, N. H., Aug. 18, 
1835. He acquired a good educationj and 
at the age of nineteen years he came to 
Wisconsin, where, not long after, he en- 
gaged in teaching, which vocation he fol- 
lowed for some years. He was married 
in 1861 to Isabel Town. He was at that 
time principal of the schools at Kilbourn 
City, Columbia Co., Wis. In 186t he 
went to Union Co., 111., to establish him- 
self in the fruit business. He found it 
distasteful and resumed his former occu- 
pation, obtaining an appointment as prin- 
cipal of the Lamoille schools in Bureau 
Co., 111. He remained there two years and 
then accepted a like position in the schools 
in Buda.in that county. His wife died at 
Buda in 1868, leaving one child, Ernest 
Banks. Meanwhile he had been prose- 
cuting the study of medicine and gradu- 
ated at Hahnemann College, Chicago. 
He commenced the practice of medicine 
in 1871, and continued until 1878 at Mar- 
seilles, 111., ^ifhen he came to Hampton. 
He was again married in 1875 to Josephine 
Town, sister of the first VIrs. Corning. 
By this second marriage there is one 
child, Edward Kay. 

In 1879, the number of physicians of 
Haraptou was increased by the arrival of 
Dr. Humphrey, who came from Cedar- 
ville. 111. He was a graduate of the 
Pennsylvania State Medical College, at 



-7. 



202 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



Philadelphia. Dr. Humphrey remained 
here until the .summer of 1881, then re- 
turned to Cedarville, 111., where he is 
now practicing. Dr. Humphrey wa.s a 
large, fine looking man, but was too re- 
served to make many friends, although 
he was respected by every one. 

Dr. J. Z. E. Funk came to Hampton 
direct from Rush Medical College, Chi- 
cago, in 1880, and attended to the busi- 
ness of Dr. J. H. Hutchins for nine 
months while the latter gentleman was 
in New York city. From here he went 
to Spirit Lake, Iowa, where he is now 
practicing. Dr. Funk was a man of good 
ability and thoroughly understood his pro- 
fession. 

In the summer of 1881 Dr. Floyd came 
from Johnson Co., Iowa, and located in 
this place. He remained about six months, 
then went to SheHield, this county^, where 
he still remains. 

Dr. H. P. Roberts, of Hampton, was 
born in Sussex Co., N. J., Dec. 1, 1828, 
and when about eight years of age moved 
with his parents to Knox Co., Ohio, where 
he received an academic education in 
Fredericktown. He commenced the study 
of medicine in the spring of 1847, with 
Thomas Rigdon Potter, a graduate of the 
Jefferson Medical College, of Philadel- 
phia, Pa. ; completing his medical educa- 
tion at the Western Reserve Medical Col- 
lege, at Cleveland, Ohio, in the spring of 
1857. He was married Dec. 25, 1849, to 
Abbie S. Lane, and commenced the prac- 
tice of his profession in Amity, Knox 
county, in 1851. After remaining in prac- 
tice in that place for five years, he re- 
moved with his family in 1856 to Morri- 
son, Whiteside Co., 111., where he re- 



mained in active professional business for 
twenty years. In June, 1876, he came to 
Franklin county and located four miles 
north of Hampton on a half section of 
land which he had purchased in 18G4. 
Having frequent professional calls at his 
farm, he concluded to make his profession 
his exclusive business, and in the spring 
of 1882, epened an office in Hampton. 
Politically, the doctor is a republican ; 
in religion he is a Congregationalist. 
Mr. and Mrs. Roberts have nine chil- 
dren living, four sons and five daughters 
— Charlotte Ann, Charles P., Hattie A., 
Edward B., Etta L., Henry G., Lena May, 
John H. and Gertie B. 

In 1883 the medical profession at 
Hampton was represented by Drs. J. B. 
Galer, O. B. Harriman, J. H. Hutchins, 
H. P. Roberts and T. H. Baker, of the 
allopathic school ; and G. A. Corning, 
homeopathist. 

Dr. M. H. Ross is the senior resident 
dentist at Hampton. His father, A. S. 
Ross, came to Iowa in 1853 and settled in 
Franklin county in 1857. He still resides 
near Cliapin. Dr. Ross was born in La 
Porte Co.. Ind., Dec. 22, 1842. In July, 
1861, he enlisted in company C, 6th Iowa 
Infantry, and became first sergeant of 
the company. He received two wounds 
and was the only one of seven that enlist- 
ed with him who lived to see the close 
of the war. He received his discharge at 
Davenport, Iowa, at the clo'^e of the war. 
He returned to Franklin county and in 
1866 entered the office of Dr. Flowers at. 
Grinnell. He commenced practice at Hanij>- 
ton in 1868 and has since pursued his 
business here with the exception of two 
years, when he was engaged in mining 



A^ — - 



-K- 



HISTORY OF FRANKIN COUNTY. 



203 



in Montana. He is a member of the 
Iowa State Dental Association, belongs 
to the order of F. & A. M. and is 
present Secretary of Anchor Lodge No. 
101. He was married in 1869 to Eliza 
Mitchell, a native of Wisconsin. Dr. 
and Mrs. Ross have four children — Carl, 
Frank, Totta and Minnie. 

V. B. Pool, dental surgeon, has been 
located at Hampton since December, 1881, 
and has an extensive and increasing busi- 
ness. He is a graduate of Victoria Den- 
tal College at Toronto, Canada, and a 
registered dentist of the State of Iowa. 
Dr. Pool was born in Oxford Co., Canada, 
Feb. 2\, 1850. He received a common 
school education in the county of his 
birth and afterward studied for his profes- 
sion. He came to western Wisconsin in 
1878, and in the spring of 1870 to Mason 
City, Iowa, where, associated with Dr. 
Harkinson, he engaged in dentistry. He 
w.as married Feb. 10, 1877, to Christiana 
Harkinson, born in Oxford Co., Canada. 
Their children are Nellie, May and Hardy 
Fayette. 

GENEVA PHYSICIANS. 

C. H. Tidd, M. D., came to Franklin 
Co., Iowa, and located in Geneva in 1875, 
He has been very successful in the prac- 
tice of medicine, having by close applica- 
tion to his profession built up an exten- 
sive practice. He was born in Coolville, 
Athens Co., Ohio, Oct. 28, 1847, where he 
spent his youth, attending the village 
school. He then spent three years in 
the academy, when by the final exami- 
nation he was pronounced prepared for 
the sophomore class in college, but cir- 



cumstances prevented his then entering 
college and he engaged with a mercan- 
tile firm in Brooklyn, Mich., and after- 
wards in the same business in Brighton, 
111. During this time he employed all his 
spare hours in the preliminary studies of 
medicine for which he always had a fond- 
ness. After spending two years at Brigh- 
ton he returned to Ohio where he entered 
the Medical College of Ohio in 1869, and 
graduated in 1872. By a competitive ex- 
amination he was elected one of the in- 
ternes of the Good Samaritan Hospital in 
Cincinnati, where he spent one year. He 
then began the practice of medicine at 
Middleport, Ohio, and established an ex- 
tensive practice, but owing to some finan- 
cial reverses decided to come west, and 
after considerable prospecting chose Gen- 
eva as his future home. In January, 1883, 
he was selected by the Central Railway of 
Iowa as first assistant surgeon of the road 
with charge of all cases occurring north 
of Marshalltown; he, with surgeon W. R. 
Nugent, of Oskaloosa, being the only sur- 
geons employed by the company along the 
entire line. He is widely known to the 
medical profession as the author of sev- 
eral medical essays, for one of which he 
received five years' subscription to the 
New York lledical Journal, one of the 
oldest and most reliable medical journals 
in America. He is also a frequent con- 
tributor to the Detroit Lancet, the South- 
ern Medical Rerieiu and the Medical and 
Surgical Reporter of Philadelphia. For 
an article published in the latter the 
editor presented him with a copy each of 
Flint's Physiology, Vogal on Diseases of 
Children and Pepper and Smith on Dis- 
eases of Children. 



V 



ii. 



204 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



SHEFFIELD PHYSICIANS. 

The first physician to locate in Sheffield 
was Dr. Mosley Canfield, who came from 
Marshalltown in 1873-4. Previous to his 
coming here, he had been engaged in the 
dry goods business, but on coming to Shef- 
field gave his whole attention to the 
practice of his profession, and remained 
until his death which occurred in July, 
1880. He belonged to the homeopathic 
school, and thoroughly understood his pro- 
fession. He was a man of strong republi- 
can principles, well read and highly 
respected. He had a large practice. His 
widow now lives in Marshall county, this 
State. 

Dr. J. M. Potter, of the eclectic school, 
came from Faribault, Minn., and located 
at Sheffield in 1875. He was a native of 
New York State and had studied his pro- 
fession in Cincinnati, Ohio. In 1881 he 
went to Xenia, Dallas county, this State, 
where he was still located in 1883. He 
built up a fair practice and was thought 
well of as a physician. 

Dr. Lee located in Sheffield in 1882, 
coming from Wisconsin. Dr. Lee is a 
graduate of Ann Arbor College, Michigan, 
and is a first-class physician. His prac- 
tice is steadily increasing, and he is des- 
tined to be one of the leading physicians 
of the county. The doctor is a married 
man and has one child. 

H. R. Floyd, M. D., came to Iowa in 
1876, and in October, 1881, located at 
Sheffield, Franklin couny, where he still 
remains enjoying an increasing and lucra- 
tive practice. He was born in Canada in 
1839, and at the age of thirteen ran away 
from home and went to New York, thence 
sailed to England and Germany as a cabin 



boy in the steamship Washington; came 
back to New York, but soon returned to 
the sea. During the voyage he was ship- 
wrecked, and after being seven days in an 
open boat on the ocean without food, was 
picked up in an insensible condition and 
brought back to New York. In Newark 
N. Y. he worked at carriage blacksmithing 
about three years and also attended a night 
school. After this he went to Savannah, Ga. 
and from there sailed 'o England and 
en ered the English army. He partici- 
pated in the capture of Sebastopol, and 
was afterward stationed in Gibraltar for 
four years, durins^ which time he accom- 
jianied a party of officers to Africa as an 
interpreter, he being a good Spanish lin- 
quist. While they were observing the 
conduct of the war between Spain and 
Morocco he was sergeant in command of 
"Eropa Point Guard," at Gibraltar, where 
the confederate steamer, Sumpter, under 
Capt. Semmes, captured three Uni'ed 
States vessels in the straits, bonding two 
and burning one. He received orders 
from Gov. Sir William Codrington: "If 
that V-essel" (the Sumpter) "does not show 
her colors on entering the bay, sink her 
without warning." He at once prepared 
to do so by bringing three sixty-eight 
pounder Armstrong guns to bear on her. 
But before the guns opened on her she 
showed her colors and hus was saved 
from herimpending ruin. Soon afterwards 
the United States gunboat Tuscorora 
arrived and Capt. Semmes was obliged to 
sell the Sumpter and leave her there. Dr. 
Floyd was for three years hospital ser- 
geant and dispenser of medicine, and 
afterwards, in 1862, he procured a dis- 
charge and returned to America (his 



lJ« 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



20i 



parents having died during his absence), 
and in 1864, joined the New York 
Moun ed Rifles, and was engaged in and 
around Petersburg and Richmond, and 
finally at Appomatox where Lee surren- 
dered. His regiment was sent as provost 
guard to Maysville, Buckingham Co., 
Va., where he organized and taught the 
first freedmen's school in the south, with- 
out any remuneration. In 186.5, he was 
mustered out and returned 'o Canada 
where lie attended the Toronto Military 
school and obtained a certificate of fitness 
to command. He then joined the volun- 
teers to resist Fenian invasion. After 
this wave of danger passed over, he re- 
turned to the United States, went to Balti- 
more Md., and was florist and botanist for a 
large firm, attended part of a term in 
Maryland University, went with Prof. 
Agassiz and party tor>ra/.il,South America, 
to collect natural curiosities, for six months, 
and remained there in the practice of medi- 
cine three years, at which time he re- 
tured to America and was employed as 
landscape gardner, on Highland Park, 
Bal imore. He came to Iowa in 1876, 
and was married to Agnes Danskin, of 
.Marengo, Dec. 2,5, 1876. He then attended 
lectures at the College of Physicians and 
Surgeons at Keokuk, where he graduated 
and then practiced medicine in Solon and 
Tiffin in this State until he came to 
Sheflield. 

ClIAPIN PHYSICIANS. 

The medical profession is represented 
at Chapin by Drs. J. S. Hurd and W. F. 
Cooper. 

Dr. W. F. Cooper has been a practicing 
jiliysician of C' apin since July 22, 1881. 
He was burn in Medina Co., Ohio, Sept. 



19, 1845. His parents, Wm. G. and 
Maria (Smith) Cooper, came from Con- 
necticut and Massachusetts respectively. 
The subject of this sketch speni his boy- 
hood on his father's farm, attending he 
district school, supplemented by several 
terms at Delaware Academy and Oberlin 
College. While attending school and 
afterward while pursuing the study of 
medicine, he fre(piently engaged in teach- 
ing He engaged in the study and practice 
of medicine in Ohio for six years in Green 
and Miami counties, also prac iced one 
year in Decatur Co., Ind., after which 
he came to Chapin. Dr. Cooper is a 
gentleman of fine personal appearance, 
easy address, rare educational attainments, 
and is rapidly pushing his way to the front 
rank among the medical fraternity of 
Franklin county. He has good success in 
the treatment of patients, and his field of 
practice is constantly enlarging. On the 
24th of September, 1867, he married 
Aurietta Gridley, of Medina Co., Ohio. 
They are the parents of two children — L. 
May and Lillian M. Dr. Cooper was a 
soldier in the War of the Rebellion, serv- 
ing as private in the 166th regiment, 
Ohio National Guards. He was on duty 
in Virginaa little more than four months. 

LATIMEK. 

Dr. Thom represents the medical fra- 
ternity at this place. 

PHYSICIANS AT nOWS. 

Dr. F. E. Cornish located at Dows in 
October, 1880, and is the local physician 
of the B., C. R. & N. Railway Company,also 
physician of Morgan township, Franklin 
county, and Vernon and Blair townships, 
Wright county, having an extended prac- 
tice and drug trade. He was liorn in 



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208 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



Oneida Co., N. Y., in 1849. He received 
his education at the Bennett Medical Col- 
lege, in Chicago, practicing in that city 
four years. In February, IS"/?, lie moved 
to Parkersburg, engaging in his profes- 
sion until October, 1880, when he moved 
to Dows. He was married, July 10, 1807, 
to Elizabeth Dwyer, a native of New York 
city, born in 1850. They have two chil- 
dren — Sanford Stephen and Arthur Guy. 

James A. Mulnix, M. D., a native of 
New York, came to Dows on the 1st of 
September, 1881, and commenced the prac- 
tice of medicine. He has been very suc- 
cessful as a ptiysician and has a large and 
increasing business. He was born Nov. 
8, 18.'j2, in Ulster Co., N. Y., and was the 
second child of J. L. and Margaret (John 
son) Mulnix, both natives of New York. 
The father was born Dec. 18, 1819, the 
mother Sc])t. 14, of the pame year. In 
1859, the family removed to Ogle Co., 
111., where the parents remained until 
March, 1880, when they settled in Frank- 
lin Co., Iowa, where they still live. James 
A. Mulnix attended Carthage College, at 
Carthage, 111., in the winter of 187G-7, 
then entered Keokuk Medical College 
and graduated in 1878, after which he 
practiced medicine for two years in Alden, 
Hardin Co., Iowa, and then came to Dows. 
He was married at Adrian, III., Jan. 26, 
1882, to Sallie L. Rice, of Cincinnati. Dr. 
Mulnix is a member of the Masonic frater- 
nity. 



FRANKLIN COITNTT MEDICAL SOCIETY. 

On Feb. 15, 1876, a meeting was held 
at Hampton by the representatives of the 
medical profession, for the purpose of 
forming an association of this kind. The 
following gentlemen were present at this 
meeting: J. B. Galer, O. B. Harrinian, J. 
I. Leas, J. H. Hutchins, C. H. Tidd and J. 
S. Hurd. The officers elected, were as 
follows: O. B. Harrinian, president; C. 
H. Tidd, vice-president; J H. Hutchins, 
secretary; J. B. Galer, treasurer. This 
meeting resulted in the permanent organi- 
zation of the society. 

The rules and regulations fixed the 
time of meeting on the first Tuesday of 
each month, the annual meeting to be held 
the first Tuesday in February of each year. 
The above named officer.s held until 1880, 
when a change was made by the election 
of C. H. Tidd as president and Oscar 
Thompson, secretary; the o her officers 
being retained. 

The object of the society was to be the 
advancemen" of medical knowledge, he 
uniformity of medical ethics, the promo- 
tion of harmony and fraternity in the 
medical profession, the protection of he 
interests of its members, the promotion of 
all measures adapted to the relief of the suf- 
fering, and to improve the health and jiro- 
tect the lives of the community. 

The members of the association in 188.3, 
were: Drs. J B. Galer, O. B. Harrinian, 
J. I. Leas, J. H. Hutchins, C. II. Tidd, J. 
S. Hurd and P. C. Shephard. 



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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



209 



CHAPTER X 



EARLY DAYS. 



Tlie following account of personal mat- 
ters is given to show the disadvantages 
under which the hardy pioneers procured 
the homes which now seem so comfort- 
able. Whatever of romance attached to 
the lives of the hardy colonists was abund- 
antly compensated for by hard work. Con- 
trast the journey of that devoted party 
througli tiie roadless and bridgeless tract 
between Chicago and their destination 
with th.it of a party on a like trip to-day. 
Instead of weeks of labor and toil, priva- 
tion and suffering, with cold and hunger, 
a seat is taken in a palace car, at noon, in 
Chicago, an unexceptional supper is par- 
taken of without leaving the train, the 
passenger retires upon a downy couch, and 
in the morning awakens to find himself at 
his destination in central or northern 
Iowa, having lost only a half day on the 
journey. Those who enjoy these bless-, 
ings would be less than human if they 
were not filled with gratitude to these ear- 
ly settlers, who paved the way and actually 
made the present condition of things pos- 
sible. At that time the confines of civi- 
lization were on the lakes. Chicago had 
not many thousand people. Milwaukee 
was just beginning to be a village and 
Dubuque was a mere vidette^an outpost 
of civilization. Their was nothing in the 
now great State of Iowa, except the intrin- 
sic merit of the location, to attract people 



from their more or less comfortable homes 
in the east or on the other side of the wa- 
ter. The imagined grand possibilities of 
the future gave birth to hope which 
"springs eternal in the human heart," lur- 
ing them on, and although those who 
came were usually regarded by the friends 
they left as soldiers of fortune, who if 
they ever returned at all would indeed be 
fortunate, yet in spite of this they came 
and have fought their way through trials 
and adversity to a realization of their ear- 
ly hopes. They were a sturdy race who 
realized the inequality of the struggle in 
the old States or countries and resolveil 
to plant themselves where merit would 
not be suppressed by traditions. 

The men who came, were, as a rule, en- 
terprising, open-hearted and sympathetic. 
They were good neighbors and so good 
neighborhoods were created, and they il- 
lustrated the idea of the brotherhood of 
man more by examj)le than by quoting 
creeds, with a bravery that never blanched 
in the face of the most appalling danger. 
They nevertheless were tender, kind and 
considerate in the presence of misfortune, 
and their deficiency in outward manifes- 
tations of piety was more than coni|)eM- 
sated for by their love and regard for hu- 
manity. And if this meed of praise is 
justly due to the men, and it certainly is, 
what shall be said of the heroic women 



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210 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



who braved the vicissitudes of frontier 
life, endured the absence of home, friends 
and old associations, the severing of whose 
tender ties must have wrung all hearts. 
The devotion which would lead to such a 
breaking away to follow a father, a hus- 
band or a son into a trackless waste be- 
yond the Mississippi, where gloomy ap- 
prehensions must have arisen in the mind, 
is worthy of the highest praise. The val- 
ue of the part taken by the noble women 
who first came to this uninhabited region 
cannot be over estimated. Although by 
nature liberal, they practiced the most 
rigid economy and often at critical times 
preserved order, reclaiming the men from 
despair during gloomy periods, and their 
example of industry constantly admon 
ished him to renewed exertion, and the in- 
stincts of womanhood ever encouraged in- 
tegrity and manhood. 

As to the effects of frontier life upon 
those who have secured homes west of the 
Mississippi, a few observations may not 
be inappropriate. 

Years ago the Rev. Dr. Bushnell, a 
noted divine in the east, preached a ser- 
mon on the barbarous tendencies of civili- 
zation in the west, and on this the rever- 
end gentleman predicated an urgent ap- 
peal to Christianity to put forth renewed 
and strenuous efforts to save the west from 
a riilapse into barbarism. This tendency 
was supposed to result from the disruption 
of social and religious ties, the mingling 
of heterogeneous elements and the remov- 
al of external restraints, so common, and 
supposed to be so patent, in older commu- 
nities. Dr. Bushnell did not have a suffi- 
ciently extended view of the subject, for, 
in looking over the history of the past, we 



find that in a nomadic condition there is 
never any real progress in refinement. In- 
stitutions for the elevation of the race must 
be planted deep in the soil before they 
can raise their heads in beauty and majes- 
ty towards heaven, and bear fruit for the 
enlightenment of nations. The evils of 
which Dr. Bushnell was so afraid are 
merely temporary in their character and 
will have no lasting impression. What 
actually happens is this : at tirst there is 
an obvious increase of human freedom, 
but tlie element of self-government every- 
where largely predominates, and the fu- 
sion of the races, which is inevitable, wiH 
in due time create a composite nationality 
or a race as unlike as it must be superior 
to those that have preceded it. Even now, 
before the tirst generation has passed 
away, society in the west has outgrown 
the irritation of the transplanting, and 
thei'e are no more vicious elements in so- 
ciety heie than in the east, as the criminal 
statistics will abundantly show. 

EAKLY DAT.S, liV LEVI S. .lONES. 

"On the 12th of September, 18.54, myself 
and family left Indiana to come to Iowa. 
\Ve came through with horse teams, also 
bringing several head of cattle, and were 
twenty-two days on the road. The trip 
was a long one, and the roads were so 
bad on account of much rain that we had 
a hard time getting here. We located 
first in Buchanan county, where we spent 
the winter. During the winter I hunted 
for a permanent location, and finally found 
iny way to Franklin county, where, in 
Reeve township, we found just the loca- 
tion we desired. On ihe 1st of March, 
18.55, we left Buchanan county, and after 
a week's hard driving through mud and 



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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



211 



slush, we reached our destination. About 
tliis time hay was very scarce, and we had 
to go lo Hardin county to get hay for the 
horses and cattle. Hay was high, and for 
a small wagon box full we had to pay five 
dollars. Grass soon came, however, and 
we had no more hay to buy. Market was 
a long way from us. For provisions we had 
to go to Waterloo and Cedar Rapids, and 
thought we were living in fine style if we 
had plenty of corn cakes. During our 
first winter here a great amount of snow 
fell, making it almost impossible to get 
about with horses, so everything had to 
be hauled on hand sleds. This same win- 
ter we had the good fortune to kill a large 
elk that furnished us with the finest steaks 
and broils all winter. Our dog, a great 
strong fellow, chased the elk about five 
miles and finally got it down and stood 
guard until we came up. Our first crop 
was a lot of sod corn. We broke twelve 
acres of our land and chopped in the seed. 
We had a good crop, and some said the 
corn was as sound and firm as any they 
had ever seen in the east. We first lived 
in a rude cabin made of rough logs, and I 
have often said that that old log cabin was 
just as good as a mansion. In 1860, I 
built a more modern house in which I 
now live. 

E.XPERIENCE OF HON. E. A, UOWLANIl. 

"On the 1st day of April, 1859, I landed 
with my family at Otisville. I was obliged 
to stay over night on my way from Web- 
ster City at Walled Lake, stop\)ing at the 
celebrated hotel kept by E. Purcell. That 
night, March 31, it froze nearly haid 
enough to bear a man on the ice; and I 
was obliged to break a road through the 
ice with my feet in order to get my team 



through tlie sloughs that abound between 
there and Otisville, and then carry my 
wife on my shoulders; my hired man drove 
the team. I took formal possession about 
twelve o'clock m. of the log house where 
William 11 Selleck now lives. It was 
snowing some, freezing hard, and my 
clothes were wet to the waist. To add to 
the genuine merriment of the occasion, 
my wife, as she stepped into the door and 
took a general survey of puncheon doors 
and puncheon floor, the chimney built of 
Slicks and mud, and the roof "shingled 
rait shakes," and the entire house plas- 
tered with mud and hog grease, shed a 
few tears but said not a word. The 2d of 
April was ushered in by an old fashioned 
blizzard. The snow was driven into the 
old shanty through its numerous crevices, 
adding very much to our personal discom- 
fort. The clouds broke away towards 
night, when by a vigorous use of a scoop 
shovel we relieved the inside of the shanty 
of snow-drifts. The weather continued 
cold until the last of April, and the farm- 
ers commenced sowing about the 1st of 
May. During the summer of ISol or 
1858, II. L. Morgan, who owned the 
west of the southwest quarter of section 30, 
township 91, range 22, and the southeast 
quarter of the southwest quarter of section 
31, township 91, range 22, laid olf into 
town lots the west half of the southwest 
quarter of the southwest quarter ot sec- 
tion 30, township 01. range 22, and called 
the town Otisville. About the same time 
a postoftice was established at Otisville 
with Lewis II. Morgan as postmaster. The 
farm that I moved on as a renter, was 
entered in 1859 by a Mr. Bacon, but at the 
time I occupied it, was owned liy Pliilan- 



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212 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



der Smith and Isaac Munson, of Jefferson 
Co., N. Y. The farm consisted of the 
west fractional half of the west fractional 
half of the northwest quarter of section 31, 
township 91, range 22, also the southeast 
quarter of the southeast quarter of section 
25; the west half of the southeast quarter 
and northwest quarter of section 31, 
and the southeast quarter of the north- 
east quarter of section 36, in all 
292^ acres. Just across the road from 
where the Otisville school house now 
stands was a log shanty about 14x16 feet, 
in which were living Frank White and 
family and Charles Bullis and family with 
R. E. Train and Robert Duffy as boarders, 
in all fourteen persons. White and Hullis 
soon after moved to Horse Grove, and 
Train and Duffy rented the farm now 
owned by A. S. Eskridge. Joseph Os- 
l)orn owned and occupied what is now 
known as the W. H. Troth farm. Joseph 
Ray lived on section 29, on the east side 
of the grove, and an old bachelor by the 
name of Weaver at the northeast corner 
of the grove, on section 29. Weaver was 
considered a dangerous character, feared 
by all his neighbors, who warned me to be 
careful howl offended him. He did draw 
a rifle on me and threatened to blow my 
brains out. Not having any brains to 
spare, I concluded to "beard the lion in 
his den." As a result he was the worst 
whipped man I ever saw, and nobody hurt. 
The entire neighborhood beins; hoosiers 
they had declared war on the Yankee, but 
when the bully was cleaned out they sued 
for peace, and from that time I had no 
more trouble with the natives. 

The first Sabbath school was established 
in ISOO or 1861, with R. E. Train as 



superintendent, and E. A. Howland as 
bible class leader. Mrs. Samuel Parkin- 
son was the only professing Christian in 
the community, and it was through her 
efforts that the school was establislied. Of 
course Mrs. Parkinson always opened the 
school with prayer. Train and Howland 
were decidedly worldly, and knew about 
as much of the bible as they did of their 
dutch almanac. After a thorough revival 
of religion in the winter of 1862-3, a 
church was organized and known as the 
Presbyterian Church of Otisville and Oak- 
land. Ever since that time the Sabbath 
school at Otisville has been a gran<l 
success. Lewis 11 Morgan sold hisfaim 
the spring of 1864, I think, and removed 
to Oregon, where he still resides. R. E. 
Train was married to Huldah Jane Mor- 
gan in the spring of 1861. I was invited to 
attend the wedding, but was warned by 
Mrs. Morgan that I must not plague Jane, 
as that would make Train m.ad. Not being 
the possessor of clothing suitable for so 
great an occasion, I borrowed a suit of my 
brother, and in company with Mrs. How- 
land attended the wedding. Jedediah, 
Esq., of Oakland, was the officiating 
magistrate, and it was hard to tell which 
was the most embarrassed, the 'Squire or 
the bridegroom. I was compelled, how- 
ever, to interrupt the cermony when about 
half through to change sides with the 
bride and groom, as I did not want them 
married left handed. In the spring of 
1865, I purchased the farm of Smith & 
Munson, together with all the stock, farm- 
ing utensils, etc., running in debt therefor 
about $5,000 on ten years' time at seven 

per cent, interest, but was fortunate to 
pay for it in four years. I remained on 



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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



213 



this farm until October, 1873, when I sold 
it to W. C. Tyrrell, and removed to Bel- 
mont. Frank Walters purchased the Ray 
farm, on section 29, east side of the grove, 
in 1861. Mrs. Walters was a fine speci- 
men of a Posey county boosier. She was 
an inveterate smoker, but raised her own 
tobacco. Her breath was enough to con- 
vince any one of the evile of tobacco smok- 
ing. During the summer of 1867, 1 think, 
t'le people gathered in the grove near Mr. 
Walters' house for a basket picnic, and 
they had a good time generally. After 
dinner the game of Copenhagen was intro- 
duced. It consisted of forming a ring 
with one hand hold of a rope, and one or 
two persons inside the ring. If the per- 
sons inside the ring could strike the hand 
of one of the opposite sex while hold of 
the rope, it was their privilege to kiss 
them before they dodged inside the rope. 
The cattle king was on hand as usual, 
and, feeling that I owed him one, I 
managed to get Mrs. Walters inside the 
ring and instructed her to go for Popejoy. 
Calling Popejoy's attention to hi.s horses, 
Mrs. Walters took the advantage and dealt 
him a fearful blow on the hand. Before 
lie could recover from his astonishment 
she kissed him on his mouth, giving him 
the full benefit of her delicious breath. 
Popejoy declared it was a regular millen- 
nium buss, and it so eflfectually cured him 
of the habit of smoking, that he didn't 
indulge again for two years. 

INCIDENTS OF EAELT DAYS IN FRANKLIX 

COUNTY. 

By Mrs. B. J. MitclwU. 

As the historian requested me to write 
a reminiscence of pioneer life, this thought 



suggests itself. Our early experience 
might encourage other young people to 
see a light beyond the present dark cloud 
of poverty. In regard to our financial 
circumstances, we had nothing, or nearly 
so. I was young, not quite seventee , and 
had earned a little money teaching school 
at one dollar and a half per week. My 
husband, H. J. Mitdiell, said one day 
(before we were married), "I have twenty 
dollars, do you think we could commence 
house-keeping ?" I thought we could, so 
we were married and began keepirg house 
and only used thirteen of the twenty 
dollars, that included our furniture, cook 
stove, dishes and groceries. Our stove 
only cost one dollar and a half, three 
chairs, fifty cents a piece, our table, my 
husband made, also our bedsteads. I had 
beds and bedding for two beds, my sister 
gave me two breadths of rag carpet, this 
I spread on the sit ing room side of our 
house. The liouse was 14x16 feet. I put 
a curtain around the meal barrel ( we had 
no flour ) and over it placed a board on 
which I laid the family bible and hymn 
book. This was our center table. I had 
white curtains at my one window, also 
around one bed. I had two beds in this 
one room, for I always believed in being 
ready for guests. Now we were keeping 
house and quite nice and cozy it seemed, 
but with what little expense. We have 
neighbors near us now who can remember 
our little home. We both tried our best 
to earn something. I would knit lace 
gloves or sew for any who would hire such 
things done. When we had been married 
about one year, my father gave me thirty 
dollars. This bought our first cow, and 
from her milk I sold, during the next four 



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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



months, twelve dollars worth of butter. 
Here I will tell a little incident : One of 
the neighbors, Leander Reeves, came to 
father Jones ( he was our class leader and 
still is) to have his horses shod; his wife 
came to make me a visit. I had sold all 
the butter except enough for one meal, 
this was kept that I should not be out. I 
felt very pleased to see her, we had a nice 
risit and dinner was over. The sun (we 
had no clock ) indicated that night was 
approaching and I ought to get — I was 
going to say tea, but that was out of the 
question, as we had no tea — supper, but 
the butter was gone; we had eaten it for 
dinner. We had meat, and I must make 
that answer. It was quite a trial for me 
Mr. Reeves' folks were quite well off and 
I felt sorry for them to know that I had 
sold all the butter, yet now I feel glad 
that I was willing to do what I could to 
pay for our home. My husband was 
working every day that he could get work 
to do, for the land must be paid for and 
only our two pair of hands to earn the 
money ; but I forget, about this time two 
other little hands came to help, and they 
surely did help. Many here can remem- 
ber little Charley, he is at rest now, but 
he was one of the comforts of pioneer 
life. The winter of 1856-7 was very 
cold and my brother-in-law, John Mitch- 
ell, thought we must come and stay 
with them; they lived near the timber and 
we on the prairie. They had a log house 
18x20 feet. Their family consisted of 
eleven persons, three of which were 
boarders, but people did not think of 
being crowded in those days. We kept 
the baby in a liasket hung over a joist and 
we would each as we passed, jog the 



basket. It was'nt as nice, perhaps, as a 
crib, but he seemed as happy as need be. 
One more item and I am done. The sum- 
mer we were married three years, our cow 
died. It was a great loss to us, for we 
had neither butter to eat nor sell ; how- 
ever, we had a pig to kill, and as calico 
dresses had got pretty scarce, I sold the 
lard at the store of Clock & Wheeler. 
There was only enough to pay for seven 
yards. I made it up and it was rather 
short. One of the neighbors cime to see 
me and she said "your dress is too short," 
but I said "it will be long enough before 
I get another. " Thus, you see, though 
we were poor, we were happy. 

I feel that I must speak of our first ride 
with our own team and conveyance. 
We had a yoke of two year old steers, 
lliis was when we had been m rried a 
little ovtr one year. My husband made a 
little sled, also a yoke for the steers. He 
hitched them to the sled and tied a rope 
to their horns and I took the baby and 
rode on the sled. He walked and led the 
team. We have rode out under different 
circumstances since, but I am sure we 
never enjoyed ourselves better than we 
did that day. I do not think we endured 
more privations than others, really not as 
much as some. I have only written this 
to encourage young people to think that 
they may dare the privations of frontier 
life, and feel confident that with industry 
and economy, they may hope o make for 
themselves and children a comfortable 
home. Mrs. Octavia Mitchell. 

INCIDENTS OF EARLY DAY.S. 

By L. B. Raymond. 
Game of almost every descri])ti()n 
abounded herein 1852 and 1853, including 



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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



210 



buffalo and elk. The buffalo disappeared 
about 1854, and the elk about 1856. Judge 
Reeve and Mr. Mayne, late in the fall of 
1852, while hunting for elk, and both on 
foot, came across a drove of nearly a hun- 
dred buffaloes in the ravine below A. D. 
St. Clair's present residence in Reeve 
township, and tired into them but without 
effect. The buffaloes started northward 
and they followed them, getting a shot 
now and then, as the herd would come to 
a stream and be huddled together at the 
crossing. They killed none, however, 
until they had followed them to Bailey's 
creek, some four or five miles west of 
Shobe's Grove, when they were fortunate 
enough to creep up behind a bluff and 
kill two. But it was already getting dark, 
and a sudden snow squall came up so that 
they could not get their bearings, and ac- 
cordingly they skinned their slain buf- 
faloes and wrapping themselves in the 
hides lay down and sle])t until morning. 
By daylight it was clear and they could 
distinguish the timber at Shobe's grove 
whither they wended their way and 
reached home by noon Judge Reeve and 
William Braden, now of Otisville. killed 
an immense buffalo bull on the prairie in 
June, 1856, somewhere near section 16, in 
Hamilton township. The ol'd fellow was 
just jumping the channel of Mayne's creek, 
when a shot brought him down and he 
tumbled into the bed of the creek, and 
was so heavy that it was impossible for 
thera to get him out without going for 
more help. This is about the last buffalo 
that we have any record of excepting 
a stray one that wandered into the county 
about 1854-5, and was discovered near 
JIaysville by W. L.Schroyer. The whole 



neighborhood turned out on horseback and 
after a three hours hunt he was finally 
killed near the south line of the county 
about half way between Ackley and Iowa 
Falls. The elk stayed longer. C. M. 
Leggett tells of killing one on September, 
1855, on or near the place now owned by 
S. H. Carter in Reeve township. Leggett 
and Solomon Staley were drawing hay, 
Leggett being on the load. He saw the 
elk off about half a mile, and calling 
Staley's attention to it, slid down from the 
load and each taking a horse and pitch- 
fork, started in pursuit. Leggett overtook 
him and struck him in the neck with the 
fork, but the tines stuck fast and jerked 
the handle out of his hands. He kept 
close behind, however, and when the elk 
came to the little creek that runs across 
the southeast corner of Carter's farm the 
handle stuck in the ground, and Leggett, 
jumping from his horse, held on until 
Staley came up with the other fork, which 
he firmly planted in the elk's neck on the 
other side. Dr. Mitchell was out hunting 
prairie chickens and came up with a shot 
gun, terribly excited. Standing off" about 
ten feet he took good aim, fired and missed 
clean. He then took aim with the other 
barrel, but had the "buck ague" so badly 
that he landed the charge in the elk's nose, 
whereupon the poor beast bellowed ter- 
rifically. Leggett then tried to get the 
doctor to take hold of the pitchfork and 
let him try his hand with the gun, but the 
doctor's blood was up and he swore 
he would shoot that elk if it took all 
the powder he had in his horn. Ac- 
cordingly he reloaded and walking up to 
the animal, putting the muzzle of the gun 
about six inches from its head, put an end 
to itis sufferings. 



10 



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♦4 



9 «a. 



220 



4 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



This exploit excited all hands so much 
that the next mornins; they made up a 
party consisting of half a dozen men, a 
team, two or three saddle horses, and no 
end of dogs, and all hands went up south- 
west of the Merriss place in Grant town- 
ship and after skirmishing around they 
got up a small herd and Dr. Mitchell had 
the good fortune to kill another one, and 
some one else in the party, whose name 
we cannot now give, killed one also, 
which they thought was good enough for 
one day. In the fall of 1855, Leggett and his 
wife were going across the prairie to John 
I. Popejoy's, when they saw a large herd 
of elk crossing Mayne's creek directly west 
of George Wright's residence, in Lee town- 
ship They counted 195, and saw more 
that they did not count. Deer never were 
numerous, as they are more apt to frequent 
timbered countries, but what few there 
were when the first settlers came, soon 
disappeared. 

THE INDIAN SCARE. 

All newly settled countries, if they do 
not suffer from the depredations of the 
Indians, have panics caused by reports of 
t eir depredations elsewhere or frequently 
by false reports of massacres, etc. F ank- 
lin county had hei first experience in this 
line on the 4th of July, 1854, and its origin 
is believed to be about a follows : 

Clear Lake was regarded as with- 
in the " neutral ground" between the 
Sioux, Sacs and Foxes, and any tres- 
passing on this ground by either tribe, 
was sure to bring on trouble. But the 
government had made it a Winnebago 
reservation, and placed the Winnebagoes 
thereon, although the Sioux never con- 



sented to have the reservation used by 
that tribe and became so hostile in their 
attitude towards them that Fort Atkinson, 
in the southwest corner of Winneshiek 
county was built in 1840, and soldiers 
placed thereiu to protect the Winneba- 
goes from the inroads of the bloodthirsty 
Sioux. 

In 1851 a man named Hewitt, who had 
been a trader among the Winnebagoes, lo- 
cated at Clear Lake, and in the fall of 
185.3, several families of Winnebagoes 
headed by a chief called To-Shau-ega (The 
Otter) came and located where the village 
of Clear Lake now stands. The Sioux, 
who, as has been stated, lived farther north, 
in Minnesota, hearing of this, determined 
to exterminate the little pa'ty of Winne- 
bagoes, and accordingly in June, 1854, 
came down to the lake about five hundred 
strong. For some time they pretened to 
be friendly, but before long caught a Win- 
nebago boy away from the village alone, 
whom they killed and chopped off his 
head. Hewitt and his two other white 
neighbors then seeing that trouble was 
inevitable sent the Winnebagoes with 
their teams to Fort Snelling, near St. Paul, 
starting them in the night. After they 
were gone the settlers all gathered at the 
house of Mr. Dickinson and the Sioux 
hung around until satisfied that the Win- 
nebagoes had gone, when they left for 
Minnesota. Soon after their departure, a 
detachment of fifty soldiers, that had been 
sent by the Governor of the State, arrived 
at the lake, and it was from this affair 
that the report spread through all northern 
Iowa that a general massacre of tlie whites 
was intended by the Indians. 



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L 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



221 



The little settlement at Mayne's Grove, 
or the greater portion of it spent July 4, 
1854, at the house of John Mitchell, which 
our readers will remember was the old 
Mayne house on the John S. Jones place. 
Whilehistory and tradition both are silent 
as to what the particular exercises of the 
day were, so far as the lords of creation are 
concerned, yet it is to be presumed that 
they sat out doors in the shade and talked 
politics or told hunting stories, like their 
brethren of a later day. The ladies 
had a quilting, and all had a good 
dinner, thanks to the hospitality and 
culinary skill of Mrs. Mitchell and Miss 
Smith. At an early hour they separated, 
and wended their way homeward with 
their ox teams, and we presume that the 
most of the families, after comparing 
their fourth with the good times gone by 
back in Ohio or Indiana or elsewhere, re- 
tired to their beds about the usual time. 
In the middle of the night, however, word 
was earned hurriedly from cabin to cabin : 
"The Indians ! the Indians I" And as the 
pioneer would open his door and stand, 
half asleep and half awake, he would be 
entirely awakened by his neighbor's state- 
ment that, "Four hundred Sioux warriors 
are at Clear Lake and moving this way !" 
How the report reached the settlement 
we are unable to say, but so far as we now 
learn, Silas Moon, who lived on the J. D. 
Parks place, was the first to spread the 
news. A son of Job Garner notified the 
people who lived in the '"bend" of the 
creek ; Mitchells, Springers, Sturms, Ar- 
lidges, etc. By daylight the whole set- 
tlement was ready for the march and ex- 
cepting the families of John Mayne and 
Dr. Arlidge struck out for the settlement, 



at Beaver Grove, in Butler county. It 
should have been stated that the wife of 
Dr. Arlidge died two or three days be- 
fore this time, and was buried in the cem- 
etery on the hill west of J. S. Jones', being 
the first person buried there, and her 
children had all been taken home by rela- 
tives residing near Hardin City, Arlidge 
absolutely refusing to go, and when the 
train left was still there. Miss Smith, 
(now Mrs. H. J.Mitchell) and others think 
that he either remained 'there while they 
were away or went to Hardin City. Mayne, 
too, went to the Iowa river with his family 
instead of going with the rest. 

Old Mr. Mitchell, too, strongly objected 
to going, and wanted to stay and fight it 
out, and at first declared he would not go, 
but finally was persuaded to accompany 
the rest. It was warm weather and there 
were but two horse teams in the train, all 
the balance being oxen. The settlers, 
too, had gathered up most of their cattle, 
and as ihey were driven along their pro- 
gress was necessarily tedious and slow. 
Tliey passed within a mile or so of Downs' 
Grove and the Downs family seeing the 
wagons, came out. To the excited imag- 
inations of the fugitives, the panic-stricken 
family, who it seems had also heard some- 
thing of the Indian troubles, became 
bloodthirsty savages who had already 
murdered Downs' family, and now sallied 
forth from the grove to massacre the emi- 
grants, pillage the train and exterminate 
the white population of Franklin county 
at one blow. Flight was impossible so a 
halt was ordered, and the little parly 
disposed in as good order as possible for 
defense. Happily, however, the precau- 
tions were needless, and the train forth- 



f 






^^=^ 



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222 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



with proceeded on its way, augmented liy 
the Downs' lainiiy who liaviiig no team, 
accompanied it on foot. Where the Mc- 
C!ormi(;k family were at this time does not 
appear, but they were probably at Hardin 
City spending the fourth and had not yet 
returned liome. 

At night they camped and sentinels were 
posted, and let it be recorded tliat Miss 
Smith, the pioneer teacher of Franklin 
county, insisted on taking her turn in 
standing guard with tlie rest. 

In about three days they reached tlieir 
destination and most of them camped near 
where the village of New Hartford now is, 
some of them going to Cedar Falls. 

The two elder sons of Mr. Allen, to- 
gether with Ilogan and Tatum, had gone 
back to Janesville to spend ihe fourth, and 
at that place heard of the Indian trouble, 
and while one of the boys and Hogan 
joined a corajtany who were going up to 
(Hear Lake to learn the exact state of af- 
fairs, the other one and Tatum returned to 
Allen's Grove after the families, bringing 
them down to .Janesville where they re- 
mained nearly two months, returning 
about the first of September. 

Of the party who wem to Beaver Grove 
some of them returned in about two weeks 
while some stayed until after harvest, and 
returned to find the most of their sod corn 
and vegetables destroyed by what stock 
they had left at home. 

It is doubtful whether Mayne ever re- 
turned with his family to the grove after 
this time or not. His claim, as has been 
stated, had been "entered out" and late in 
the summer he left for Missouri in about 
the same style, and just about as rich in 
this world's goods as he had come into 



Franklin county, two years before. He 
was a remarkable man in many respects 
and there was something mysterious about 
him that none of liis neighbors ever solved. 
From what his wife said he was from In- 
diana and had- always been just on the 
verge of civilization, dividing his time 
between trapping, hunting and making 
claims. He never referred to his past life, 
and from this it was inferred that he had 
committed some deed for which he haii 
tied westward. 

He was quick-witted and sliar])in many 
things but exceedingly superstitious and 
distrustful. When going on a hunting 
expedition he never took his gun and went 
out of doors, l)ut always went out without 
it, and had his wife bring it out to liim. 
This he fancied In-ought him good luck, 
and it is said that he would wait for hours 
before selling forth upon a hunt when his 
wife was absent, for her to return and 
hand him out his gun. He could neither 
read nor write and as his name was given 
to the grove where he resided and the 
creek that runs through it, it is spelled on 
all old maps as "Main," but in later years 
W. N. Davidson, Esq., an attorney of 
Hampton, drew a large map of the county 
and in lettering the creek adoj)ted the plan 
of spelling the name "^layne," and this 
method of spelling it generally prevails at 
present. Of Mayne's subsequent history 
we have never heard anythintf, yet it is 
fair to presume, that if alive, he is some- 
where at the heels of the bufTalo and the 
Indian in the far west. 

Anion and Ifrias Rice have been men- 
tioned as locating at Four Mile Grove in 
June, 1854. They arrived there on he 
25th of June and moved into the house 



y'Ur 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



223 



with Job Garner who lived on the Boots 
place. With the family of Anion Rice 
came a sister of Mrs. Rice's, Anna Scott, 
(now Mrs. J. B. Goldsborough) who is a 
resident of Ham])ton at the j)resent time, 
and was one of the party at Mr. John 
Mitchell's, on the 4th of July, but she 
states that instead of the Indian scare be- 
ing the night following, it was the Sunday 
night following although she cannot now 
recollect what day in the week the 4th 
came on. The news was brought to the 
families of Garner and the Rices, by one 
of the VanHorns, who had been up to his 
claim on the farm where C. J. Mott now 
resides just north of Hampton, and was 
then on his way back to his family near 
Janesville, in Bremer county. It now 
appears probable that VanHorn must have 
been the one who also carried the news 
to the settlement at Mayne's Grove, prob- 
ably to Moon's on ihe J. D. Parks place. 
VanHorn came to Garners before bed- 
time and the families immediately set 
about making preparations for departure. 
Garner's people had quite a number of 
chickens and the thrifty housewife con- 
cluded that the best method of taking 
them along was to kill, pick and cook 
them, which job took nearly all night to 
accomplish, and when daylight came, all 
were loaded up and on the way down 
Mayne's creek. They camped the fir.«t 
night at the "Horse-neck," near 'Aillough- 
by, in Butler county, which must have 
been a pretty good drive for ox-teams. 
The next day they went to Cedar Falls. 
The Garner family remained (-.way 
about three weeks and Anion Rice's about 
four. Urias Rice did not return to the 
county at all. 



.Mention has been made of Peter Rhine- 
hart's selling his claim (the Haines place) 
to a man named Loomis who came out 
with C. M. Leggett, in June. Immediately 
after the Indian "hegira" Rhineheart went 
still farther down the creek and made a 
claim where W. B. Bryan now lives, and 
where William Ward lived for several 
years. There just above the spring on the 
side hill he built a double log house that 
was imposing in its dimensions in those 
days The same house was afterwards 
torn down and moved to Hampton, and 
stood until about 1877 on the front of the 
lots now occupied by Major Kellam's resi- 
dence on Reeve street. 

Rhinehart got well settled in his new 
house in November and about the same 
time a man named Carnes came and made 
a claim where Richard Horner now lives 
and built there. Of him we know scarcely 
anything e.xcepting that his wife died that 
winter and that he left the county a year 
or so afterwards. 

Silas Moon sold his claim on the J. D. 
Parks place in September to a man named 
McCrary or McCreery and also went far- 
ther down the creek, locating where A. 
D. Benson now lives. About the same 
time a man named Henry W. Smith came 
and made a claim on the old Perdue 
place, now also owned by Benson, and 
built a house. Later still in the fall, 
Quincy A. Jordan, from Illinois, came and 
taking the claim where Rufus Benson re- 
sides, built a large log house there. Jor- 
dan was pretty well-to-do in this world's 
goods and had furniture and family 
clothing, considerably ahead of the aver- 
age of his neighbors. Jordan's- people 
brought with them a little Swiss girl, ap- 



w 



J. 



224 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



parently ten or twelve years of age, of 
whom tliey made a sort of a menial. The 
child could not speak a word of the Eng- 
lish language, but seemed unhappy and 
wretched, and in a couple of months after 
the arrival of the family here, two men, 
dressed and appearing like gentlemen, 
came on and took the child away. No 
explanations were made to the neighbors, 
but it was reported in the community at 
the time, that Jordan was compelled to 
pay the men quite a respectable sum as 
damages. Nothing further was ever known 
about the matter. 



In December, 1854, a subscription school 
was started in one room of Rhinehart's 
double log house and Miss Anna Scott, 
although not yet fifteen years of age, was 
engaged as its teacher. The school con- 
tinued through the winter with good suc- 
cess. Spelling schools were frequent and 
the whole population of the settlement 
would turn out. This was the second 
school taught in the county, the first being 
that of Miss Smith,(Mrs. Mitchell) already 
mentioned. 



CHAPTER X [ 



POLITICAL. 



The political history of a country is 
always one of general interest, and espe- 
cially is this true in a free land, where in 
the eyes of the law, all are upon an equal- 
ity, where it has been shown that even 
the humlilest — the rail-splitter or the tow- 
path boy — can attain the highest honor 
that can be bestowed upon the American 
citizen. We delight to see merit rewarded; 
we are j)leased with the onward progress 
of one from the humblest walks of life, as 
step by step he mounts the ladder of 
fame. Every citizen has a political am- 
bition" and although he may never reach 
the highest pinnacle, there is a possibility 
th.at his children may. 

There is an excitement about a political 
campaign which all enjoy, and although 



personalities are often indulged in, as a 
general thing all yield gracefully to the 
verdict of the people, a majority vote, and 
submit themselves unto the "powers that 
be." 

In this chapter it is designed to briefly 
sketch the political history of Franklin 
county, giving the various general and 
local issues that entered into each cam 
paign, and to so trace the political straws 
that the reader may know which way the 
tide runs. 

Franklin county was organized by the 
election of officers to fill the various coun 
ty offices, in August, 185.5. t'ince that 
timr there has never been held a regular 
democratic convention for the nomination 
of county oflncers. The contest has always 



i— • 
V 



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HISTORY OF FRANKIN COUNTY. 



225 



been between the republican nominees and 
independent candidates, tlie latter usually 
under the head of "peoples'," "farmers'" or 
"independent ticket." 

In 1856 former issues dividing political 
))arties had disappeared and new issues 
were being rapidly formed. '1 he whig 
party had ceased to exist, and on its ruins 
had been erected two other parties, one 
having for its central truth opposition to 
the further extension of slavery, and the 
other that American-born citizens must 
i-ule America. These parties had, of course, 
absorbed many of the members of the old 
democratic party. The American party, 
not being opposed to slavery, or, at least, 
making no opposition to it, either in the 
States in which it existed or the newly 
formed territories, where it had been 
made subject to admission by the re- 
peal of the Vlissouri Compromise, had be- 
come a numerous body in the South, with 
many adherents in the North. The repub- 
lican party, basing its claims for ])opular 
suffrage upon its advocacy of freedom in 
the territories, was not permitted an exist- 
ence in the southern States, and of ne- 
cessity was confined to the North. The 
first State convention by the newly organ- 
ized republican party was held at Iowa 
City, February 22, and placed a ticket in 
the field for State officers, and adopted a 
platform in accordance with the princi- 
ples of equal -rights and firm opposition 
to slavery. The democratic convention 
met at the capitol, June 26, nominated a 
ticket, and adopted a platform in accord- 
ance with that adopted at the National 
Convention at Cincinnati. The nomina- 
tion of James Buchanan and John C. 
Breckenridge was enthusiastically con 



firmed. In Franklin county the newly or- 
ganized party had a regular ticket in the 
field. For president the vote stood: John 
C.Fremont, republican, 110; James Bu- 
chanan, 32; republican majority, 78. 

The April' election, 1857, was for coun- 
ty attorney, clerk of court and assessor, 
all important offices. Robert F. Piatt 
was elected to the former by a majority of 
8 over Benjamin Butterfield, the vote 
standing 85 to 77; For clerk the vote stood 
S. C. Brazzelton, 79 J. A. Guthrie, 72, and 
Solomon Brazzelton, 18. For assessor 
John I. Popejoy was successful over Wil- 
liam Thorpe by a majority of 21. 

The October election, 1857, was for 
governor, lieutenant-governor, a repre- 
sentative in the General Assembly and 
county officers. A light vote was cast, 
Ralph P. Lowe, republican, for governor, 
receiving 70 votes, against Ben M. Sam- 
uels, democrat, 32. 

The first hotly contested campaign in 
Franklin county took place concern- 
ing the August election, 1857. The strife 
between Maysville and Hampton for the 
county seat caused a division in political 
matters at this election for the first time, 
that was the controlling element in every 
.election held in the county for twelve 
years thereafter. Judge Reeve, who had 
been elected county judge at the organi- 
zation of the county in 1855, was a candi- 
date for re-election to that office, which 
was the most important in the county. 
He was in favor of retaining the county 
seat at Hampton — although he lived much 
nearer Maysville — as he held that good 
faith required it should remain there, af- 
ter the unanimous vote removing it from 
"JefEerson." Dr. Mitchell, on the con- 



i 



226 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



trary, was strong for removing it to Mays- 
ville, where he had built and owned a 
steam saw mill, and was regarded at that 
time as its leading citizen. He was put 
forward to oppose Judge Reeve. Isaac 
Miller, county treasurer, who had been 
elected in 1855, was a candidate for re- 
election, but sympathized with Maysville, 
and was supported by its citizens. He 
had before this traded farms with George 
Ryan, and removed to the farm now 
owned by J. D. Parks, in Reeve township. 
Against him the Hampton faction ran a 
young man named Milton Clover, who 
had lately come to the county, and was 
boarding at Uncle Job Garner's. He 
seems to have been selected mainly be- 
cause nothing could be said against him, 
rather than for any especial qualifications. 
H. P. Allen, for county surveyor, and A. 
S. Ross, for sheriff, had no opposition. 
The vote for county judge was canvassed 
by R. F. Piatt, who signed himself " Pros. 
Att'y and ex-officio Co. Judge," and jus- 
tices Boyles and Utley. They declared 
Dr. Mitchell elected county judge, he hav- 
ing, according to their returns, received 
109 votes, and Judge Reeve 108. Judge 
Reeve officiated as canvasser in the vote 
for county treasurer, assisted by Boyles 
and Utley, and they declared Clover 
elected county treasurer, he receiving lOT 
votes. Miller 104, and Isaac N. Dodd 5. 
The returns were certified to on the 8th 
of August, and on the 10th, Judge Reeve 
filed the necessary papers to contest the 
election of Dr. Mitcliell, and on the same 
day. Miller filed notice of contest against 
Clover. As these two contests were of 
great importance at that time, the record 
of the trial is given in full : • 



"Contested election in Franklin county 
for the office of treasurer and recorder, 
Isaac Miller, contestant vs. Milton Clover, 
incumbent. Contestant's statement filed 
Aug. 8, IBS'?. Bond filed and approved 
Aug. 10, 1857. Precept issued Aug. 13, 
1857. Contestant filed his nomination 
Aug. 18, 1857, to-wit : George H. Ing- 
ham. The incumbent having failed to 
nominate an associate judge, as required 
by law, the county judge appoints for him 
William H. Thompson, on the 18th of 
August, 1857." (The above entry was 
made by the court.) 

" Parties appeared at the time set forth 
in the notices. Now came the incumbent, 
by his attorneys, and filed his answer, and 
made a motion as follows : That the pro- 
ceedings in this case be dismissed for 
the following causes : That William H. 
Thompson, one of the judges in this case, 
was not legally appointed ; that the notice 
to the incumbent was served on the 14th 
of August, 1857, and the appointment 
made on the 18th of August, 1857, as ap- 
pears on record. James B. Reeve, county 
judge of Franklin county. Motion argued 
and overruled by the court, and instructed 
the clerk to change the records so that 
they will read that the appointment of 
William H. Thompson, one of the associ- 
ate judges in this case, was made by the 
county judge, on tlie --'Oth of August, in- 
stead of Aug. 18, 1857. To which ruling 
the incumbent said he would file his bill 
of exceptions. Now comes the contestant, 
by his attornej', and moves the court to 
allow him to file a copy of the original 
written nomination of W. H. Thompson, 
as one of the associate judges, appointed 
by James B. Reeve, county judge, Milton 



jj« 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



221 



Clover having failed to appoint within the 
time allowed by law, the original written 
nomination having been lost. 

The ruling of the court is that the three 
names alleged to be illegal votes in Wash- 
ington township be stricken out of the 
answer, the incumbent will file a bill of 
exceptions to the rulings of the court or 
the proceedings. Accordingly, the court 
adjourned until Friday, Sept. 11, 1857, 
at 9 o'clock A. M. 

Parties appeared and court was called, 
then adjourned until Saturday, Sept. 12, 
1857, at 9 o'clock a. m. Now, to-wit, 
court was called and parties appeared, then 
adjourned until Monday, Sept. 19, 1857, 
at 9 o'clock A. M. 

Sept. 14, 1857, parties appeared, and 
court was called. Now came the incum- 
bent, by his attorneys, and filed his afti- 
davit that R. F. Piatt vacate his seat for 
cause as a judge in this case, who refused 
to do so. Now came the incuinbeut,,by his 
attorneys, and filed his bond of appeal, and 
notices of appeal being served on Isaac 
Miller and filed this 14th day of September, 
1857, and also notices of appeal served on 
the judges of said cause. Returned and 
tiled on Sept. 14, 1857. 

Court ruled that the trial of the cause 
should be heard. Now came the incum- 
bent, by his attorneys, and filed his 
amended statement. Witnesses on the 
part of contestant were called and sworn. 
Court adjourned until Sept. 15, 1857, at 
9 o'clock A. M. 

Sept. 15, 1857. Now on this day, about 
one o'clock, court was called. Parties on 
the part of the contestant appeared and 
some of the witnesses sworn. The judg- 
ment of the court is that Isaac Miller is 



duly elected to the ofiice of treasurer and 
recorder of the county of Franklin, and 
direct that judgment be entered against 
the incumbent, Milton Clover, for the costs 
in said suit to be taxed in said case. 

Contested election in Franklin county for 
the ofiice of county judge, James B. Reeve, 
contestant, vs. S. R. Mitchell, incumbent. 
Bonds and other necessary papers filed. 
The incumbent specially came and filed 
his aflidavit setting forth causes therefore 
and praying that R. F Piatt, prosecuting 
attorney, in and for said county, vacate 
his seat as a judge in said cause. Affi- 
davit argued and overruled, wherejupon the 
contestant, by his attorney, asks leave 
to amend his statement. Refused for the 
time being, whereupon contestant de- 
clared himself ready for trial. Witnesses 
on the part of contestant called and sworn, 
when contestant, by his attorney, asked to 
tile an amended statement; argued and 
leave granted. An amended statement 
filed. Adjourned until Sept. 8, 1857, 9 
o'clock A. 51. 

Sept. 8, 1857. Parties appeared and in- 
cumbent tiled his motion for cause asking 
that the said contestant's amended state- 
ment be stricken from the tiles. Motion 
argued and overruled. Incumbent, by his 
attorney, then tiled his motion asking that 
the names of the persons set forth in said 
amended statement as having voted 
illegally be stricken out. Without argu- 
ing, overruled, whereupon incumbent tiled 
an oath, his prayer for continuance of 
said cause at contestant's cost. Granted, 
and costs accrued up to the time of 
tiling the amended statement taxed 
to the contestant and then adjourned ac- 



-H' 



11 



a 



' 9 

r 









•228 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



cordingly until Thursday, Sept. 10, 185Y, 
at 9 o'clock A. M. 

Court called at time stated. Parties ap- 
peared. The incumbent, S. R. Mitchell, 
came, by his attorneys, and filed his answer 
to the original statement and also to the 
amended statement, both of which are on 
filo. Now comes the contestant, by his 
attorney, and files a demurer. The court 
overruled the demurer. Now comes the 
contestant, by his attorney, and asks to 
amend his amended statement by striking 
out that William Cay wood was not a legal 
voter from the fact that he was 'not a legal 
voter at the time' of the late August elec- 
tion. The court allowed the amendment. 
Now comes the contestant and files, by hi.s 
attorney, his replication. Now came the 
incumbent, by his attorneys, and moved to 
exclude the poll books, from the fact that 
they had not been filed in the county 
office, which motion was overruled. Evi- 
dence was introduced to identify the pa- 
pers as being the original poll books, and 
the court tiled them and allowed them 
to be admitted. The witnesses on the 
part of tlie contestant were again called 
and sworn. Court adjourned until Friday 
at 1 : 30 o'clock a. m. 

According to stated time, parties ap- 
peared, and court convened. Now came 
the contestant, by his attorney, and asked to 
amend his amended statement. Argued, 
and then, without ruling on said motion, 
court adjourned until Saturday. 

According to stated time, parties ap- 
peared, court was called, and then the 
motii'n to amend was allowed by adding 
four new names that did vote in Reeve 
township at the late August election, 1857, 
as illetcal, and also the names of two that 



did vote in Morgan township illegally, and 
also the name of one that did illegally 
vote in Washington township. Now came 
the incumbent, by his attorneys, and filed 
his affidavit and motion to continue the 
cause until the first Monday in October, 
18.57, at the cost of the contestant, from 
the fact that they want to prepare an an- 
swer to the amended statement. Argued> 
and court ruled that court adjourn until 
Wednesday, Sept. 16, 1857, and that 
the cost of contestant's own witnesses of 
Sept. 12, 1857, be taxed to contest- 
ant in said cause. On the 14th of Sep- 
tember, 1857, the incumbent, by his attor- 
ney, tiled his bond of appeal in this cause. 
Notice of appeal was issued on Sept. 14, 
1857, to James B. Reeve, served and re- 
turned on the same day, and notice was 
issued to R. F. Piatt, John I. Popejoy and 
George H. Ingham, the judges of said 
cause ; which notice was served, returned 
and filed Sept. 26, 1857. 

Sept. 16, 1857, court was called about 
one o'clock, the bench to try this cause. 
Parties appeared on the part of the contest- 
ant. Witnesses were called, on the part 
of the contestant, and sworn. 

The decision of the court is that James 
B. Reeve is duly declared elected county 
judge of Franklin county, and that judg- 
ment be entered against S. R. Mitclioll, 
the incuml)ent, for the costs in this case." 

The April election of 1858, was another 
hotly contested one in Franklin county. 
The ofticers to be elected were school 
fund commissioner and superintendent. 
George W. H.ansell was elected to the 
former office over Henry Schrover, receiv- 
ing a majority of 23. R. F. Piatt was 
elected county superintendent, receiving 



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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



229 



^ 



61 votes, to William C. Boyles 38, and 
John Staley 17. Boyles contested Piatt's 
election, but the judges, James Van Horn 
and T. H. Baker, decided in favor of Piatt. 
In 1859, tliere were both State and 
county officers to be elected and the con- 
test was again sharp in Franklin county. 
A full vote was polled. In Fianklin 
county, the vote on governor stood: S. J. 
Kirkwood, republican, 201; A. C. Dodge, 
democrat, 51. For county judge, Henry 
Shroye received 15.3 votes, and James B. 
Reeve, 100. Both c ndidates lived in 
Reeve township, but Judge Reeve was ac- 
cused by his neighbors, of favoring Hamp- 
ton at the expense of Maysville, and con- 
sequently had his own town against him. 

At the sime election, James Thompson 
had 106 votes fo county treasurer, .John 
E. Boyles, 88 and Isaac Miller (the incum- 
bent) 53. For sheriff, F. A. Denton had 
86 votes, George Ryan, 58; W. B. Free- 
burn, 46; G. W. Thompson, 32; J. E. Can- 
nam, 19; T. C. Riddle, 5; evidently a 
"free for all" race. Of this canvass, it is 
told by the old settlers, that Ryan rode 
,over he county in a buggy, driving a fine 
pair of horses with silver plated harness 
on (the only outfit of the kind in the coun- 
ty) while Denton, his successful opponent, 
made his canvass on foot and wearing 
clothes that badly needed repairs, thus 
giving to the "sovereigns" occular demon- 
stration that he needed he office. 

Steve Jones, then editor of the Hecord, 
relates that one of the candidates, who 
only got a few votes for sheriff, came into 
the Record office to order liis tickets. 
"Nosv, Steve," said the candidate, "I want 
my name on every ticket you print." 
Steve tried to explain to him that that 

« r' 



was impossible, but was unable to con- 
vince him. About election time, he called 
around again and gave Steve a lively 
shaking-up for having disobeyed his in- 
structions, and Steve had all he could do 
to get the misunderstanding satisfactorily 
adjusted. 

Tlie country was now becoming deeply 
moved over questions which stirred the 
popular heart as none had ever done be- 
fore. The storm h d been githering ever 
since the repeal of the Missouri Compro- 
mise; the struggles in Kansas "had deeply 
intensified the feelings of the people of 
the North, and John Brown's attempt upon 
Harper's Ferry had been skillfully managed 
so as to arouse and heat the people of the 
South. That the Territories of the United 
States should be forever consecrated to 
freedom was the solemn determination of 
a large majority of the people of the North, 
and that the boundaries of the institution 
of slavery should not be further enlarged. 
The South, seeking its perpetuation by 
means of enlarged political power, deter- 
mined that it should not be restricted, but 
should have enlarged privileges. The 
questions dividing parties were thus chiefly 
sectional and pointed directly to war. In 
this state of public mind the republicf n 
party met in National Convention at Chi- 
cago, for the purpose of placing in the 
field candidates for the office of President 
and Vice-President. The names of Sew- 
ard, Lincoln, Chase, Blair and Bates were 
proposed for the chief office. In the con- 
vention it was plain to see who was the 
favorite of the lookers-on. Every men- 
tion of Lincoln's ;iame was received with 
cheer after cheer. '^Ihree ballots were 
taken; on the last, Mr. Lincoln received a 



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230 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



majority of the whole votes, and was made 
the unanimous clioice of the convention 
amidst the most intense enthusiasm. Han- 
nibal Hamlin, of Maine, was selected as 
the candidate for Vice-President. 

The Democratic National Convention 
was called to meet at Charleston, South 
Carolina. The friends of Stephen A. 
Douglas were active in urging his claims 
to the nomination for the Presidency, many 
of the delegates from the northern States 
being instructed to use all honorable means 
to that end. The claimsof Douglas were 
stoutly contested by the leaders of the 
democracy of the South, and it was evi- 
dent some time before the convention as- 
sembled that it would be difficult to come 
to an agreement, especially as the rule of 
the Democratic National Conventions re- 
quired a two-thirds vote to nominate. 
Meeting in the city of Charleston, April 
23, 1860, the convention remained in ses- 
sion tea days, at the expiration of which 
time no nominations were made, many of 
tlie delegates from the southern States 
withdrawing. After taking fifty-seven 
ballots, it was found impo.ssible for any 
Candida e to receive a two-thirds vote of 
the entire body, so many delegates having 
withdrawn. An adjournment was then 
had to Baltimore June 19. At this latter 
place the convention met, pursuant to ad- 
journmen , but even here no agreement 
could be reached between the factions. 
After a six days' meeting, Stephen A. 
Douglas was nominated for President, and 
Benjamin Fitzpatrick, of Alabama, for 
Vice-President. The nomination of Doug- 
las was received with vei-y great enthusi- 
asm. Mr. Fitzpatrick declining, Ilerschel 



V. Johnson, of Georgia, was substituted. 
Mr. Johnson accepted the nomination. 

That portion of the convention which 
seceded held a convention June 23, and 
nominated John C. lireckenridge, of Ken- 
tucky, for President, and Joseph Lane, of 
Oregon, for Vice-President. A "Union" 
convention was also held, at which .lohn 
Bell, of Tennessee was nominated for 
President, and Edward Everett, of Massa- 
chusetts, for Vice-President. 

With four Presidential candidates in the 
field, the exciting questions growing out 
of the institution of slavery, and the threats 
of disunion by a portion of the south in 
the event of the election of Lincoln, tended 
to make the campaign one of great inter- 
est "Wide-Awake" clubs and organiza- 
tions of " Hickory Boys " on the part of 
republicans and Douglas democrats, re- 
spectively, tended to increase the excite- 
ment. Large and enthusiastic meetings 
were held by each paity in all the leading 
towns and cities, and even in many of the 
smaller villages. The names of the "Rail- 
Splitter" and the "Little Giant" evoked 
the greatest enthusiasm. 

The Republican State Convention met in 
Iowa city. May 23, nominated a Slate 
ticket, and adopted a platform endorsing 
the action of the National Convention at 
Chicago, endorsing its nominations and 
favoring rigid ( conomy in State matters. 
The Democratic Convention met at Des 
Moines July 12, nominated a State ticket, 
and passed resolutions endorsing Douglas 
and Johnson. The "Union ticket" was 
strongly condemned. 

In this county the fight was waged as 
hard as in any county in the State. There 
was but one county officer of anv import- 



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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



231 






ance to be elected — clerk of the district 
court — consequently there was but little 
to attract from the great National ques- 
tions. 

The war for the Union was in progress 
during the political campaign of 1861, and 
issues growing out of that war were form- 
ing. 

The republicans were the first to meet 
in convention, assembling at Des Moines, 
July 31, and nominating a candidate for 
governor and other State officers, adopting 
a platform heartily supporting the govern- 
ment in its assertion of the right to coerce, 
denouncing the doctrine of secession, 
maintaining the supremacy of the consti- 
tution, and declaring in the most forcible 
language that the rebellion should be put 
down at any cost. 

The Democratic State Convention passed 
resolutions also unequivocally condemning 
the action of the seceding States, but de- 
claring it to be the legitimate result of 
the successful teaching of the irrepressi- 
ble conflict, and also denying in toto the 
right of the government to perpetuate the 
Union by force of arms. State sover- 
eignty was endorsed, and the opposite 
doctrine declared to be fraught with dis- 
astrous consequences. 

The campaign in this county afforded 
but little interest, the all-exciting ques- 
tions of the war, filling the mind of every 
voter. 

During 1862, the Union army had met 
with several reverses, and a gloomy feel- 
ing pervaded the minds of the people, 
having its effect upon the canvass for 
State officers. 

The democrats met in convention at 
Des Moines, and adopted a platform in 



which they expressed themselves as in 
favor of using all constitutional means for 
the suppression of the rebellion, and op- 
posing any scheme of confiscation or 
emancipation; objecting to a suppression 
of the writ of habeas corjnis; declaring 
the superiority of the white over the 
black race and opposed to the purchase of 
slaves. 

The republicans, in their platform, 
adopted at Des Moines, resolved that it 
was the duty of every man to help main- 
tain the government, condemned the 
course of the secession sympathizers, and 
asked all who were favorable to giving he 
national administration honest support, to 
co-operate with them. 

In this county the campaign afforded 
but little of interest. The county officers 
to be elected were county judge and clerk 
of court. Austin North was elected to the 
former, and D. W. Dow to the latter. 

In 1863, the democracy of the State met 
in convention at Des Moines, July 8, and 
nominated a candidate for governor and 
other State officers Questions growing 
out of the war still afforded issues be- 
tween the parties. The writ of habeas 
corpus had been suspended by the Presi- 
dent; martial law had been declared in 
some of the States not in rebellion, and 
the proclamation of emancipation had 
been issued. These measures the de- 
mocracy in convention and by resolution 
opposed, while the republican convention, 
which convened June 17, favored each. 
Thus were the issues defined. In Frank- 
lin county the vote on governor stood: 
William M. Stone, republican, 1U3; James 
M. Tuttle, democrat, 63; republican ma- 
jority, 130. 



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232 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



In 1864, Abraham Lincoln was re-nom- 
inated by the republicans, and associated 
with him on the ticket was Andrew John- 
son, the Union governor of Tennessee. 
The democrats put in nomination Gen. 
George B. McClellan for the Presidency, 
and George H. Pendleton, of Ohio, for 
the Vice-Presidency. The republicans 
of Iowa, held a convention at Desiioines, 
.luly 7, and adopted a platform confirming 
the re-nomination of Al)raham Lincoln, 
and paying high tributes of praise to the 
loyal soldiers and soldiers' wives who 
were daily making sacrifices that the 
Union might be s .ved. The Democratic 
State Convention met at DesMoines, July 
16, selected a State ticket, but adopted no 
platform. A peace convention, however, 
was held at Iowa City, August 24, which 
adopted resolutions denouncing the war 
and its further support, and rejecting the 
equality of the negro with the white man. 

In 1865, the republicans were first in 
the field, meeting in convention at Dee 
Moines, June 14, nominating a ticket and 
adopting a platform. 'I'he Union anti- 
negro suffrage party met at the capital, 
August 23 and nominated a ticket, and 
adopted a platform in which they resolved 
to sustain the administration of Andrew 
Johnson ; that they were opposed to 
negro suffrage ; that the soldiers of the 
late war deserved well of their country- 
men, and that their sympathies were with 
them. The democrats met in convention 
the same day, but made no nominations, 
the party supporting the soldier's ticket 
as it was known. 

The campaign of 1866 was fought on 
the issue of reconstruction in the southern 
States. The republicans in convention 



resolved that the people who subdued the 
rebellion and their representatives in 
Congress had the right to re-organize the 
States that had been in rebellion. This 
was denied by some of the republicans 
and the entire democratic party. The 
conservative republicans, or those who 
were opposed to congressional action, 
met in convention and nominated a State 
ticket. The democratic convention adopt- 
ed a platform, nominated two candi- 
dates, and resolved to support the ticket 
of the conservatives. 

The general issues dividing the parties 
in 1867 were the same as in 1866. 

The year 1868 brought with it another 
Presidential campaign. The rejiublican 
National Convention met in Chicago and 
placed in nomination Ulysses S. Grant, 
the victorious Union general, associating 
with him Schuyler Colfax, of Indiana. 
The democratic National Convention nom- 
inated Horatio Seymour and Francis P. 
Blair, Jr., for President and Vice Presi- 
dent. The financial question began to be 
a leading issue, especially with reference 
to the payment of the bonds in coin or 
greenbacks, the republicans favoring the 
payment in coin, the democrats opposing. 
The latter also, by resolution, favored the 
abolition of the national banking system, 
and the substitution of United States notes 
for those of national banks. Tliis was 
opposed by the republicans. 

The campaigns of 1869, 1870 and 1871 
were devoid of much interest, and were 
but repetitions of the results of previous 
years, as a glance at the official vote in 
this chapter will show. 

The movement known as the liberal re- 
publican had a large influence, politically, 



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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



233 



in 1872, having virtually dictated the dem- 
ocratic nomination for the Presidency, 
and the platform of principles on which 
the campaign against the republican party 
was dictated. The liberal republicans 
were those connected with the republican 
party who were opposed to any extreme 
measures in the reconstruction of the 
southern States, and who believed the 
time had come when past issues should be 
forgotten, and new issues formed; that 
tlie hand of reconciliation should be of- 
fered the South, and a united country, 
working together to build up the waste 
places of the South. Many of the most 
able men of the republican party, includ- 
ing Horace Greeley, Charles Sumner, Ly- 
man Trumbull, John M. Palmer, and oth- 
ers, united in this movement. In May a 
National Convention was held by the lib- 
eral republicans, in Cincinnati, which 
nominated Horace Greeley for President 
and B. Gratz Brown for Vice President. 
'The following is a synopsis of the resolu- 
tions adopted : 

1. Equality of all men before the law ; 
equal and exact justice to all, without 
regard to race, color or previous condi- 
tion. 

2. Opposition to the re-opening of all 
questions settled by the 13th, 14th and 
1.5th amendments to the constitution. 

3. Demand for the immediate and 
absolute removal of all disabilities im- 
posed on account of the rebellion. 

4. Local self-government; supremacy 
of the civil over the military, and demand 
for the largest individual liberty consist- 
ent with public order. 

5. Denunciation of the existing system 
of civil service. 



6. Demand for a system of federal 
taxation which should not unnecessarily 
interfere with the industries of the peo- 
ple ; reference of the tariff to the congres- 
sional districts. 

7. Demand for civil service reform, 
and for the election of President for a 
single term only. 

8. Maintenance of public credit and 
denunciation of repudiation. 

9. A speedy return to specie payment. 

10. Thanks to the citizen-soldiers and 
sailors of the Republic. 

11. Opposition to further grants to 
railroads 

12. Cultivation of friendship with all 
nations ; regarding alike dishonorable, 
either to demand wha is not right or 
submit to wliat is wrong. 

The democracy, in convention, ratified 
the nominations of Greeley and Brown, 
and adopted the platform of the liberal 
republicans. The republicans re-nomi- 
nated President Grant, and associated 
with him on the ticket Henry Wilson, of 
Massachusetts, for Vice-President. The 
disaffection among the democrats in conse- 
quence of the nomination of Horace 
Greeley, a life-long political enemy, was so 
great, that a third ticket was nominated, 
at the head of which was Charles O'Con- 
nor, the distinguished lawyer of New 
York. The democrats and liberal republi- 
cans met in State convention, and nomi- 
nated a ticket composed of two democrats 
and three liberal republicans, and passed 
A resolution endorsing the nomination of 
Greeley. The liberal ticket in this county 
did not meet with much encouragement, 
the vote given it being orly that number 
usually polled by the democratic nomi- 



^PT 



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234 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



nees. The total vote this year in Frank- 
lin county was 1,035, and the republican 
majority ranged between 708 and 898. 

The question of Capital vs. Labor, 
engaged the attention of the people in 
1873. The Republican State Convention 
jnet at DesMoines June 25, and after 
nominating candidates, adopted resolu- 
tions declaring against monopolies, and 
urging that the several States should care- 
fully restrict the powers of the railroad 
companies and other monopolies. Class 
legislation was also denounced. The 
democratic party of the State made no 
regular nomination this year, but gener- 
ally supported the anti-monopoly ticket. 
A convention was held at DesMoines, 
August 12, nominating candidates, and 
adopting resolutions, declaring that the old 
party organizations were no longer useful, 
denouncing corruption in government 
affairs, and urging the necessity of politi- 
cal honesty. In this county the general 
aspect of affairs remained unchanged, the 
republicans carrying the county on the 
State ticket by majorities ranging above 
800. The total vote was about 1,100. 

In 1874, the issues were the same as in 
the previous year, and the anti-monopolists 
made a gallant fight in this county as well 
as in the State, but were defeated in both. 

A convention was called to meet at Des 
Moines June 24, 1875, to bo composed of 
democrats, anti-monopolists and liberal 
republicans. Assembling, a ticket was 
nominated headed by Shepherd Lefler for 
governor, and a platform of principles 
adopted covering the principal ground of 
belief of the three elements represented. 
The republicans met in convention and 
nominated S. J. Kirk wood for governor. 



n- 



A temperance convention was also held, 
and Rev. John H. Lozier nominated for 
governor. In Franklin county, the vote 
for governor stood: Kirkwood, 923; Lefler, 
214. The temperance candidate did not 
receive a single vote in this county. 

The election in 1876, was for National, 
State and county officers. Rutherford B. 
Hayes and William A. Wheeler were the 
republican candidates for President and 
Vice-President, while Samuel J. Tilden 
and Thomas A. Hendricks received the 
nomination of the democratic party for the 
same offices. Peter Cooper was the nomi- 
nee of the independent party or green- 
backe s for President. The bard times 
which began in 1878 had a perceptible ef- 
fect upon this campaign. The democratic 
party, which for some years had been act- 
ing on the defensive, when not allied to 
some other political body, now assumed 
the aggressive, and under the banner of 
"Tilden and reform," forced the republi- 
cans in the defensive. On the part of the 
democrats the campaign was boldly con- 
ducted, though it cannot truthfully be said 
that Tilden was the choice of the Nation, 
especially of the western element of the 
party. 

In this State the greenbackers held two 
conventions, at the first of which it adopted 
a platform containing their principal 
tenets. 

The republicans adopted as a platform 
substantially the following points: 1, 
Unity of the Nation; 2, Economy in the 
administration of the government; 3, A 
currency convertible with coin; 4, All rail- 
way and other corporations to be subject 
to the law-making power. The democrats 
adopted hut a single resolution appi'oving 



o]'r 




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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



2S1 



the platform of the National Democratic 
Convention and the nominations of 'J'ilden 
and Hendricks. 

In 1877, State tickets were nominated 
by democrats, republicans, greenbackers 
and prohibitionists. The latter had for a 
candidate, Elias Jessup, of Hardin county. 
The republican candidate, was John H. 
Gear; democratic, John P. Irish; and 
greenback, Daniel P. Stubbs. The vote in 
Franklin county stood: Gear, 1311; Irish, 
•336; Jessup, 10; Stubbs, 16. 

In 1878, State tickets were nominated 
by greenbackers, democrats and republi- 
cans. Subsequently a fusion was effected 
by the democrats and greenbackers, and a 
portion of the nominees of each of their 
State tickets were chosen as the choice of 
both parties. The result in this county is 
seen by the official vote. 

The campaign of 1879, was opened May 
12, by the democracy meeting in conven- 
tion and nominating a State ticket, headed 
by H. H. Trimble for governor. A lengthy 
platform was adopted. The greenbackers 
were next in the field, their ticket being 
headed by Daniel Campbell for governor. 
The republicans met and nominated John 
H. Gear for governor, together with a full 
State ticket. Lastly, the prohibitionists 
met and placed in nomination George T. 
Carpenter, of Mahaska, for governor. Mr. 
Carpenter declining, D. R. Dungan, of 
Eldora, was substituted. The republicans 
nominated a straight ticket, while the op- 
position combined on a "People's ticket," 
composed of independent republicans, 
greenbackers and democrats. 

The general campaign in 1880 began 
quite early, especially among aspirants for 



office, and their friends. The preliminary 
canvass for the nomination grew quite 
warm as both republicans and democrats 
were alike confident that they would suc- 
ceed in the National struggle. James A. 
Garfield received the republican nomina- 
tion for President, and associated with him 
on the ticket, was Chester A. Arthur for 
Vice-President. Winfield S. Hancock was 
nominated for Presidentby the democrats, 
and with him was William H. English for 
Vice-President. James B. Weaver and 
Gen. Chambers for President and Vice- 
President, respectively, on the National 
or greenback ticket. The canvass was 
pushed with vigor, the democratic and re- 
publican parties each using their utmost 
endeavors to be successful. The National 
party, under the lead of Weaver, also 
endeavored to increase its votes, Mr. 
Weaver making speeches in more than 
half the States in the Union. The first 
State Convention held in Iowa this year 
was by the republicans, at DesMoines, 
April 7. The platform adopted consisted 
of three resolutions, the first demanding 
that candidates be nominated at Chicago 
by the National Republican Convention, 
of National reputation for ability; second, 
that James G. Blaine be the choice of the 
republicans of the State, and third, in- 
structing delegates to the National Con- 
vention to vote for Blaine. The green- 
backers met at De.sMoines, May 11, and 
adopted a platform re-asserting their de- 
mands for the abolition of the National 
banks, the reduction of the army, the 
limitation of Chinese immigration, the 
reduction of salaries, and the payment of 
the National debt in greenbacks. The 
democrats met at DesMoines, Sept. 2, 



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238 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



nominated a ticket, and adopted a plat- 
form endorsing Hancock and English, and 
the National platform adopted at Cincin- 
nati. 

The election of 1881 was for State and 
county officers. The three leading parties 
had tickets in the field. In Franklin 
county the vote for governor stood: 
Buren R. Sherman, republican, 1,135; L. 
G. Kinne, democrat, 188; D. M. Clark, 
greenback, lb. 

In 1882, the election was for State and 
county officers and members of Congress, 
and was a heated one. Particulars as to 
candidates and vote will be found in the 
official vote. 

OFFICIAL VOTE. 

In this connection is presented the of- 
ficial vote of Franklin county, for every 
general election from 1866 to 1883, so 
far as could be ascertained from the 
records in the court house. 

The following is the record transcript 
of the elections since that time: 
Election August, 1856 

Prosecuting Attorney. 

Samuel B . Jacksou » 28 — 7 

Robert F. Piatt 21 

Clerk of Courts. 
Samuel R. Mitchell 33 

November , 1856. 

si dent. 

Joha C. Fremont 110—78 

.James Buchanan 32 

Delegates to Constitutional Convention 

S. Winchester 110—91 

William McClintock 19 

April, ISoT. 
Prosecuting Attorney. 

Robert F. Piatt 85—8 

Benjamin Butterfield 77 



Clerk of Courts. 

S C. Brazzelton 79—7 

James A. Guthrie 72 

Solomon Brazzelton 18 

County Assessor. 

John I. Popejoy 95 — 21 

William Tharpe 74 

August, 1857. 
County Judge. 

Samuel R. Mitchell 109—1 

James B. Reeve 108 

Treasurer and Recorder 

Milton Clover 108—3 

IsaacMiller 104 

Isaac Dodd 1 

Surveyor. 
H P. Allen 219 

Sheriff. 
A. S. Ross 216 

Coroner 

■\Villiam Ward 111—12^ 

George Ryan 99 

William Vanhorn 3 

April, 1858. 

Superintendent of Schools. 

R. F. Piatt 61-23 

William C. Boyles 37 

John Staley 17 

School Fund Commissioner. 

George W. Hansen 39-13 

II. W. Shioyer 16 

October, 1858. 
Clerk of Courts. 

John D. Leland 86—13 

John E. Boyles 73 

S. C. Brazzelton 45 

Drainage Commissioners. 

W. H. Thompson 78—30 

David Church 48 

■ Coroner. 

John Cromwell 62 —16 

E. H Sparling •■ 46 

A. II. BiidgeniMn 1 

George Lyman; 1 



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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



239 



October, 1859. 

County Judge. 

Heury Shroyer 153—53 

Jiiini's B, Reeve 100 

Treasurer and Recorder. 

James Thompson , 106 — 18 

John E. Bojles 88 

Isaac Miller 53 

Sheriff. 

F. A. Denton 86—28 

George Ryan 58 

W. R Freeburn 46 

George W. Thompson 32 

J. E Cannam 19 

T. C. Riddle 5 

School Superintendent. 

W. N. Davidson 170—59 

J. W. Avery Ill 

A. H. Bridgeman 13 

Surveyor. 

Obadiah Smith 171—98 

J. M. Hansberry 73 

Drainage Commissioner. 
L H. Morgan 251 

Coroner. 
L . Armstrong 249 

November, 1860. 
Clerk of Courts. 

D. W. Dow : 152—38 

John D. Lelaud 114 

Henry White 22 

A. H. Bridgeman 1 

Coroner. 

L Shroyer 138—112 

W. W. Soper 26 

L. Benjamin 20 

J. M. White 6 

D. W. Dow 1 

J. D. Brand 6 

Drainage Commissioner. 

William May 111—101 

James Jenkms 10 

L. Phroyer 1 

October, 1861. 

Governor. 

Samuel J. Kirkwood, rep 237—207 

W H. Merritt, dem'- 30 



County Judge. 

A. T. Reeve 132-69 

J. M. White 63 

F. A. Denton 55 

A. Denton 1 

Treasurer and Recorder. 

George JSeed 237-21 1 

L. H Morgan 26 

S. R. Mitchell 6 

, Surveyor. 

O . Smith 104—33 

S. H. Vankirk 71 

George Beed 1 

Sheriff. 

J . W. Ward 97—30 

William Ward 67 

E. A Evans 38 

J. E. Hunter 45 

Scattering 9 

School Superintendent. 

N. B. Chapman 141-64 

W. N. Davidson 77 

J. W. Avery 50 

J. Avery 2 

October, 1862. 

County Judge. 

Austin North 190—179 

N. McDonald H 

James T. McCormick 8 

Clerk of Courts. 

Daniel W. Dow 196—133 

W. N. Davidson 63 

NOTE.— For some reason tho records do not grive an.v 
returns for the years 1863, 1864 and 1865. The list of 
officers elected will be found in the chapter up 'n 
"Representation;" but it is impossible to give the 
vote. 

Election, October 9, 1866. 

Clerk of District Court. 

R. S. Benson 204—9 

A. T. Reeve 195 

County Recorder. 

James H. Beed 257—115 

H. C. Graves 142 

George Beed 2 

Additional Tax. 

For additional tax 285—188 

Against " " 97 



~\ 



^_ 



k. 



240 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



Election, October 8, 1867. 
Coiinl}' Judge. 

W. W. Day 242-35 

James Thompson 207 

D. D Day 1 

County Treasunr 

George Beed 44(5 

Sheriff. 

A. Pickering 248 — 55 

Lewis P. Berry 193 

N. B. Chapman 1 

Superintendent of Schools, 

L. B. Raymond 222 33 

N. B. Chapman jgO 

John Avery j 

County Surveyor 

S. H. Vankirk 433 403 

O.Smith 10 

Coroner. 

J. C. Addis 445 

Drainage Commissioner. 

B. H. Gibbs 399 

November, 1868. 
Clerk of Courts. 

R. S. Benson 554 547 

J. T.McFaddin .."'. 7 

James Beed j 

Recorder. 

Henry Meyer 332 33 

James Beed I94 

James Walker J5g 

Charles Meyer. \ 

October, 1869. 
Auditor. 

R. S. Benson 374 50 

G. G. Clemmer 324 

G. C. Clemmer 2 

Treasurer. 

A. T. Reeve 380—54 

George Beed : 326 

Sheriff. 

A. B. Hudson 399 93 

D. G. Carbaugh 307 

School Superintendent 

J Cheston Whitney 429 103 

L. B. Raymond gge 

Drainage Commissioner. 
Henry Thompson 16 




)84 



—585 



Election, October, 1870. 
Judges of Supreme Court. 

Chester C. Cole, Rep 381 

W. E. Miller, Rep 596 

James G. Day, Rep 594 

J. C. Knapp. Dem 38 

P. H. Smith. Dem 88 

Reuben Noble, Dem 38 

Secretary of State . 

Ed Wright 594- 

Charles Doerr 10 

Auditor of State. 

John Russell 595 

W. W. Garner 10 

State Treasurer. 

Samuel E. Rankin 595—557 

W. C. James 38 

Register of State Land office. 

Aaron Brown 595 — 557 

D. T. Ellsworth 38 

Attorney General. 

Henry Oleman 595 — 558 

H. M. Martin 37 

Supreme Couil Reporter. 

Charles Liudeman 595 

W. E. McLellan 38 

Congress. 
Jackson Orr 592- 

C. C. Smellzer 37 

District Judge. 

Daniel D. Chase 592 

District Attorney. ' 

J. H. Bradley .588 

Clerk of Courts. 

T. C. McKenzie 605—599 

George Pettis 6 

D. W. Dow 1 

County Recorder. 

Henry Meyer, Sr 611- 

Ed. Avery 6 

Coroner. 

J. M. Wait G09 

Board of Supervisors, 
C. J. Mott 460 

E. L. Clock 440 

J. I. Popejoy 501 

W. H. Hoxie 201 

David Elliott 23 

Baker 1 



)57 



-555 



-605 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



241 



October Election, 1871. 

Governor. 

C. C. Carpenter... 745-664 

J. C. Kuapp 81 

Lieutenant Qoveruor. 

H. C. Bullis 745—656 

M. M. Ham 89 

Judge Supreme Court 

.1. G. Day 748—660 

J. F. Duncombe 88 

Superintendent Public Instruction. 

A. Abernethy 748—696 

E. Mumm 36 

E. M. Dunn 52 

State Senator. 

E. A. Howland 808 

Representative. 

M A. Leahy 797 

County Treasurer. 

A. T. Reeve 806 

Auditor. 

R. S. Benson 819 

Sheriff. 

A. B. Hudson 461-05 

A. Picliering 369 

County Superintendent 

J. C. Whitney 815 

Surveyor. 

O. Smith 838 

Coroner. 

A. Graham 835 

Supervisor. 

B. K. Jaclison 429—18 

J. I. Popejoy 411 

Stock Act. 

For 349 

Against 370—21 

November Election, 1872. 

Secretary of State. 

Josiah T. Young 953—871 

E. A. Quilbert 82 

State Treasurer. 

William Christy 876—717 

M. J. Rholfs 159 

Register State Land Office. 

Aaron Brown 870—710 

Jacob Butler 150 



Attorney General. 
(To fill vacancy.) 

M. E. Cutis 870 

Congressman, 4th District. 

H. O. Pratt 869—708 

A. T. Lusch 161 

Judge Circuit Court, 11th District. 

J. H. Bradley 882—869 

John A. Hull 13 

F. Bliss 1 

District Attorney, 

M, D. O'Connell 909—898 

H. E. J. Boardmau 11 

W. N. Davidson 2 

J. M. McKenzie 1 

Clerk of District and Circuit Court. 

T. C. McKenzie 1038 

County Recorder. 

G. C. Hayes 1039 

Supervisor. 

D. W. Elliott 763-496 

E. L. Clock 287 

Superintendent of Schools. 
(To fill vacancy.) 

I. W.Myers 544—83 

G. H. Brock 461 

M. A. Ives 1 

Stock Act. 

For 497—148 

Against 349 

October Election, 187-^ 
Governor. 

C. C. Carpenter 979—866 

J.G. Vale 113 

Lieutenant Governor. 
Joseph Dysart 981—871 

C. Whiting 110 

Supreme Judge. 

Joseph M. Beck.... '. 979—866 

B. J. Hall 113 

Superintendent Public Instruction. 
A. Abernethy 978—866 

D. W. Prindle 112 

Representative. 

M. A. Leahy 978^870 

G B.Rockwell 108 



Q «-. 



242 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



County Auditor. 

J. M. Wait 683—283 

William H. Thompson 400 

Treasurer. 

R. 8. Benson 572—57 

George Beed 515 

Sheriff. 

A. N. Minor 719—3.56 

Philip Salisbury 363 

Surveyor. 

P, S. Brennan 674—276 

S. H. Vankirk 398 

Superintendent of Schools. 

G. G. Clemmer 1061-1057 

I. W. Myers 4 

Coroner. 

Andrew Graham 1069 

Supervisor. 

L. D. Lane 598—123 

C. J. Mott 476 

County High School 

For 165 

Against 744—579 

Increase of Board of Supervisors. 

For 126 

Against 746—621 

October Election, 1874. 
Secretary of State. 

JosiahT. Young 749—516 

David Morgan 233 

Auditor of State. 

B. 14. Sherman 753—514 

Joseph M. King 229 

Slate Treasurer. 

William Christy 750—518 

H. C. Hargis 282 

Register State Land Office. 

David Secor 749—517 

R. H. Rodearmel 282 

Attorney General. 

M. E. Cutts 750—518 

John II. Keatly 232 

Supreme Court Reporter. 

J. S. Runuells 750—518 

J. M Weart 233 

Clerk of Supreme Court. 

E. J. Holmes 750—518 

George W.Bali 232 



Congressman. 

H. O. Pratt 721—483 

John Bowman 238 

Judge of District Court . 

I. J. Mitchell 617—347 

John Porter 270 

District Attorney. 

M. D. O'Connell 671—353 

C. A. Clark 315 

John Porter 1 

Col. Clark 1 

C. H. Clark 1 

Clerk of Circuit and District Courts. 

M. A. Ives ,587—219 

A. I. Smith 368 

T. C. McKenzie 2 

I. W. Daggett 3 

County Recorder. 
G. C. Hayes 935 

Stock Act. 

For 682—557 

Against 125 

Supervisor. 

David Church 228—140 

RichardT. Blake 88 

William Boots , 1 

T. E. B. Hudson 1 

October Election, 1875. 

Governor. 

Samuel J. Kirkwood 923—709 

Shepherd Lefler 214 

Lieutenant Governor. 

JoshuaG. Newbold 923—709 

Emmett B. Woodward 214 

Supreme Judge. 

Austin Adams 923 — 710 

William J. Knight 213 

Superintendent Public Instruction. 

Alonzo Abetnethy 924—711 

Isaiah Doane 213 

State Senator. 

Lemuel Dwelle 929—721 

James M. Elder 208 

Representative 68lh District. 

Lorenzo D. Lane 456 — 11 

Daniel W. Dow 445 

George B. Rockwell 27 

Marmaduke P. Rosecrans 196 



V ©- 



HISTORY OF FRANKIN COUNTY. 



243 



County Auditor. 

John M. Wait 1103-1084 

James M. Snyder 19 

County Treasurer. 

Rufus S. Benson 768—413 

Henry Meyers, Sr 355 

Clerk]of Courts. 

(To fill vacancy ) 

Tliomas B. Taylor 595—73 

James T. McCormicli 522 

William C.Tyrrell 2 

Sheriff. 

Abel N. Minor 937—813 

Newton Penney 124 

0. H. Hemming 65 

County Superintendent of Schools. 

OrillaM. Reeve 574—79 

G H. Brock 495 

1. W. Myers 8 

County Surveyor. 

L B. Raymond '. 447—64 

P. S. Brenuau 283 

S. H. Vankirk 282 

Coroner. 

O. B. Harriman 1114 

Supervisor. 

John I. Popejoy 208 

November Election, 1876. 
Judge Supreme Court. 

William H. Seevers 1175—796 

Walter I. Hayes 379 

Judge Supreme Court to fill vacancy created by 
Chapter 7 of Acts 16th Geueral Assembly. 

James H. Rothrock 1176—798 

William Graham 378 

Judge Supreme Court to fill vacancy caused by 
resignation of Chester C. Cole, 

William H. Seevers 1175—796 

Walter I. Hayes 379 

Charles Negus 1 

Secretary of State. 

Josiah T. Young 1175—796 

John Strubenraugh 379 

A. McReady 5 

Auditor State. 

BiirenR. Sherman 1175—796 

Wm. GiuuLWeg 379 

David Brown 5 



Treasurer State. 

George W. Bemis 1175—796 

Wesley Jones 379 

G. C. Fry 5 

Register State Land Office. 

David Secor 1175—796 

N. C. Ridenour . . 379 

G. M. Walker 5 

Attorney General. 

John F. McJunkin 1175—796 

J. C. Cook 379 

Supei'intendent Public Instruction. 
(To fill vacancy.) 

Carl W. Van Coellen 1180—1175 

J. A. North 5 

Congress. 

Nathaniel C. Deering 1177—793 

Cyrus Foreman 384 

Judge Circuit Court. 

J. H. Bradley 1268—978 

J. T. Frazier 290 

Clerk of Courts. 

Thomas B. Taylor 893-3*8 

James T. McCormick 575 

Q. R. Miner 87 

County Recorder. 

Guy C . Hayes 1,561 

Supervisor. 

W. A. Alexander 371—125 

William Glendenning 246 

October Election, 1877. 
Governor. 

John H. Gear 1311—975 

John P. Irish 336 

Elias Jessup 10 

Daniel P. Stubbs 16 

Lieutenant Governor. 

Frank T. Campbell 1344—1020 

William C.James 324 

O. McCready, 16 

Judge Supreme Court. 

J. G. Day 1339—1011 

H. E. J. Boardman 328 

John Porter 16 

Superintendent Public Instruction. 

C. W. Von Coellen 1331—1210 

G D. Cullison 121 

V. G. Collison 202 

S. T. Ballard 16 



_\|c 



244 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



Representative 78th District. 

John H. King 1208—996 

W. W. Knapp 207 

Daniel Dougherty 25.5 

Count_y Auditor. 

C. L. Clock 879—86 

John M. Wait 793 

Count_v Treasurer. 

T. C. McKeuzie 90.5—126 

Gideon G. Clemmer 779 

Sheriff. 

M. B. Jones, rep 892— .560 

M. K. Donovan, dem 332 

Robert Jeffers 268 

John H. Rule 182 

John Ilartgraves 1 

Surveyor. (To fill vacancy.) ' 

S. H. Vankirk 574—222 

John T. Stearns 352 

Surveyor. (Full term.) 

S. H, Vankirk 909—152 

John T. Stearns 757 

Superintendent Schools. (To fill vacancy.) 

I. W Myers 900—410 

L. B. Raymond 490 

G. W. Miller 4 

Superintendent Schools. (Full term ) 

I. W. Myers 1077—524 

L. B. Raymond 553 

G. W. Miller 13 

Coroner. 

J. H. Hutchins 829—742 

C. D. Tidd .; 77 

O. B. Harriman 9 

Dr. J. I. Leas 1 

Supervisor. 
David Church, 3.52 

October Election 1878. 
Secretary of State. 

John A. T. Hull 1127—702 

F M. Farnsworth 425 

E M. Farnsworth 145 

E N. Farnsworth 29 

Auditor of State. 

Buren R. Sherman 1128—584 

Joseph Eibffick 543 

G. D. Swearinger 44 



Treasurer of State. 

George W. Bemis 1128—565 

M. L. Devin .563 

M. L. Divine 35 

Register State Land Office. 

.lames K Powers 1130 — .534 

M. Farrington 596 

Attorney General. 

John F. McJunken 1054— .543 

John Gibbons 511 

John E. McJunken 73 

John Gibbins 29 

C. H. Jackson 44 

Supreme Judge. 

James H. Rothrock 1126— .537 

James C. Knapp 589 

James Knapp 9 

Clerk Supreme Court. 

Edward J. Holmes 1127—529 

Alex . Runyan 598 

Supreme Court Reporter. 

John S. Runnells 1061—564 

JohnB. Elliott 497 

JohnS. Rennells 66 

John Elliott 43 

George W. Rutherford 44 

Congress. 

Nathaniel C. Deering 1 101 — 547 

L. H. Weller 554 

W. V. Allen 74 

District Judge. 

J. W. McKenzie 1485-1264 

H. E. J. Boardman 221 

District Attorney. 

J. L. Stevens 1247—780 

N. B. Hyatt 467 

Clerk of Courts. 

Henry A. Harriman, 986—251 

T, B.Taylor 735 

County Recorder. 

A. W. Crawford 801—67 

C. S. Guilford 734 

George W. Folsom 166 

Supervisor. 

J. I. Popejoy 242—21 

Wesley Brogan 221 



& 



4 



i^ 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



2i: 



October Election, 1879. 
Governor. 

.lohn n, Gear 134.5-1 0fi7 

H. H. Trimble 278 

Dauiel Campbell 180 

Lieiitennnt Governor. 

Frank T. Campbell 1343-1070 

J. A. O. Yeaman 273 

H. M Moore 183 

Supreme Judge. 

J M. Beck 1844-10G9 

ReubenNoble 375 

M. H. Joues 180 

Superintendent Public Instruction. 

( ;arl W. Von Ciellen 1346-1075 

Erwin Boke 371 

.1. A. Nash 183 

State Senator. 

F.M. Goodykoont 1791 

Representative. 

.lohn II. King 1340— (iUS 

II. II. Schell 343 

C. C Preeguard 1 

S. B. Elder 1 

County Auditor. 

Charles L, Clock 1567-1364 

Philip II. Wolfenbarger 203 

C. P. Philps 18 

County Treasurer. 

Tom C. McKenzie, Ind 1.596-1398 

J. M, Cau-ull 198 

N.B.Enfield 1 

Sheriff. 

Martiu B. Jones 1.546-1301 

M. A. Leahey 245 

A.K.Carter 8 

Surveyor. 

S. II. Van Kirk .' 1130-831 

Thomas R. Kelley 333 

P.S. Brennan 309 

Superintendent of Schools. 

.John E. Evans 873—167 

I. W. Myers 675 

George Miller 206 

Loreu J. Menis 5 

Coroner. 

James H. Hutchins 778-337 

C II. Tidd 541 

Wil'iam Buddy 221 

J, Crebbs 59 



Supervisor. 

W. A. Alexander 405—35 

W. H. McMillan 380 

Jail Appropriation. 

For 1100-876 

Against 324 

November Election, 1880. 

Secretar}- of State. 

J. A. T. Hull 1519—1047 

A. B. Keith 403 

George M . Walker 70 

Auditor of State. 

W. V. Lucas 1516—1041 

Charles I. Barker 401 

G. V. Swearinger 74 

Treasurer of State. 

E. H Conger 1517—1051 

Martin Blim 401 

Matthew Farringtou 73 

Register of State Land OlHcc. 

J. K. Powers 1531—1139 

Daniel Dougherty 392 

Thomas Hooker 74 

Attorney General. 

S. McPherson 1516—1115 

Charles A. Clark 401 

W. A. Spurrier 74 

Congress. 

N. C. Deering 1457—1093 

J. S. Root 365 

M. B. Doolittle 154 

J. H. King .. 1 

E. J. Dean 13 

Circuit Judge. 

David D. Miracle 1684—1381 

John Porter 303 

Clerk of Courts. 

C. S Guilford 1968-1964 

R. S. Wardwell 4 

Mose llarriman 1 

County Recorder. 

A. W. Crawford 1975—1971 

T. I. McChesney 4 

Supervisor. 

William Bairy 364—173 

A. H. Bemis 193 



i: 



-^T * 



fk. 



248 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



Additional Appropriation for County Jail . 

For 1448—1377 

Against 171 

Convention for Constitutional Amendment. 

Yes 1390—1152 

No 238 

October Election, 1881. 
Governor. 

Buren R . Sherman 1135—870 

L. G. Kinne 188 

D. M.Clark 75 

Thomas Phelps 1 

Wm . Johnson 1 

Lieutenant-Governor. 

0. H. Manning 1138— «76 

J. M. Walker 189 

James M Holland 72 

John M. Cent 1 

Supreme Judge. 

Austin Adams 1137—874 

H. B. Hendershott 190 

Jacob W. Rogers 1 

AV. W. Williamson 72 

Superintendent of Public Instruction. 

J. W. Akers 1138—876 

W. H. Butler 260 

J. Hammond 1 

Mrs. A. M. Swain 1 

State Senator (Vacancy). 
H. G. Parker 1301 

Representative. 

K. S. Benson 1246—1103 

F. J. Bush 143 

District Judge. 
II. C. Henderson 1391 

County Auditor. 

1. M. Wait 834—278 

C. P. Phelps 555 

J. 8 Nye 1 

Treasurer. 

(', L. Clock 1397 

SheriflE. 

S. C. Stevens 1387—1381 

J. M. Soper 4 

Frank Thayer 1 

J. S. Nye 1 



County Superintendent of Schools. 

John E. Evans 1387 

Nancy Evans 1 

Solomon Gamble 1 

County Surveyor. 

S H. Vankirk 1384 

T. Kelley 1 

EH. Weitzel _ 1 

Coroner. 

J. H. Hutchins. . .• 1397 

Supervisor. 

A. D. St. Clair 373 

N. Penny 2 

StocK Act. 
For permitting stock to run at large. ... 64 
Against 1134 

November, 1882. 

Secretary State. 

John A. T. Hull 1233 

T. O. Walker 524 

William Gaston 33 

Auditor State. 

John L. Broven 1232—708 

William Thompson 524 

G. A. Wyant 33 

Treasurer State. 

Edwin H. Conger 1232—708 

John Foley 524 

George Doerr 33 

Attorney Genera' . 

Smith McPherson .1233—707 

J. H. Bremermann 525 

James A. Rice 33 

Supreme Judge. 

William H. Seevers 1163—653 

Charles E. Bronson 510 

M A. Jones 33 

H. T. Bonorden 16 

Clerk Supreme Court. 

Gilbert B. Pray 1232—723 

H. F. Bonorden .509 

J. E. N. Clark 33 

Reporter Supreme Court. 

Ezra C. Ebersole : 1231— (iSm 

L. A. Palmer 535 

J. H. Williamson 33 



^ 



^k* 



HISTORY OP FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



249 



District Judge. 

H. C. Henderson 1218—675 

B. L. Burritt 543 

District Attorney. 

J. L. Stevens 1295—839 

M. W. Anderson 456 

Congress. 

J. A. Holmes 1279—806 

John Cliggitt 473 

Isaiic Doane 34 

John Dunn 1 



Clerk of Courts. 

C. S. Guilford 1765—1763 

R. S. Bird 2 

County Recorder. 

Lewis Elseffer 1730 

Supervisor. 

W. H. McMillan 424—16 

L. P. Hokien 408 

Holden 3 

H. P. Holden 11 



CHAPTER XII 



NATIONAL, STATE AND COUNTY REPRESENTATION. 



^' 



While unworthy men, at times, may 
force themselves into office, it cannot but 
be acknowledged that the great body of 
office-holders of the country are truly rep- 
resentative men, — men of positive force 
and character. They are of the number 
' that build up and strengthen a town 
county or State. In this chapter, as far as 
possible, are given sketches of all who 
have served the Nation, State or county, 
in an official capacity, who could be 
classed among the citizens of Franklin 
county. Some of the sketches are imper- 
fect, but it is not the fault of the historian 
that they are not more complete. Some 
of the parties have passed away, leaving 
no record from which a sketch could be 
obtained, while others have left the 
county and the place of their residence is 
unknown. 

CONGRESSIONAL. 

Franklin county became a part of the 
second congressional district, on its or- 



ganization, and was represented in the 
thirty-third Congress, from 1853 to 1S55, 
by John P. Cook, of Davenport. 

Mr. Cook was a native of the State of 
New York, and in 1836, came west to 
Davenport. He was elected a member of 
Congress as a whig, and held the views 
of that party until its dissolution. On the 
breaking up of the whig party, he affili- 
ated with the democratic party, the prin- 
ciples of which he labored to sustain and 
promulgate, even to the end of bis days. 
His life was one of great energy and in- 
dustry. He was by natural instinct a true 
western man, — a wide-awake, thoroughly 
active pioneer, wl o never saw the time 
when he could lay aside the business har- 
ness, and, to all appearances, never wanted 
to. As a lawyer, he had but few superiors; 
was always ready, fluent and an able ad- 
vocate, and with these qualities were com- 
bined energy, tact and industry ; and for 






■J: 



JiL 



250 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



years he stood pre-eniinentlj- high. Mr. 
Cook (lied at Davenport, April 17, 1872. 

.Tames Thorington, of Davenport, was 
the next representative in Congress from 
the second district. He was not a man of 
extraordinarj' ability, but was a good poli- 
tician and wire-puller. He was after- 
ward minister to one of the South Amer- 
ican States. 

Timothy Davis, of Elkader, Clayton 
county, was the next, and served the dis- 
trict from 1857 to 1850, in the thirty-fifth 
Congress. 

William Vandever, of Dubuque, was 
elected a member of the thirty-sixth 
Congress and re-elected to the thirty- 
seventh. William V'andever was a native 
of Maryland. In 1839, he came west, lo- 
cating in Rock Island, where he remained 
until 1851, when he moved to Dubuque. 
In 1855, he formed a partnership with 
I>en. W. Samuels, of Dubuque, in the 
practice of law. In 1858, he was elect- 
ed a member of the thirty-sixth Congress. 
He mad^ a useful member of that body. 
While serving his second term, he aban- 
doned his seat in Congress, returned home 
and raised the 9tli Iowa Infantry, of which 
he was made colonel. In 1862, he was 
])romoted to a brigadier-general, and at the 
close of the war was breveted major-gen- 
eral. 

By the census of 1802, Iowa was enti- 
tled to six representatives in Congress. 
Franklin, on the State being re-districted, 
l)ecame a part of the sixth district. Its 
first representative was A.W.Hubbard, of 
Sioux City. He was elected in the fall of 
18(i2, and became a member of the thirty - 
eighth Congress. He was re-elected a 



member of the thirty-ninth and fortieth 
Congress. 

Charles Pomeroy, of Fort Dodge, was 
the next representative in Congress from 
the sixth district. He was elected in 1868 
as a member of the forty first Congress, 
and served one term, when he was suc- 
ceeded by Jackson Orr, of Boonesborough, 
in 1871, who served in the forty-second 
Congress as a representative. He was 
also re-elected to the forty-third Congress. 

In 1870, it was found that the popula- 
tion of the State had increased to a num- 
ber entitling it to nine representatives in 
Congress. In the re-districting, Franklin 
county became a part of the fourth dis- 
trict. It was first represented by Henry 
O. Pratt, of Charles City, in the 43d Con- 
gress; he was re-elected to the 44th and 
served until March, 1877. Mr. Pratt was 
a native of Maine. He came west at an 
early day, and in June, 1862, was admitted 
to the bar at Mason City. Soon after- 
wards a call was made for 6()0,ii(io men, 
by the president, and he enlisted -as a , 
private in company B, 32d Iowa Infantry. 
He became completely broken down in 
liealth in less than a year, and was dis- 
charged in the spring of 1863. The fol- 
lowing summer, while regaining his health, 
he taught a small school in Worth Co., 
Iowa. His healtli being restored, he com- 
menced the practice of law at Charles City. 

N. C. Deering was the successor to Mr. 
Pratt. He was elected as a member of 
the. 45th and re-elected to the 40th and 
47th Congress. He was an influential 
memb r. In 1882, a change was again 
made in the congressional district by 
which Franklin county was tlirown into 
the tentli district, and Major J. A. Holmes, 



^« 



-^.^ 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



251 



of Boone county, was elected as the first 
representative after this ciiange. Col. 
John Scott, of Story county, ^nd lion. C. 
C Carpenter, of Fort Dodge, were candi- 
dates in the convention against him. 

MEMISERS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMliLY. 

The fourth General Assembly convened 
at Iowa City Dec. 6, 1852, and adjourned 
Jan. 24, 1853. At this time Frnnklin 
county, although unorganized, was asso- 
ciated with Dallas, Greene, Polk, Boono, 
Story, Marshall, Risley, Will, Fox, Poca- 
hontas, Humboldt, Wright, Hardin, Cerro 
Gordo, Hancock, Kossuth, Palo Alto, 
Emraett, Bancroft, Winnebago and Worth, 
constituting one district, with Andrew L. 
Hull as senator, and J. F. Rice, J. C. 
Goodson and Benjamin Green as repre- 
sentatives. 

The fifth General Assembly convened at 
Iowa City, Dec. 4, 1854, and also convened 
in extra session in July, 1858. The dis- 
trict, of which Franklin county was a part, 
was represented by James C. Jordan, in 
the Senate, and Jacob W. Rogers in the 
House. 

The sixth General Assembly convened 
at Iowa City, in December, 1856, and ad- 
journed Jan. 29, 1857. At this time the 
district was composed of Fayette, Bremer, 
Butler, Franklin, Grundy, Hardin, Wright, 
Webster, Boone, Story, Greene and Hum- 
boldt counties. The district was represented 
by Aaron Brown, of Fayette, in the Sen- 
ate, and Walter C. Wilson, of Hamilton, 
in the House. 

The seventh General Assembjry convened 
a'. DesMoines, Jan. 11, 1858. Aaron Brown 
was still in the Senate, and the district 
was represented in the House by C C. 
Carpenter, of Fort Dodge. 



The eighth General Assembly convened 
at DesMoines, Jan. f^, 1860, and also con- 
vened in extra session, May 15, 1861. 
At this time Franklin county was asso- 
ciated with Grnndy, Black Hawk and But- 
ler counties as the thirty-sixth senatorial 
district, and was represented by A. F. 
Brown, a lawyer from Black Hawk county. 
The representative district comprised the 
counties of Franklin, Wright, Butler and 
Grundy, which was served in the House 
by Chauncy Gillett, of Hampton. 

Chauncy (Jillett was born in Bridport, 
Addison Co , Vt., in October, 1820, and 
when little past his majority removed to 
Chillicothe, Ohio. In 1844, he moved to 
Columbus and went into business there — 
that of handling musical instruments. In 
1856, he made some investments in Frank- 
lin county, but did not move his family 
out until 1857. Upon his arrival he laid 
out the northeast quarter of the northeaist 
(juarter of section 30 — forty acres— into Gil- 
lett's addition to Hampton, and built the 
house which is now a part of the Pba'nix 
Hotel, on the corner of Fourth and Main 
streets. In 1859, he was elected to the 
legislature, and served with marked ability. 
He was a radical republican, and was the 
first rei)ublioau postmaster at Hampton, 
having been appointed by Pi-esident Lin- 
coln in the spring of 1861. Never a very 
strong or robust man, the vigorous cli- 
mate proved too much for him and he was 
stricken with consumption. With charac- 
teristic pluck and nerve, however, he 
kept up his courage and hope to the last, 
and insisted on taking a trip to Chicago 
on business against the advice of his 
family and friends, and while there was 
taken worse, and died in September, 1862. 



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252 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



He was a public-spirited man, and a citi- 
zen whose loss was severely felt in Hamp- 
ton, and if he had lived, his ability and 
the esteem in which he was held would 
have doubtless placed him among the first 
men in Iowa. He left no children, and 
his wife yet resides in Hampton, and is 
now the wife of E. S. Stiles. 

The ninth General Assembly convened 
in January, 1862. This district was rep. 
resented by A. F. Brown, in the Senate 
and Alonzo Converse, of Butler county, in 
the House. 

The tenth General Assembly convened 
at Des Moines, Jan. 11, 1864. At this 
date the counties of Hardin, Grundy, 
Black Hawk, Butler and Franklin consti- 
tuted the thirty-ninth senatorial district and 
was represented by Coker F. Clarkson, of 
Grundy. Franklin was then in the fifty-third 
representative district,and was represented 
by Willis A. Lathrop, of Butler Centre. 

The eleventh General Assembly con- 
vened January 8, 1866. George W. Bas- 
sett represented the district in the Senate, 
and G. W. Hand in the House. 

The twelfth General Assembly con- 
vened in January, 1868. At this time 
this district was composed of Franklin, 
Butler, Grundy and Cerro Gordo counties, 
and was represented in the Senate by 
Marcus Tuttle, of Clear Lake. In the 
House, Wright, Hamilton, Franklin and 
Cerro Gordo counties were represented by 
.1. D. Hunter, now of Webster City. 

The thirteenth General Assembly con- 
vened in January, 18*70. Worth, Mitchell, 
Cerro Gordo, Franklin, Wright, Hancock, 
Winnebago and Kossuth counties were 
represented in the Senate by Marcus Tut- 
tle. In the House, J. D. Hunter repre- 



sented the counties of Franklin, Hancock, 
Hamilton and Wright. 

The fourteenth General Assembly con- 
vened at Des Moines in January, 1872. 
At this time Franklin county was repre- 
sented in the State Senate by Hon. E. A. 
Howland. In the House, the county was 
served by M. A. Leahy, of Hampton. 

The fifteenth General Assembly con- 
vened at Des Moines, January, 1874. At 
this session Franklin county was repre- 
sented by the same parties as at the pre- 
ceding one, M. A. Leahy having been 
re-elected. 

Senator E. A. Howland was . a native 
of Rutland, Jefferson Co., N. Y., born 
Feb. 27, 1832. In the spring of 185.5, he 
emigrated to Joliet, 111., and one year 
later came to Iowa, locating at Fort Dodge, 
where he remained one month and went 
to Webster City, where he engaged in the 
livery business. In 1858, he returned to 
Fort Dodge and in company with C. P. 
Farr kept the St. Charles Hotel for a year. 
In 1859 he came to Franklin county, set- 
tled at Otisville and went to farming and 
dairying. He afterwards added a land 
agency to his business and was exceed- 
ingly well prospered as to this world's 
goods. For many years he was the mem- 
ber of the board of supervisors from Mor- 
gan township, and was chairman of that 
body for two or three years. In 1871, he 
was elected State senator and served his 
term with credit to himself. In 1373, he 
removed to Belmond, where he still lives. 

The sixteenth General Assembly con- 
vened in January, 1876, at DesMoines. 
Hon. Lemuel Dwelle had been elected to 
succeed E. A. Howland, as State senator, 



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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



253 



and Lorenzo D. Lane took the place of M. 
A. Leahy as representative. 

L. D. Lane came to Franklin Co., Iowa, 
in 1870, and lived on a farm near Hamp- 
ton until 1880, when he went into the 
book and music trade in Hampton. He 
was one of the board of supervisors two 
years, is now justice of the peace, and was 
one term in the Iowa State legislature. 
He is a member of the M. E. Church in 
Hampton. He was married in 1852 to 
Miss M. A. Mickle, and they have three 
children living. Mr. Lane was born, July 
2'J, 18.30, in Licking Co., Ohio, where he 
grew up. He received a common school 
education, and spent three years in the 
Wesleyan University, Delaware, Ohio, 
then came west to Freeport, 111., and from 
there to this county. 

The seventeenth General Assembly con- 
vened in January, 1878, at DesMoines. At 
this time Hon. Lemuel Dwelle, of Worth 
county, was still representing the district 
in the Senate. Hon. John H. King was 
Representative. 

The eighteenth General Assembly con- 
vened in January, 1880. At this t me 
Hon. F. M. Goodykoontz, of Mason City, 
was senator from the district of which 
Franklin county formed a part. Hon. 
John H. King had been re-elected repre" 
sentative. 

The nineteenth General Assembly con- 
vened at DesMoines in January, 1882. 
H. G. Parker, of Mason City, was represent- 
ing the district in the Senate, and R. S. 
Benson, of Hampton, served the county 
in the House. 

COUNTY OFFICERS. 

The history of Franklin county would 
indeed be incomplete without a record of 



the county officers, who have served since 
the organization of the county. There 
has been much difficulty connected with ob- 
taining material for biographical sketches 
of those who have died or moved from 
the county since their official services were 
performed. Where the mention of men, 
who were prominent in their day, is short, 
it is because of the meagre material to be 
secured. The following embraces a com- 
plete list of the various officers from 1855 
to 1883, inclusive : 

COUNTY JUDGE. 

This was the most important of the 
county officers, embracing ihe work now 
attended to by the board of supervisors 
and auditor, and also a great deal of busi- 
ness now handled by the circuit court. 
The first county judge of Franklin county 
was James B. Reeve. He was first elected 
in August, 1855, and two years later was 
re-elected, serving until January, 1860. 
His second election, in 1857, was con- 
tested by Dr. S. R. Mitchell, but after a 
lengthy trial Judge Reeve was declared 
elected. Upon him, as the first county 
judge, devolved the duty of perfecting 
the organization of the county, dividing it 
into townships, and such other work as 
was necessary to perfect a system of 
county government. Judge James B. 
Reeve was one of Franklin county's prom- 
inent men, and was highly respected by 
all who knew him. He was one of the 
first three men who settled in Franklin 
county, and is remembered by the citizens, 
both in his private and official capacity 
as a man, in the fullest sense of that word. 
It is seldom that the first settler of a new 
county enters so fully into its history as 
does Mr. Reeve. When the South re- 



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k. 



254 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COtTNTT. 



belled against the old flag, and the country 
was in peril, Mr. Reeve raised a company, 
of which he was made captain. He went 
South with his company and was taken 
sick at Fort Pillow, from which he never 
recovered, and died June 24, 1863. He 
was born in Lyme, Conn., Dec. 27, 1816. 
His parents, with several other families, 
moved to Ashtabula Co., Ohio, when he 
he was but five years of age, and settled 
in au unorganized township, which upon 
its organization they called New Lyme, 
after the town in which he was born. 
Here he grew to manhood, and received a 
common school education. He was mar- 
ried Feb. 9, 1840, to Adeline Riggs, 
born in Geauga Co., Ohio, Dec. 2.3, 1819. 
In I he fall of 1852 he came, in company 
with Addison Phelps, to Franklin Co., 
Iowa, and settled on section 23, township 
01, range 20, where his wife still resides. 
Mr. and Mrs. Keev^e had eleven children, 
all living but the eldest son (Fernando T.) 
who died at Andersonville prison. Those 
living are— T. Henry, Orrilla M., Orson 
G., 13eulah M , J. Riimsey, Susan M., J. 
Albert, Sarah E., Herman D. and Emily 
A. The three oldest sons were also in the 
army. 

The second county judge of Franklin 
county was Henry Shroyer who was 
elected in the fall of 1869, and began 
ofiicial duties on Jan. 2, 1860. Henry 
Shroyer came here from Indiana in 1856 
and settled near Maysville. in Reeve 
township. He was a married man and 
had a large family. He was a republican, 
a man of fair ability and made a good 
officer. During the latter part of the 
decade between 1860 and 1870, Shroyer 
moved to Mahaskacounty,tiiis State, where. 



in 1882, he was still living, engaged in 
farming. 

In October, 1861, A. T. Reeve was 
elected county judge, but did not qualify, 
as he soon went into the army, and for a 
few months S. R. Mitchell acted as county 
judge. 

W. N. Davidson was appointed to till 
the vacancy, and served until succeeded 
by Judge Austin >lorth. Davidson was a 
lawyer of Hampton, and is noted at 
length in the Bar Chapter. 

In the fall of 1862, Judge Austin North 
was elected to the office, and was twice 
thereafter re-elected, .serving nearly five 
years. He made a good judge, and after 
his resignation, a few months before the 
expiration of his term, the members of the 
bar prepared and presented him with a 
testimonial of their esteem and regard for 
him as a man, and appreciation of his 
services as an official. This was signed 
by W. N. Davidson, attorney ; N. I>. 
Chapman, attorney and superintendent ; 
George Beed, treasurer ; James H. Beed, 
recorder ; R. S. Benson, clerk ; A. Pick- 
ering, sheriff. 

After the resignation of Judge North, 
.lames Thompson was appointed county 
judge and served about four months, until 
his successor was elected and qualified. 
He is still a resident and an honored 
citizen of Hampton. 

W. W. Day was the ne.xt county judge, 
being elected in the fall of 1807 and serv- 
ing until the office was abolished by law. 
.ludge Day came from Pennsylvania at an 
early day, and settled in Reeve township. 
He was quite an old man at the time, was 
married and was a shoemaker by trade. 
He made a good officer, and made many 



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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



255 



friends. Since his first settlement in 
Franklin county his residence has not 
been continuous, but in 1883 he was living 
in Marion township. 

COUNTY AUDITORS. 

In 1869 the office of county judge was 
abolished, and that of county auditor 
created. Captain R. S. Benson was the 
first elected to this office, and two years 
later, in 187), he was re-elected. He 
made one of the most popular and efficient 
officers the county has ever had. 

In October, 1873, J. M. Wait was elected 
county auditor, and being re-elected, 
served untilJanuary, 1878. 

C. L. Clock was the next county auditor, 
being elected in 1877, and re-elected in 
1879. He is the present county treasurer. 

In the fall of 1881, John .VI. Wait was 
again elected county auditor, and his term 
continues until January, 1884. He is a 
gentlemanly, careful, correct and most 
satisfactory officer. John M. Waitlocated 
in what is now Mott township in 1865. 
He lived on a farm three years, after 
which he embarked in the drug business 
at Hampton, and later, in the grocery 
trade. In 1873, he was elected county 
auditor, and re-elected in 1875 without any 
opposition. At the expiration of his 
second term he established himself as 
a real estate broker. Four years later, in 
1881, he was re-elected to his present posi- 
tion. He is a republican in politics, and 
is a member of t' e Congregational Church. 
He was married in 1860 to Alice M. 
Aldrich, born in Hancock Co., 111. Mr. 
and Mrs. Wai have three children — Wal- 
ter W., Wells and Bertha V. 



TREASURER AND RECORDERS. 

When Franklin county was organized,and 
for several years thereafter, the duties per- 
taining to the present offices of treasurer 
and recorder were attended to by one 
officer. The work of each was about the 
same as at the present day, but there was 
so little to do that it hardly kept one man 
busy to attend to both. Upon the organ- 
ization, Isaac Miller was elected treas- 
urer and recorder, and was the first 
to act in that capacity. Isaac Miller came 
here from Howard Co., Ind., in 1855, and 
settled in Reeye township with his family, 
consisting of wife and a number of chil- 
dren. He was a pleasant, affable man, of 
but little education, though with a good deal 
of natural tact, and succeeded very well in 
the office, as there was but little to do. In 
some respects he was rather rough. He 
remained here until about 1864 when he 
removed to Nebraska. Isaac Miller was 
re-elected in 1857. The vote stood 107 
for Milton Clover, his opponent, and 104 
for .Vliller, but after an extended contest 
trial. Miller was declared duly elected. 

In October, 1859, James Thompson was 
elected treasurer and recorder, over John 
E. Boyles and Isaac Miller. Mr. Thomp- 
son served for two years, George Heed 
being his deputy. 

Geore Beed was elected to the office in 
the fall of 1861, and re-elec ed in 1863. 

In 1863-4, by an act of the General As- 
sembly, the offices of treasurer and recorder 
were separated, and provision was made for 
the election of an officer to attend to the 
duties of each. But notwithstanding this 
provision, George Beed continued to attend 
to the duties of both offices for one term 
after the passage of the act. 



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256 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



COUNTY TREASURERS. 

In 1865, George Beed was elected 
trcasui-er of Franklin county, and in 1867, 
was re-elected, serving until January, 
1870. The value and appreciation of Mr. 
l>eedasan official, and a citizen, is attested 
by the fact that he was kept in the office 
for eight consecutive years. 

Col. A. T. Reeve succeeded George 
Beed as county treasurer, and served until 
.January, 1874. In the fall of 1873, he 
was a prominent candidate for the office 
of State treasurer, but was defeated in the 
convention. 

In the fall of 1873, Rufus S. Benson 
was elected treasurer of Franklin county, 
and was re-elected in 1875, serving until 
January, 1878. 

In October, 1877, T. C. McKenzie was 
elected to succeed Mr. Benson. He was 
re-elected in 1879, serving four years. 
Mr. McKenzie had served the county 
prior to this in the capacity of clerk of 
court, and was probably the most popular 
man who has ever held office in Franklin 
county. After the expiration of his term, 
lie resumed the practice of law at Hamp- 
ton, in which he is now engaged. 

C. L. Clock succeeded Mr. McKenzie as 
treasurer, being elected in the fall of 1881. 

Charles L. Clock came to Franklin 
county immediately after the close of the 
war in 1865. lie located on a farm in 
Reeve towns'np, and was engaged in ag- 
ricultural pursuits until 1875, when he be- 
gan to operate in grain and continued that 
business two years. He was elected 
county auditor in 1877, and re-elected in 
1879. In 1881, he was elected to his 
present position. In politics he is a rad- 
ical republican. He has been a member 



of the Methodist Episcopal Church since 
1872, and during that time has been an 
active and zealous laborer in religious 
matters. Pie is a member of the Masonic 
fraternity, and has taken the degree of the 
Royal Arch Chapter. Mr. Clock was 
married Jan. 1, 1867, to Rebecca Haskell. 
They have three children — FredH., Harry 
L. and Charles H. Mr. Clock is a son of 
Ebenezer and Lucinda (Jarvis) Clock. His 
father died in 1845, and, in 1852, his 
mother removed to Illinois, and settled in 
Jo Daviess county. 1861, Mr. Clock en- 
listed in company E, 1 5th Illinois Infantry, 
and served as a private two years, when 
he became forage master, and acted in 
that capacity until the close of the war in 
1865. 

COUNTY RECORDERS. 

This office was separated from that of 
treasurer in 1863-4, but for two years af- 
terward, George Beed attended to the 
duties of both offices. James H. Beed 
was the first to hold the office of recorder 
distinct from others, and served until Jan- 
uary, 1869, making two years. 

Henry Meyer, Sr., succeeded James H. 
Beed as recorder, being elected in 1868, 
and re elected in 1870. Mr. Meyer was , 
V)orn in Switzerland on the 27th of June, 
1809. In 1833, he came to America, and 
settled in southern Illinois, where he re- 
mained, engaged at farming, until 1846, 
and then moved northward to Sauk Co , 
Wis. There he engaged at the same vo- 
cation, and remained until 1855, when lie 
came to Franklin Co., Iowa, and set- 
tled on the West Fork. In 1868, as stated, 
he was elec ed recorder of the county. 
After the ex]iiratioii of his second term of 
office, he embarked in mercantile trade at 



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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



257 



Hampton, and was in active business life 
until 1882, when he retired. Mr. Meyer 
was married in 1831, to Sophia Baumgart- 
nur, who was born in Switzerland, Novem- 
ber 8, 1812. The have been blessed with 
twelve children. The living ones are 
Sophia, Henry, Fred, Emile, Bertha and 
Adolph. 

At the fall election, 1872, G. C. Hayes 
was elected recorder of Franklin county 
without opposition. In 1874 and 1876, 
Mr. Hayes was re-elected, serving six 
years in all. He made a popular and effi- 
cient officer. 

A. W. Crawford succeeded G. C. Hayes 
as recorder, in the fall of 1878, and being 
re-elected in 1880, served until January, 

1883. 

Louis Elseffer was elected in the fall of 
1882, and began official duties in January, 

1883. 

Louis Elseffer has been a resident of 
Iowa since 1856, when his parents, Peter 
and Jane (Tapp) Elseffer, located in Cedar 
county. Mr. Elseffer was born in New 
York City, Aug. 30, 1844. He enlist<d 
from Cedar county in 18C1, enrolling in 
company E, 11th Iowa Infantry, and re- 
ceived an honorable discharge in July, 
1865, at Louisville, Ky. On his return to 
Cedar county, he engaged in literary work, 
and entered upon the career of a news- 
paper reporter and correspondent. In 
1875, he came to Franklin county and set- 
tled on a farm in Marion township. He 
was elected county recorder in 1882, on 
the rejtublican ticket. He is a member 
of the Masonic order. Mr. Elseffer was 
married in 1870, to Delilah Medaris. 



CLEKKS OF COCET. 

There has been some controversy among 
the early settlers as to who was the first 
clerk of court. It seems that at the first 
election there was no clerk elected, or at 
least, none qualified, and James Thomp 
son was appointed to fill the vacancy. 

At the August election, in 1856, Dr. S. 
R. Mitchell was elected clerk and served 
until the ensuing April election, in 1857. 
Dr. Mitchell was the first physician to 
locate in Franklin county and is treated 
at length in the Medical Chapter. 

In April, 1857, Sowel C. Brazzelton was 
elected to succeed Mitchell. Not much is 
remembered of Brazzelton except that he 
settled atMaysville in the summer of 1855, 
and was largely interested in the county 
seat fights between that place and Hamp- 
ton. He left the county years ago. 
■ John D. Leland was elected clerk of 
court in October, 1858, over John E. Boyles 
and S. C. Brazzelton. Leland served for 
two years and was candidate for re-elec- 
tion, but was defeated. 

D. W. Dow was the successful candi- 
date for clerk of court in November, 1860, 
defeating J. D. Leland and Henry "White. 
Mr. Dow was twice re-elected, and served 
six years, but was absent a portion of the 
time in the army. He is the oldest resi- 
dent attorney in Hampton, and is noticed 
at length in the Bar Chapter. 

In the fall of 1866, R. S. Benson was 
elected clerk of court, and two years later 
was re elected. 

T. C. McKenzie succeeded Mr. Benson 

to the clerkship, being elected in 1870, 

and re-elected in 1872, without opposition. 

In the fall of 1874, M. A. Ives was 

elected clerk of court, over A. I. Smith. 






258 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



lie did not qualify, however, and T. B. 
Taylor was appointed lo the office. At 
the fall election, in 1875, he was elected 
to till the vacancy. In November, 1876, 
Mr. Taylor was re-elected to the office and 
served untiljanuary, 1879. 

In 1878, Henry A. Harriman was elected 
clerk of court and served one term. 

C. S. Guilford succeeded Mr. Harriman 
by election in 1880. In 1882, he was re- 
elected and is now serving his second 
term. 

C S. Guilford was born at Cincinnati, 
Ohio, on the 15th of October, 1852, a son 
of C. C. and H. S. (Coffin) Guilford. 
Twelve years later the family removed 
to Tama Co., Iowa, and settled upon a 
farm. When fifteen years old C. S. begin 
clerking in a store at Toledo, Iowa, and 
followed that vocation for about three 
years and a half, when he became deputy 
county auditor. For two years and a half 
he filled that position and then came to 
Hampton and compiled a set of Franklin 
county abstract books, and engaged in the 
loan, real estate and abstract business un- 
til elected clerk of court in 1880. . In pol- 
itics Mr. Guilford is a republican. He is 
an efficient and accommodating county 
officer and is popular among all classes. 
He was married, in 1875, to Lydia 
Thompson, daughter of James Thompson, 
of Hampton. Three children bless this 
union — Edna A., William H. and Cady 
Swain. 

COUNTY CORONERS. 

This office was in existence at the time 
Franklin county was organized, but for 
some reason it was not filled at the time of 
the first election. At the election in Au- 
gust, 1857, William Ward was elected 



coroner over George Ryan by a majority 
of twelve, and served for one year. 

William Ward came from Pennsylvania 
and settled on Mayne's creek, in Reeve 
township, in the fall of 1856. About 1873, 
he moved into Hampton and for two 
years engaged in the livery business; then 
bought the Shobe place near Sheffield and 
farmed it for several years, when he sold 
out and removed to Texas. After one sea- 
son's stop there he moved to Kansas, in 
which State he still resides. He is re- 
membered as a man of unimpeachable in- 
tegrity. 

In the fall of 1858, Joshua Cromwell 
was elected coroner over E. H. Sparling 
by a majority of sixteen, and served for 
one year. 

L. Armstrong came next as coroner by 
election in tiie fall of 1859, and held the 
office about the same length of time. 

In November, 1860, L. Shroyer was 
elected coroner by a majority of 1 12 over 
W. W. Soper. Mr. Shroyer was from Os- 
ceola township. He left the county a num- 
ber of years ago and moved to some point 
in Nebraska. 

During the next few years S. H. Carter 
and J. K Addis held the office of coroner; 
but a portion of the time it was vacant. 

In October, 1870, John M. Wait was 
elected to he office. He was afterwards 
elected county auditor. 

A. Graham succeeded Mr. Wait, being 
elected in 1871 and re-elected in 1873. 
Graham came to Hampton in 1869, from 
Ohio. He was a blacksmith and during 
his stay here operated a shop, part of the 
time in partnership with S. Tyler. A few 
years since he removed to Tama county. 



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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



259 



In 1875, Dr. O. B. Harriman was elected 
coroner and served for one term. 

Dr. J. H. Hutchins succeeded Dr. Har- 
riman in 1877, and being re-elected in 
1879 and 1881, is serving his third term. 

COUNTY SURVEYORS. 

The first surveyor of Franklin county was 
Herman P. Allen, who was elected on the 
organization of the county in August, 
1855. He was reelected in 1857, and 
served until his successor was elected in 
August, 1859. 

Obadiah Smith was the second sur 
veyor, being elected in 1859, and three 
times thereafter re-elected. Obadiah Smith 
first came to Franklin county in April, 
1855, and entered a claim for land on 
sections 27 and 28, of what is now 
Washington township. During the first 
summer he broke a few acres, and in the 
winter of 1855-6 he went east, returning 
the ensuing spring to Franklin county, 
where he has since been a resident. He 
has always been actively interested in 
county politics and has held most of the 
local offices. Mr. Smith was born in 
Rhode Island May 4, 1832. His life, pre- 
vious to his locating in Iowa, was spent 
in his native State. 

In 1867 S. H. Vankirk was elected 
county surveyor, and served for one term. 

In October 1869, Obadiah Smith was 
again elected surveyor. In 1877 he was 
re-elected. 

P. S. Brennan was elected to succeed 
Mr. Smith in the fall of 1873, and served 
for two years. 

In October, 1875, L. B. Raymond was 
elected to the office of county surveyor, 
but did not serve out the full term and 
S. H. Vankirk was elected in the fall of 



1877 to fill the vacancy, and for the en- 
suing regular term. S. H. Vankirk was 
re-elected in 1879 and 1881. 

SHERIFF.S. 

The first sheriff ot Franklin county was 
Solomon Staley, who was elected on the 
organization of the county in August, 
1855. Staley was from Ohio, and settled 
with his family in Reeve township at an 
early day. He remained in the county 
until about 1876, when he went to Ne- 
braska. 

In August, 1857, A. S. Ross was elected 
sheriff of Franklin county and served for 
two years. 

F. A. Denton was elected to succeed 
Ross in August, 1859, over five other can- 
didates. He served the regular term of 
two years. 

In 1861 J. W. Ward was elected sheriff. 
He served his term, and shortly after the 
war moved westward. 

In October, 1867, A. Pickering was 
elected sheriff over Lewis P. Berry. 

A. B. Hudson succeeded Mr. Pickering 
by election in October, 1869, and in 1871 
was re-elected and served until January, 
1874. Hudson was from Ohio, and settled 
at an early day on Mayne's creek in Reeve 
township. He remained in the county 
until about 1876, when he removed to 
Kansas, where he still lives. He was a 
man of good ability and made a popular 
officer. When the war broke out he en- 
listed and became captain before the 
close. 

A. N. Minor succeeded Capt. Hudson 
as sheriff. He was elec'ed in 1873 and 
re elected in 1875. Minor had settled 
on Mayne's creek in Reeve township 
some years previous to his election and 



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260 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



was engaged in farming. In 1873 he 
removed to Hampton and purchased the 
hardware business of Stearns & North, and 
for several years was in trade there in 
partnership with his father-in-law, Mr. 
Norton. He now lives in Clarion, Wright 
Co., Iowa. 

In October, 1877, M. B. Jones was elec- 
ted sheriff, and two years later was re- 
elected, serving until January, 1882. M. 
B. Jones is a son of Levi Jones, one of the 
pioneers of Reeve township, and is a 
native of Delaware Co., Ind., born Sept. 
16,1841. In the fall of 1854 became 
with his parents to Franklin county, and 
has made this his home since that time. 
In Augu.st, 1861, he enlisted in company I, 
9tli Iowa Infantry, and served until the 
close of the w.v, in 1865. In the battle of 
Kennesaw Mountain he received a gun- 
shot wound in the leg; and was wounded 
in the head in the battle of Pea Ridge. 
After receiving his discharge he returned 
to Franklin county, and on the 16th of 
May, 1866, was married to Martha A. But- 
tertield, who was born in Vermilion Co., 
111., Sept. 11,1847. She died Oct. 14, 1879, 
and on the 16th of December, 1881, Mr. 
Jones was married to Carrie Smith, a na- 
tive of Burlington, Vt., born Sept. 16, 
1848. By this union there is one son — 
Martin L. In politics Mr. Jones isastaunch 
republican. He is a member of the I. 0. 
■ O. F., at Hampton, and of the Masonic 
lodge at Geneva. 

S. C. Stephen was the successor of 
M. B. Jones, as sheriff of Franklin county, 
being elected in the fall of 1881. S. C. 
Stephen came west in 1870, settling 
first in Vernon township, Wright county. 
He was a farmer there five years and man- 



aged the hotel at Alden two years later, 
after which, until 1881, he was proprie or 
of the Phoenix hotel at Hampton. He was 
then elected sheriff, and has proved him- 
self a competent and efficient officer. Mv. 
Stevens was born in Grant Co., Wis., Dec. 
20, 1840. His early life was spent in his 
native county, where his father was a pio- 
neer, and who died there in June, 1881, at 
the advanced age of 84 years. Mr Stephens 
was married in 1861 to Jennie S. Steph- 
ens, a native of La Fayette Co., Wis. 
Their children are Arthur W., Frank M. 
and Laina M. In the spring of 1862, it 
should have been stated, Mr. Stephens and 
wife crossed the plains to California, 
where they remained for two years and 
then returned to Platteville, Wis., remain- 
ing in the latter place until they came 
west to stay in 1870. 

COUNTY ASSESSOR. 

TlIs office was created in 1856, to take 
the place of township assessors. John I. 
Popejoy was the first and only assessor 
ever elected in the county, as it was abol- 
ished, the duties reverting to the former 
and present system of township assessor. 

DEAINAGB COMMISSIONERS. 

This office was of but little importance, 
and many of the gentlemen elected did 
not qualify. The first drainage commis- 
sioner of Franklin county was William 
H. Thompson, who was elected in October, 
1858. 

In the fall of 1859 Lewis H. Morgan 
was elected to the office without oppo- 
sition. 

William May succeeded Morgan. He 
was elected in the fall of 1860, defeating 
James Jenkins. 



e 



HISTORY OF FRANKIN COUNTY. 



261 



In October, 1867, B. H. Gibbs was 
elected drainage commissioner without 
opposition. 

Henry Thompson was the next drainage 
commissioner, and was tlie last in the 
county, as the office was abolished by law. 

PROSECUTING ATTORNEYS. 

A short time prior to the organization 
of Franklin county this office was created 
by an act of the General Assembly. The 
first to fill it for this county was Q. A. 



Jordan. He was elected at the August 
election in 1855. 

Samuel B Jackson succeeded Mr. Jor- 
dan, being elected in August, 1856, but 
for some reason did not serve but a few 
months. 

In April, 185*7, Robert F. Piatt was 
elected county attorney over Benjamin 
Butterfield by a majority of eight. 
Piatt held the office until it was abol- 
ished by law, and that of district attor- 
ney took its place. 



CHAPTER XIII. 



AGRICULTURE AND AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES. 



Franklin county is acknowledged as be- 
ing among the best and most prosperous j 
agricultural counties in northern Iowa. ' 
Its people are wide awake and keep pace 
with the progressive march of a civiliza- 
tion of happiness, industry and culture. 
Its future possibilities may be set high 
among the cluster of its hundred sisters — 
a star of pride to the noble State. The 
early pioneers did not come loaded with 
wealth, and, in fact, few had more than 
enough to barely get settled upon their 
land'; but they came with that which, in 
those days, was equal to it — training in 
agricultural pursuits, and were not 
ashamed to do hard work. In connection 
with industrious habits, they had energy 
and determination to win success. The 
county was new and there was no alterna- 
tive but that success must be wrought 



from the soil, which was their only wealth 
and hope. In spite of all the obstacles 
and inconveniences to be encountered, 
success attended their efforts, and the 
transformation from the primitive to the 
present comfortable condition of things 
was accomplished. Nor is the end yet 
reached, for the county still has a mine of 
agricultural wealth yet undeveloped, which, 
as years roll on, will grow more and more 

valuable. 
Early in the development of this county, 

wheat was the main product, and for a 
number of years excellent crops were 
raised with scarcely a failure. At the 
present time it has partially given up its 
former place to other cereals, while the 
farmers find many other avenues in which 
to devote their time and energies. The 
gradual increase in stock-raising has 



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262 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



placed corn in the front rank. Of late 
years flax has been raised quite extensively. 
Rye, barley and all the cereals common 
to this latitude do well — vegetables and 
small fruits thrive where well cultivated. 
At an early day it was supposed that 
apples could not be successfully raised in 
this part of Iowa, but the county, in 1883, 
had many fine, thrifty orchards, which 
proved quite the contrary. 

The following comparative statistics 
have been gathered: 

In 1856, there were 2,477 acres of im- 
proved land ill the county, and 20,043 
unimproved. There were but fifty-eight 
acres of wheat raised that year, producing 
761 bushels; eighty-three acres of oats, 
yielding 1,767 bushels; corn, 675 acres, 
yielding 18,625 bushels; potatoes, twenty- 
three acres, producing 3,682 bushels. The 
number of hogs sold from the county was 
170, valued at $550; cattle sold, 171, 
valued at $5,230; pounds of butter made, 
5,900. At that date there were 133 dwell- 
ing houses and 149 families in the county. 
The heads of the families were engaged 
in the following occupations: Farmers, 
149; blacksmiths, 2; carpenters, 3; wagon- 
maker, 1 ; cabinet-maker, 1 ; tailor, 1 ; 
shoemaker, 1; harness-maker, 1; trader, 
1; doctors, 3; lawyer, 1; gunsmiths, 2; 
cooper, 1, and surveyor, 1. 

In 1875, Franklin county had 69,859 
acres of improved land and 43,046 of un- 
improved Of the former, 31,096 acres 
were in wheat, which harvested 445,909 
bushels, or an average of about fourteen 
bushels per acre; of corn, there was 24,066 
acres, yielding 758,983 bushels, or thirty- 
one bushels per acre; oats 9,532 acres, 
averaging thirty and one-half bushels per 



acre; potatoes, 622 acres, which produced 
52,887 bushels. The same year there 
were 12, "180 hogs slaughtered and sold for 
slaughtering purposes in Franklin county. 
Number of horses sold for exportation, 
122; milch cows, 3,208; pounds of butter 
made, 222,336. There were 1,007 dogs at 
that time according to the census report. 

From the census report of 1880 — the 
latest — the following facts are gleaned: 

Total population in 1880 10 249 

Native population 8 261 

Foreign population 1 988 

Number of farms in Franklin Co 1 439 

Number acres of improved lands 179 143 

Value of farms, including lands, 

fences, buildings |3,886 408 

Value of farm implements and ma- 
chinery $382 984 

Value of live stock, June 1, 1880 $935 679 

Estimated value of all farm produc- 
tions, sold, consumed or on hand 

for 1879 $1,131 214 

Number of horses 6 335 

Number of mules and asses 227 

Number working oxen 4 

Number milch cows 5 845 

Number other cattle 14 484 

Number sheep 2 353 

Number swine 38 370 

Number gallons milk produced in 1880 13 955 

Pounds of butter ; 403 969 

Pounds of cheese 18 967 

Bushels of barley harvested 24 033 

Bushels of buckwheat. 919 

Bushels of corn... i 3,117 940 

Bushels of oats. ./. 600 039 

Bushels of rye 5 748 

Bushels of wheat •. 507 482 

Pounds of tobacco 3 630 

Value of orchard products $3 047 

Tons of hay 30 516 

Bushels of potatoes 91 852 

From the abstract of assessment for 
1883, the following facts are gleaned: 
There were 362,346 acres of land subject 



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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



265 



to taxation, valued at $2,1 17, 789; town 
lots, $123,030; cattle, 20,060, valued at 
$99,595; horses, 6,680, valued at $126,913; 
mules and asses, 238, valued at $5,032; 
sheep, 1741, valued at $866; swine, 16,- 
635, valued at $15,560; vehicles 430, val- 
ued at $7,542; merchandise, $56,954; man- 
ufacturers, $1,936; moneys and credits, 
$79,260, The total personal property 
amounted to $414,418; total taxable prop- 
erty, $2,877,858. 

STOCK EAISINc;. 

As has been stated heretofore in this 
chapter, a few years ago this region, and, 
in fact, the whole great west was almost 
wholly devoted to the cultivation and pro- 
duction of the cereals common to this lati- 
tude. The time was when agriculture 
was pursued to the almost entire exclusion 
of all else. But to-day this is all changed. 
A revolution has swept over Iowa and the 
west since the war, which has had its 
effect upon business, settlement and com- 
merce in such a manner as has brought 
the State forward among the ranks of its 
sister States with rapidity unequalled in 
the history of the past. Iowa to-day pc- 
• cupies a position among the foremost of 
States, of which her citizens may well be 
proud. Of course this progress cannot be 
credited particularly to any one produc- 
tion or branch of industry, but more to 
the natural resources and wealth of soil 
which darae nature has been so profuse in 
bestowing, together with that of stock- 
raising. Nearly all portions of the State 
of Iowa are admirably adapted to the rais- 
ing of stock. Franklin county, lying in 
the very best portion of the State, is 
unsurpassed in this respect. It has all 
tlie natural advantages, an abundance 



of water and excellent grazing land, 
while the soil is unsurpassed for the pro- 
duction of corn. The region of the Iowa 
river valley has justly achieved a wide 
reputation as a stock-raising country, 
the attention of farmers being turned 
almost wholly toward the raising of corn 
and stock, with success that is proven by 
the many fine stock farms to be seen in 
all parts of the county. 

To show the growth of the business of 
raising stock in Franklin county, the sta- 
tistics which are presented in this connec- 
tion, have been compiled. It must be 
remembered that the value given is the 
assessed value and is really less than one- 
fourth of the actual worth. 

The first report of statistics for Franklin 
county was made in 1856. During this 
year the number of acres of corn raised 
was 675, yielding 18,625 bushels. The 
number of hogs sold were 170, valued at 
$550. There were 171 head of cattle sold, 
valued at $5,230. During the year there 
were 5,900 pounds of butter made. 

Ten years later, in 1866, there were 
4,294 acres of corn planted, which yielded 
100,199 bushels. There were in the county 
2,500 hogs; 2,650 head of cattle; 993 milch 
cows; 60,336 pounds of butter made; 5,- 
910 pounds of cheese made; 4,439 sheep, 
yielding 17,390 pounds of wool; 1,155 
horses; 28 mules and asses. 

In 1868 the number of cattle assessed in 
the county was 2,471, valued at $31,821; 
horses, 1,361, assessed at $54,534; 23 mules, 
assessed at $800; -^,764 sheep, valued at 
$2,113; 1,146 hogs, valued at $1,015. 

In 1871 the number of cattle assessed 
was 4,41 7, at $29,702; 2,552 horses, assessed 
at $-58,526; 67 mules, assessed at $1,833; 



15 



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266 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



1,505 sheep, assessed at $547; 2,7 71 hogs, 
assessed at $2,163. 

Two years later, in 1873, there were 5,- 
911 head of cattle, assessed at $36,070; 
3,148 horses, assessed at $70,298; 56 mules, 
assessed at $1,519; 1,232 sheep, assessed 
at $443; 5,342 swine, assessed at $1,548. 

In 1875 there were 8,082 head of cattle 
in the county, assessed at $51,153.10; 3,. 
638 horses, assessed at $86,982.80; 106 
mules, assessed at $2,451.60; 831 sheep, 
assessed at $1,127.80; 7,281 hogs, assessed 
at $9,461.46. 

In 1877 there were 8,415 head of cattle 
ill the county, assessed at $52,623; 4,382 
horses, assessed at $103,879; 157 mules, 
assessed at $4,122; 12,229 hogs, assessed 
at $16,653. 

In 1879 there were 9,901 head of cattle 
in the county, assessed at $48,110; 4,951 
horses, assessed at $105,008; 181 mules, 
assessed at $4,173; 1,592 sheep, assessed 
at $793; 19,872 hogs, assessed at $16,361. 

In 1881 there were 16,102 head of cattle 
in the county, assessed at $77,073; 5,902 
horses, assessed at $117,139; 250 mules, 
assessed at $5,422; 2,207 sheep, assessed 
at $1,060; 14,706 hogs, assessed at $12,897. 

From the last report, for the year 1883, 
it is found there were 20,060 head of c<t- 
tle, assessed at $99,595; 6,680 horses, 
assessed at $126,913; 238 mules, assessed 
ai $5,032; 1,741 sheep, assessed ; t $866; 
16,635 hogs, assessed at $15,560. 

The following is the report of 1883, 
made to represent the estimated actual 
value : 20,060 head of cattle, valued at 
$501,500; 6,680 horses, valued at $534,400; 
16,635 hogs, valued at $207,937.50; total 
estimated value of cattle, horses and hogs 
in the counly in 1883, $1,243,837.50. 



THE FIRST FAIR. 

About the first fair in Franklin county 
was held at Hampton, in 1859. The ex- 
hibition was made on the public square, 
and the court house was used as the fine 
art gallery. There was a good display of 
everything, and the fair was well at- 
tended, all of the farmers, throughout al- 
most the entire county, turning out. No 
admission was charged, and the premiums 
consisted almost wholly of cer ificates and 
ribbons. The oflicers were : President, 
J. M. Soper; secretary, J. T. McCormick. 
Among the most prominent workers in the 
enterprise were George W. Hansell, James 
Thompson, C. Gillett and David Church. 

FRANKLIN COUNTY AGRICULTURAI, SOCIETY. 

This society held its first fair in Octo- 
ber, 1860, after which the first regular offi- 
cers were elected for the ensuing year, as 
follows: President, Samuel Carbaugh ; sec- 
retary, C. Gillett ; treasurer, L. H. Mor- 
gan. Under the constitution of the soci- 
ety, each township was entitled to a repre- 
sentative or director, and the following 
were chosen at this meeting : Clinton 
township, E. H. Wing ; Ingham, J. R. 
Hartgrave ; Reeve, J. M. Soper ; Geneva, 
W. Ward ; Osceola, W. Richardson ; 
Morgan, E. A. Howland ; Washington, 
A. Gillett. 

Officers for 1862— President, William 
G. Beed ; secretary, N. B. Chapman; 
treasurer, C. J. Mott ; directors, Morgan 
township, F. H. Munson ; Washington, 
D. W. Dow ; Reeve, A. T. Reeve ; Clin- 
ton, B. D. Robinson ; Geneva, George 
Hnnsell ; Ingham, G. H. Ingham ; Osceo- 
la, R. T. P.lake. 

Officers for 1864— President, William 
G. Beed ; vice president, Samuel Car- 



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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



267 






baugh; secretary, George Beecl; treasurer, 
C. J. Mott; directors, Washington town- 
ship, C. H. Ingham ; Geneva, George 
Hansell ; Reeve, Henry Sliroyer ; Morgan, 
E. A. Ilowland ; Osceola, William Rich- 
ardson ; Clinton, H.H. Grinnell ; Ingham, 
A. T. Little. 

Officers for 1865 — President, Samuel 
Carbaugh ; vice president, William G. 
Beed ; secretary, George Deed ; treasurer, 
C. J. Mott ; directors. Reeve township, 
Isaac Miller ; Washington, O. F. Kitchell; 
Clinton, B. C. Robinson; Ingham, H. C. 
Graves ; Geneva, D. Church , Osceola, J. 
M. Pierce ; Morgan, J. M. Baker. 

Officers for 1866— President, David 
Church ; vice-president, C. J. Mott ; sec- 
retary, George Beed , treasurer, G. H. 
Ingham ; directors. Reeve township, Wil- 
liam Birkett ; Washington, N.. B Chap- 
man ; Clinton, B. Colt ; Ingham, J. O. 
Crapser ; Geneva, D. Carbaugh ; Osceola, 
J. W. Ward ; Morgan, J. M. Baker. 

Officers for 1867 — President, David 
Church; vice-president, James Thomp- 
son ; secretary, George Beed ; treasurer, 
G. H. Ingham ; directors, Reeve town- 
ship, A. Reed ; V\'ashington, C. J. Mott ; 
Clinton, G. W. Hemming ; Ingham, W. 
H. Hoxie ; Geneva, D. G. Carbaugh ; Os- 
ceola, James Whiteside ; Morgan, E. A, 
Howland. 

Officers for 1868 — President, John I. 
Popejoy ; secretary, L. B. Raymond ; 
treasurer, H. C. Clock ; directors. Reeve 
township, A. T. Reeve ; Washington, 
James Thompson ; Clinton, R. McKenzie; 
Ingham, W. H. Hoxie; Geneva, William 
Ward ; Osceola, John Fahey ; Morgan, 
E. A. Howland ; West Fork, Henry 
Meyers. 



Officers of 1869— President, A. T. 
Reeve, ; vice-president, James Thomp- 
son ; secretary, L. B. Raymond ; treasu- 
rer, H. C. Clock ; directors, Clinton town- 
ship, H. H. Grinnell ; V^est Folk, A. T. 
Little ; Ingham, W. H. Hoxie ; Washing- 
ton, S. C. Rose ; Geneva, William Ward; 
Reeve, Ira Hodges ; Osceola, John Fahey; 
Morgan, E. A. Howland. 

Officers for 1872— Presidt ut, D. G. Car- 
baugh ; vice-president, C. J. Mott ; secre- 
tary, S. J. Reeve ; treasurer, H: H. Grin- 
nell ; directors, Washington township, 
W. H. Hoxie ; Reeve, J. D. Parks ; Gen- 
eva, D. Church ; Clinton, E. B. Richards; 
West Fork, H. Bushyager; Ingham, D. 
W. Mott ; Osceola, H. Ingraham ; Grant, 
W. Brogan ; Lee, D. C. Mott ; Oakland, 
J. I. Popejoy ; Morgan, E. A. Howland ; 
Hamilton, Robert Hamilton. 

Officers for 1873— Pre8ident,D. W. Mott; 
vice-president, L. P. Holden; secretary, 
J. M. Wait; treasurer, George Beed; di- 
rectors, Washington township, D. G. Car- 
baugh; Clinton, N. Ebersole; Richland, 
H.H. Grinnell; West Fork, H. Bushya- 
ger; Ingham, H. Clark; Geneva, D. Church; 
Osceola, R. T. Blake; Grant, W. Brogan; 
Lee, B. R. Fitch; Oakland, E. A. Smith; 
Morgan, E. A. Howland; Hamilton, J. W. 
Wallace; Reeve, E. L. Clock. 

No officers were elected in 1874 and 
1875, but in 1876 the society again re- 
vived and the following were elected: 
president, C. J. Mott; vice-president, J. 
W. Wallace; secretary, E. C. Grinnell; 
treasurer, H. D. Harriman; directors: 
West Fork township, E. Esslinger; Clin 
ton, W. A. Alexander; Richland, William 
Ward; Marion, G. R. Minor; Washington, 
N. C. Cummings; Ingham, D. W. Mott; 






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26.S 



HISTOKV' OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



Geneva, D. Church; Reeve, A. B. Hudson; 
Hamilton, R. D. Hamilton; Morgan, R. 
E. Train; Oakland, E. A. Smith; Lee, O. 
P. Lee; Grant, W. Brogan; Osceola, S. 
French. 

Officers for 1 877-President, G. W. Han- 
sel; vice-president, J. B. Peck; secretary, 
J. M. Snider; treasurer, W. W. Thayer, di- 
rectors. West Fork township, Henry Bush- 
yoger; Clinton, R. S. Sullivan; Richland, 
E. C. Grinnell; Marion, G. R. Minor; 
VVashington, John McNeal; Ingham, 
Frank Berry; Geneva, D. Church; Reeve, 
J. M. Soper; Hamilton, D. Elliott; Mor- 
gan, E. J. Mendell; Oakland, J. I. Pope- 
joy; Lee, J. W. Slocum; Grant, VV. Bro- 
gan; Osceola, James Whiteside. 

Officers for 1878 — President, William 
Parks; vice-president, Joe Atkinson; sec- 
retary, J. M. bnider; treasurer, W. W. 
Shroyer; directors: Washington township, 
J. B. Peck; Reeve, J. M. Soper; West 
Fork, H. Bushyager; Ingham, G. W. Han- 
sell; Geneva, D. Church; Osceola, S. G. 
Walters; Lee, B. S. Eddy; Grant, W. Bro- 
gan; Oakland, E. A. Smith; Morgan, S. J. 
Mendell; Hamilton, J. W. Wallace; Mar- 
ion, L. Elseffer; Richland, A. G. McMil- 
len; Clinton, R. Wilde. 

THE EE-0RGA3SfIZBD SOCIETY. 

At the annual meeting held on Dec. 9, 
1878, the following officers were elected 
for the ensuing year: President, R. S. Ben- 
son; vice-president, S. J. Mendell; treas- 
urer, B. S. Brown; secretary, J. B. Peck. 
The several townships were represented 
by the following: West Fork, George Ott; 
Clinton, W. A. Alexander; Richland, D, 
Vought; Ingham, D. W. Mott; Mott, J. 
A. Atkinson; Washington, J. F. Lattimer; 
Marion, G. Shaver; Scott, J. D. Merriss; 



Geneva, James Pierce; Reeve, W. J. 
Shroyer; Hamilton, R.J. Elliott; Morgan, 
W. H. Weaver; Osceola, G. Dart; Grant, 
Nelson Salley; Lee, J. W. Trayer; Oak- 
land, E. A. Purdy. 

The society appointed a committee to 
examine the records and inquire into the 
organization of the agricultural society to 
see whether it was a legal corporation or 
not This committee consisted of J W. 
McKenzie, D W. Dow and John T. 
Stearns At the next meeting of the so- 
ciety this committee reported the follow- 
ing : 

"We, your committee, beg leave to re- 
port that we have examined the books, 
constitution and papers of the society and 
lind that this association is not complete, 
in that its constitution, organization and 
by laws have never been recorded." 

After this report a committee was ap 
pointed to revise the by-laws and consti 
tution of the Franklin County Agricultural 
Society This committee consisted of D. 
W. Dow, J. T. Stearns and W. W.Thay 
er. Under the new organization there 
were eighty six life members enrolled, 
new constitution and by-laws were framed 
and adopted, and the society thus placed 
on legal footing. The society, however, 
had become much involved, and by a re- 
oort made in June, 1883, it was found that 
it owed the Citizens' Bank, at Hampton, 
4j19 besides costs on same. At a meet 
ing held that month, A. T. Reeve pre 
sented the following resolution: 

'^ Jiesolctd, That the president and sec 
retary of this society shall negotiate a loan 
for the purpose of paying off the present 
indebtedness of the society, provided, that 



■el IS 



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^It. 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



269 



two-thirds of the life membership shall 
vote to do so " 

Officers for 1880 : President, R. S. Ben- 
son; secretary , 5- S. Patterson; treasurer, 
J. B. Peck. Patterson failed to qualify, 
and E. C. Grinnell was appointed in his 
place. 

The following were township directors: 
West Fork, Henry Bus' yager ; Ingham, 
George Hansell; Geneva, David Church ; 
Osceola, S. A. French ; Lee, O. P. Lane ; 
Grant, W. Bullis ; Reeve, W. C. Haines; 
Washington, D. W. Dow; Mott, J. At- 



kinson; Ross, A. S. Ross; Clinton, J. G. 
Zimmerman ; Richland, Robert Seeney ; 
Marion, George R. Miner ; Hamilton, R. 
J.Elliott; Oakland, E. A. Smith; Morgan, 
A. Quasdorf ; Scott, J. D. Demaras. 

Officers for 1881: President, R. S. Ben- 
son ; vice-president, David Church ; sec- 
retary, Walter Churcli ; treasurer, B. S. 
Brown. 

Officers for 1882 : President, C. J. Mott; 
vice-president, David Church , secretary, 
C. L. Clock ; treasurer, B. S. Brown. 



CHAPTER XIV. 



THE PRESS.- 



Franklin county has had abundant op- 
portunities to test the value of newspapers 
as aids in building up business centres, and 
making known its resources to the outer 
world, while ihe civilizing influence is 
almost unlimited ; and as a (general thing, 
its citizens have always manifested a lib- 
eral spirit or purpose towards the various 
journalistic enterprises that have been 
inaugurated in their midst. It must be 
truthfully said that in dispensing their 
patronage to the press, they have been 
tolerant and magnanimous, as they have 
been reasonably generous to journals of 
all parties. It may be difficult to cor- 
rectly estimate the advantages derived by 
Franklin county, in a business point of 

view, from the influence of the press. 



which at various times has called into 
requisition respectable, if not eminent 
talent in the advocacy of local inter- 
ests, which have had a tendency to in- 
spire its citizens as well as friends, far 
and near, with liope and confidence in its 
prosperity. 

In every community there are shriveled 
souls whose participation in the benefits 
of enterprise is greater than their efforts 
to promote the public welfare. These are 
the men who will never subscribe for a 
newspaper, but will always be on the alert 
to secure, gratuitously, the first perusal 
of their neighbor's papers. These per- 
sons are the croakers, who predict evil 
and disparage enterprise. But with 
very few exceptions, the press of this re- 



^^ 



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270 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



gion, or the community through which 
they circulate, has never been cursed with 
such drones. On the contrary, as patrons 
of the press, Franklin county citizens have 
established a good name. As records of 
current history, the local press should be 
preserved by town and county govern- 
ments, in their archives for reference. As 
these papers are the repositories wherein 
are stored ihe facts and the events, the 
deeds and the sayings, the undertakings 
and achievements that go to make up his- 
tory. One by one these things are gath- 
ered and placed in type; one by one these 
papers are issued; one by one these papers 
are gathered together and bound, and an- 
other volume of local, general and individ- 
ual history is laid away imperishable. 
The volumes thus collected, are sifted by 
the historian, and the book for the library 
is ready. 

There should be some means devised by 
which press records might be preserved 
and made accessible. This of course, is 
attempted in all offices; but, as a general 
thing, files are sadly deficient; still by dil- 
igent search and much inquiry, enough 
data has been gleaned to supply a toler- 
ably accurate record of the county press; 
but if any inaccuracies or omissions are 
noticeable, they may be attributed to the 
absence of completeness in the files. 

THE FRANKLIN RECORD. 

The first delinquent tax list published, 
of Franklin county lands, was in the fall 
of 18.58, when Thomas Drummond, at that 
time, one of the editors and proprietors of 
the Vinton, (Benton county) Eagle, came 
to Hampton and secured the printing of 
the tax lis' of that and preceeding years, 



in his paper. Stephen M. Jones was one 
of the hands in the Eagle office, and in the 
office of the Benton county Democrat, pub- 
lished also at Vinton, was a young man 
man named M. S. Bowman. Drummond 
persuaded Jones and Bowman into the 
notion that it would be a good scheme for 
them to buy the material of the old Eagle, 
as the proprietors wished to put in a new 
office, and bring it up here and start a 
paper. Accordingly they did so, and about 
the middle of February, 1859, George 
Ryan, Isaac Miller and James Thompson 
having each sent down a team. Bowman 
came u|) with the material. Jones fol- 
lowed about two weeks later, with his 
family, and the material was put into a 
building, fitted up for an office, that stood 
on the vacant lot next east of the Baptist 
church, and between there and G. G. 
Clemmer's residence. Here on Monday, 
the 28th of March, 1859, the first number 
of the Franklin Record saw the light. It 
was a six column folio, and as this was be- 
fore the days of "patents," all printed at 
home. It compared very favorably in ap- 
pearance with county papers in Iowa at 
that time. On the first page were quite a 
number of business cards. Among the 
cards, one is copied entire. Here it is: 

CANNAM HOUSE. 

The subscriber invites public attention to Ibis 
establishment, which he has lately re-opened 
and refitted, ami intends to keep as nearly as 
possible "up to the handle." He will lue his 
best endeavors to make his house a pleasant spot 
by the wayside, and solicits the patroniige of 
all "hungry, starved souls," promising them 
that they shall have the best that can be pro- 
cured in this region. He professes to be a 
knight of the ribbons, and accordingly takes the 
best possible care of the ' 'nags" — having the 



Ml 



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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



271 



largest and best stable in Franklin county, and 

an 'ostler who knows how to "do the thing up 

brown." 

A. J. Cannam, Proprietor. 

Hampton, Franklin Co., Iowa. 

The second, or editorial page, had the 
salutatory, which is given hereafter, and 
several other items. Like the papers of 
the day, it had no local page, such matters 
as were of local significance finding place 
on the editorial page. There is also, on 
the same page, a column and a half from 
W. N. Davidson, county superintendent of 
schools, upon the educational matters of 
the county, in which he states that "with 
the exception of Morgan township, every 
district has one or more schools, and a 
majority of them are well attended and 
conducted." According to his report, 
Geneva had one school, Ingham two, Clin- 
ton one, Osceola one. Reeve three, and 
Washington four; total, twelve in the 
county. He adds to his report, that owing 
to high water he was unable to visit one 
of the schools in Ingham and the one in 
Osceola. Among the news items on this 
page it is found that "Old Ossawotamie 
Brown, of Kansas notoriety, has arrived 
in Fremont county, this State, with a com- 
pany of twenty men and several liberated 
slaves " Then there are two items warn- 
ing people against "dangerous counter- 
feits" on certain banks, and a large num- 
ber of "news items," all of them evidently 
a month old. - 

The third page has two columns of 
reading matter, the leading article being 
an extract from a Chicago paper warning 
people against going to Pike's Peak, 
pronouncing the reports of gold discover- 
ies there and on "Cherry creek" humbugs, 
gotten up by traders at out-fitting posts. 



On this same page is a list of advertised 
letters at Maysville, signed "Wm. C. 
Boyles, postmaster." Thompson & Beed 
have a column advertisement on this page. 
The Franklin Recorder ]oh printing oflice, 
half a column; about half a column of 
prospectuses and quite a fair showing of 
legal notices. 

The fourth page has a little over a 
column of miscellaneous reading matter, 
mostly on the funny order, selected it is 
presumed by W. N. Davidson. Several 
fonts of type used in printing its pages 
are yet in the Hecorder office, and must have 
been in use several years even then. 

In introducing their paper to the public 
the editors presented the following: 

SALUTATORY. 

"We here present the public, and espe- 
cially the people of Franklin and adjoin- 
ing counties, with the first number of the 
Franklin Hecord. And a decent respect 
for the opinions of those whose names we 
wish to enroll as the list of our patrons, 
induces us to define our position before 
them. 

"The Hecord v/'iWhe the organ of no party, 
faction, or particular locality; but will 
advocate those principles not incorporated 
in political platform, which we conceive 
to be right without fear or favor; and in 
so doing we shall hold ourselves amena- 
ble to no power except that of public 
opinion. In short, while the political 
journals of the country are fighting over 
the various isms and favorites of party, 
we shall take it for granted that the Union 
is safe, notwithstanding the assertions 
to the contrary — that the country, so far 
as partisan interests are involved^ is 
going on swimmingly; that is to say, it 



;iv 



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272 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



matters nothing to the -Record and its pro- 
prietors whether Douglas, or Sumner, 
Brown, or Muggins, is President in 1860 — 
whether the democrats or republicans, 
hardshells or softshells, woolies, locofo- 
cos or hunkers are in power. We intend 
to chronicle important events as they 
transpire, give our readers a general 
miscellany of news, fun, statistics of va- 
rious kinds, and furnish a paper which, 
although smaller than many others, will 
be readable and useful. 

"To the citizens of Franklin county we 
promise a faithful record of affairs of the 
county, descriptions of the advantages and 
resources of the country, and such sugges- 
tions as may occur to us to be furnished 
by correspondents relating to changes and 
improvements of all kinds. At the solici- 
tation of a number of her citizens we have 
transferred to your county our press and 
a very large quantity of type and fixtures 
of a superior quality and style, which will 
compare favorably with those of any simi- 
lar establishment in northern Iowa; and 
with our best wishes for your welfare we 
solicit that support which we hope to 
merit. With respect to its eligibility as 
an agricultural district, Franklin county 
has few superiors; but its inert resources 
must be developed by the labor of the 
husbandman. Large tracts, now unsettled, 
must be peopled by energetic go-ahead 
men; and it rests in a great degree with 
each of you to forward the day when this 
most desirable result shall be attained. 
It is not an overwrought idea, that the es- 
tablishment of a press in a county like 
this is of more present, as well as prospec- 
tive, value than the immigration of one 
hundred persons. With your aid in cir- 



culating our sheet, we shall inform many 
thousands in the older and naturally less 
favored counties, of a place where there is 
a fertile soil, good water and healthy cli- 
mate; where, with comparatively light la- 
bor, the earth will yield them her richest 
blessings, of the present and future worth 
of this region, and we shall ever invite 
them to come and inhabit it with ug. * * 
We would be pleased to be able to call 
upon every citizen of this, and those ad- 
jacent counties whence we reasonably e.x- 
pect our support, and take them each by 
the button-hole and speak to them, in the 
most pleasant manner possible, of the great 
utility of the press in general, and the 
Franklin Record in particular, and in the 
blandest tones solicit them to subscribe 
and read. This being impracticable we 
must content ourselves with relying upon 
their good judgment in the matter, and 
expecting them to act accordingly, prom- 
ising that the Jiccord shall appear the 
next and each succeeding week, so long 
as we are supported in the work. Mean- 
while we doff our beavers and make to 
all, tintil next week, and to the ladies es- 
pecially, our most profound Chesterfieldian 
salaam." 

One of the items in the first issue of the 
Record stated that, " Quite a number of 
beavers have been shot and trapped by 
our citizens the past few days. The high 
water of spring generally drives these ani- 
mals from their dams and holes when 
they are easily secured — so we are told 
by those who have tried it on, and they all 
bear witness that beaver hunting is rare 
sport." 

The publication of the Franklin Record 
was continued until 186.3, when it ceased. 



V *"- 



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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



_F J- 



A few years later the material was pur- 
chased by J. Cheston Whitney for $350, 
and was used in establishing the Franklin 
Reporter, now the Recorder. The founder 
of the Record, S. M. Jones, is still a resi- 
dent of Hampton. 

THE FRANKLIN REPOETEE. 

This newspaper was established in the 
spring of 1866, by J. Cheston Whitney, 
the first issue making its appearance on 
the 4st day of May, 1866. It was at that 
time a six column folio, all home print, 
and very well tilled with advertisements. 
'I'he subscription rate was announced as 
being two dollars per year, and it w.is de- 
clared to be devoted to "Local Interests 
and General Intelligence." The material 
with which the paper was published had 
been formerly used in the office of the 
Hampton Record. In his introductory, 
Mr. Whitney said: "It will be our lead- 
ing object to furnish a journal which will 
be acceptable to all, and a welcome visitor 
at every fireside — a journal which will 
tend to the elevation of public morals, to 
the advancement of popular education, and 
to the materi »1 wealth and increased pros- 
perity of the county which we have chosen 
for our home." It was also stated that 
while space should not be occupied by po- 
litical harangues and partisan controversy, 
yet the paper should be an outspoken re- 
publican sheet, because the principles ad- 
vocated by that party most nearly accorded 
with the convictions of the editor. "But," 
Mr. Whitney continued, "we are not so 
bound by party creed that we shall blind- 
ly support any man or any measures, sim- 
ply because the leaders of the party may 
so desire." 



L. B. Raymond, at this time, was associ- 
ated with J. Cheston Whitney in the 
editorial work, he having charge of the 
educational department. Mr. Raymond 
remained in editorial charge of this de- 
partment until the issue of April 4, 1867, 
when he was succeeded by N. B. Chap- 
man, the county superintendent of schools. 
May 9, 1867, the Reporter was enlarged 
to a seven column folio, and otherwise 
much improved. In 1872, the Rcpiorter 
was again enlarged, this time coming out 
as a six column quarto. Thus it continued 
until April 3, when Mr. Whitney purchased 
the Hampton Free Press of L. B. Ray- 
mond, and consolidated it with the Re- 
2)orter. The name was then changed to 

THE FEANKLIN RECOEDEE. 

In his announcement of the consolida- 
tion, Mr. Whitney said: "We make our 
bow to the public through the columns of 
the only paper published in Franklin 
county; and it will be our endeavor, in the 
fut,jire as in the past, to furnish such a 
sheet as will be a welcome visitor to the 
homes of all our patrons." Mr. Whitney 
continued the management of the Re- 
corder alone until the issue of May 20, 
1872, when J. C. Harwood, late editor and 
proprietor of the Winnebago Press, pur- 
chased a half interest in the paper and 
the firm became Whitney &, Harwood. In 
this shape the management remained un- 
til August, 1876, when J. C. Whitney 
withdrew, and shortly afterward engaged 
in publishing the Chronicle. J. C. Har- 
wood assumed full control of the Re- 
corder, and continued to edit and publish 
it with good success, until the 1st of Jan- 
uary, 1878, when he sold to Col. T. E. 

-^^ e 






J'- 



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'^ 



2*76 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



McCracken. Shortly after selling out Mr. 
Ilarwood removed to Wright Co., Iowa. 

Col. T. E. McCracken immediately after 
jnirchasing the Recorder made satisfactory 
arrangements with L. B. Raymond, who 
was then running the Hampton Leader, 
whereby the two papers were consolidated 
under the name of the Franklin county 
Rec(yrder, with the firm of McCracken & 
Raymond. T. E. McCracken and L. B. 
■Raymond as editors and proprietors. This 
arrangement made the Recorder the con- 
solidation of three papers — the Franklin 
Reriirder, the Hampton Free Press and 
the Hampton Leader. In speaking of the 
new departure, the editors said, in the issue 
of Jan. 8, 1879: 

"As the Recorder announced last week, 
arrangements have been perfected, where- 
by it and the Hampton Leader have been 
consolidated into one paper. It was ex- 
pected that the name of this paper would 
be the FrankHn Reporter, but it has been 
decided to retain the name Recorder, call- 
ing it the Franklin County Recorder, and 
as such it would appear to-day if our new 
head had arrived in time. We are well 
aware that this consolidation of two active, 
energetic, aggressive and partisan news- 
papers will not meet with favor from all 
parties. The old Reporter had friends 
who have stood by it through thick and 
thin, and whose political gospel it was, 
and the same is true of the late Leader, 
and it would be too much to expect for 
the new Recorder o take the place of 
either in the estimation of its most radical 
friends. * * * It seems to be the al- 
most universal opinion that it is time 
peace prevailed and that newspaper fights 
in Franklin county should cease." 



It was also stated that the Recorder 
should be republican always, but just to 
those with whom it could not agree. In 
conclusion, it was stated: "We have no 
differences to perpetuate, nor enemies to 
punish, and we really hope that we may 
regard all as friends. In the race of life 
we desire an equal show and a fair start 
with everybody, and we shall try to do 
our duty and give yon the best country 
newspaper in all Iowa." The foj'm of tlie 
paper was changed, in the issue from 
which these extracts were taken, from a 
six column quarto to an eight column folio, 
all printed at home, the patent inside be- 
ing discarded. 

The partnership between T. E. Mc- 
Cracken and L. B. Raymond was con- 
tinued until Jan. 7, 1880, wlien L. B. Ray- 
mond purchased the interest of his part- 
ner and assumed full control. 

T. E. McCracken, the outgoing partner, 
came to Hampton from Webster City. He 
was a native of Indiana, and frequently 
spoke of his former residence in Posey 
county. His parents were Quakers, and he 
followed in their footsteps. At an early 
day he came to Iowa, and in company with 
Thomas Mercer, now of California, in 
1871, and established the Republican at 
Marshalltown. In 1874 he moved to 
Webster City and purchased the Hamilton 
county Freeman, whicli he published for 
about one year, also engaging in mercan- 
tile trade. His coming to Hampton is 
mentioned elsewhere. He was sheriff of 
Marshall county for four years, and for 
several years filled the position of collector 
of internal revenue of the old sixth district. 
He was a pleasant, social gentleman, witty 
and full of fun. He was a blunt spoken 



■V<2_ 



ik^ 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



277 



man, a great politician and a vigorous 
writer. Col. McCracken *is now in the 
postal service of tbe government. His 
home is in Webster City. 

L. B. Raymond became sole proprietor 
of the Franklin County Recorder with the 
issue of Jan. 7, 1880. On this date the 
paper was enlarged to a nine column folio, 
and passed its fifteenth birthday. An inter- 
esting feature of the Recorder at this time 
was the "History of Franklin County," by 
L. B. Raymond, which was published as 
a serial, having reached the fifteenth 
number. L. B. Raymond is still proprie- 
tor of the Recorder. It has a large 
circulation and ranks among the best 
county newspapers in Iowa. 

In speaking of tlie history of the 
Recorder in January, 1880, L. B. Ray- 
mond said : " We cannot now call to 
mind all the graduates of the Recorder 
office. The writer hereof was the first 
' hand ' in the office, and James W. 
Sheppard, afterwards of the Rock Rapids 
( Lyon county ) Revien; the second. Then 
came his brother, Frank Sheppard, J. Y. 
Lambert, who was very well known here 
in his day, but of whose present where- 
abouts we are not advised ; A. M. Allen, 
now dead, but during his life-time of the 
Belmond llirror and Hampton 3Iugii€t; 
Clarence Whitney, the present junior 
editor of the Hampton Chronicle; T. L. 
Hacker, at one time of the Ackley Inde- 
pendent, but now private secretary of the 
governor of Wisconsin ; F. P. Morgan, 
of the Bristow Dial, and many more who 
have never had any newspaper experience 
on their own hook. The Recorder has 
een Franklin county increase from 1,500 



inhabitants to 10,000, and Hampton, from 
a little hamlet too small to bear counting, 
to a thriving place of 2,000 people. It 
was here before there was any railroad, 
and now we have two. It has outlived or 
absorbed all of its cotemporaries except 
one, and we think may justly claim to be 
ranked among the permanent institutions 
of Franklin county. " 

The following sketch of Levi Beard- 
sley Raymond, was prepared by I. L. 
Stuart : 

L. B. Raymond came to Iowa in the 
fall of 1863 or winter of 1864 and settled 
near Aplington, Butler county. He was 
just out of the army and broken down in 
health, consequent upon injuries received 
in the service, and for that reason tried 
farming in hopes to regain the same. He 
succeeded but indifferently, either at farm- 
ing or in benefiting his physical condi- 
tion, and having but little capital and no 
previous experience at the business, he 
abandoned it in disgust in the summer of 
1865 and came to Hampton, about even so 
far as this world's goods were concerned. 
A new school house was built at Ilamji- 
ton that seasen ; a two-story stone build- 
ing that stood between the lots now 
occupied by the Cannam House and 
Gray's Furniture Store on Reeve St., and 
Raymond was employed to teach the first 
school therein. Miss O. M. Reeve, now 
Mrs. J. T. James, of Knoxville, Marion 
county, this State, was his first assistant. 

In May of the next year, J. Cheston 
Whitney came to Hampton from Mason 
City, and, buying the material of the old 
Franklin Record of S. M. Jones for $300, 
started the Franklin Reporter, and hired 



r 



^2 



278- 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



Raymond to work in the office. He also 
conducted .in educational department, in 
the paper, and made himself generally 
useful around the institution. We never 
heard the wages paid, but it was small, as 
tlie Jicpurter was a small institution at 
that time, being only a six-column folio, 
and while it was enough to "summer" on, 
it was not enough for winter wages ; at 
least so Raymond evidently thought, for 
when fall came he took another school to 
teach in Reeve township at the foot of 
Mayne's Grove, in what was then and is 
now known as the Reeve district. The 
summer of ISGV, he put in as traveling 
agent for a school furniture house, and 
was, in the fail of that year, nomijiated by 
the republicans of Franklin county, as a 
candidate for county superintendent of 
schools, and was elected by only thirty- 
three majority over N. B. Chapman, tlie 
incumbent of the office. The next two 
years saw him engrossed in the duties of 
his office, in to which he entered heart and 
soul, and he has the credit of inaugu- 
rating several reforms, the good effects 
of which are felt to the present day 
In 1869 he started a second paper 
in Hampton, deemed a fool-hardy 
venture by many, but as the capital 
invested was only $250 there was not much 
risk to run. The paper was called the 
Hampton F?-ee Preas, and although pub- 
lished under difficulties and obstacles that 
would have discouraged an ordinary man, 
the sheet thrived and grew apace. In 
1R60 he was appointed asssstant United 
States Marshal to take the census of Frank- 
lin county, which was the first official po- 
sition he had ever held wherein the pay 
or emoluments amounted to anvthing ma- 



terial. In the spring of 1872 his atten- 
tion was turned to the northwestern por- 
tion of tlie State, then rapidly settling up, 
and after a trip made into that vicinity to 
see for himself, he came back with so 
violent an attack of the western fever that 
he sold out the good will and subscription 
list of the Free Press to Mr. Whitney 
(who consolidated it with the Piportrr 
under the name of the Franklin County 
Pecorder) packed up his printing material 
and moved to Cherokee, Cherokee county, 
where he started a paper called the Chero- 
kee Leader. Immediately after this he 
purchased the O'Brien Pumeer, which had 
previously been printed in Cherokee, but 
dated at O'Brien, and put a printing office 
into a little attic at that place, employing 
O. H. Willits, lite a typo in the Pree 
Press office, as local editor and manager. 
Shortly after, he bought the good will of 
the lately extinct Sioux County Herald, 
and put another printing office at Orange 
City, in that county. In the fall of 1872 
he started a fourth paper at Doon, Lyon 
county, called the Lyon County Press, auA 
a fifth at Newell, Buena Vista county, 
called the Jllrror. So that he was the 
first man to put a printing office into 
O'Brien or Lyon counties. 

ills sixth venture in the newspaper line 
was started under peculiar circumstances, 
and will bear telling somewhat in detail 
as illustrating the character of the man and 
his tremendous energy and pluck. O'Brien 
county had, during the year 1872, been 
settling up rapidly, and a railroad had 
been surveyed through the northwestern 
portion of the county, and a new town 
started at Sheldon, which was in the 
nortwestein portion of the county, while 



■f 



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V 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



•279 



the town of O'Brien, the county seat, was 
in the southeastern corner of tlie county. 
Sheldon was settled by an enterprising 
go-ahead set of young fellows, who made 
no secret of their intention to secure the 
county seat of O'Brien county, and the 
rapidity with which the town grew, and 
the country in its vicinity, during the fall 
of 187:2, made it look as though the scep- 
ter was likely to depart from the east side 
of the county. Late in December Raymond 
happened to be at Doon, Lyon county, 
on business connected with his paper there, 
and to the little liotel where he was stop- 
ping, came two Sheldon men who put up 
for the night. Raymond was not intro- 
duced to them and they did not know 
him. After supper he heard them dis- 
cussing a project that was on foot to start 
a newspaper in Sheldon early in the new 
year, and that the funds were already 
raised, and steps would shortly be taken 
to give the enterprise a tangible form. 
He knew that if the paper was not in ex- 
istence the first Monday in January, at the 
time the board of supervisors met, it could 
not be legally recognized by the board as 
an official paper for the ensuing year, and 
that if another paper was in existence at 
that time, they would be compelled to 
recognize it as the second official paper, 
and the proposed organ would be left out 
in the cold. He got an almanac and 
found that it was just eleven days to the 
first Monday in January. The Sheldon 
men retired to rest and Raymond got out 
his team and started for Cherokee, seventy 
miles away across a dreary prairie. It 
was a bitter cold night, and the wind blew 
so that the tract was filled with snow, but 
it was not very dark, and despite the 



warnings and entreaties of his host he 
pulled out. He drove his team until after 
daylight, when he stopped at a hospitable 
homesteader's sod-house, and after break- 
fast, hired the man to take him the rest of 
the way to Cherokee, leaving his own team 
to rest. Cherokee was reached barely in 
time to take a train that lefteastwai'd bound. 
He had heard of a second hand office for 
sale at Manchester, in Delaware county, 
and thither he went, arriving there in the 
night. Going to the house of the owner 
he routed him out and dragged him un- 
willingly to the office, and after thirty 
minutes' inspection the material changed 
hands. Leaving the the ex-owner to pack 
it up and have it on the cars by a given time, 
Raymond took the 3 a. m. train for Chi- 
cago, and, after buying such other material 
as was needed, got back to Cherokee in 
time to unload his second-hand material 
and start it for Sheldon. The day he 
crossed the prairie to Sheldon, carrying 
the balance of the material .with liim, the 
thermometer was twenty-nine degrees 
below zero, and he narrowly escaped death 
by freezing. But the paper was out on 
time and was Volume ]., Number 1, of the 
Sheldon Hail, now one of the leading and 
most prosperous weeklies in northwestern 
Iowa. It might be stated, as shedding 
some light upon the subject, that the 
O'Brien Pioneer changed hands the last 
issue in December, coming out under the 
charge of A. H. Willetts & Co. Who 
the "Company" was nobody inquired, but 
the Pioneer and Ma\l were duly recog- 
nized as the official papers of O'Brien 
county, and the other paper talked of at 
Sheldon failed to make its appearance. 



\ 



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280 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



In 18'74, came the grasshopper scourge 
of nortli western Iowa, and the financial 
revulsion consequent upon extravagance 
and recklessness by the early officials in 
jnany of the counties. Raymond was 
caught with county warrants on his hands 
that he had taken at par, which he held 
until they went down, in some cases, as 
low as thirty-five cents on the dollar. 
Not near all due him from jjrivate sources 
could be collected, and he closed out 
all his interests as best he could, taking 
land, stock and slow notes, upon some of 
which he never realized anything. But 
he was satisfied to get out on almost any 
terms, and has never been heard to com- 
plain of his experience in northwestern 
Iowa. After a few months spent in the 
employ of the State Printing Company, at 
DesMoines, he returned to Hami)ton, and 
for a year or two devoted himself to im- 
proving some real estate that he owned in 
the county and doing some surveying. He 
held the office of county surveyor one 
year, and county superintendent of schools 
one year to fill a vacancy, and in Decem- 
ber, 1811, started a third paper in Hamp- 
ton called the Hampton Liader. The 
Leadur did an excellent business, and on 
the Ist of January, 1879, was consolidated 
with the liecAwder, that paper having been 
purchased by Col. T. E. McCracken, and 
a new firm organized under the firm name 
of McCracken & Raymond. At the close 
of the year a stock company bought Mr. 
McCracken's interest, and the paper 
passed into Mr. Raymond's control where 
it has since remained, he now owning 
nearly all the stock. Mr. Raymond has 
been prominent in politics, in Franklin 
county, and indeed in his section of the 



State, for many years. He is an excellent 
organizer, and while his forte does not lie 
in personal solicitation in a campaign, it is 
universally conceded that his equal as a 
conductor or director of an aggressive and 
active compaign does not exist in Frank- 
lin county. His advice is always eagerly 
sought by candidates and those interested 
in political affairs. He is an out-and-out 
radical republican, and it is his boast that 
during all the time he has voted he has 
never scratched a regular republican 
ticket. For many years he has been chair 
man of the republican county central 
committee, and his hand has drawn the 
calls for as many conventions as that of 
any man in Iowa. In March, 1883, he was 
appointed a special examiner in the 
United States Pension Office, and was 
soon after transferred to the district com- 
prising northeastern Wisconsin and the 
upper Michigan peninsula. The Heconhr 
still runs in his name, but is under the 
immediate management of Mr. I. L. 
Stuart, who is also its local editor. 

The subject of this sketch was brought 
up near Beloit, Rock Co., Wis., and in 
his younger days partially learned the 
printer's trade at that place and was a 
student at the college there for several 
years. He was among the first to enlist 
in 1861, serving nearly two years in the 
6th Wisconsin Infantry, one of the regi- 
ments comprising the famous Iron brigade 
of the West, and after being dischaigcd 
for injuries received in the service, spent 
a few months in the provost marshal's of- 
fice at Janesville, Wis., coming to 
Iowa, as has been stated, late in 1803. He 
was married, in 1867, to Mary O. Leverich, 
and has four children living — three sons 



J' 



^ 



HISTORY OF FRANKIN COUNTY. 



281 



and a daughter. They have buried three. 
Mr. Raymond has got along somewhere 
between three or four years past forty, is 
over six feet in height, is erect and broad- 
shouldered and weighs in the neighbor 
hood of 215 pounds He has blue eyes, 
light brown hair and a sandy beard, and 
is remarkably quick in his movements for 
a man of his weight. He is a warm friend 
and a bitter enemy — if he hates a man he 
hates him beyond expression, and he can- 
not do too much for his friends. He has 
the faculty of making money but not al- 
ways of keeping it, and is too generous 
to ever be a rich man. He is prompt to 
act, decided in his convictions, resolute in 
his undertakings and perfectly fearless and 
independent in everything. He is one of 
tlie most public spirited men that ever 
lived, and is always att'e front when any 
measure is being agitated regarding the 
welfare of his town or community. He 
has always been prominent in educational 
matters, having been a member of the 
school board of Hampton twice and is 
now a member thereof. He takes alive 
ly interest in military matters and is cap- 
tain of company H, 6th regiment Iowa 
National Guard, and thoroughly devoted 
to its interests. He has enemies, as every 
active, aggressive man has, but has also 
many warm friends. He is thoroughly 
devoted to his profession and no member 
of the editorial fraternity in Iowa is more 
prompt to resent any infringement upon 
the rights of the craft than he. Probably 
his worst fault is that of too plain speak- 
ing, and a tendency to say sarcastic and 
cutting things regardless of the feelings 
of others, but it is noticeable that he is 
much more careful in this respect as he 



grows older, and that age and experience 
have done much towards mellowing him 
down. Of undisputed New England an- 
cestry and traits, he is a fair specimen of 
the go ahead westernized Yankee. 

I. L. Stuart, local editor and manager 
of the Franklin County Recorder, was 
born in Chester, Vt., Aug. 27, 1855. He 
is a son of J. Q. and Lucy J. (Burton) 
Stuart, natives of Vermont. His parents 
moved to Wisconsin in 1867, locating at 
Black Earth, near Madison. Here I. L. 
remained until 1873, then went to Bosco- 
bel, same State, where he edited and pub- 
lished the Boscobel Dial. At this time 
Mr. Stuart was but eighteen years of age, 
yet he succeeded well in his business and 
remained in the position three years. In 
1876 he went to Milwaukee and worked 
on the Milwaukee Sentinel for two years; 
he then went to Charles City, Iowa, and 
engaged as foreman on the Floyd County 
Advocate, remaining until 1881. In that 
year Mr. Stuart came to Hampton and 
took his present position on the Franklin 
County Recorder. Mr. Stuart began his 
preparation for the newspaper business 
with Burnett & Son, proprietors of the 
Black Earth Advertiser. He has grown 
up in his profession, and thoroughly un- 
derstands every department of newspaper 
work. 

HAMPTON FREE PRESS. 

This paper was established at Hamp- 
ton, in 1869, by L. B. Raymond, the first 
issue making its appearance on the 1st of 
October. Mr. Raymond continued its 
publication alone, with the exception of 
a few months, when G. H. Brock was 
associated with him, continuing until 
April .3, 1872, when the office was pur- 



282 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



chased by J. C. WWtney, and consolidated 
with the Recorder. 

THE MAGNET. 

The Mmpiet was established in 1871 by 
W. C. Eaton. It was a six column folio, 
and was a good paper, full of interesting 
news and paying advertisements. In 1876 
Mr. Eaton sold the paper to J. C. Whit- 
ney, who dropped the name Magnet, and 
in its stead adopted that of the Chronicle. 
Mr. Eaton came to Franklin county from 
Wisconsin. He had spent a number of 
years in the newspaper business, and 
was an able editor. He went from here 
to Northwood, Worth county, this State. 

THE CHBONICLE. 

This representative of the press was es- 
tablished at Hampton in 1876, the first 
issue making its appearance on the 2d of 
August. The founder was J. Cheston 
Whitney, who also started the Franklin 
Reporter. The paper was a well printed 
and ably edited six-column quarto, well 
filled with general and local news, and 
home advertisements. In introducing his 
pajier to the public Mr. Whitney, in his 
first issue, said : 

" Strange, unlocked for, events are con- 
stantly occurring. Little did we think 
when one short month ago we penned our 
parting words, .made public through the 
columns of the Remrdiyr, that we should 
so soon resume the management of a news- 
paper in Hampton. 

" We ex|)ect,ed at that time to seek a 
home elsewhere, and in some locality 
find new friends and form new associa- 
tions, but circumstances have conspired to 
produce a different result, and again we 
have the pleasure of greeting old, fa- 
miliar friends through a difl'erent channel 



from that hitherto employed. As we 
again enter the field of journalism, we do 
it with the determination to furnish the 
people of Franklin county with a paper of 
which they shall have no reason to feel 
ashamed. Our object will be to make a 
good local paper, and hence, special atten- 
tion will be devoted to home interests — 
the interests of the town and county in 
which we live. 

"We shall seek to faithfully chronicle 
current events, to encourage and assist in 
building up those enterprises which are 
calculated to benefit the community, and, 
so far as lies in our power, labor to pro- 
mote the best interests of the jjublic, upon 
whom we are dependent for support. 

"We have been connected with the re- 
publican party ever since its organization, 
and love it for the grand work which it 
has accomplished, and while we are free 
to admit that abuses have crept into the 
party, and unprincipled men have attached 
themselves to it for selfish purposes, as 
will always be the case with the party in 
power, we still believe that it is tlie party 
of progress and reform, and that the gov. 
ernment will be more secure by the con- 
tinuance of a republican administration, 
than by placing it in the hands of the op- 
position. Believing this, we shall give 
the support and influence of our paper to 
the republican party, at the same time 
feeling it to be our duty to censure the 
wrong wherever found, and to refuse to 
aid in the election of unworthy men by 
whomsoever placed in nomination. In 
short, we shall aim to publish a paper 
which will be a welcome and valued guest 
in the homes which it may enter; a paper 
always earnest in its devotion to the prin- 



^- 



^1 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



283 



ciples of sound integrity, whether in social 
civil or political circles. We come not 
here a stranger, and we regard a lengthy 
salutatory unnecess ry, as from our course 
in the past a fair conception may be 
gained of what may be expected in the 
future. With these introductory words 
we again hopefully engage in our pleas- 
ant work." 

In the second issue the following para- 
graph appeared with the statement that 
it iiad been omitted the previous week: 

"As was announced in last week's paper, 
we have purchased from W. C. Eaton his 
entire interest in the Magnet, and shall 
continue its publication under the name 
of the Chroijbide.'''' 

J. C. Whitney remained as sole pro- 
prietor of the Chronicle until Jan. 4, 1879, 
when his son, 0. E. Whitney became 
a partner. Mr. Whitney announced the 
change by saying: "The public are here- 
by notified that I have associated with 
myself in the publication of the Chronicle 
my son, C. E. Whitney, thus realizing 
what has for several years been antici- 
pated to occur Jan. 1, 1870. The business 
of the office will hereafter be transacted 
under the name of J. C. Whitney & .Son.'" 
The Chronicle had undergone various 
changes as to size, and at this time came 
to the public as a seven column quarto, 
which size is still retained. It has attained 
a large and steadily increasing circulation, 
and is one of of the largest and best fam- 
ily papers in this part of the State. Both 
J. C. Whitney and his son, C. E., are 
practical newspaper men, and are easy 
and fo cible writers. 

C. E. Whitney, junior member of the 
firm J. C.Whitney cfc Son, ha-i charge of the 



local management of the Chronicle. He 
was born in Rockford, 111., Jan. 28, 1857. 
His parents, J. C. and Anna (Otis) Whit- 
ney, were natives of the New England 
States. Mr. Whitney, senior, was for- 
merly a carpenter by trade, but for the 
past twenty-three years has devoted his 
attention to the newspaper business. In 
] 859 the family came to Iowa, locating in 
Floyd county, where the fa'her taught 
school for a time, and then engaged in 
his present profession. While there Mr. 
Whitney served three terms as superin- 
tendent of schools. They remained in 
Floyd county until 1865, when they re- 
moved to Mason City, where J. C. edited 
the Mason City Republican, in connection 
with teaching the city schools. In May, 
1866, they came to Hampton, and Mr. 
Whitney, senior, purchased the material 
that had been used in the Franklin Record 
office, and established what is now the 
Franklin Recorder. He has since made 
Hampton his home, devoting his attention 
to the newspaper business. He has held 
many offices of trust. 

C. E. Whitney learned his trade in his 
father's office, and on the 1st of January, 
1879, became a partner in the publi- 
cation of the Chronicle. For the past 
year he has had entire charge of the 
paper. On the 1st of September, 1880, 
C. E Whitney was married to Anna B. 
Logan, of Hampton, and they have two 
children. In politics the Messrs. Whitney 
are staunch republicans. 

REAL ESTATE JOURNAL. 

In 1870 the Real Estate Jourwd was 
established at, Hampton by James Thomp- 
son. It was a monthly, intended chiefly 

as an advertising medium for his real 



T 



17 



.^ 



284 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



estate business. Mr. Thompson soon after 
disposed of his interest to Davidson & 
Co., who continued the paper under the 
name of the Freeholder. After several 
months the publication was discontinued. 

HAMPTON LEADER. 

The paper under this name was estab- 
lished at Hampton in 1877, the first issue 
making its appearance on the 28th of De- 
cember, as an eight-column folio with 
patent insides. The founder was L. B. 
Raymond, who had been identified with 
the press of Franklin county since 1866. 
The paper was neatly printed, well edited, 
and had a good patronage. The oflice 
was well stocked with materials belong- 
ing to the art preservative. In intro- 
ducing his paper to the public, Mr. Ray- 
mond said : 

" We take pleasure in presenting to your 
notice the initial number of the Hampton 
Leader, a weekly newspaper to be publ ished 
at Hampton, Franklin Co., Iowa, until 
further notice. 

"To those who know the undersigned, it 
is unnecessary to say that the Leader will 
be radically republican at all times and 
under all circumstances. We are not of 
the number who believe that the republi- 
can party is dead, or that it has outlived 
its usefulness, but we believe that it has 
a glorious and progressive future before 
it, as well as honorable record in the past. 
We believe that for its future spirit in the 
accomplishment of what we regard as its 
manifest destiny, it must depend upon the 
men to whom its past success is due, and 
to those actuated by the same motives and 
following the same lines of conduct. The 
past record of the republican party is 
good enough for us, and if any reform ig 



needed, we want it made inside of the 
ranks of the party as has been done in 
the past." 

In the same connection the editor states 
that as a logical conclusion, ■ he was 
opposed to the administration of Presi- 
dent Hayes, and refused to recognize him 
as a republican, and that if a fair con- 
struction of his language meant " to the 
victors belong the spoils" so be it. "But," 
continued the article, "it is only proper to 
say that we do not expect to make politi- 
cal , affairs a prominent feature of the 
Leader. We only say what we do on the 
subject to properly define our position ; 
but we expect to make this pape' a news- 
paper in every sense of the word. We 
intend to give news, especially the local 
news, and our creed upon this point may 
be summed up in a very few words ' all 
news — and the truth about it. ' " 

For one year Mr. Raymond continued 
the publication of the J^eader, when it was 
merged into the Franklin County .Becon/t;', 
under the management of McCracken & 
Raymond. The Leader had a successful 
career and made money for its publisher. 

ONCE A MONTH. 

This w s the title of a monthly maga- 
zine published at Hampton in 1878, by 
Ch.arles Wilcox. Its existence was short 
and uneventful. 

THE SHEFFIELD PRESS. 

This is among tlie best local newspapers 
in the northern part of the State. It was 
established by the present editor and pro- 
prietor, Frank P. Morgan, in 1880, the 
first issue coming to light on the 4th of 
March, 1880, as a five-column folio. It 
was, and still is, a neatly printed, well 
made up, and ably edited sheet, well filled 



T 



/ 



'k. 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



285 



with local and general news and advertise- 
ments. Mr. Morgan is a practical news- 
paper man, well posted on all topics of the 
day, and a good writer. In introducing 
his paper to the public the editor said : 

"We herewith present ourselves before 
you with a few words by way of introduc- 
tion, simply because such is the custom. 
We are aware that, as a rule, the starting 
of anew paper is a hazardous undertaking, 
but hope, with the encouragement and 
help of our friends, to be successful. We 
view political matters from a republican 
standpoint, consequently, the political 
complexion of the J'/'ess will be of that 
character. Not having had an opportunity 
to interview Mr. Blaine, or Mr. Grant, or 
Mr. Edmunds or Mr. Sherman as to their 
respective chances for the Presidency, we 
have concluded to accept the situation and 
give whichever one receives the nomina- 
tion our hearty and undivided support. 
At the same time, way down in the secret 
recesses of our heart, the man of Maine 
occupies a place which is a little more 
tender than the places occupied by the 
others. Mr. Grant has had glory enough 
for any one man in this world ; a third 
term might ruin him. Mr. Edmunds is a 
very wise, good man, and, no doubt, would 
make an excellent President, but they say 
he is not available; and Mr. Sherman is 
needed right where he now is. This 
settles the Presidential questionj in our 
mind. However, the election of either 
one of the above named gentlemen or all 
of them or any one else, does not, neces- 
sarily, have anything to do with the publi- 
cation or control of the Press. Even the 
man with the big "bar'l" has not, neither 
indeed, can he have any influence over our 



destiny in that direction. The J'rcss will 
be published all the same and right along, 
just as though nothing in particular had 
happened ; and we take this occasion to 
call upon our friends to assist us in mak- * 
ing the paper such a one as will be a 
credit to our community. This can be 
done in no better way than by a liberal 
patronage in the way of advertising, job 
work, and aid in extending our circulation. 
We want a correspondent in every neigh- 
borhood, who will give 'tis the news from 
their respective localities. If a house, or 
a barn, or a hen coop, or a hog-pen, or a 
corn-crib is built, or if a man wallops his 
own wife or runs away with his neighbor's 
wife, just send us the items and we will 
publish them with pleasure. Our two 
great objects are to furnish a good home 
paper and accumulate wealth. We re- 
spectfully ask your co-operation, and be- 
lieve we shall receis^e it. 

Respectfully yours, 
F. P. Morgan." 

The Press has changed its form several 
times, assuming its present size, eight 
column folio, Jan. 1, 1883. It has a large 
and steadily increasing subscription list, 
and is justly entitled to be ranked among 
the best local papers and advertising me- 
diums in this congressional district. The 
subscription price is fl.50 per annum. 

F. P. Morgan, editor and proprietor of 
the -Press, was born in Whitewater, Wis., 
May 27, 1853. He is a son of E. F. and 
Mary (Benjamin) Morgan. They moved 
to Richland Co., Wis., when he was two 
years old, where he received his education. 
At the age of eighteen, he commenced to 
learn the printer's trade, working on both 






lV 



286 



Hii.iUiiV OP" FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



the tlich\a,nd County 0/i.Si'rrtr a,nd Se)iti7ieL \ a,nd founded the SheiReld Pirsfi. I\Ir. 
Ill 1S70, he came to Hampton and worked , Morgan was married to Nettie Jones, 
on the Eeciirdcr a few months, and then , daughter of S. M. Jones, of Hampton, in 
went to Butk^r county and started the 1880. He is a prominent memher of the 
liristow Dlid, which he run for three Odd Fellows lodge at Sheffield, and a 
months, when he sold, came to Sheffield staunch republican in politics. 



CHAPTER XV. 



THE WAR FOR THE UNION. 



The institution of slavery was always a 
source of trouble between the free and 
slave-holding States. The latter wei'e 
always troubled with the thought that the 
former would encroach upon their rights, 
ami notijing could be done to shake this 
belief Compromise measures were 
adopted from time to time to settle the 
vexed question of slavery, but the fears of 
slaveholders were only allayed for a short 
time. Threats of secession were often 
made by the slaveholding States, but as 
some measures of a conciliatory character 
were passed, no attempt was made to carry 
their threats into execution. Finally cauie 
the repeal of the Missouri Compromise 
and the adoption of a measure known as 
the Kansas-Nebraska bill. This bill opened 
certain territory to slavery which, under 
the former act, was forever to be free. 
About the time of the passage of this act, 
the whig party was in a state of dissolu- 
tion, and the great body of that party, to- 
gether with certain democrats who were 
opposed to the Kansas-Nebraska bill, 
united, thus forming a new party to which 



was given the name of republican, having 
for its object the prevention of the further 
extension of slavery. The people of the 
South imagined they saw in this new party 
not only an organized effort to prevent the 
extension of slavery, but one that would 
eventually be used to destroy slavery in 
those States in which it already existed. 

In 1860 four Presidential tickets were 
in the field. Abraham Lincoln was the 
candidate of the republicans, Stephen A 
Douglas of the National deiuocrats, John 
C. Breckenridge of the pro-slavery inter- 
ests, and John Bell of the Union. The 
Union party was composed principally of 
those who had previously affiliated with the 
American or know-nothing party. Early 
in the campaign there were threats of se- 
cession and disunion in case of the election 
of Abraham Lincoln, but the people were 
so accustomed to Southern bravado that 
little heed was given to the bluster. 

On the 20th of December, 1860, South 
Carolina, by a convention of delegates, 
declared "That the Union now existing 
between South Carolina and the other 



■i-U 



it^ 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



287 



States of North America is dissolved, and 
tliat the State of South Carolina has re- 
sumed her position among the Nations of 
the earth as a free, sovereign and independ- 
ent State, with full power to levy war and 
conclude peace, contract alliances, estab- 
lish commerce, and do all other acts and 
thing which independent States may of 
right do." 

On the 24th Gov. Pickens issued a pro- 
clamation declaring that "South Carolina 
is, and has a right to be, a free and inde- 
pendent State, and as such has a riglit to 
levy war, conclude peace, and do all acts 
whatever that rightfully appertain to a free 
and independent State." 

On the 26tli Major Anderson evacuated 
Fort Moultrie and occupied Fort Sumter. 
Two days previously he wrote President 
Buchanan's Secretary of War, John B. 
Floyd, as follows: 

"When I inform you that my garrison 
consists of only sixty effective men, and 
that we are in very indifferent works, the 
walls of which are only fourteen feet high; 
and that we have, within one hundred and 
sixty yards of our walls, sand hills which 
command our works, and which afford ad- 
mirable sites for batteries and the finest 
coverts for sharp-shooters; and that be- 
sides this there are numerous houses, some 
of them within pistol shot, and you will 
at once see that, if attacked in force, 
headed by any one but a simpleton, there 
is scarcely a possibility of our being able 
to hold out long enough for our friends to 
come to our succor." 

His appeals for re-inforcements were 
seconded by General Scott, but unheeded 
by President Buchanan, and entirely ig- 



nored by John B. F'loyd, Secretary of 
War. 

On the 28th, South Carolina troops occu- 
pied Fort Moultrie and Castle Pinckney, 
and hoisted the palmetto Hag on the ram- 
parts. On the 29th, John B. Floyd re- 
signed his place in Buchanan's cabinet, 
charging that the President, in refusing 
to remove Major Anderson from Charles- 
ton Harbor, designed to plunge the country 
into civil war, and added: "I cannot con- 
sent to be the agent of such a calamity." 
On the same day the South Carolina com- 
missioners presented their official creden- 
tials at Washington, which, on the next 
day, were declined. 

On the second day of January, 18G1, 
Georgia declared for secession, and Geor- 
gia troops took possession of the United 
States arsenal in Augusta, and Forts Pu- 
laski and Jackson. 

Gov. Ellis, of North Carolina, seized the 
forts at Beaufort and Wilmington and the 
arsenal at Fayetteville. On the evening 
of the 4th, the Alabama and Mississippi 
delegations in Congress telegraphed the 
conventions of their respective States to 
secede, telling them there was no prospect 
of a satisfactorj- adjustment. On the 7th, 
the conventions of Alabama, Mississippi 
and Tennessee met in secession conclave. 
On the 9th, Secretary Thompson resigned 
his seat in the cabinet on the ground that, 
contrary to promises, troops had been sent 
to Major Anderson. On the 9th, the "Star 
of the West," carrying supplies and re-in- 
forcements to Major Anderson, was fired 
into from Morris Island, and turned home- 
ward, leaving Fort Sumter and its gallant 
little band to the mercy of the rebels. On 
the same day, the ordinance of secession 






;f^ 



^t«- 



--«— — *jw 



288 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



passed the Mississippi t^onvention. Flor- 
ida adopted an ordinance of secession on 
the 10th, and Alabama on the 11th. The 
same day (the 11th) Thomas, Secretary of 
the Treasury, resigned, and the rebels 
seized the arsenal at Baton Rouge, and 
Forts Jackson and St. Philip, at the mouth 
of the Mississippi river, and Fort Pike at 
the Lake Pontchartrain entrance. Pensa- 
cola navy ya d and Fart Barrancas were 
surrendered to rebel troops by Col. Arm- 
strong on the 1 .3th. Lieut. Slemmer, who 
had drawn his command from Fort Mc- 
Rae to Fort Pickens, defied Armstrong's 
orders, and announced his intention to 
to hold the fort at all hazards. The 
Georgia convention adopted an ordinance 
of secession on the 19th. On the 20th, 
Lieut. Slemmer wasbesieged by a thousand 
allied troops at Fort Pickens. Louisiana 
adopted an ordinance of secession on the 
25th. On the 1st of February the rebels 
seized the United States mint and custom 
house at New Orleans. The peace con- 
vention assembled at Washington on the 
4th, but adjourned without doing anything 
to quiet tlie disturbed elements. On the 
9th, a provisional constitution was adopted 
at Montgomery, Ala., it being the consti- 
tution of the United States reconstructed 
to suit their purpose. Jefferson Davis, 
of Mississippi, was chosen President, and 
Alexander H. Stevens, of Georgia, Vice- 
President of the Confederate States of 
North America. Jeff. Davis was inaugu- 
rated on the 18th, and on the 25th it was 
learned that General Twiggs, command- 
ing the department of Texas, had basely 
betrayed his trust, and that he had sur- 
rendered all the military posts, munitions 
and arms to the authorities of Texas. 



n* 



Mr. Lincoln was inaugurated March 4, 
1861, in front of the capitol, the inaugu- 
ration ceremonies being witnessed by a 
vast concourse of people. Before taking 
the ojth, Mr. Lincoln pronounced in a 
clear, ringing voice, his inaugural address, 
to hear which there was an almost painful 
solicitude, to read which the whole Amer- 
ican people and the civilized world awaited 
with irrepresible anxiety. With that ad- 
dress, and the administration of he oath 
of office, the people were assured. All 
doubt, if any had previously existed, 
was removed. In the hands of Abraham 
Lincoln, the people's President, and him- 
self of the people, the government was 
safe. 

Traitors were still busy, plotting and 
planning. Troops were mustering in all 
the seceded States. On Friday, April 12, 
the surrender of Fort Sumter, with its 
garrison of sixty effective men, was de- 
manded and bravely refused by the gallant 
Maj. Anderson. Fire was ai once opened 
on the helpless garrison by the rebel 
forces, numbered by thousands. Resist- 
ance was useless, and at last the National 
colors were hauled down, and by traitor 
hands were trailed in the dust. On Sun- 
day morning the 14th, the news of the 
surrender was received in all the princi- 
pal cities of the Union. That was all, 
but that was enough. A day later, when 
the news was confirmed and .spread through 
the country, the patriotic people of tlie . 
North were startled from their dreams of 
the future — from undertakings half com- 
pleted — and made to realize that behind 
that mob there was a dark, deep, and well 
organized purpose to destroy the govern- 
ment, rend the Union in twain, and out 



K 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



289 



of its ruins erect a slave oligarchy, 
wherein no one would dare question their 
rights to hold in bondage the sons and 
daughters of men whose skins were black. 
Their dreams of the future — their plans 
for the establishment of an independ- 
ent confederacy — were doomed from their 
inception to sad and bitter disappoint- 
ment. Everywhere north of Mason and 
Dixon's line, the voice of Providence was 
heard : 

" Draw forth your million blades as one; 
Complete the battle now begun ; 
God fights with ye, and overhead 
Floats the dear banner of your dead. 
They, and the glories of the past, 
The future, dawning dim and vast, 
And all the holiest hopes of man, 
Are beaming triumphant in your van." 

"Slow to resolve, be swift to do ! 
Teach ye the False how fights the True ! 
How buckled Perfidy shall feel, 
In her black heart the Patriot's steel ; 
How sure the bolt that Justi«e wings ; 
How weak the arm a traitor brings; 
How mighty they who steadfast stand, 
For Freedom's flag and Freedom's land." 

On Monday, April 15, President Lin- 
coln issued the following proclamation : 

"Whereas, The laws of the United States 
hiive for some time past, and are now, opposed, 
and the execution thereof obstructed, in the 
States of South Carolina, Alabama, Florida, Mis- 
sissippi, Louisiana and Texas, by combinations 
too powerful to be suppressed by the ordinary 
course of judicial proceedings, or by the powers 
vested in the marshals ; now, therefore I, Abra- 
ham Lincoln, President of the United States, by 
virtue of the power in me vested by the Consti- 
tution and the laws, have thought to call forth, 
and hereby do call forth the militia of the sev- 
eral Stales (if the Union, to Iho number of 75,- 
000, in order to suppress said combinations, and 
to cause the laws to be duly executed . 



The details for this subject will be immedi- 
ately communicated to the State authorities 
through the War Department. I appeal to all 
loyal citizens to favor, facilitate, and to aid this 
efi'ort to maintain the honor, the integrity, and 
existence of our National Union, and the per- 
petuity of popular government, and to redress 
wrongs already long endured. I deem it proper 
to say that the first services assigned to the 
forces hereby called forth, will probably be to 
repossess the foits, places and property which 
have been seized from the Union ; and in every 
event the utmost care will be observed, consist- 
ently with the object aforesaid, to avoid any 
devastation, any destruction of, or interference 
with property, or any disturbance of peaceful 
citizens in any part of the country; and I hereby 
command the persons composing the combina- 
tions aforesaid, to dispeise and retire peaceably 
to their respective abodes, within twenty days 
from this date. 

Deeming that the present condition of public 
affairs presents an extraordinary occasion, I do, 
hereby, in virtue of the power in me vested by 
the Constitution, convene both Houses of Con- 
gress. The Senators and Representatives are, 
therefore summoned to assemble at their re- 
spective chambers at 13 oclock^noon, on Thurs- 
day, the fourth day of July next, then and there 
to consider and determine such measures as in 
their wisdom the public safety and interest may 
seem to demand. 

In witness thereof, 1 have hereunto set my 
hand and caused the seal of the United States 
to be aflixed. 

Done at the city of Washington, the fifteenth 
day of April, in the year of our Lord one thou 
sand eight hundred and sixty-one, and of ihe 
independence of the United Slates the eighty- 
fifth. 

Bv the President, 

ABRAHAM LINC^OLN. 

W. H. Sewabd, Secretary of State,." 

The last word of this proclamation had 
scarcely been taken from the electric wire 
before the call was filled. Men and money 
were counted out by hundreds and thou- 



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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



sands. The people who loved their whole 
country could not give enough. Patriot- 
ism thrilled and vibrated and pulsated 
through every heart. 'i"he farm, the work- 
shop, the office, the pulpit, the bar, the 
bench, the college, the school house — every 
calling offered its best men, their lives and 
fortunes, in defense of the Government's 
honor and unity. Party lines were for a 
time ignored. Bitter words, spoken in 
moments of political heat, were forgotten 
and forgiven, and, joining hands in a com- 
mon cause, they repeated the oath of 
America's soldier stateman: "^y the 
Great Eternal, the Union must a7id shall 
be preserved ! " 

Seventy-five thousand men were not 
enough to subdue the Rebellion. Nor 
were ten times that number. The war 
went on, and call followed call, until it 
seemed as if there were not men enough 
in all the free States to crush out the Re- 
bellion. But to every call for either men 
or money there was a willing and ready 
response. The gauntlet thrown down by 
the traitors of the South was accepted; not, 
however, in the spirit with which insolence 
meets insolence, but with a firm, deter- 
mined spirit of patriotism and love of 
country. The duty of the President was 
plain under the constitution and laws, 
and, above and beyond all, the people, 
from whom all political power is derived, 
demanded the suppression of the Rebel- 
lion, and stood ready to sustain the 
authority of their representative and ex- 
ecutive officer to the utmost extremity. 

Franklin county was behind no county 
in the State in the exhibition of sublime 
patriotism. Being without railroad or 
telegraph facilities, the news did not reach 



the people of the county in time to be 
numbered in the first call of the President 
for 75,000 men, but in the second and every 
succeeding call, it responded with its 
noblest and best men, some of whom 
went forth never to return. The record 
of the county at home or in the field is a 
noble one. By referring to the chapter 
containing the action of the board of su- 
pervisors, it will be seen what was done in 
an official way. In an unofficial way the 
people took hold of the work, aided enlist- 
ments, and furnished a large amount of 
sanitary supplies. 

In this connection has been compiled 
from the adjutant-general's report, the 
name of every soldier from Franklin county. 
If any are omitted it is not intentional, for 
great care has been exercised in the com- 
pilation, and none have more veneration 
for the brave soldier than the author of 
this volume. So far as it could be done 
mistakes in spelling names have been cor- 
rected. 

Franklin county was first represented in 
the (3th Iowa Volunteer Infantry. The 
following is the record: 

THIRD INFANTRY. 

COMPANY G. 

Private. 

Orlando A. Lesh. 

FIFTH INFANTRY. 

COMrANY E. 

William E. Conway. 
SIXTH INFANTRY. 

COMPANY C. 

Lieutenant. 
HezekiahC. Clock. 
Sergeants. 
Russell T. Knight, Curtis R. Boyles. 

Coip jrals. 
James Cairn, Daniel J. Boyles. 



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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 293 


Privates . 


Corporals. 


J. W. Brown, W. W. Scott, 


John Nichols, E. B. Criley. 


Charles F. Roberts, G. F. Scott, 


Cyrus Wyatt, John B. Woodward, 


M. H. Ross, C. C. Shobe, 


Alpheus Jones, L. P. Berry, 


John K. Addes, 


G. S. Merriss, H A. Clock, 


NINTH INFANTRY. 


Joseph Ward, George W. Ross, 




W. S. Hausberry. 


COtPANYl. 


Musicians. 


Sergeant. 


Miles Birkett, L. M. Stoddard, 


E. 11. Sporting. 


Elijah Jones. 


Corporal . 


Wagoner. 


John G. Mitchell. 


Daniel E. Greeley. 


Privates. 


Privates. 


AuiosII. Halstead, Theodore II. Reeve, 


Allen, D. C , May, William, 


E. A. Miller, James H. Riddle. 


Avery, John C, McVey, Reuben, 


II. H. Mead, M. B. Jones, 


Armstrong, C M., McCord, Harrison, 


Silas G. W. Peters, Herman V. Leggell, 


Bilker, John D., McCord, Ira, 




Ballou, Washington, Merriss, Arba A., 


Fernando T. Reeve. 






Ball, William. Mitchell, W. R. C, 


TENTH INFANTRY. 


Boyles, Cyrus, Morris, Thomas, 


COMPANY D. 


Bradshaw, John J., Murphy, John, 


Corporal . 


Bridgeman, A. H., Neff, J. G., 


James M. Paige. 


Brooks, Jacob, North, Daniel M., 




[irotherton, H. A., North, J. W., 


TWELFTH INFANTRY. 






Bullis, Charles, Penney, Newton, 


COMPANY E. 


Caldwell, E., Phinney, A. E., 


Privates. 


Cole Daniel W., Roberts, C. F., 


David Creightou, John C. Jones, 


Clinesmith, Oliver, Robinson, Solomon, 


P. N. Hart, Elias Moon, 


Collins, Loren, Ross, Geo. W., 


Hiram F. Coon. 


Creighton, Henry, Shobe, Clark, 


SIXTEENTH INFANTRY. 


Ch-osby, E. W., Shobe, Morgan, 


COMPANY I. 


Culver, Levi, Silence, Edmund, 


Private. 


Fry, George W., Smith, H. W., 


George W. Soules. 


Grandon, Isaac, Smith, Charles, 


THIRTY-SECOND INFANTRY. 


Hartwell, S. W., Tilghman, 0. H., 




Herman, T, I., Walker. James, 


COMPANY H. 


Horner, B. F., Woodward, J. B. 


Captains. 


Horner, W. C. Whiteseil, John, 


James B. Reeve, Rufus S. Benson, 


llubbert, Mechan, John, 


First Lieutenant. 


Ilurd, J. S-, Justus, Isaac, 


Orlando A. Lesh. 


Jones, Alpheus, Lord, R. A., 




Brotherton, Hiram, Bullis, German, 


Second Lieutenant. 




Rufus S. Benson. 


Bushyager, J. G., Creighton, S. , 




Hartgrave, D. L. , Jones, Alex., 


[Captain after January 34, 1868.] 


Horner, Jesse, Manifold, William, 


Sergeants. 


Iiigraham, W. N. Mulkins. J. C, 


" J. B. Nelson, William Wood, 


Penney, Richard. Mulkins, Willard, 
Baker, Samuel, Capron, S. K., 


B:u'tlcy Median, John S. Lnvc, 


Hunt, G. L., KitiL-11, Warren, 


B. H. Pound. 


Shobe, Charles W. 



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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



THIRTY-SECOND INFANTRY. 

The companies forming the 32d Infan- 
try, Iowa Volunteers, were recruited in 
the counties composing the sixth con- 
gressional district, during the latter part 
of the summer and early fall of 1862. 
They rendezvoused at Camp Franklin, near 
Dubuque. Here, on October 0, they were 
sworn into the serviceof the United States 
for three years; John Scott, of Story coun- 
ty, being colonel; E. H. Mix, of Butler, 
lieutenant-colonel; G. A. Eberhart, of 
Black Hawk, major; Charles Aldrich, of 
Hamilton, adjutant. Here it remained un- 
der drill and discipline till about the middle 
of the following month. The barracks at 
Camp Franklin were uncomfortable in 
cold weather, of which, unhappily, there 
was much about this time. Measles of a 
malignant type broke out in camp, the 
exposed condition of which, the unfavor- 
able weather and the want of sufficient 
clothing, conspiring to make the disease 
unusually fatal. 

From the 14th to the 18th of Novem- 
ber, the regiment, numbering about 920, 
embarked by detachments for St. Louis, 
reporting there on the 21st, and going 
into quarters at Benton Barracks. Here 
it remained a few days, when, under or- 
ders from Major-General Curtis, six com- 
panies under Colonel Scott proceeded to 
New Madrid, Mo., and the remaining 
four companies, under Major Eberhart, 
went no further down the river than Cape 
Girardeau. The separation of the regi- 
ment thus effected, on the last day of the 
autumn of 1862, continued until the spring 
of 1864. It was a prolific cause of annoy- 
ance and extraordinary labor. The details 
required of a regiment were frequently 



demanded from each of these commands; 
stores sent to the regiment would some- 
times go to the detachment, sometimes to 
head-quarters, when they should have gone 
just the other way; the mails were in an 
interminable tangle. The companies at 
headquarters were: company B, com- 
pany C, company E, company H, company 
I and company K. The companies under 
Major Ebe'hart were. A, D, F and G. 

The history of the regiment during this 
long period of separation must necessa- 
rily be two-fold. It will not be improper 
to write, first, an account of the detach- 
ment under command of Major Eberhart. 

In obedience to the order of General 
Cur is, they proceeded to Cape Giradeau, 
and the major assumed command of that 
post, on the 1st of December, 1862. The 
garrison consisted of these companies, 
and one company of the 2d Missouri 
Heavy Artillery. Here they remained 
during the winter, performing provost 
and garrison duties. On the 10th of March 
the garrison was re-inforced by the 1st 
Nebraska Volunteers, and preparaiions 
commenced for a march into the interior. 
On March 14 Major Eberhart mai'ched 
his detachment to Bloomiield, accompany- 
ing a regiment of Wisconsin Cavalry, and 
a battery of Missouri Artillery, where they 
remained till the 21 si of April, when they 
moved to Dallas, forty-six miles northward. 
Tlie march was by a circuitous route, re- 
quiring sixty miles travel. 

The rebel General Marmaduke, now 
threatened Cape Girardeau with a consid- 
erable army. He himself was at Freder- 
icktown, northwest of Dallas, while an- 
other was coming up the Bloorafield road. 
General McNeil,' commanding the Union 



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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN. COUNTY. 



295 



forces, marched at once to Cape Girardeau, 
by Jackson. The detachment of the 
32d, guarding the train, marched from 
Dallas to Jackson, a distance of twen: 
ty-two miles, in less than six hours, 
and reached Cape Girardeau on the even- 
ing of the 24th. The next day, Marma- 
duke, with a force of 8,000 men, invested 
the place. At 10 o'clock at night he sent 
in a flag of truce, with a demand of un- 
conditional surrender, giving the Union 
commander thirty minutes for decision. 
General McNeil, by Colonel Strachan, who 
received the truce, sent back aflat refusal 
in one minutej and politely requested a 
credit of twenty-nine minutes by General 
Marmaduke. The attack, however, was 
not commenced until Sunday morning, the 
20th, at 10 o'clock, when the rebels retired 
\vith considerable loss, just as General 
Vandever came down the river withre-en- 
foi'cements for the garrison. In this com- 
bat. Major Eberhart's command was posted 
on the right, in support of a section of 
Meltfly's. Its loss was but one man, cap- 
tured on picket. On the 28th the de- 
tachment of the .32d was ordered to 
Hloomfield. Leaving Cape Girardeau at 
.5 o'clock in the afternoon, it marched 
fifty miles by dark the next evening, and 
went into camp near Castor river. Com- 
pleting the bridge over his stream, it re- 
turned to the Cape, reaching that post on 
the 5th of May. Here it remained on gar- 
rison duty till the 11th of July, when 
it again marched for Bloomfield. Having 
remained there a few days, at work on 
the fortifications, it was attached to the 
Reserve Brigade, First Cavalry Division, 
Department of the Missouri, and on the 
19th started on the memorable march, I 



which ended with the capture of Little 
Rock, Ark. 

The command reached Clnrendon on 
the 8th of August. Early on the morning 
of the 13th the detachment started up 
White river. The expedition lasted three 
days, and was quite a brilliant success. 
The fleet went up the White river to the 
mouth of the Little Red river, and then 
proceeded up that stream to the town of 
Searcy, where two steamers were cap- 
tured and a pontoon bridge destroyed. 
When ten miles below Searcy on the 
return, the fleet was attacked by 300 rebels, 
who directed their principal fire on the 
prize "Kaskakia," wtich was manned by 
-half of company D, under Lieutenant Wil- 
liam D. Templin. The steamer was near 
the shore from which the attack was di- 
rected, but made a gallant defense. The 
rebels were driven ofl: with a loss of more 
than twenty killed. The loss in company 
D, was one killed and five wounded. Be- 
fore reaching White river, the fleet was 
again attacked, but the assailants were 
quickly driven off, with loss, and without 
any casualty on board. Large quantities 
of public property were destroyed, and a 
number of prisoners c ptured during the 
expedition. In the heavy skirmish at 
Bayou Metaire, on the 2*7 th, the detachment 
was engaged, losing one killed and two 
wounded. 

The day the command reached Dead 
Man's lake, the scorching heat of that 
day, the parched ground marched over, 
the air at times filled with the flying dust, 
is one not easily to be forgotten. The 
stagnant pond bearing that name covered 
with green scum, yet the men, burning 



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296 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



with thirst, plunged in and drank greedily 
of the filthy water. 

The two trips from Duvall's Bluffs to 
Brownsville, as guai d to the Cavalry train, 
were trips of hard marching in hot 
weather, and of suffering for water for 
man af>d beast, and from heat and dust. 
The sick on this march certainly received 
no extra care, at first shipped to Helena, 
and then to Clarendon, on White river. 

About the 21st of August, a small 
steamer, a stern-wheeler, sailed up the 
White river loaded with sick and conva- 
lescent soldiers. It was one of the hottest 
of August days in this climate, when she 
run from Clarendon to Duvall's Bluff8,forty- 
five miles, in four hours. Not a spot on that 
boat, from the border deck to the hurricane 
deck, but was covered by a sick man. 
Sick men were piled away on that hurri- 
cane deck in broiling sun, wherever a man 
could be laid. Is it any wonder, on that 
run of about four hours, twenty-six men 
died on that boat? — one of them a corpo- 
ral of company G (Carter).- 

On the 25th day of August another 
march of that twenty-six miles across those 
prairies of Prairie Co., Ark. About 11 
o'clock that night we filed into the little 
court house yard at Brownsville. Just as 
we filed in, General Davidson stepped to 
the fence and said, "Boys, lie down quick- 
ly and take some rest, for I will need you 
at an early hour." Then turning to an- 
other officer, he said, "These brave boys 
liave marched .500 miles, and kept up with 
my Cavalry " By .3 o'clock next morning 
we were astir; at 4 o'clock vyerein line and 
on the move. A march of nine miles brought 
us to the rebel outposts, skirmishing three 
and a half hours to the brow of the hill, 



and after maneuvering, etc., half a mile 
to the bank of the Bayou Metaire. The 
whole movement during the day was only 
a bushwhacking affair. In the evening 
we fell back to the top of the hill to sup- 
port a battery. There dark found us. The 
battery and all other troops had left. One 
detachment alone was on the field, with 
the rebels closing around us, when ' we 
withdrew and fell back that night to a 
corn-field near Brownsville; and about 1 
o'clock at night, at the word halt, the boys 
dropped on the ground and lay down be- 
tween corn rows. No alignment encamp- 
ment was made. The night was dark, as 
dense black douds o'erspread the sky, and 
soon the rain came down in torrents; but 
there the boys lay — what else could they 
do? About 9 o'clock, a. m., it broke away, 
but, oh, the mud, mud! We had no ra- 
tions, but soon found a patch of sweet po- 
tatoes and had a sweet potato breakfast. 

The detachment remained two days in 
camp in the timber near, and then moved 
to the old Cavalry camp north of town, 
where our sick boys had been kept in a 
double log house on the edge of the 
prairie, and at a little grove of a few scat- 
tering oaks, and near a pond of stagnant 
water. 

On the 31st of August, 1863, the day 
was very hot, and hence the train was or- 
dered to go through to Duvall's Bluffs in 
the night. All the detachment was ordered 
to go as guard. The whole detachment 
able to go was ordered on the trip. We 
could raise only forty men, and some 
twelve or fifteen of them were unable to 
march, but were ordered to go, as they 
could be piled on the wagons, and could 
use their guns in case of an attack This 



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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



297 



was a serious camp ground to the detach- 
ment. A few days and not a well man 
was in that camp, and not many men able 
to care for the sick. It had been used as 
a Cavalry camp until the very ground was 
crawling with filth. Every nook and 
corner of the old house, every spot on the 
floor, porch and hall, was covered with a 
sick man. Everything that could be done 
under the circumstances was done for the 
sick by those who could do. But we were 
in advance of the main army and supplies. 
No sanitary or sutler supplies had reached 
us, and much of the ordinary soldier's fare 
was unfit for use. Much of the hard-tack 
had too much life. I can now see some 
boys breaking their hard-tack into small 
bits and blowing out the things of life. 

On the Cth of October, occurred the first 
death. Then William A. Spurlin, one of 
the brightest and best of young men, was 
laid in an humble soldier's grave. On the 
8th he was followed by Henry Canton- 
wine. On that day w'e moved to another 
camp south of town, in a nice little grove. 
One day's rest there, and the command 
was ordered to Little Hock. The sick 
were brought and laid down on the sand 
in the hot sun before the old log tavern 
hospital. Tiiat very sand was crawling 
with graybacks. As the command moved 
away George Macy lay on a cot under a little 
tree dying, and soon another of the young 
men of our company, Wilson Bond, was 
added to that group of humble graves 
There we laid four of the young men of 
our company, side by side. 

Their .young lives were ended. 
Their young spirits fled, 
And now they are sleeping 
In peace with the dead . 



Every spot in that old log tavern that 
could be occupied, was covered by a sick 
man How many of those brave boys 
were buried in that little grave yard, I 
never knew. 

On the removal of the detachment to 
Little Rock, it was relieved for a time 
from all guard or other duty, except the 
care of its own sick, by order of Gen. 
Davidson, adding that the care of its own 
sick in camp, was all that it was able to 
do. But death had then fastened his cold, 
icy hand upon a number of boys. Calvin 
M. Sayre, John L. Sayre, Jesse Shultz, 
Nathan R. Austin and Ira G. Christian 
were soon numbered with the dead. Lit- 
tle Rock proved to be a very heal thy place 
for us, and while there, the company, con- 
sidering its reduced condition, improved 
very rapidly. It may not be generally 
known that that Arkansas expedition of 
Gen. Steele's was one of the most de- 
structive of life of any campaign of the 
war. Steele started with 1,200 men; he 
received re-inforcements of at least three 
brigades, making at least 15,000 effective 
men; 100 men would cover all his loss in 
killed and wounded, and yet by the time 
he had possession of Little Rock, and was 
settled down to his gamblinf/ ami horse 
racing, he had barely 5,100 effective men 
fit for duty. And of Gen, Steele I will 
say that he had no sympathy in common 
with the Union soldiers save his opposi- 
tion to the abstract idea of secession. 

Gen. McPherson, medical director, af- 
terwards at Vicksburg, said that the send- 
ing of our four companies through on that 
campaign to keep up with the Cavalry, 
was a burning shame, one of the outrages 
of the war, and no wonder that the men 



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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



were used up; they remained at Little 
Rock until the middle of October, when it 
moved to Benton, twenty-five miles dis- 
tant. It returned to Little Rock, where 
they remained until January, 1864, when 
it started for Memphis, which place it 
reached on the 5th of February. Here it 
was ordered to report to Brig.-Gen. A. J. 
Smith at Vicksburg. It reached Vicks- 
burg- on the 9th, and remained there till 
the 27th, wten it marched out to Black 
river to await the army on its return from 
the interior. 

Meanwhile, (Jol. Scott established his 
headquarters at New Madrid, and assumed 
command of the post. On the Hth of 
December, 1862, he sent out a detachment 
of 100 men, under Capt. Peebles, who went 
as far as the St. Francis river, bringing 
back several prisoners, much piiblic 
property, and valuable information. 

On the 28th of December, Col. Scott 
destroyed the public property, and evacu- 
ated New Madrid, by order of Gen. Davies, 
after which he proceeded to Fort Pillow, 
reaching there on the 29th. They re- 
mained at Fort Pillow for nearly six 
months, in the performance of garrison 
duties. The command embarked for 
Columbus, Ky., on the 17th and 18th of 
June, 186-3, in detachments, and went into 
camp there on the 19th, and there the regi- 
mental headquarters remained for more 
than seven months. Col. Scott being most 
of the time in command of the post. 

On July 10, Union City, in Tennes- 
see, was captured by the' rebels. The 
command hastened to that place, but ar- 
rived too late to find the enemy; but 
buried the dead and cared for the wounded. 



and returited. The command was, soon 
afterward, again divided into fractions. 
Companies B and I, under command of 
Capt. Millier, alone remained at regi- 
mental headquarters; company C was at- 
tached to the 4th Missouri Cavalry; 
company E was placed at Fort Quinby, 
not far from Columbus, whilst companies 
H and K, Capt. Benson commanding, 
proceeded down the river to Island No. 
10. From this time forth, until Jan- 
uary, 1804, the history of each of these 
detachments, except that of company C, 
is devoid of remarkable events. This 
detachment was most actively employed 
during most of this period, and the la- 
bors of oflicers and men were arduous 
in the extreme. They scouted a wide 
extent of country infested by guerrillas; 
marched oftentimes a considerable dis- 
tance from Columbvis, going out in all 
weather, by night as often as by day. 
They braved many perils and endured 
many hardships. 

In the month of January, 1864, these 
six companies were brought together, 
and soon embarked for Vicksburg, where 
they were assigned to the second brigade. 
Perhaps there was not a single organiza- 
tion in the whole army under Maj. Gen. 
Sherman, that so gladly commenced that 
singular campaign, as the command under 
Col. Scott. If the battalion left Vicks- 
burg joyfully, its return was still more 
joyful, for here were found Major Eber- 
hart and his four companies, and the whole 
regiment was together for the first time 
since November, 1802. The re-union 
brought great satisfaction to officers and 
men. Shortly after the re-union of the 
regiment it was ordered to the department 



& 



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HISTORY OF FRANKIN COUNTY. 



299 



of the Gulf, and there accompanied the 
disastrous Red River expedition. 

In this expedition the 32d Iowa suffered 
more severely, perhaps, than any other 
ren;iment in the expedition. It formed a 
part of Gen. A. J. Smith's command, con- 
sisting of 10,000 Infantry and three 
batteries of artillery, which left Vicks- 
burg on March 9, on transports, accom- 
panied by gunboats. At the mouth of 
Red river this fleet was joined by Admiral 
D. D. Porter, with a large fleet, including 
several iron-clads. Some miles from 
where the Red river enters into the Mis- 
sissippi it separates into two streams, 
which come together again very near the 
mouth; from the southern one of these 
two streams flows Achafalaya river. The 
fleet entered Red river by the southern 
stream, and passed thence into Achafalaya, 
proceeding as far as Semmesport, where 
the troops disembarked on the night of 
the 13th, and immediately commenced a 
march on Fort De Russey. The halt was 
not ordered till the army had marched 
some sevfen mules. It was twenty-eight 
miles from here to Fort De Kussey. Nev- 
ertheless, the army marched that distance 
the next day, constantly harassed by rebel 
Cavalry; delayed once two hours at a 
stream over which a bridge had to be 
made; attacked the fort and carried it by 
storm before sundown, and before the 
gunboats arrived. In this assault, the 3:3d 
was on the right, and " the men on the 
right took the fort," said the prisoners. 
Col. Shaw, commanding brigade, speaks 
in unqualified praise of all the officers and 
men in his command. The loss was 
slight on either side. Of the 32d, one 
man was killed and two were wounded. 



At Fort De Russey, re-embarked and 
proceeded to Alexandria, where the troops 
again disembarked, and remained nearly 
two weeks. At this point the column un- 
der Gen. Smith formed a junction with 
the column which had marched from New 
Orleans. The boats could not be taken 
over the rapids while laden, so the troops 
marched to Cotile Landing, some twenty- 
five miles up the river. Here our regi- 
ment had its first battalion drill, with all 
the companies in line, since leaving Du- 
.buque, in November, 1862. On April 3, 
the command again embarked, and reached 
Grand 'Ecore on the next evening, where 
it remained till the morning of the 7th, 
when it marched to the front of the battle 
of Pleasant Hill, where the brigade to 
which the 32d belonged, commanded by 
Col. Shaw, of the 14th Iowa, stood the 
brunt of the fight, being the first in the 
battle, fighting longer than any other, in 
the hardest of the contest, the last to 
leave the field, and losing three limes as 
many ofllcers and men as any brigade en- 
gaged. 

" Of Col. John Scott, 32d Iowa," says 
the brigade commander, " it is sufficient 
to say that he showed himself worthy to 
command the 32d Iowa Infantry — a regi- 
ment which, after having been entirely 
surrounded and cut off from the rest of 
the command, with nearly one-half of its 
number killed or wounded, among them 
many of the best and prominent ofticers, 
forced its way through the enemy's lines, 
and was again in line, ready and anxous 
to mee the foe in less than thirty min- 
utes." It is certain no regiment ever 
fought with a sublimer courage than did 
the 32d on the battlefield of Pleasant Hill. 



V"! - 



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300 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



Its heroism and its sacrifices were worthy 
of a better fate than a retreat from the 
scene of its splendid daring and its glory. 
The fame of its gallant conduct spread all 
over Iowa, as it would have spread over 
the whole country had the commanding 
general accepted the victory which the 
troops had given him. But sad losses be- 
fell the regiment. Lieut. Col. Mix was 
slain on the field, also many of the officers 
were either slain or wounded. The regi- 
ment lost, in all, 210 officers and men, 
killed, wounded and missing; most of the 
missing were also wounded — any so re- 
ported, no doubt slain. Iowa gloried in 
the fame of her honored sons, and wept 
for their dead comrades who fell on the 
stricken field. The following beautiful 
lines were written by Mrs. Caroline A. 
Soule, upon hearing of the sad losses sus- 
tained by the 32d at Pleasant Hill : 

Cold are the sleepers 
Wrapt in their shrouds — 
Pale are the weepers 
The battle has bowed ; 
Softly they slumber, 
Our soldiers in death — 
While hearts without number 
Cry, with hushed breath — 
O Qod, are they dead ! 

Pale are the sleepers, 
Like marble they lie — 
Sad are the weepers. 
Tear-stained their eyes ; 
Quiet they slumber, 
Soldiers entombed, 
While hearts without number, 
All shrouded in gloom, 
Cry — O, are they gone ! 

Calm are the sleepers, 
Taking their rest — 
Sad are the weepers. 
Joyless their breasts ; 



Softly they slumber. 

Our soldiers today, 

While hearts without number 

Cry, only this way. 

Can our battles be won ? 

Colonel Shaw's brigade covered the 
retreat of the armv to Grand 'Ecore. 
when the 32d regiment, after a move- 
ment up Red river lo aid the fleet in 
escaping from imminent peril, went into 
encampment. It joined in the retreat 
down the Red river on the 21st, and 
frequently met light bodies of the enemy 
in skirmish. The retreat from Alexan- 
dria to the Mississippi was also harassed 
by the enemy,and considerable skirmishing 
took place at Bayou La Morge, Marksville 
and Bayou de Glaize, in both of which 
the regiments took part. Colonel Shaw in 
his report of the latter battle, says to 
" Colonel Gilbert, 27th Iowa, Major Eber- 
liart of the 32d Iowa, Captain Crane of the 
14th Iowa and their commands, is due the 
safety of the army. Had they failed to 
move into the position assigned them 
(although a difficult one, that of chang- 
ing front under fire ) with less celerity, or 
failed to hold it steadily after taking it, 
our left and rear would have been envel- 
oped by overwhelming numbers, and noth- 
ing could have saved us — not even the 
fighting qualities of the Sixteenth Army 
Corps." 

The regiment reached Memphis on the 
10th of June, from there the command 
moved to Moscow, and thence to La Grange 
in the latter part of June. From this 
point it marched with General Smith's 
forces on the Tupelo campaign. It re- 
turned to Memphis, and having encamped 
there about ten days, joined in the Oxford 



1^ 



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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



303 



expedition. The next active campaign, in 
which the 32d took part, was in Mis- 
souri in tlie pursuit of Price. It was 
a campaign of severe marching for the 
Infantry, but not of battle. The regiment, 
not well provided for such a campaign, 
marched at least 650 miles, averaging 
twenty miles a day. It marched across 
the State and back again. Halting a few 
days at St. Louis, it moved to Cairo by 
steamer, arriving Nov. 27. 

From here it moved to Nashville, which 
was soon afterwards besieged by the rebel 
General Hood. In the battle of Nash- 
ville, December 15 and 16, the 32d, 
fighting in General Gilbert's Brigade, 
was warmly engaged, and won great 
credit for daring, efficient behavior. It 
captured a battery of five guns and many 
prisoners, and lost about twenty-five killed 
and wounded. With the pursuit of the 
defeated rebels, closed the campaigning of 
the regiment for the year 1864, in face of 
the enemy. 

Early in 1665, the regiment marched to 
Clifton, Tenn., whence it moved by 
steamer to Eastport, Miss. Its next and 
last campaign, was that of Mobile, under 
Major-General E. R. S. Canby. Through- 
out those laborious and diflicult opera- 
tions, the 32d performed its part faith- 
fully, skillfully and honorably. It 
remained in Alabama some time after 
the fall of Mobile, and was mustered out 
atClinton, Iowa, Aug. 24, 1865. Returning 
to Iowa, the 32d Iowa was in due time 
disbanded, the officers and men left 
from the ravages of three years service, 
receiving everywhere along the line of 
their journey the kind greetings and 



hearty welcome of a grateful people, 
whose hearts had been with them through 
all their hardships. 

FORTY-FOURTH INFANTRY. 

( 100 clay men ) 

COMPANY G. 

Second Lieutenant. 
Daniel W. Dow. 

Privates : 
J. C. Button, Matthew McCord, 

Jesse R. Dodd, , L. S. Sayer, 

D. C. Knapp, J. W. Yost, 

Harrison McCord. 

FIRST CAVALRY 

COMrANY C. 

Privates : 
Michael Seyb. 

COMPANY G. 

Privates : 
George F. Wass. 

COMPANY M. 

First Lieutenant : 
E. A. Dunham. 

SECOND CAVALRY. 

COMPANY A. 

A. J. Dalrymple. 

COMPANY p. 

Private : 
Lorenzo Cobb. 

FOURTH CAVALRY. 

COMPANY L. 

Quarter-Master Sergeant : 

George W. Tliompson. 

Sergeant : 

Thomas H. Davis. 

Corporal : 
Thomas G. Wcson. 

Privates : 

James H. Beed, C. A. Bald 

Thomas H. Davis, A. Gillett, 

Charles Gillctt, A. P. Pcabody, 



19 



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^1 







304 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



Eoiile Myers, 
John Shill, 
Orin A. Thatcher, 
D. O Waters. 



Richard Miller, 
Richard DaveDport, 
James Staley, 



SIXTH CA-VALRY. 
Privates : 
Jesse R. Dodd, L. R. Foby. 

EIGHTH CAVALRY. 

COMPANY G. 

Second Sergeant: 
John W. Miller. 

Private: 
Riley Miller. 

NINTH CAVALRY. 

COMPANY G. 

Fourth Sergeant: 
William B. Johusou, Hiram F. Coon, 

M. V. Johnson. 

THIRD BAT'RY IOWA LIGHT ARTILLERY. 

Privates; 
William Murphy, G. W. Soper, 

John H. Scott, John Swanagan. 

NORTHERN BORDER BRIGADE. 

COMPANY C. 

Privates: 
Samuel N. Guilliams, Franklin Osborn. 

ROLL OF HONOK. 

The following comprises a list of those 
gallant soldiers who left their homes, and 
took up the musket for the defense of 
their country's honor, never to return, who 
laid down their lives in defense of the 
Union. "It is sweet and honorable to die 
for one's country," should be engraved 
over the grave of each, in characters that 
will remain throughout all coming time 
and proclaiming to all the future gener- 
ations their noble sacritice: 

Captain James B. Reeve, died of conges- 
tive fever, at Fort Pillow, Tenn., Jan. 2-t, 

186:!. 



Sergeant Russell T. Knight, died Dec. 
•ll, 1862, at Yackona creek. Miss., of inflam- 
ation of the bowels. 

Corporal Daniel J. Boyles, died Oct. 1), 
1863, at Memphis Tenn., of wounds. 

John W. Brown, died at Griswoldville, 
Ga., Nov., 22, 1864, of wounds. 

William W. Scot^ died of phthisis pul- 
monalis, at Tipton Mo., Feb. 8, 1862. 

George F. Scott was killed in action. 
May 2Y, 1864, at Resaca, Ga. 

Sergeant Edwin H. Sporling, died of 
fever, atBathville, Ark., June 2, 1862. 

Corporal John G. Mitchell, died April 
2, 1863, at St. Louis, Mo., of diarrhea. 

Fernando T. Reeve, died at Anderson- 
ville, Ga., Sept., 21, 1864, of debilitas. 

James H. Riddle, died of wounds, at 
Vicksburg, Miss , June 3, 1863. 

Corporal James M. Paige, died May ] 7, 
1863, at Champion Hills, Miss., of wounds. 

Elias Moon, died June 14, 1862, at At- 
lanta, Ga., of starvation, while a prisoner 
of war. 

Sergeant Benjamin H. Pound, died at 
Fish River, Ala., March 23, 1805, of dropsy 
of the heart. 

John B. Woodward, died of wounds, 
April 12, 1864, at Pleasant Hill, La. 

Joseph Ward was killed in action at 
Pleasant Hill, La., April it, 1864. 

George W. Ross was killed in the bat- 
tle at Pleasant Hill, La., April 9, 1864. 

.John D. Baker was|killed by guerrillas 
at Lsland No. 10, Oct. 22, 1863. 

Hiram Brotherton died at Dnbuinie, 
Nov. 4, 1862, of pneumonia. 

William Ball, died of disease, at Colum- 
bus, Ky., Feb. 2, 1863 

Cyrus Boyler, died April 1, 1863, at 
Fort Pillow, Tenn., of typhoid fever. 



Y^ 



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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



:i05 



Iliraiu A. lirotherton, died of disease 
Nov. 4, 1862, at Dubuque, Iowa. 

Seth K. Caproii, died M.arch 4, 1805, at 
Memphis, Tenn., of disease, 

Daniel W. Cole was killed in battle 
A]>ril 9, 1804, at Pleasant Hill, La. 

Oliver Clinesmitli, died of disease, at 
Fort Pillow, Tenn., April 29, 1803. 

Loren Collins, died May 4, 1864, at 
Mound City, 111., of disease. 

Henry Creighton, died at Memphis, 
Tenn., May 17, 1804. 

Elemuel W. Crosby was killed in battle 
at Pleasant Hill, La., on April 9. 1874. 

Geore W. Fry, killed in battle at Pleas- 
ant Hill. La., April 9, 1864. 

Jesse Horner killed April 9, 1864, in the 
i)attle of Pleasant Hill, La. 

David L. Hartgrave, died of disease, 
July 29, 1864, at Jefferson Barracks, Mo. 

Thomas I. Herman, died May 28, 1804, 
in Franklin Co., Iowa. 

Warren Kittel, died of disease July 17, 
1864, at Memphis, Tenn. 

Ralph A. Lord, died Feb. 1.5, 1865, at 
Memphis, Tenn. 



Ira McCord, killed in action at Pleasant 
Hill, La., April 9, 1864 

William C. Manifold, died of measles, 
March 13, 1803, at Memphis, Tenn. 

Willard Mulkins, died of disease, at 
Memphis, Tenn., July 24, 1804. 

Isaac C. Mulkins, died April 9, 1804, at 
Ft. De Russey. La., of typhoid fever. 

ArbaA. Merris, killed in battle at Lake 
Chicot, Ark., June 6, 1864. 

W. R. C. Mitchell, died April 30, 1805, 
at Ft. Gaines, Ala., of wounds. 

David Perry, died of disease, July 26, 
1804, at Memphi.s, Tenn. 

Richard Penney,died at Memphis, Tenn. J 
March 16, 1864, of disease. 

Henry W. Smith, died at Pleasant Hill 
La., April 23, 1864, of wounds. 

Charles Gillett, died at Cler Creek, 
Miss., June 21, 1863, of congestive chills. 

Martin, V. Johnson died Sept. 12, 1864, 
at De Vall's IMuff, Ark., of chronic diar- 
rhrea. 

William Murphy, died of disease, Aug. 
14, 1803, at Memphis, Tenn. 




ik 



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k. 



300 



1116T011V" OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



CHAPTER XVI 



RAILROADS. 






There is no internal improvement that 
has done so much to develop the country 
as its railroad.s. The printing press, the 
railroad and the telegraph wire com- 
bined, certainly move the world as Archi- 
medes little dreamed it could be moved. 
Up to within a few years, new countries 
were required to be opened up by the 
hardy pioneers, and their agricultural and 
mineral resources well developed before 
the capitalists would invest their money 
in building of railroads. Now railroads 
are first built and the people follow. 
Franklin county was not so fortunate as 
to have her railroads first built, but her 
vast agricultural and mineral resources 
were first made known to the world and 
then the railroads sought entrance that it 
might transport the surplus product of the 
county. 

ILLINOIS CENTKAL. 

One of the first railroads projected in 
Iowa was the Dubuque & Pacific, after- 
wards known as the Dubuque & Sioux City 
railroad, running from Dubuque across 
the northern part of the State to Sioux 
City. In 1856, there was a large corps 
of men at work upon the eastern line of 
the road, and it was hoped by its project- 
ors to soon finish it to its western ter- 
minus. It was completed to Cedar Falls, 
wl'.en the panic of 1857 forced the com- 



pany to cease operations. At this time 
the survey h d been m.ade through this 
county, and the town of Ackley laid out, 
ready to catch the boom which would 
surely strike it on the advent of the rail- 
road. 

The hard times, following the panic of 
1857, continued until 'he third year of the 
war. Even had better times commenced 
on the inauguration of Lincoln, the war 
that followed filled the public mind to 
such an extent that little else could be 
thought of The close of the war in the 
spring of 1865, and the abundance of 
"greenbacks" in the country, necessitated 
some public measures in which the capi- 
tal of the country and the people could be 
employed. 

The ofiicers of the Dubuque & Sioux 
City railroad now determined to push it 
through to completion. Accordingly, a 
large force of men was put to work upon 
the road during the summer of 1865, and it 
was rapidly pushed forward, the road be 
ing completed and cars running to Ackley 
in the middle of October, and early in the 
year 1866, to Iowa Falls. Here opera- 
tions again ceased, the company being 
unable to raise the money for ils com-, 
pletion 

Two years passed, when another com 
pany, known as the Iowa Falls & Sioux 



vlv' 



it. 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



SOI 



City Railroad Company, took hold of the 
work and in due time completed it to its 
western terminus The two roads were 
leased to the Illinois Central Railroad 
Company, and the line is now known as 
the Iowa Division of the Illinois Central 
railroad. 

This road crosses the extreme southeast- 
ern corner of Franklin county. The town 
of Ackley, on the county line between 
Franklin and Hardin, furnishes a desira- 
ble market point for the settlers in the 
southern part of the county. 

CENTRAL IOWA RAILWAY. 

The formation of the Eldora cfc Steam- 
boat Rock Coal Company, together with 
the extensive preparations made by the 
company for mining coal upon the lands 
purchased and leased, led to the organiza- 
tion of the Eldora Railroad &, Coal Com- 
pany, having for its object the building 
of a road from Eldora to Ackley, connect- 
ing at the latter place with the Dubuque 
,& Sioux City, now the Illinois Central 
Railroad. 

Hon. Piatt Smith, of Dubuque, Iowa, 
manifested great interest in the formation 
of this company and in the building of the 
road. It was upon his invitation that the 
executive committee of the Eldora & 
Steamboat Rock Coal Company proceeded 
to Dubuque, in January, 1866, for the pur- 
pose of consulting some of the capitalists 
of that place. After several meetings 
with Mr. Smith and others a new company 
was formed, to be known as the Eldora 
Railroad & Coal Company, having ob- 
jects as already stated, together with the 
mining of coal upon the lands purcbased 
and leased by the old company. 



After filing the articles of incorporation 
of the new company in the recorder's of- 
fice at Dubuque, a meeting was held by 
the stock-holders and five directors were 
chosen — C. C. Gilman, H. G. Hethering- 
ton, S. F. Lathrop, H. L. Hufl;' and \V. J. 
Moir. The directors then met and elected 
C. C. Gilman president, and James Mc- 
Kinley secretary pro tern. 

The executive ofiicers of the Eldora and 
Steamboat Rock Coal Company, as soon 
as the organization of the Eldora Railroad 
& Coal Company was completed, entered 
into a contract with the latter by which 
all its rights, title and interest in the lands 
owned or leased by the company should 
be transferred to it,on condition that a rail- 
road should be built from Ackley to Eldora 
on or before the 1st day of July, 1868, 
and providing for a re conveyance to the 
former should the contract not be complied 
with by the time specified. The Eldora 
& Steamboat Rock Coal Company fur- 
ther agreed to guarantee the right of way 
to the railroad company. The consider- 
tion of this transfer was that the railroad 
company should allow to the stockholders 
of the coal company the sum of $30 per 
acre, payable in equal amounts of money, 
stock and construction bonds of the com- 
pany. 

The Eldora Railroad & Coal Company 
subsequently found itself unable to comply 
with the contract as made, and so notified 
the Eldora & Steamboat Rock Coal Com- 
pany, but expressed itself as abundantly 
able and willing to build and operate the 
railroad, provided the coal lands should 
be donated, instead of its having to pay for 
them the sum of $S0 per acre. This propo- 









^i 



-4 $ 



a. 



308 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 






sitioii was accepted by the coal company, 
and the work was commenced. 

The work of grading, tieing and bridg- 
ing was put under contract to Dows & 
Co., of Cedar Rapids, to be completed by 
Nov. 1.5, 1867. Contracts were also 
let to private parties for the mining of 
20,000 tons of coal, to be ready for use 
when the road was finished. Enough 
stock of the road was sold prior to begin- 
ning the work to pay the contractors for 
grading and tieing. It then became neces- 
sary to raise the means for obtaining the 
iron and i^olling stock for operating the 
road. Bonds were issued to the amount 
of |4fiO,000, secured by a first mortgage 
lien on the road-bed, rolling stock, lands 
and mineral rights, and all other property 
or privileges which the company then j>os- 
sessed or might acipiire. A sufficient 
number and amount of bonds were sold 
for the ))urpose named, and in due time 
the road was completed. In July, 
1868, the last spike was driven, and 
Eldora was in railroad communication 
with the world. At the same moment the 
last spike was being driven, news came that 
the Supreme Court had decided that Eldora 
was the permanent county seat of Hardin 
county. A double celebration was therefore 
held, and joy reigned supreme in the heart 
of every citizen of the place. 

The Iowa River Railroad Company was 
organized July 8, 1868, under the general 
incorporation laws of the State of Iowa, 
for the avowed purpose of constructing 
and mainaining a north and south line of 
railway through the central portion of 
Iowa, from the southern boundary line of 
Minnesota to the northern boundary line of 
Missouri, a distance of 250 miles. The 



sixteenth degree of longitude, or as near 
thereto as practicable, being selected as a 
route which would traverse the richest and 
best settled agricultural and mineral dis- 
tricts of Iowa, giving access to St. Paul 
on the north, by a connection at Mankato 
with the Minnesota Valley railroad, and to 
St. Louis on the sou h, by a junction with 
the North Missouri Railroad at the Mis- 
souri State line. 

As a preliminary to this great work, the 
company, after perfecting its organization, 
purchased the seventeen miles of ro.ail 
completed by the Eldora Railroad & 
Coal Company, from Ackley to Eldoia, 
and the centre of the Iowa Valley coal 
basin. 

Articles of incorporation were filed for 
record in the office of the Secretary of 
State, July 8, 1867. They were signed by 
C. C. Gilman, E. W. Eastman, VV. J. Moir, 
Henry L. Huff, R. H. McBride, P. D. 
Chase, Joseph P^dgington, Gardner Spen- 
cer, J. Q. Patterson, S. K. Edgington and 
J. M. Scott, all of Eldoi'a, excepting D. D. 
Chase and (Gardner Spencer. 

The following named were the first offi- 
cers and directors: President, C. C. Gil- 
man; vice-president, Thomas Kensett; 
treasurer, R. A. Babbadge; secretary, 
Charles Collins; directors, C. C. Gilman, 
H. L. Huff, Wells S. Rice, F. W. II. 
Sheffield, H. L. Stout, Horace Abbott, 
Thomas Kensett, John S. Gilman and Isaac 
Hyde, Jr. 

The seventeen miles of road purchased 
of the Eldora Railroad Company was fully 
equipped and put in operation the first 
season. Twenty-seven miles, from Eldora 
to Marshalltown, was put under contract 
in October, 1868, and the grading was 



:|v 



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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



309 



about half finished before severe cold 
weather put a stop to operations. 

As soon as the weather would permit, 
work was resumed upon the road, and rap- 
idly pushed forward to Marshalltown, be- 
ing completed to that point according to 
contract. For the purpose of accomplish- 
ing this work, bonds were issued by the 
company, and placed in the hands of A. L. 
Hatch, of New York, for disposal. In his 
circular offering the bonds for sale, Mr. 
Hatch said: 

"The history of the west during the 

past ten years clearly demonstrates the 
value of sound railway bonds as an invest- 
ment. Steadily increasing in population 
and wealth, it not only gives sure promise 
from the commencement of a business to 
railroads,sufficiently remunerative to insure 
the prompt payment of interest and prin- 
cipal of a moderate amount of indebted- 
ness, incurred in the cost of construction, 
but, as shown by the enormous increase of 
earnings of western roads of ten years' 
growth and upwards, warrants a specula- 
tive investment in the stock upon which 
the indebtedness is based. Planned as a 
legitimate business operation, by careful, 
calculating men, with direct regards for 
the wants of the county, and built for 
cash on as low estimates as any road in 
Iowa, the Iowa river railway occupies a 
position before the public to-day as a me- 
dium for safe investment and speculative 
promise seldom reached by project of like 
character. The earning of the first seven- 
teen miles, in operation for only four 
months, give a foundation on which an 
estimate can be made. These bonds, 
though not bearing a very high rate of 
interest, are paying as much as any legiti- 



mate operation can afford to — a point to 
be considered in the minds of those who 
seek a secure and safe investment." 

On the 23d day of June, 1869, articles 
of incorporation were signed at Marshall- 
town for the formation of a new company, 
to be known as the Central Railroad 
Company of Iowa. This company was 
the legitimate successor of the Iowa 
River Railroad Company, and having the 
same object in view — the construction, 
maintenance and operation of a railroad 
from the south to the north line of the 
State of Iowa. The principal office of the 
new company was to be in Marshalltown, 
but providi g for meetings of the board 
of directors in New York. The capital 
stock of the company was limited to 1 12, 
000,000, divided into shares of llOO each, 
its issue for the purposes of construction 
being restricted to 130,000 per mile. Jay 
Cooke & Co., and E. W. Clark & Co., 
liankers in Philadelphia, were made agents 
for the sale of the bonds. It was provided 
by special contract with the Farmers' Loan 
and Trust Company, New York, that the 
bonds, or the moneys received from their 
sale, should remain in possession of that 
company as trustee, to be delivered or paid 
out to the railroad company or their order, 
only upon the engineer's estimates, as the 
work progressed. Under these wise pre- 
cautions the capitalists of the East ad- 
vanced money, from time to time, for the 

completion of the road 

C. C. Gilman, of Eldora, was elected 

president of the new company, and great 
credit is due him for the work accom- 
plished. By his energy and tact, com- 
bined with indomitable perseverance, ob- 
stacles were overcome that would have 



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310 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



appalled men of less nerve. Under his 
administration the road was constructed 
north, through Hampton, to Northwood, 
within six miles of the Minnesota line, 
and south to Albia, in Monroe county, 
thirty-six miles from the Missouri line. 

The road not proving as profitable as 
anticipated, whether from want of good 
management or other causes is left for 
others to determine, it was placed in the 
hands of a receiver in 1874. D. N. Pick- 
ering was appointed to the position, 
which he satisfactorily filled for some 
time. Subsequently resigning, Hon. J. 
B. Grinnell was appointed, and continued 
in the discharge of the duties of the office 
until the formation of a new company, 
which succeeded to all the rights and priv- 
ileges of the old. 

On the 20th of May, 1879, articles of 
incorporation were filed in the oflice of the 
Secretary of State by Kussell Sage and 
Charles Alexander, of the Central Iowa 
Railway Company, successors to the Cen- 
tral Railroad Company of Iowa. The ob- 
jects of the new company, as set forth in 
article 2, were to "acquire, construct, 
equip, maintain and operate a railway 
from the north to ihe south line of the 
State of Iowa, embracing the present road 
and property, both real and personal of 
the Central Railroad Company of Iowa, 
subject to the first mortgage, and to 
83,700,000 of the first mortgage bonds ex- 
isting and now outstanding on that prop- 
erty, which first mortgage bonds this com- 
pany assumes to pay, both principal and 
interest, in the manner hereinafter provi- 
ded, together with the legal debts of the 
receiver." Isaac M. Cate was elected presi- 
dent of the new company; D. N. Pickering, 



superintendent; C. A. Jewett, general pas- 
senger and ticket agent. 

The Central Iowa railway enters Frank- 
lin county, on the south, on section 35, 
Osceola township, and passes in a north- 
erly direction through the townships of 
Osceola, Geneva, Reeve, Mott, Ross, Clin- 
ton, leaving the county from section 4, in 
the latter township. There are five sta- 
tions on the line in Franklin county — 
Faulkner, Geneva, Hampton, Chapin and 
Sheflield. This road also controls and 
operates the branch from Hampton west 
to Uelmond, twenty-two miles. 

BURLINGTON, CEDAE RAPIDS & NORTHERN. 

The Pacific Division of the Burlington, 
Cedar Rapids & Northern railroad was 
built through the southwestern part of 
Franklin county in 1881. It enters the 
county on section 34, of Lee township, and 
bearing northwesterly passes through Oak- 
land, and leaves to enter Wright county, 
by way of section 31, Morgan township. 
The road operates two stations in the 
county — Dows and Carlton. 

DUBUQUE AND DAKOTA. 

This line of railway enters Franklin coun- 
ty from the east through section 24, Ing- 
ham township, and bears almost due east 
un il it passes Hampton, and reaches the 
center of Marion township, when it makes 
a north ward curve and finally leaves to enter 
Wright county through section 6, Scott 
township. This road was graded in 1875-6 
by the Iowa & Pacific Railroad Company, 
but this company failed, and it was com- 
pleted and put into operation in 1870 and 
18S0, by the Dubuque & Dakota Railroad 
Company, composed of capitalists in 
Dubuque. East of Hampton the line is 
controlled by the Illinois Central Railroad 






'-.^ 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



311 



Company as a feeder for t'eir line at 
Waverly. West of Hampton the line is 
operated to Belmond, Wright county, by 
the Central of Iowa Railroad Company. 
The road is not yet completed, extending 
only from Sumner, in Bremer county, to 
Belmond, Wright county. 

PRO.IECTEI) RAILROADS. 

On the 12th of May, 1866, amass meet- 
ing was held at the court house, in Hamp- 
ton, to discuss the prospective benefits of 
the completion of the Iowa & Minnesota 
railroad through Franklin county. The 
meeting was called to order by N. B. 
Chapman, upon whose nomination Austin 
North was chosen president and W. N. 
Davidson, secretary. Resolutions were 
passed, requesting the board of supervi- 
sors to appropriate money to aid in the 
construction of the road, and recommend- 
ing that the interest of Franklin county 
>in the swamp lands be devoted to the 
same purpose. After some further discus- 



sion the meeting adjourned until May 29, 
1866, at which time the resolutions passed 
at the former meeting were re-affirmed. 

DES MOINES, HAMPTON & WISCONSIN NAR- 
ROW GAUGE RAILROAD 

About 1876 the scheme was started for 
the construction of a narrow gauge rail- 
road from Des Moines to Milwaukee. 
The matter was dropped after a little 
fruitless agitation. In April, 1878, the 
subject was revived and a meeting of the 
stockholders of the prospective road was 
held. Officers were elected as follows : 
Directors, James Thompson, J. H. King, 
A. T. Reeve, A. G. Kellam, J. T. Stearns, 
Robert Jeffers, J. W. McKenzie, D. W. 
Dow, George Beed, L. B. Raymond, J. I. 
Popejoy and J. J. Smart. These gentle- 
men proceeded to elect as officers : James 
Tiiompson, president; A. T. Reeve, vice- 
president; J. F. Latimer, treasurer; T. C. 
McKenzie, secretary. This scheme soon 
fell through. 



CHAPTER XVII 



EVENTS OF INTEREST. 



The winter of 1856-7 is remembered 
by all of the old settlers as very severe. 
Those who were here affirm that the 
valley of Squaw creek, just north of 
Hampton, was blown so full of snow by 
the frequent and prolonged "blizzards" 
that it was level full from bluff to bluff. 
During that winter many persons froze 
to deaih in Iowa, and in January, 1857, 



a woman named Ryan was frozen to 
death near the Hacker place, in Mott 
township One of the Garner's lived on 
the place now owned by Mr. Silvas, and 
the Ryan family on the Hacker place, 
Ryan and his wife were at Garner's for 
an evening visit, and when they started 
liorae the wind was blowing a gale, and 
the air being filled with snow, they lost 



20 



'F 



^1 



itiL 



312 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



the path. After wandering around for 
some time the woman became exhausted 
and could go no further, and her hus- 
band managed to find his way back to 
Garner's, and routed them out. They 
got up, but it was nearly daylight and 
search was useless. In the morning, the 
storm having abated, there sat the poor 
woman upon a little hillock in full sight 
of the house, frozen to death. She was 
taken to the house, and then buried on 
the hill northwest of Hampton, near John 
C. Jones' present residence, where a cem- 
etery was started and afterward abandoned 
lu August, 1866, a sad accident occurred 
in Osceola township, which resulted in the 
death of Ezra Huff, a young man twenty 
years of age. He was engaged mowing 
on the prairie with a machine. Some of 
the family noticed that the team was 
standing still for an unusual length of 
lime, and upon going out to discover the 
cause of the delay, found the young man 
lying across the tongue of the mower, 
dead. It was supposed that he went be- 
I ween the horses to adjust some portion of 
the harness, and that they crowded togeth- 
LM- against him with a force sufficient to 
cause his death, his breast being crushed 

ill 

In the summer of 1866, John R. ilart- 
graves, of Ingham township, had a horse 
stolen while it was grazing on the prairie 
He afterwards learned t at a horse an- 
swering to the description of the one he 
had lost had been seen in Polk county and 
upon g'jing there found tliat it was his. 
From information gathered while there 
he became satisfied that the horse was 
stolen by a young man who had been stop- 
ping at Mayne's Grove for a few months, 



and, upon his return, Mr. Hartgraves 
caused his arrest. Sheriff Pickering took 
him in o custody, when he was brought 
before Judge North, of Hampton, but on 
account of the absence of important wit- 
nesses the case was continued until they 
could be obtained. When the trial finally 
came up he was bound over to the district 
court, where he plead guilty and was sen- 
tenced by Judge Chase to one year in the 
penitentiary. 

On New Year's day, 1872, a collision 
occurred on the Iowa Central railroad be- 
tween Hampton and Chapin. No one 
was seriously injured. 

In April, 1872, two men, Pat Cassady 
and Peter Burns, were killed by lightning 
in the southeastern part of the county. 

During the same month a little son of 
Mr. Shoemaker, who lived three or four 
miles north of Hampton, accidentally shot 
himself in the knee. 

On Friday, June 1, 1872, a little two- 
year old son of T. J. Armstrong was left 
playing in the yard while the mother 
went on an errand to a neighbor's. She 
was absent but a few moments, and while 
returning heard the cries of the little 
one, and on entering the house she 
found the child with his clothing on 
fire and badly burned. It appeared 
that the little fellow had climbed up 
to the stove by the aid of a chair and 
stepped uj)on the hearth to reach some 
berries stewing upon the stove, when his 
dress catching lire enveloped him in 
flames. Drs. Galer and Ilarriman were 
immediately summoned, but to no avail, 
as the chilli died within two or three 
hours. The following morning the sor- 



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e 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNIY. 



313 



rowing parents left for Mt. Vernon, Linn 
county, where the remains were buried. 

During the night of June 1, 18Y2, light- 
ning struck the house of D. M. Spears, 
who lived in Morgan township, and in- 
stantly killed a young man named Seward 
Rickey. Young Rickey had been at work 
for W. H. Weaver and went to Mr. Spears, 
a brother-in-law, to spend the night. He 
slept upon the floor and the electric fluid 
came down the stove pipe, crossed the 
floor to where the young man was sleep- 
ing, entered his feet and passed out of his 
head, and from thence through the side of 
the house. The deceased was about nine- 
teen years of age and came to this county 
from Moscow, lowaX^c, Wis., in October, 
1.S71. A new lightning rod had been put 
on the house on Mond ly previous to the 
, the night in question. 

On Sunday morning, June 23, 1872, 
Hampton was visited by a $3,500 fire. At 
an early hour the millinery store of the 
Misses Haight was discovered to be on 
fire. The alarm was given, and soon a 
crowd collected. The flames had gained 
such headway, previous to discovery, that 
it was impossible to save any of the large 
and valuable stock of goods on hand, and 
it was wholly consumed. The tire imme- 
diately communicated to the dwelling 
house of N. McDonald, adjoining, and 
that too, was laid in ashes. All of the 
household goods were saved, as also were 
the doors. Both buildings were owned 
by Mr. McDonald, and there was no in- 
surance upon either. The Misses Haight 
had their stock insured for $1,500. 

The Franklin Recorder, relates an odd 
occurrence, which took place in Franklin 



county, in August, 1872, as follows: "Last 
Tuesday night Aug., 27, 1872, as Henry 
Patterson was returning from Otisville to 
his home west of Mayne's Grove, he wns 
attacked, on the unsettled prairie, by a man 
who presented a pistol and demanded a 
horse. Under the circumstances, Patter- 
son did not think best to parley with the 
highwayman, and proceeded to unharness. 
On mounting the horse, the scoundrel 
dropped his pistol, and while regaining it, 
Patterson loosened the throat latch to the 
bridle. When the thief had regained his 
position on the horse, Patterson yelled at 
the animal, and away he ran pell mell,and 
as the bridle dropped ofi" the rider was 
soon thrown to the ground, whereupon the 
horse followed Patterson home. The next 
day search was made for the criminal, but 
without avail." 

On the 4th of November, 1875, as train 
No. 2, on the Iowa Central railroad, 
with Charles Norton, conductor, was Hear- 
ing Faulkner, the locomotive jumped the 
track, just as a bridge was being passed 
about two miles south of that station. 
The train, however, passed in safety, 
except the rear passenger coach, which 
was comfortably filled with passengers. 
From the last coach the rear trucks flew 
out just as the bridge was gained by the 
coach. This let the end of the coach fall 
upon the ties, and after being dragged a 
short distance, it was hurled down an 
embankment ten feet and capsized. Every 
seat in the coach was filled with passen- 
gers who were hurled with tremen 
dous force to the bottom of the inverted 
car. The seats were wrenched from tiieir 
fastenings and thrown upon the heads of 
those below. Strange to Say no one was 



.fV 



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314 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



killed, although thirteen were seriously, 
although not fatally, injured. 

George W. Hall, of Sheffield, was killed 
by an accident July 4, 1876. It seems 
that an anvH had been loaded before Mr. 
Hall had arrived upon the ground, by 
filling the cavity in the bottom with 
powder, and then placing a east iron burr 
from the axle-tree of a thimble skein 
wagon over the hole and filling that with 
powder. Upon this was placed another 
anvil, and upon the whole a heavy iron 
weight. When Mr. Hall came upon the 
scene a train of powder had been laid in 
readiness for the explosion, and he took 
the torch, consisting of a lighted paper 
attached to a long iron rod, and applied it 
to the tr»in. The explosion which fol- 
lowed burst the cast-iron burr, a portion 
of which struck Mr. Hall in the abdomen, 
causing his death in a few hours. 

Early in August, 1876, J. W. Stocks, of 
of Sh fiield, was killed by falling from a 
building, which was in course of erection. 
The unfortunate man had recently moved 
his family from Dubuque, to Sheffield, 
and left them illy provided for. 

On Monday, Aug. 8, 1876, John Schliep, 
a blacksmith, of Sheffield, was kicked in 
the head by a horse and his skull badly 
fractured. 

Early in January, 1877, W. H. Hoxie 
had two valuable horses shot. 

On Saturday evening, Feb. 24, 1877, 
the depot at Hampton was robbed. It 
seems that C. W. Vankirk, station agen , 
and Leroy Carriel, operator at this place, 
went home to supper, as usual, at about 
half pas' six, locking the .door of the 
office, but leaving that of the waiting 
room unfastened. On their return it was 



» 

i' 



found that during their absence some per- 
son had obtained access to the office, 
broken open the money drawer with a 
hatchet left upon the floor, abstracted the 
money and scattered the other stuff, such 
as railway tickets and blanks, upon the 
floor. The thief had apparently clam- 
bered over the high railing between the 
passenger room and ticket office, hastily 
performed his nefarious job and left. At 
the time it was estimated that |i650 was 
stolen. 

In February, 1877, the school house at 
Old Chapin was destroyed by fire. The 
building was 80x40 feet in size, and two 
stories high. The bell, which was in the 
building, weighed 560 pounds and cost 
|;400. It was donated by Hon. J. B. 
(4rinnoll. The building was insured for 
¥1,000. 

On Saturday, May 19, 1877, John Banty, 
nineteen years of age, was drowned in a 
creek ten miles northwest of Hampton. 
He and an associate near his own age were 
in bathing, and while wading around in 
the water he stepped into a deep hole, 
and being unable to swim, at once sank to 
the bottom. On his again coming to the 
surface, his companion swam up to him, 
and endeavoring to render assistanc( came 
near losing his own life. 

In June, 1877, a span of horses, wagon 
and harness, were stolen from J. H. Beard, 
of Geneva township, by Dwight Penny. 
Penny was Mr. Beard's hired man, and 
was sent out on the prairie to do some 
breaking, when he im))roved the opportu- 
nity by running away, taking the entire 
outfit with him. He was subsequently 
heard fiom t Ackley and Iowa Fulls, and 
was su])]iosed to have gone north. 



iil'r 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



315 



Early in October, 1877, the wife of Nel- 
son Brown of Hamilton township, met 
with an accident which proved fatal in its 
results. She was assisting her husband in 
stacking hay, and fell from the top of a 
high load to the ground, receiving so se- 
vere a shock that her body was completely 
paralyzed from the chest downward. She 
remained in this condition, with full con- 
trol of her mental faculties, though suffer- 
ing no pain, until death ensued. 

Hampton was visited by a destructive 
fire on the morning, of Nov. 27, 1877. At 
about 2 o'clock in the morning the inmates 
of the Hampton House were awakened by 
the stifling sensation of smoke in their 
apartments. Every room was densely filled, 
and with the utmost haste the family and 
guests put on their apparel and groped 
their way into the open air. It was with 
difficulty that some made their escape. 
The fire spread rapidly and it was but a 
few moments before the entire structure 
was wrapped in flames. The alarm had been 
given and the people of the' town turned 
out en, i?iasse, all willing to do what they 
could to stop the progress of the flames. 
The fire had made such headway that any 
attempt to save the building was futile, 
nor was it possible to save much of the 
furniture, so attention was turned toward 
saving adjacent property. Immediately 
adjoining the hotel, on the west, was the 
grocery store of S. S. Page. It was evi- 
dent that the building must be burned, 
and the work of removing the stock 
was at once begun, and speedily accom- 
plished. The building was then on fire on 
the side next to the Hampton House and 
the roof and walls were pushed over, re- 
strainina; the fire in that direction. The 



Citizens' Bank being a brick building 
was saved. The meat market of Phelps & 
Atkinson was in imminent danger, but 
was saved. On the east the fire quickly 
communicated to the meat market kept by 
Rule Brothers, which was soon reduced to 
ashes. The contents were all taken out 
except what was in the cellar. At this 
stage of the progress of the fire it appeared 
almost certain that a clean sweep would 
be made to the street upon the east. Next 
to the meat market was the barber shop 
of John Buckingham, a small one story 
building, and here, by hard labor, the 
flames were stayed. Had this building 
been another story in height it would have 
been impossible to have checked the fire 
at this point. The loss was estimated at 
the time to have been about as follows: 
John Coloney, hotel building and furniture, 
$5,000, insurance $2,000; S. S. Page, build- 
ing and damage to stock, $800, building 
iniured for $-300, stock for $900; Rule 
Brothers, meat market, $800; no insurance; 
J. M. Buckingham, barber shop, $200; no 
insurance. 

In December, 1877, a good sized ante- 
lope was killed on the farm of I. W. 
Myers, in Hamilton township, by Mr. and 
Mrs. H. E. Latham. The animal was cap- 
tured in this way: In attempting to jump 
a picket fence near the house it got caught 
and Mrs. Latham ran out, grabbed it by 
the hind legs and held on until her hus- 
band, who had a few moments before 
started with his team to take the children 
to school, but in answer to her call, re- 
turned, came to her rescue and dispatched 
the rare game. It was claimed that this 
was the first and only antelope ever seen 
in the county, and much speculation was 



— alv' 



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316 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



indulged in as to how this one wandered 
so far from his "native heath" without 
being halted by the bullet of some hunter. 

In November, 1878, Wm. Bolitho, a 
bright, active youth of about fourteen 
years, met with a tragic death at Hampton, 
by the accidental discharge of a gun. The 
shot inflicted a terrible wound, from which 
he died the following day. 

An Anti-Horse Thief Association was 
organized in December, 1880, with the 
following officers: President, M. B.Jones; 
vice-presidents, L. P. Ilolden, L. J. Kron, 
N. B. Claypool; secretary, J. B. Peck; 
treasurer, II. A. Harriman. The follow- 
ing townships were represented in this 
society: Washington, Mott, Ross, Ing- 
ham, Genera, Clinton, West Fork, Reeve 
and Hamilton. 

On the adjournment of the fall term of 
district court, in Franklin county, in 1881, 
his honor, Judge Henderson, paid the fol- 
lowing compliment to the citizens of the 
county, in his remarks to the grand jury: 

"Gentlemen of the grand jury, I con- 
gratulate you and the people whose in- 
terests you represent, that after five days 
of careful and diligent inquiry and inves- 
tigation, you have been unable to find a 
single nuisance existing within the limits 
of Franklin county." 

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT. 

The constitutional amendment, section 
20, is as follows: "No person shall manu- 
facture for sale, sell, or keep for sale, as a 
beverage, any intoxicating liquors what- 
ever, including ale, wine and beer. The 
General Assembly shall, by law, prescribe 
regulations for the enforcement of the 
prohibition herein contained, and shall 



thereby provide suitable penalties for vio- 
lations of the provisions hereof." 

The vote in Franklin county on the 
adoption of the amendment, stood as 

follows: 

REEVE TOWNSHIP. 

For the amendment 110—07 

Against the amendment 22 

CLINTON TOWNSHIP. 

For the amendment .W — 10 

Against the amendment 40 

ROSS TOWNSHIP. 

For the amendment '70 — 46 

Against the amendment 33 

MOTT TOWNSHIP. 

For the amendment 64 — .'JO 

Against the amendment 14 

WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP. 

For the amendment 209 — 115 

Against the amendment 94 

WEST FORK TOWNSHIP. 

For the amendment 62 — 46 

Against the amendment 16 

INGHAM TOWNSHIP. 

For the amendment 81—09 

Against the amendment 12 

OSCEOLA TOWNSHIP. 

Against the amendment 90 — 68 

For the amendment 22 

LEE TOWNSHIP. 

Against the amendment 27—9 

For the amendment 18 

SCOTT TOWNSHIP. 

Against the amendment 10 — 7 

For the amendment 3 

HAMILTON TOWNSHIP. 

For the amendment 48 — 40 

Against the amendment 8 

RICHLAND TOWNSHIP. 

For the amendment 66 — 62 

Against the amendment 4 

OAKL,\ND TOWNSHIP. 

For the amendment 6.5 — .59 

Against the amendment 6 

MORGAN TOWNSHIP. 

For the amendment 48 — 21 

Against the amendment 27 






HISTORY OF FRANKIN COUNTY. 



317 



WI8NER TOWNSHtP, 

For the amendment 5 — 5 

Against the amendment 

GKANT TOWNSHIP. 

Against the amendment 69 — 52 

For the amendment 17 

GENEVA TOWNSHIP. 

Fur the amendment 86 — 35 

Against the amendment 61 

MARION TOWNSHIP. 

For the amendment 29 — 5 

Against the amendment 24 

Majority in county for amendment 514 

THK STATE Vti. .TACKSON BENHAM. 

This was about the most important case 
ever tried in Franklin county. From the 
evidence taken, the following facts re- 
garding it were gleaned : It seems that Z. 
T. Shepherd, on the 11th of October, 1866, 
was engaged in liauling sand from the 
banks of a creek in the northern part of 
Franklin county. While thus engaged, 
Jackson Benham came up on the other side 
the creek with gun in hand. Shepherd 
hallooed to him that he did not want him 
to drive off his cattle, as Benham had 
been doing. Benham replied that he had 
as much right to drive off cattle as he 
(Shepherd) had to shoot other's cattle, as he 
said he could prove Shepherd had done. 
This made Shepherd angry and he told 
Benham that if the remark was repeated 
-he would cross the creek and give him a 
thrashing. Benham repeated it, and Shep- 
herd plunged into the creek with the in- 
tention of giving him the thrashing. 
Siiepherd had an ox whip in his hand, and 
as he approached, Benham warned him to 
stand back. As to whether Shepherd 
struck him or not, the testimony was con- 
flicting. At any rate. Shepherd seized 
the gun, and in the struggle that ensued 
it was discharged, taking effect ir Shep- 
herd's thigh. This took place Oct. 11, 



1866 ; the victim died Oct. 17, 1866. Jack- 
son Benham, who was only sixteen years 
of age, was arrested at once, and upon ex- 
amination was discharged, it being 
thought at the time that the injury to Mr. 
Shepherd was slight. But, as stated, the 
wound proved fatal, and a few weeks 
later the grand jury found a bill of indict- 
ment against Jackson Benham, and he was 
arrested and admitted to bail in the sum 
of |i5,000 for his appearance at the ensuing 
term of the district court. The trial came off 
in May, 1867, before Judge D. D. Chase. 
The attorneys were : J. H. Bradley, in 
behalf of the State, and Enoch W. East- 
man and W. N. Davidson for defense. 
The jury rendered a verdict of man- 
slaughter, and the judge sentenced him to 
four years in the penitentiary and to pay 
a tine of $100 and costs. The case was 
appealed to the supreme court and he was 
admitted to bail in the sum of $-5,000. 
When the case came before the supreme 
court, a new trial was granted and the case 
came back to the district court, where it 
was tried in June, 1868. The jury again ren- 
dered a verdict of guilty of manslanghter, 
and the court sentenced Jackson Benham 
to two years in the penitentiary and $100 
fine. Gov. Eastman, one of the counsel 
for the defense, gave notice that if the 
prisoner conducted himself in a proper 
manner for a reasonable length of time, a 
petition would be circulated for his par- 
don ; and the Hampton Meporter of that 
date said : "The sympathies of tie public 
are largely on the side of young Benham, 
and such a petition would be vei-y gener 
ally signed." In January, 1869, Gov. 
Merrill pardoned Benham and he returned 
home. 



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318 



HISTORY OP FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



CHAPTER XVIII 



CLINTON TOWNSHIP. 



This township embraced the territory 
contained in congressional township 93, 
range 20, until June 4, 1879, when the 
board of supervisors divided it, calling all 
the territory, except sections 3, 4, 9, 10, 
and a part of 5 and 8, Ross township, 
thus limiting Clinton to less then six sec- 
tions, the greater portion of which is 
embraced in the incorporate limits of the 
town of Sheffield. 

The township is mostly prairie except 
a small belt of timber along Bailey's creek, 
which enters the township on section 8, 
and after coursing its way diagonally 
southeast across the corner of the town- 
ship, passes out from section 10. 

The soil, in common with the other town- 
ships of Franklin county, is a very rich 
productive loam. 

SETTLEMENT. 

The first settlers in what now comprises 
Clinton township were: L. W. Bailey, S. 
E. Baker, John Goldsberry and John 
Goldsberry, Jr. 

L. W. Bailey came from Ohio in 1856, 
and settled on section 9. 

S. E. Baker came from Illinois in 1859, 
locating on section 9, where he lived until 
1874, at which time he sold out and re- 
moved from the county. 

John Goldsberry and his son, settled on 
section 9, about 1857, but left before 1860. 



In 1860, A. F. Crosby came from Ohio 
and purchased the northwest quarter of 
section 9, and engaged in farming; he also 
run the first wagon shop in the township, 
doing repair work at a shop on his farm. 
He remained on the farm until 1874, when 
he moved to Sheffield and there started a 
wagon shop. 

Among those who have arrived and 
taken up homes since that time are the 
following: II. D. Abrams, Joseph Per- 
rin, .John Richer, B. R. Tilton, A. H. Bird, 
D. Loomis, J. Bender, James Green, Chris- 
topher Green and John L. James. 

D. Loomis was born in Oneida Co., N. 
Y., in 1828. His father and mother, Ben- 
jamin and Martha (Denslow) Loomis, 
went to Oakland Co., Mich., when the sub- 
ject of this sketch was a mere child. He 
remained on his father's farm until he 
was twenty-three years of age, having re- 
ceived a common school education. He 
then bought a farm of his own, in the 
same State, which he continued to work 
for twelve years then removed to Winne- 
bago Co., 111., where he bought a farm and 
lived until 1870; then sold and came to 
Iowa settling on the southwest quarter of 
section 16, West Fork township. Here he 
engaged in stock raising. His farm is 
now worth $30 per acre, which he has 
rented to a son and son-in-law, he having 







^7^4^ 




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•k 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



321 



bought a residence in the town of Shef- 
field. He has held local offices in the dif- 
ferent States in which he has lived. Polit- 
cally, he is and has always been a republi- 
can. Mr. Loomis was married in 1853, to 
Lucy Cross, a native of Michigan. They 
have five children — Lydia, Amy, Elmer, 
Lucy and John. They have buried three. 
His parents both died in Michigan, at the 
age of seventy years. 

J. Bender, one of the enterprising farm- 
ers of Clinlon township, is a native of 
Pennsylvania, born in Lycoming county, 
Sept. 10, 1838. His parents, John and 
Elizalieth (Koontz) Bender, natives of 
the same county and State, afterward re- 
moved to Wayne Co., Ohio, and from there 
to Mercer county. In 1861, J. Bender 
enlisted in company C, 31st Ohio Volun- 
teer Infantry, Jind took part in the battles 
of Mill Spring, Ressaca, Murfreesboro, 
Chattanooga, Mission Ridge, Chicka- 
mauga, and other minor engagements. He 
was with Sherman on his march to the 
sea, and on the march to Richmond. At 
Triune, Tenn., a minnie ball passed 
through his arm, tearing the muscles but 
breaking no bones. He enlisted as a pri- 
vate, served three years, re-enlisted in the 
same company, and in July, 1865, he was 
honorably discharged, as corporal. After 
the war he returned to Mercer Co., Ohio, 
and resided there till he came to Franklin 
Co., Iowa, in 1873. He lived two years in 
Hampton, then removed to his present 
farm of eighty acres, in Clinton township, 
near Sheffield. He is'an intelligent farmer, 
and is meeting with success. In 1866, he 
and Hannah Murlin, of Mercer Co., Ohio, 
were united in marriage, and have had fire 
children, four of whom are living — Will- 



iam, Mary, Frank and Ralph. Their sec- 
ond child, Joseph, died in Ohio. Mrs. 
Bender had eight brothers in the army, all 
of whom served four years. One of them 
was killed at Nashville, and another was 
killed by accident shortly after his return 
from the war. Mr. and Mrs. Bender are 
members of the M. E. Church. In politics 
Mr. Bender has always been a republican. 

James Green, another of the leading 
farmers of Clinton township, was born at 
Elizabeth, Jo Daviess Co., 111., INIarch 6, 
1846. His parents, Jesse and Martha 
(Hanson) Green, were born in Yorkshire, 
England, and settled in Illinois in 1842. 
James learned the trade of spinner when 
twenty-one, and worked at it four years at 
Council Hill, 111., then went to Elizabeth, 
and for six years was foreman of a farm 
of 2,000 acres. In 1876 he removed to 
Sheffield, Iowa, and engaged in general 
merchandise, in company with Mr. Com- 
bellick. The partnership was dissolved 
in six months, as Mr. Green did not like 
the confinement of the store. He then 
bought the farm on which he now resides, 
consisting of eighty acres of good land in 
Clinton township,"adjoining the village of 
Sheffield. He has made good improve- 
ments and has a pleasant home. He pays 
considerable attention to the raising of 
stock, has seventy-five hogs, twenty head 
of cattle and four horses. His land is 
valued at $45 per acre. In the fall of 
1868 Mr. Green married Sarah Combellick, 
of Council Hill, 111., by whom he had six 
children, five of whom are living — Edith 
N., Charles Cyrus, John W., James Jesse 
and baby Dot. Mr. and Mrs. Green are 
members of the M. E. Church. In poli- 



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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



ik 



tics he is a republican, and has held the 
office of town trustee. 

Christopher Green, who came to Clinton 
township in 1879, was born in Yorkshire, 
England, in 1836. His parents, Jesse and 
Martha Green emigrated to New Diggings, 
Wis., when he was six years old, residing 
there two years. They then removed to 
Jo Daviess Co., 111., where they still live 
at the age of seventy-five, hale and hearty, 
and able to read without glasses. In 1857, 
Christopher went to Stephenson Co., 111. 
In 1861, he enlisted as bugler and musician, 
in the 46th Illinois Volunteer Infantry, 
remaining about two years and being in 
some of the fiercest engagements of the 
war. He then returned to Illinois, and 
was at home but five months, when he 
went to the Washoe district, Nevada, en- 
gaging in the lumber business, which 
proved successful. Three years after, he 
sustained heavy losses, and disposed of the 
business. He then pursued ranching until 
1872, when he went to White Pine Co., 
Nev., where he engaged in mining and 
cattle raising, in which he was successful 
until 1877, when his mines became almost 
worthless, and the hard winter killed most 
of his cattle. After these reverses he re 
turned to the Washoe district. He was 
acquainted with Mackey, Fair, O'Brien, 
Flood and other mining millionaires of 
to-day, but at that time poorer than him- 
self. After an absence of sixteen years, 
he returned to Jo Daviess county, and in 
1879, came to Franklin Co., Iowa, when 
he purchased his present farm, now val- 
ued at $.50 per acre. He takes an interest 
in politics and is a member of the school 
and township boards. He was married to 
Catherine W^inkless, a native of England, 



in 1867, and has two children — Frances 
Isabella and Martha Lula. 

John L James was born in Council 
Hill, Jo Daviess Co., 111., on the 8th of 
March, 1859. His parents, Richard T. 
and Mary (Combellick) James, were na- 
tives of England, and were among the 
early settlers of Jo Daviess Co., 111. The 
family remained in that county until April, 
1881, when they removed to Franklin Co., 
Iowa, and settled on a farm in Clinton 
township Richard James died in Jan- 
uary, 1882, leaving a wife and nine chil- 
dren, six of whom reside on the farm. 
John L James conducts the farm devoting 
his time to the raising of stock, for which 
the place is well adapted. He has forty 
head of cattle, forty hogs and four horses. 
The farm comprises 120 acres of fine land, 
worth $40 per acre, and adjoins the vil- 
lage of Sheffield on the west. Mr James 
is an industrious and energetic young man, 
and is meeting with well deserved success. 

The first child born in Clinton township, 
was a daughter of Mr. and Mrs Lyman 
Bailey, in 1857. The first death was a 
Mrs. Brown, in 1857. The first wedding 
in the township, was a daughter of A F. 
Crosby, to Charles Smith They were 
married at the house of Mr. Crosby, by A. 
T. Little, justice of the peace, in 1865. 

ORGANIC. 

Clinton was detached from Washington 
township in 1859 and named after Clin- 
ton, N. \ ., from whence came some of the 
early settlers. In 1879 it was again divid- 
ed, all of its territory but about five 
sections being organized into what is 
known as Hoss towiishiji. Tlie first elec 
tion was held in October, 1879. In 1883, 
the township officers were : C. Green, II. 



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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



323 



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D. Abrams, T. II Harris, trustees ; H. D. 
Hawkins, clerk ; H D. Abrams, assessor ; 
W. S. Bowen and John Bolton, justices 
of the peace ; J. W. Hall and T. F. Allen, 
constables. 

CEMETERY. 

The township purchased seven acres of 
land in the southwest quarter of the 
northwest quarter of section 3, in 1878, 
for cemetery purposes. This is the only 
cemetery in the township. 

TOWN OF SHEFFIELD. 

Sheffield is located in Clinton township, 
on section 4, and in 1883, contained about 
600 inhabitants. It was named for Mr. 
Sheffield, of Dubuque, who was the origi- 
nal owner of the town site. Gilman and 
Thompson laid out the town plat, March 
2,1874, which contained forty acres, to 
which additions have been made from 
time to time. In 1883, it contained about 
100 acres. 

The first building after the erection of 
the depot, was a small store erected by 
.Tames Thompson, one of the founders of 
the place, which stood where Tompkins 
& Thompsons business house afterward 
stood. 

INCOKPORATION. 

The place was incorporated in 1876, the 
first election being held May 13, 1876. 
The following were the first officers : 
Mayor, W. S. Bowen ; recorder, .M. 
Crawford ; trustees, R. Wilde, H. K. 
Phelps, S. E, Spalding, P. A. Pope and 
G. C. Culver. The next year S. B. Elder 
was elected mayor, and served one year. 
He was succeeded by W. S. Bowen, who 
at the present time, August, 1883, is still in 
office. J. T. Wilde, W. T. MeKenzie, 
O. P. Thompson, H. Morehouse, J. H 



Richer and T. Thomas were trustees ; C. 
S. Barney, recorder ; William Thomas, 
treasurer. 

SCHOOLS. 

The first school in what is now Clinton 
township was taught in the winter of 
1859-60, in a los; smoke-house, on section 
9, by Miss Hoit, who only had two schol- 
ars. A school house was built, in 1860, 
on section 9, which was afterwards moved 
over into what is now Ross township, and 
was still used for school purposes in 1883. 
The only school house in what now con- 
stitutes Clinton township is located in the 
town of Sheffield. The building was 
erected in 1875 and is a two-story struc- 
ture, 26x36 feet, costing $2,000. The 
first teacher was A O. Hemming who 
taught in the winter of 1874-5. In 1883, 
the teachers were D. R. Bradford and 
D. Thompson. 

CHURCHES. 

The first religions society in the neigh- 
borhood of Sheffield was called the West 
Fork Baptist Society, organized in No- 
vember, 1863. This Church was formed 
by A. F. Crosby and wife, A. T. Little 
and wife, R. Knapp and Olive Gillett. 

The Methodist Church was organized 
in November, 1880, with a membership 
of forty. The society built a church in 
1882, at a cost of $2,250, which was dedi- 
cated in November, 1882. The first pastor 
in charge was Rev. Coleman. In 1883, 
Rev. Will was pastor, at which time a 
union Sunday school was maintained by 
the several denominations the meeting- 
place being at the Baptist church. II. 
D. Hocking was at that time superintend- 
ent. The trustees of the church were: .1 
Perrin, James Ormrod, Wm. Corabelliek, 



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UlslUltV OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



R. J. Churchouse and L B. Carhart. 
James Thomipsoii donated the lot upon 
which the church was built. 

The Baptist Church of Sheffield was or- 
ganized in 1876, and in 1880 they com- 
menced to build a church edifice, the 
cost of which was $2,:3UO. all of which was 
raised by subscription. This house of 
worship was built under the direction of 
A. Dailey, A. F Crosby, James Borst, H. 
Winchell and W. S. Ilowen. Rev. A. R. 
Button was the first regular pastor. Rev. 
J. F. liryant was their pastor in 1883, at 
which time there was a membership of 
twenty-seven. 

SOCIETIES. 

Mulligan Post, No. 102, G. A. R., was 
organized Oct. 20, 1882, with twenty- 
three members, mustered byR. S. Benson, 
assisted by other members of the McKen- 
zie post, at Hampton. The post received 
its name, at the suggestion of J H. Rich- 
er, in honor of the famous, gallant hero, 
James R. Mulligan, colonel of the 23d 111 
inois regiment, who was shot down at 
the head of his command at the battle 
before Winchester, on the 24th of July, 
1 864. He was immediately picked up by 
his men and laid upon a stretcher to be 
carried from the field, his last words be- 
ing: "Lay me down and save the flag." 
Well may the post at Sheffield be proud 
of the name of Mulligan. 

"There is no prouder grave, 

Even in thy own prouii clime." 

The charter members were : Hiram 
Chase, John Richer, J. Bender, G. R. 
Miner, William Combellick, F W. Kim 
ball, R. Cook, J. S Barney, B. R. Tilton, H. 
R.Floyd, James D. Abrams, C. D. Johns, R. 
Wilde, J Perrin,I I. Thompson, A. Bailey, 



D F. Ross, Ed. Eslinger, Emanuel Es- 
liiiger and Samuel Eslinger. The follow 
ing were the officers : J. S. Barney, com- 
mander; C. D. Johns, sr. vice commander; 
R. J. Churchouse, jr. vice commander; G. 
R. Miner, adjutant; .John Richer, chap- 
lain; William Combellick, quartermaster; 
Joseph I'errin, officer of the day; Samuel 
Eslinger, officer of the guard; \. I. Thomp- 
son, sergeant major; B. R. Tilton, quar- 
termaster sergeant. These officers served 
for three months and the following, who 
still held in 1883, were elected: R. J. 
Churchouse, commander; William Parks, 
Ser vice commander; G. R. Miner, adju- 
tant; Jonathan Bender, jr. vice com- 
mander; William Combellick, quarter- 
master; Joseph Perrin, officer of the day; 
Asa Bailey, officer of the guard; F. VV. 
Kimball, sergeant major; C. J. Webster, 
quartermaster sergeant; John Richer, sur- 
geon; Ed. Eslinger, chaplain. 

No deaths had occurred in the order, up 
to July, 1883, at which time the post num- 
bered forty-six. In 1883, the post was 
financially in a good condition — the quar- 
termaster* having in his hands enough 
money to pay the current expenses of that 
year. The post holds its meetings each 
month, on the Saturday evening before 
the full moon; all the members working 
in harmony, and the bestof feeling always 
prevailing. The youngest member was, 
at this date, tnirty-seven years old, and 
the oldest fifty-six. Five of the members 
were born in England, one in Ireland and 
the remainder were from eight States of 
the Union. 

FATAL ACCIDENT. 

On the 4th of July, 1876, a terrible acci- 
dent occurred at Sheffield, which proved 



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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



325 



fatal. Just as the north bound passenger 
train, on the Central of Iowa railroad, was 
drawing into the station, a man named 
George Hall, a carpenter by trade, touched 
off an anvil as a salute to the incoming 
train, which was an excursion train with 
passengers bound for a centennial -tth of 
.July celebration at Clear Lake. A ring 
had been placed over the opening in the 
anvil, which burst, a segment of which 
struck the unfortunate man in the lower 
part of the abdomen, completely severing 
his intestines. He survived, in fearful 
anguish, until 3 o'clock, p. m., of the 
same day. The event cast a gloom over 
the town making the day one of mourning 
instead of joy and celebration. 

Another fatal accident occurred in Sep- 
tember, 1876. Joseph Stocks, a carpenter, 
fell from a low scaffolding and received 
injuries, from which he died in three days. 
He left a wife and three children, who 
now reside in Belmont, Wis. 

BUSINESS INTERESTS. 

In the spring of 1874, Elias Whitney 
erected a small hotel. That year the town 
improved rapidly, every branch of busi- 
ness being soon represented. The place 
continued to grow until 1877, when a re- 
action took place and but little improve- 
ment was made until 1880, when it again 
commenced to thrive. 

The second hotel in the place was built 
by John Bolton, in 1874, who was still 
its proprietor in 1883. 

The third hotel was opened in 1880 by 
E. C. Scheader, called the Galena House. 

Uncle John Bolton, proprietor of the 
Gilman House, was born in Knox Co., 
Ohio, in May, 1821. He is the son of John 



and Magdalena Bolton. He lived in his 
native place until he was sixteen years of 
age, when he moved to the western part 
of Ohio. Mr. Bolton was reared on a farm, 
receiving a common school education. He 
continued to live in Ohio until the spring 
of 1805, when he came to Iowa and settled 
in Mahaska county, where he farmed for 
live years, then came to Franklin county 
and settled at Hampton, where he was in 
the livery business. From Hampton he 
went on a farm in Washington township, 
where he staid until he came to Sheffield 
and bought a third interest in the plat 
which was owned by Thompson, Gilman 
& Bolton. He built a store 22x26 feet 
and engaged in the hardware business, but 
the demand was so great for a hotel that 
he gave up his hardware business and 
opened a hotel the next fall, to which he 
built an addition of 26x36 feet, two stories 
high; kitchen, one story high and 20x30 
feet. This gave the people confidence in 
the place and raised the price of the land 
at once from $5 to |6 per acre. In the 
year 1880, Mr. Bolton sold his interest in 
the town plat to Thompson, retaining only 
the property where his hotel is and four 
other lots. He was one of the directors of 
the school when the school house was 
built, helped finish the building and hired 
the first teacher. In the spring of 1883, 
he was appointed justice of the peace to 
fill a vacancy, and still holds that office. 
Mr. Bolton was married in 1843, to Lucre- 
tia Barber; she died in 1856, leaving two 
children — Samautha and Sally O., the 
former being the wife of Robert McMagus, 
of Marshalltown, and the latter the wife of 
Wm. Ogle, now of Kansas. Mr. Bolton 
.vas married in 1857, to Almira 



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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



Thompson, a ^ster of Mr. Thompson, pro- 
prietor of the town site. He has been 
a member tlie A. F. & A. M. for over 
twenty-five years, and was one of the charier 
members of t e lodge at Sheffield. He has 
also been a member of the Odd Fellows 
lodge for tlie past twenty-six years, and 
helped charter Hampton lodge. Mr. 
Bolton has held some of the offices in the 
lodge in Ohio. He is called "Uncle John" 
by every one far and near. In token of 
their res])ect and esteem for him, on his 
sixtieth birthday, the R R. boys gave him 
a grand surprise, making him $200 worth 
of presents, including a fine gold headed 
cane. There were about 120 present. 

Another hotel, in 1883, was being 
operated by William Harstwell, who was 
born in Brockville, Canada, in 1837. 
When a child his parents moved to Lon- 
don, Canada, where he lived until nineteen 
years of age. He was raised on a farm, 
and received a common school education. 
In 1856, he went to Wisconsin, but re- 
mained there only a short time. From 
there he moved to Illinois, bought land, 
and remained until 1860, when he came 
to Iowa. Mr. Harstwell was one of the 
first settlers in West Fork township, there 
being only two or three farmers when he 
came there. He helped to organize the 
town. He now I'ents his farm, and for the 
past year has lived in town, running a 
hotel. He bought his present hotel in 
1882. In 1857, he was married to Clara 
Hall, a native of Canada. They have 
three children — Emma, Ida and Lyle. 

The first to engage in the hardware 
trade was .\J. Linchrist, in 1875. He con- 
tinued in the business about a year and 



then sold to Culver Bros, who afterward 
sold o VV. B. Barney & Bro. 

C. S.Barney was born in Lancaster, Wis., 
in 1856. When eight years of age his par- 
ents moved to Detroit, Mich., where he 
grew to manhood. He was educated at 
Patterson select school, graduating in 
1872. He then went to Lansing, Iowa, 
where he learned the tinner's trade, and 
followed it for three years. In 1875, he 
went to Hampton, and worked at his trade 
until 1879, when he came to Sheffield and 
bought out Cresler Bros., extending the 
store building deeper and filling up with 
a well selected stock. 

The first to engage in the lumber busi- 
ness was Richard Wilde, in 1874. Rich- 
ard Wilde was born in Dubuque, Iowa, 
in April, 1836. His parents, John and 
Mary Wilde, came to Iowa in 1835, and 
here Richard grew to manhood. He re- 
ceived a liberal education, completing it 
at Mt. Vernon in 1856, at the age of twen- 
ty years. His father was a miner, and 
his son was well drilled in the same busi- 
ness, so that in 1858 he went to Missouri 
and engaged in the lead mining business. 
In 1861, he entered the army in the Inde- 
pendent battalliou, 3d Missouri Cavalry, 
as a private. He was in the battle of 
Little Rock, and the Red river expedition. 
He was taken prisoner at Hartsville, Mo., 
in 1863, but was soon paroled. He then 
went to Dubuque and thence to Wisconsin, 
where he conducted a lead furnace, and in 
1869 came to Franklin county and settled 
in Clinton township, near the present site 
of Sheffield. Here he followed farming 
until 1874, when he moved to Sheffield, 
and engaged in business until 1881, when 
he retired. In 1882-3, he bought out the 



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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



32'7 



interest of Thompson & Gilman in the 
town plat, and has done, and is doing, 
more than any other man in building up 
the town. He owns a great many build- 
ings and is still adding to the number. 
Mr. Wilde came here in 1869, compara- 
tively poor, but by strict integrity and 
close attention to business, lie has amassed 
a good fortune. He is a member of the 
A. F. & A. M., at Hampton; is also a 
member of the I. O. O. F., of this place, 
and has held at differei t times all the 
offices of his lodge. He was also one of 
cliarter members. He was married in 
1868, to Miss M. J. Raine, a native of Eng- 
land. They are the parents of three chil- 
dren — Effie, Fannie and Willie. 

In 1881, Thomas <fe Lawrence purchased 
the lumber business of Richard Wilde, 
and in 188-3 were the only representa- 
tives of this branch of business. 

L. Lawrence, of the firm of Thomas & 
Lawrence, dealers in lumber and coal, was 
born in Grant Co., Wis., in 1856. He 
came here in 1881, and formed a partner- 
ship with Mr. Thomas in the lumber and 
coal trade, and they have a good business. 
His early life was spent on his father's 
farm in Grant Co., V\'is., and later in Jo 
Daviess Co., 111. His education was ac- 
quired in the common schools, after which 
he spent a few years railroading. In pol- 
itics he is a republican; is a member of 
the Masonic lodge at Sheffield, and has 
been its secretary ever since the lodge was 
organized; he is also a member of the 
Royal Arch Chapter, at Hampton, Iowa. 

.Joseph Thorn s was born in Lafayette 
Co., Wis., in 1854. He is the son of 
Thomas and Rosetta Thomas, \^'hen he 
was four years of age his parents moved 



to Grant Co., Wis., where he was raised 
on a farm, and educated at the public 
schools. When he was twenty-one years 
of age he went to Piano, 111., to work in a 
reaper manufactory. He remained there 
two years, when he returned to Wiscon- 
sin, staying there with his mother one 
year. His father died when he was quite 
young. In 1878 he came to this place 
and clerked for his brother one year. He 
then, in company with his present partner, 
Mr. Lawrence, spent one year traveling 
through the west, taking in Nebraska, 
Kansas, Minneso'a and Indian Territory. 
They then returned to Sheffield, formed a 
partnership, and engaged in the lumber 
business, buying out R. Wilde. In the 
winter of 1882-3 they started the coal 
yard. Mi'. Thomas was married in June, 
1882, to Julia Lawrence, a sister of his 
partner. She was a native of East Du- 
buque, 111. They have one child — Fleta 
May. Mr. Thomas is a member of the 
Masonic lodge, was one of the charter 
members, and has been the S. W. ever 
since the lodge was organized. 

In 1881 J. T. Wilde entered into part- 
neri^hip with William Parks, and engaged 
in the lumber and coal trade. J. T. Wilde, 
of the firm of Wilde & Parks, was born 
in Dubuque, Iowa, in 1857, where he re- 
ceived an academic education, completing 
it in 1876. He then spent two years in 
the east, and in 1878 came to Sheffield and 
worked for his uncle in the coal business 
for two years. In 1881 he spent a short 
time in Colorado and New Mexico, but 
soon returned to Sheffield, and in com- 
pany with William Parks bought the 
lumlter and coal yard. Mr. Wilde is a 
member of the I. O. O. F. Politic lly 



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328 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



he is a republic in. He was married in 
1879 to Ella Zimmerman, who died June, 
1881, leaving one child — John G. 

The first agricultural implement ware- 
house at Sheffield was star ed, in 1875, by 
H. D. Abrams, who sold to R F. Sullivan, 
in 1878 In 1882, William Parks estab- 
lished himself, in company with his son, 
in the agricultural implement business. 

H. D. Abrams, one of the settlers of 
1866, was born in Chenango Co., N. Y., 
Oct 5, 1833. When he was quite young 
his parents, Henry J. and Rachel (Ray) 
Abrams, moved to Wayne Co., N. Y., and 
again, in 1857, moved to Lee Co , 111., in 
which county the subject of this sketch 
was reared and educated in the common 
schools In 1866, he came to Franklin 
Co., Iowa, and settled on section 5, Clinton 
township, buying at that time 200 acres 
of land. He has since disposed of part of 
it and now owns only 120 acres, a portion 
of which is within the present corporation 
of Sheffield His land, which he bought 
at $2.50 per acre, is now valued at $40 per 
acre He built the first frame house on 
the north side of South Fork. For miles 
up and down the creek he made the first 
wagon track He lived on his farm until 
the spring of 1875, when he came into 
Sheffield and engaged in farm machinery 
and real estate business He took an ac- 
tive part in the locating of Sheffield. ' Af- 
ter three years he gave up the selling of 
farm machinery and since then has been 
dealing in real estate and insurance, hav- 
ing charge of several farms in this locality 
for eastern parties. In 1870, he was made 
secretary of the school board and has held 
the office ever since, e.xcept one or two 
years He has been constable and dep- 



uty sheriff for four years, also one of the 
town trustees, and assessor for a longtime. 
He is a member and secretary of the I. 
O. O. F. His parents are still living in 
this town, aged seventy-two years. He 
was married, Nov. 3, 1858, to Hulda Cor- 
nell, of Lee Co.,' 111. They are the par- 
ents of five childi-en — Nellie, wife of 
James Cook, of Clinton; Mattie, wife of 
Irving Kithell, of Colorado ; Martha, wife 
of D. B. Burright, of this town; Hattie 
and Ida, who still live with their parents. 
William Parks, of the firm of William 
Parks & Son, was born in Knox Co., Ohio, 
in 1834, and went with his parents, in 
1848, to Green Co., Wis. After his edu- 
cation in the common schools he went 
to Missouri and spent three years in the 
hardware business, then returned to Wis- 
consin, where he went into the dry goods 
business, remaining until 1876, when he 
came to Franklin Co., Iowa, settled at 
Hampton and engaged in selling dry 
goods. He spent three years at Leadville, 
Col., mining and prospecting, and made a 
small fortune. In 1882, he came l)ack to 
Franklin county and established himself 
in the business of farm machin-ry in Shef- 
field, which business he still follows. He 
is a member of the Masonic lodge at 
Hampton and is a republican in politics. 
He was married, in 1865, to Angeline 
Bennett, also a native of Ohio. They 
are the parents of five children — Dallas 
B , Emma E., Herma A., Charlie and Der- 
win. 

Thomas Bros, engaged in the general 
merchandise liusiness in February, 187'J. 
Their store building was 24x60 feet and 
two stories high. They did a business of 
$25,000 annually. 



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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



331 



William Thomas was born in England, 
in 1844, and is a son of Thomas and 
Rosetta Thomas. He came to Sheffield, 
Franklin Co., Iowa, in 1879, and, in part- 
nership with his brother, wentinto the gen- 
eral merchandise and grain business, 
where they have built up a large and lu- 
crative business. He came to America, 
with his parents, in 1848, and settled in 
Grant Co., Wis. He received a. common 
school education and grew to manhood on 
a farm In 1864, when he was twenty- 
two years of age, he went to California, 
and with good success engaged in mining 
for three years, then returned to Wisconsin. 
He came here in 1879. Mr. Thomas was 
a charter member of the Masonic lodge, 
of which he has been master since its 
organization. He was also a master for 
two years in Wisconsin. He is a mem- 
ber of Arch Chapter, at Hampton, also 
Asylum Commandery, No. 43; was one 
of the charter members of the I. O. O. F., 
of which he is still a member. He has 
been, and is now, treasurer of the town. 
He was married in 1871 to Miss E. Glover, 
a native of Wisconsin. They have three 
children — E., Orville and Bertha. 

In 1883, the general merchandise busi- 
ness was represented by Tompkins & 
Thompson, Thomas Bros., Hocking & 
Slade and A. H. Bird. 

O. P. Thompson, of the firm of Tomp- 
kins & Thompson, was born in Benton Co., 
Iowa, Oct. 23, 1854, and settled in Shef- 
field, Clinton township, in 1878. His 
parents, James and Mary Thompson, set- 
tled in Hampton, Iowa, when he was two 
years of age. Here he grew up. His 
father was the first merchant in Hamp- 
ton, afterwards engaged in the real estate 



business. After receiving a common 
school education, O. F. Thompson spent 
two years at Grinnell College, entered 
the medical department of the State Uni 
versity at eighteen years of age, in 187'2, 
and graduated in 187.5, after which he 
commenced the practice of medicine at 
Neilsville, Wis., remaining there for two 
years. He then spent a year in traveling 
and came to this place in 1878, and fol- 
lowed his profession for three and a half 
years when failing health compelled him 
to give up his practice. He then formed 
a partnership with Mr. Tompkins, which 
has been successfully continued ever since. 
.Mr. Thompson was married in 1878, to 
Lizzie M. Pride, a native of Ohio. 

H. A. Tompkins was born in Westches- 
ter Co., N. Y., in 1846. He is the son of 
Thomas H. and Charlotta Tompkins. He 
remained in his native place until he was 
seventeen years of age. In 1863 he came to 
Iowa on his own account, and first settled 
in Hancock county. For five years, he was 
engaged in several different ocaupations, 
and in 1870 he returned to New York, re- 
maining there until the spring of 1874, 
when he again came to Iowa and settled 
at Clear Lake, engaging in the machinery 
business until 1878. He then went into a 
store in that place, where he remained 
until he came to Sheffield, and on the 1st 
of January, 1882, engaged in general mer- 
chandise business in company with O. P. 
Thompson where he has been very suc- 
cessful He was married in 1868, to 
Frances Kelsey, a native of Ohio. She 
died in 1870, leaving one child — Vinna J. 
He was again married, in October, 1 876, to 
Harriet A. Andrews, a native of Wiscon- 



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.332 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



sin. One child has blessed this union — 
George. H. 

H. D. Hocking, of the firm of Hocking 
<fc Slade, dealers in general merchandise, 
Sheffield, and the present clerk of Clinton 
township, was born in England in 1834, 
and in 1841, came with his parents to 
America, settling at Galena, 111., where he 
grew to manhood, with liberal educational 
advantages, completing at Mt. Morris, 
111., Academy. His father was a mer- 
chant, and mucli of bis leisure time was 
spent behind his father's counter, thus 
laying a firm basis of practical experience 
that he utilized in his future life. When 
only nineteen, he began life for himself 
by accepting a clerkship in a general mer- 
chandise store in Galena, where he con- 
tinued until 18 TV, when he came to Iowa 
and settled at Sheffield, Franklin County, 
taking a clerkship in the store of William 
Combellick, where he remained until 
the fall of 1882, when he embarked in 
business for himself, forming a partner 
ship with J. Slade, a well to do farmer of 
West Fork township and engaging in the 
general merchandising business. They 
comnenced with a very small store and 
with limited stock, but under the careful 
management and business capacity of Mr. 
Hocking, combined with the frugality and 
care of his partner, their business has been 
a success f om the first, amounting now to 
to about 120,000 per annum, and constant- 
ly increasing. Mr. Hocking is a working 
and influential member of the M. E. Church 
and a member of the I. O. O. F. at Galena, 
111. In politics he has been" a life long 
republican. He has been twice married. 
The first time in 1859, to Angeline Cattle 
who died in 1860, and again in 1804 to 



Miss A. A. Anderson. They are the 
parents of one child — Willie, who is a 
clerk in his father's store. 

A. H. Bird, dealer in general merchan- 
dise, was born in Canada in 184"?. He 
was brought up on a farm, received a 
common school education and came to the 
United States in 1867. He first settled at 
Watertown, Wis., where he followed 
farming for six years, or until 1872, when 
he came to Iowa and bought a farm in 
Clinton township, Franklin county. Here 
he continued to farm until 1882 when he 
sold out, and, in company wdth. William 
Combellick, engaged in the mercantile 
business in Sheffield. In March, 1883, he 
bought out the entire business and has 
now one of the largest and best stocked 
■stores in the to ^ n He was for five years 
one of the trustees of Geneseo town- 
ship and a member of the school board 
for two years. He was wedded, in 1872, 
to Flora E Jones. They have four chil- 
dren^Nellie A., Florence, Sidney and 
Hugh. 

The first exclusive grocery store was 
started by 13. R. Tilton, in 1882. B. R. 
Tilton came to Franklin county in 1882. 
He was born in Maine, in 1848, where he 
was reared on a farm, educated at the 
common schools and followed farm life 
in his native State until March, 1872, at 
which time he came to Iowa and settled 
at Pleasant Grove, Floyd county, where 
he farmed for three years. In 1875, he 
went to Riverton township, the same 
county, where he engaged in farming until 
1877. From there he went to Nashua, 
Iowa, and engaged in speculation in real 
estate and stock until 1882, when he 
came to Sheffield .ind opened a grocery 



V 



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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



333 



store. In 1864, he enlisted in company 
D, 9th Maine Volunteer Infantry, and 
and served with distinction until the close 
of the war. Ha received a severe wound 
in tlie mouth, at the battle of Darbytown 
Road, Virginia, in the fall of 1864; the 
ball entered his mouth and came out at 
the side of his face, near his right ear. 
He was only sixteen years old at the time. 
He remained in the hospital until the 
close of the war, suffering greatly from 
his wound. In 1873, he was married to 
Martha J. Clark. They have had three 
children — Lula, Mary J. and George H. 
The eldest, Lula, died of diphtheria, in 
1870, and was buried at Pleasant Grove. 
Mr. Tilton belongs to the G. A. R. and 
also the A. O. U. W. societies. 

E. E. Morehouse opened a gro- 
cery store, in 1881, carrying boots 
and shoes also. The first year his 
sales amounted to 115,000. 

Elmer E. Morehouse, dealer in groceries 
and boots and shoes, was born in West 
Fork township, Franklin Co., Iowa, in 
August, 1861, being the first wliite child 
born in that township. In childhood he 
was made a cripple for life by an attack 
of spinal meningitis. This necessitated 
his fitting himself for a position in life 
that could be filled by the unfortunate, 
lie therefore sought and obtained a good 
educ ition. After completing it, h6 taught 
school for Bome years. He then clerked 
in a store at Hampton for about two years, 
and then in 1881, he came to Sheffield and 
engaged in his present business. He is a 
rising man, of fine culture, good business 
qualifications, and is highly respected by 
all who know him. 



H. Morehouse, farmer and partner of E. 
E. Morehouse, is one of the settlers of 1860^ 
and was born in the district of London, 
Canada, in 1832. He is a son of John and 
Clarissa .Morehouse, and came to the 
United States with them in 1838, first set- 
ling in Oakland Co,, Mich., where he 
spent his boyhood on a farm, receiving 
but a common school education. In 1856 
he went to Illinois, where he followed 
farming until 1860, when he came to 
Iowa, purchasing a farm on section 3, 
West Fork township, Franklin county, 
where he continued to live until 1881, 
when he came to the village of Sheffield 
and opened a store connected with his son 
Elmer, but has led a quiet retired life 
since his settling here. He was among 
the first settlers in West Fork townshiji, 
and took quite an active interest in the 
matters of the township, having filled 
many of the offices from time to time. For 
two year, 1863 and 1864, he was mail 
carrier from Hampton to Cedar Falls, 
Iowa. At the present time he is a member 
of the Sheffield city council. He was 
married in 1855, to Harriet M. Davis, and 
they have four children — Frank, Lorenzo, 
George and Elmer. 

The first furniture dealer was S. E. 
Spaulding, who opened a store in 1876. 
He continued two years, and was succeeded 
in 1881 by R. J. Churchouse, who erected 
a building 22x44 feet two stories high. 

R. J. Churchouse, proprietor of Sheffield 
furniture store, was born in England, in 
1845. In his childhood he came to Ameiit a 
with his parents and settled in Waukesha 
Co , Wis , remaining two years, when his 
mother died. He and his father then re- 
turned to England, but after a lapse of 



■r"N 






A^- 



334 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN OOUNTY. 



three years returned to the United States 
and were two years in Yoik State, from 
thence again to Wisconsin. He was brought 
up on a farm, but received a liberal educa 
tion. He enlisted, in 1861, in the 8th 
Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, company 
D, as a private, but two years served as a 
non-commissioned officer, and was in many 
of the heavy battles of the war, having 
been with Grant and Sherman four years. 
At the close of the war he returned to 
Wisconsin and engaged in lumbering and 
farming until 1872, when he came to Iowa 
and located in Cerro Gordo county for ten 
years, where he followed farming. In the 
spring of 1882, he came to Sheffield, Irank- 
lin county, building a store and engaging 
in the furniture business, which he has 
since successfully followed. He was mar- 
ried, in 1872, to Phebe Thayer, and they 
have two children- George and Harvey. 
They are members of the M. E. Church, 
and he is a member of the Grand Army of 
the Republic. 

The first livery stable in Sheffield was 
run by Wesley Hall. The next to engage 
in the business was William Ritter, in 
February, 1880, wh*o sold to Ford & Gear, 
the following year. 

G. L. Gear, of the firm of Ford & 
Giear, was born in 1858, in Jo Daviess 
Co., 111., and came to Franklin Co., Iowa, 
settling at Sheffield, Clinton township, in 
the spring of 1881. He was the son of 
William T. and Eliza (Day^ Gear. He 
giew up in his native county, was 
educated at the common schools, and re- 
mained at home until the death of his 
father in 1880. He then came west and 
spent six months in Minnesota, and in 
1881 came to Sheffield, where, in company 



with Mr. Ford, he bought the livery sta- 
ble, in which business he is now en- 
gaged. In politics he is a republican, and 
is a member of the 1. O. O. F. at this 
place, lie was married in 1883 to Susie 
Ford. 

George J. Ford, of Ford & Gear, was 
born in Jo Daviess Co., 111., Aug. 9, 18.55. 
His parents, Richard and Eliza (Richards) 
Ford, were natives of Cornwall, England, 
and were among the early settlers of Jo 
Daviess Co., 111. George remained at 
home on the farm until the age of twen- 
ty-two, when he struck out in life for 
himself. In February, 1879, he went to 
Leadville, Col., remaining there seven 
months. He was engaged as waiter in a 
boarding house for three weeks, when he 
took full charge of the house, until the 1st 
of May, and then engaged in the charcoal 
business with a large contractor, as fore- 
man. In August he was taken sick and 
returned to Illinois, and in 1880 came 
to Iowa for his health. In February, 1881, 
he engaged in the livery business with 
Mr. Gear, which business he has since 
continued with success. Mr. Ford mar- 
ried Eliza V. Gear, June 9, 1881, at Shef- 
field. They have one daughter, Millie, 
born May 17, 1883. Mr. Ford is a member 
of the Sheffield Lodge of Odd Fellows. 

The first to engage in the harness 
business was J. W. Winship, in 1874. 
He carried a small line of boots and 
shoes, also. In 1882 he sold to A. S. 
Abrams. 

A. S. Abrams, proprietor of the Shef- 
field harness shop, was born in Wayne 
Co., N. Y., in 1850. When seven years 
of age, his parents moved to Lee Co., 
III., wlierc^ he grew to manhood on a 



V 



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J- 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



335 



farm, receiving but a common school 
education. At the age of twenty-one 
years, he commenced to learn his trade, 
whic'i he has followed the greater part 
of the time since. In 1875 he came to 
Franklin Co., Iowa, and settled on a farm, 
with his father, in Richland township, 
where he remained until September, 
1882, then came to Sheffield and engaged 
in his present business. His shop is the 
only one in the place, and he is do 
ing a good business. He is a member 
of the Odd Fellows lodge, and is one 
of the officers. He is also a member of 
the encampment at Mason City. He was 
married in 1870 to Mary Gorton, a na- 
tive of Pennsylvania. She died in 1879, 
and he was married in December, 1882, 
to Irene Couch. One child was left him, 
by his first wife, named Winnie. 

The first blacksmith was Joseph Perrin, 
who opened a shop in 187-t. He is a na- 
tive of England, born in 1835. He came 
to America with his parents in 1840, set- 
tling in Jo Daviess Co., 111. When he was 
seventeen years of age he learned the 
blacksmith trade and followed it in Illi- 
nois until 1861, at which time he enlisted 
in the 3d Missouri Cavalry, serving nearly 
three and a half years, a good part of the 
time being spent at his trade. At the 
close of the war he was honorably dis- 
charged, came home with his regiment 
and turned his steps towards Illinois, 
where he followed his trade until he came 
to Iowa, in 1870, and settled in Clinton 
township. Here he farmed until Sheffield 
was started, then came to the village and 
built the first blacksmith shop. His busi- 
ness is large and lucrative. He owns 120 
acres of land near the village, also eighty 



acres adjoining the village, ten acres of 
which he has platted into lots as the Per- 
rin addition to Sheffield. Mr. Perrin was 
a member of the school board two years, 
and has held other minor town offices. He 
is a member of the Masonic order at Shef- 
field, of which he is an officer, and signed 
its charter; is also an officer in the G. A. 
R. He was married in 1865 to Maria M. 
Wilde. They have five children — Bertha, 
George K., Ada M. Florence W and 
Frank E. 

The first to engage in wagon and car- 
riage work was A. F. Crosby, who opened 
a shop in 1874, and in 1883 was still in 
the business. In 1S82, John Treganza 
started a wagon shop. 

A. F. Crosby came to Franklin Co., 
Iowa, in 1859, and settled in Clinton town- 
ship in 1860, engaging in farming. He 
was born in Wayne Co., N. Y. in 1818. 
He is the son of E. Y. and Abigail (Frank- 
lin) Crosby, the former of New York, the 
latter of Pennsylvania. When he was 
eight years of age, his parents moved to 
western New York, and when he was 
fourteen, they went to Ohio. There A. 
F. Crosby was brought up on a farm, re- 
ceived a common school education, and 
followed farming till he was twenty-seven 
years of age. In 1845, he went to work 
at the trade of carriage making in Penn- 
sylvania, and after two years there, went 
to Ohio and worked at wagon making, 
until he went to Wisconsin, in 1855. 
Here he worked at his trade till he came 
to Franklin Co., Iowa. Mr. Crosby started 
the first shop in the county in 1860, and 
has been in the business more or less ever 
since. He was married in 1841, to Sophro- 
nia Squire, a native of Ohio. They are 



- » a lV*" 



•Si 



336 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



the parents of five children, two living; one 
died in infancy. Elerauel enlisted in com- 
pany H, 32d Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and 
was killed at the battle of Pleasant Hill, 
La., April 9, 1864, at the age of nineteen. 
Their eldest daughter died of consumption 
in 1873, leaving a family of three children. 
She was the wife of Charles Smith — 
Squire E., a farmer in Nebraska, and 
Adalaide, the wife of A. Dailey, who is 
Mr. Crosby's partner. Mr. Crosby is the 
oldest resident settler in the town. He 
and his wife have lived together for forty- 
two years. Their oldest daughter, Maria, 
was the first child married in the township. 
Mr. and Mrs. Crosby are both active mem- 
bers of the Baptist Church, he having been 
a member for thirty-two, and his wife 
forty-six years. He has been justice of 
the peace, trustee of the township, assessor, 
and president of the school board. In 
politics, he is a republican, and a strong 
temperance man. 

John Treganza was born in England in 
1841, and came to America in 1843, with 
his parents, who settled in Jo Daviess C!^o., 
111. He lived on a farm until seventeen 
years of age, when he commenced to learn 
the wheel wright trade, and also that of 
stone cutter; the latter he followed for 
four years, and since that time has fol- 
lowed wagon making. In 1879, he came 
to Iowa, working at his trade at Hampton 
until the spring of 1882, and then moved 
to Sheftield, engaging in the wagon busi- 
ness. He was married in 1864 to Eliza- 
beth .Mills. They have four children — 
Joseph, Emma, Marcus M. and Henry. 

C. E. Willhelm established a restaurant 
at Sheffield in 1878, and was succeed by J. 
W. Hall. J. W. Hall came to Franklin 



Co., Iowa, about 1863 or 1864. He was 
born in St. Clair Co., Mich., 1841, came, 
when a child, with his parents to Illinois, 
and his father being a railroad conductor, 
went with him as teamster at the age of 
twelve, which he followed until he came 
to Iowa, in 1863. In 1864 he bought a 
farm in West Fork township, where he 
farmed till 1868, then went to Mason City 
as foreman on the C, M. & St. P. railroad, 
with fourteen teams in his charge, and re- 
mained there four years. In 1872, he was 
on the Illinois Central R. R., spent the two 
summers of 1873 and 1874 on ihe Central 
Iowa R. R., and and returned to Mason 
City as drayman for five years. He then 
went to Missouri as foreman on the K. C. 
N. R. R,. running two seasons, after which 
he came back to Sheftield and bought the 
billiard hall and ran it six months. He 
then spent one season as foreman on the 
C, M. & St. P. R. R., and a few months as 
engineer in the mill, and finally settled in 
Sheffield where he still lives. 

The first meat market was operated by 
S. E. Baker, who continued but a short 
time. 

James Ormrod opened the next market, 
in April 1881. He came to Franklin Co , in 
March, 1876, and leased 480 acres of land 
in Clinton township, where he engaged in 
stock and grain raising until April, 1881, 
when he opened a meat market in Shef- 
field, which business he still continues. He 
is extensively engaged in shipping stock 
to the Chicago market, having shipped 
last year about $50,000 worth. He is a 
native of England, born in November, 
1850, and when two years old came with 
his parents to America, living for seven 
years in Newport, R. I. He then went 



7! 



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HISTORY OF FRANKIN COUNTY. 



337 



to Warren, JoDaviess Co., 111. He was 
brought up on a farm and received a com- 
mon school education. Mr. Ormrod is a 
republican in politics, and is an active 
member of the M. E. Church. He was 
married in December, 1874, to Miss E. L. 
Farnham,a nativeof Wisconsin. They have 
two children living — Jimmie and Leone. 

The Bank of Sheffield was established 
Jan. 1, 1880^ with T. B. Taylor, as presi- 
dent; W. D. Evans, vice-president, and L. 
B. Carhart, as cashier and business 
manager. 

L. B. Carhart, in the spring of 1873, 
came to Hampton, Iowa, and in company 
with T. B. Taylor, started a book and 
music store. He purchased Mr. Taylor's 
interest the following springand continued 
the business alone till the fall of 1877, 
when he sold out and went to Grinnell, 
Iowa, where he engaged with his father 
and brother in the lumber business for 
two years. In the fall of 1879, he sold his 
interests at Grinnell and moved to Shef 
Held. Iowa, where, in company with T. B. 
Taylor and W. D. Evans, of Hampton, he 
started the Sheffield bank, of which he 
i.s the cashier and business manager. Mr. 
Carhart is one of the trustees,and also treas- 
urer (sf the M. E. Church, of which he is a 
member. In politics he is a strong re- 
publican and a thorough temperance man. 
• He was born Jan. 1, 1850, in Onondaga 
Co., N. Y. With his parents, John and 
Angelina Carhart, he came to Iowa and 
settled near Davenport, in 1855 His boy- 
hood days were spent on the farm, where 
lie was not a stranger to hard labor. In 
1808, he entered Cornell College, Iowa, at 
Mt. Vernon, and graduated in June, 1872. 
He was married in August of the same 



year to Addle M. Wright, and soon after 
came to Eldora, Iowa, where he engaged 
in teaching, being principal of the graded 
schools of that place. Here he taught 
for two terms, and in the spring of 1873, 
came to Hampton. Mr. and Mrs. Carhart 
are the parents of four children — Edward, 
Herman, Charles and Harry. 

O. C. Zimmerman, proprietor of the- 
Sheffield billiard hall, was born in Clay- 
ton Co., Iowa, in 1853. Soon afterward 
his parents went to Pennsylvania, but in 
less than two years returned to Clayton 
county, where they remained for ten 
years and then came to Franklin county 
and settled on the farm adjoining Shef- 
field, where his father still lives. During 
his younger days, O. C. Zimmerman 
spent some time in a store, but was on a 
farm the most of the time, receiving such 
an education as the district schools af- 
forded. In 1877, he was married, 
bought a farm and started out for himself. 
He now owns in all 280 acres of land in 
different places. During the winter of 
1882-3 he moved into Sheffield and fitted 
up the billiard hall which he now runs. 
Mr. Zimmerman is a member of the I. O. 
O. F. and Masonic fraternities. He is 
father of three children — J. J., Clara May 
and Elfie. 

The first physician who practiced at 
Sheffield was Dr. J. M. Potter, who came 
in 1875. In 1883, this profession was rep- 
resented by Drs. G. W. Lee and H. R. 
Floyd, both locating here in 1882. 

The first drug store was started by Dr. 
J. M. Potter, in 1875, who, in 1880, sold 
to Anderson & Nichols. This partner- 
ship continued until 1882, when Mr. 



vi«- 



,M' s 



338 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



Anderson sold his interest in the business 
to Mr. Nichols. 

William E. Nichols was born in San- 
dusky Co., Ohio, in 1854. When quite 
young, his parents moved to northern Indi- 
ana. Here he received a liberal academic 
education. At fourteen years of age he 
started out for himself. He posted him- 
self in pharmacy and has followed it with 
success ever since. He opened his first 
store at Wyoming, Iowa, remainei there 
one year, then sold out and in the fall of 
1880 came to Sheffield, Iowa, and in com- 
pany with Mr. Anderson, bought the 
drug business then owned by .J. M. Potter. 
This partnership continued till the spring 
of 1882, when Mr. Nichols bought out his 
partner. He has built up a good business 
and is very popular with all classes. In 
the spring of 1883, he rented another 
store and has put in a large stock of mu- 
sical instrument", and being a fine musi- 
cian himself, he will hereafter give his per- 
sonal attention to this branch of his large 
business. In September, 1881, he was 
married to Collin Skinner, at Manson, 
Iowa. 

The butter and egg business is carried 
on by A. H. Bird, Hockett & Slade, and 
Thomas Bros. 

Sheffield supports one newspaper — the 
Shettield Press, edited by F. P. Morgan. 

A. B. Carter, the popular barber at 
Sheffield, came here in 1878. He was born 
in Floyd Co., Iowa, in 1853, and was the 
Krst child born in that county, where his 
parents settled in 1852. There he grew 
up, receiving a common school educa- 
tion, and remained on the farm until he 
was twenty-two years of age, when he 
commenced to learn the barber's trade at 



Nashua, Iowa, following it there and other 
places until he came here. When he came 
here he built a small shop, and later a 
larger one, and by stricl attention to busi- 
ness has secured and holds a very lucra 
tive custom. He is a member of the Odd 
Fellows, was one of the charter members, 
gave much assistance in starting the order 
here, and has passed all the chairs. He 
was married in 1876 to Sophronia Baum- 
gardner. 

D. N. Byerlee, station agent at Sheffield, 
was born in Albia, Monroe Co., Iowa, in 
1855. He is the son of A. J. and Mary J. 
Byerlee. The subject of this sketch was 
reared on a farm, receiving a common 
school education at the Albia High School. 
In 1876 he went on the C, B. & Q. R. R., 
on the middle Iowa division, as agent and 
operator; this he followed until the fall 
of 1882, when he gave up railroading and 
commenced to study short hand at Albia. 
He worked there for a time, and then came 
to Sheffield as agent of the station, in May, 
1883. He was married in 1877 to Belle 
Hickey, a native of Iowa. They have one 
child — Libbie E. 

A. C. Whitn&y, contractor and builder, 
came to Franklin county in 1878, and lo- 
cated at Sheffield, where he formed a 
partnership with L S. Bullard, and has 
since been engaged in the business; they 
having built many of the houses in this 
thriving little city. He was born in New 
Hampshire in 1837, and learned his trade 
from his father, who was also a carpenter. 
He left home, going to Winnebago Co., 
III., remaining three years; then to Kane 
county, where he remained twelve years, 
following his trade and farming; from 
thence to Lake county, remaining until 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



341 



1878, when he came to Clinton township. 
He was married in 1861 to Clara J. Cary, 
who died in 1876, leaving four children — 
George, Lizzie, Adell and Anna. He was 
again married in 1881 to Martha Wilhelm, 
and has one child by his present wife — 
Freddie. He is a member of the Masonic 
fraternity at Sheffield, and is present tyler 
of the lodge. 

J. W. Bruce, of the lirm of Bigg & 
Bruce, contractors and builders, was born 
in Dodge Co., Wis., in 1856, and came to 
Sheffield, Franklin Co., Iowa, in 1878. 
He worked for Mr. Bigg two years and 
since that time has been in partnership 
with him. When he was nineteen years 
years of age he commenced to learn the 
carpenter trade, and in 1876, came to 
Iowa setlling in Rockwell, Cerro Gordo 
county, where he followed his trade until 
he came here. Mr. Bruce owns a fine 
house and lot, and in company with Mr. 
Bigg owns the shop where they do busi- 
ness. In politics he is a republican; is 
also a member of the I. O. O. F. In 1882, 
he was united in marriage with Tillie 
Hall, of Illinois. 

D. E. Bigg was born in England in 1848. 
He came to America in 1802 and settled 
in Fon duLac, Wis., where he commenced 
to learn his trade when he was quite 
young. He received a common school 
education. In 1878, he came to this place 
and worked at his trade — that of con- 
tractor and builder — until 1881, when he 
formed a joint partnership with J. W. 
Bruce, under the firm name of Bigg & 
Bruce, and thus thev have continued. He 
is a member of the school board; also a 
member of the Odd Fellows lodge of which 
he has been an officer. He is arepublii-an 



in politics. Mr. Bigg was married in 1873 
to Lticinda Thayer, of Wisconsin. They 
have four children — Maude, Ethia, Johnnie 
and Grace. 

John L. Borst, coal dealer in Sheffield, 
Iowa, came to Franklin county in 1876, 
and after farming for about five years, 
located in Sheffield. He was born in 
Fon du Lac, Wis., in 1852, where he 
grew up and followed farming with his 
parents until he was twenty years of age. 
He then went into the drug business in 
connection with a livery stable and bus 
line. He also spent a few years, during 
the time he was engaged in farming, in 
speculating in stock. His parents were 
James and Millica Borst. He was mar- 
ried Feb. 20, 1873, to Ella P. John, a na- 
tive of Ohio. They have two children — 
Frank L. and Arthur Earle. 

W. F. McKenzie, grain dealer, was born 
in Wyandot Co., Ohio, in 1849. In his 
native county he grew to manhood on a 
farm, receiving a good education, spending 
two years at the State LTniversity of Iowa, 
finishing in 1874. He came to Franklin 
Co., Iowa with his parents in the spring 
of 1868, settling in Clinton township, and 
when only eighteen years of age, he com 
menced teaching school; taught several 
terms before entering the university, also 
four terms while in that institution. In 
1875, he went into the stock business, 
buying and shipping to the Chicago 
market; this he continued until one year 
ago. In the fall of 1878 he formed a part- 
nership for the purpose ot buying grain, 
and is now doing a fine business. His 
father, Roderick and mother, Rachel, both 
died about a year ago. Mr McKerzie is 
a member of the Odd Fellows lodge, be- 



23 



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342 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



ing one of the charter members. In poli 
tics he is a republican. Mr. McKenzie 
was married in October, 1880, to Maggie 
Winchell, a native of Wisconsin. They 
have one child — Alma. He has held 
many of the town offices; is school treas- 
urer at this time, also a member of the 
city council 

Among other prominent men of Shef- 
iield are James Borst, John H. Richer and 
Joseph Gilchrist. 

John H. Richer came to Clinton town- 
ship, Franklin Co., Iowa, in 1870. He 
was born in Philadelphia, Penn., Dec. 21, 
1837, and at ten years of age went with 
his parents to Lebanon, Warren Co., Ohio 
.His father being a shoemaker, at the age 
of thirteen John began to learn that 
trade, afterwards working at it in Dayton, 
Ohio, until 1854, when he settled in Tou- 
lon, 111., then in Henry county, thence 
removed to Atchinson, same State, where 
for two years he was in business for him- 
self He then sold out, went to Osceola 
and worked as a journeyman. May 2, 
1862, he enlisted in company G, 65th 
Illinois Volunteer Infantry, known as the 
Scotch regiment, being largely composed 
of men of Scotch descent. He enlisted 
as a private, but for faithful duty the first 
night he was on guard, he was promoted 
to second corporal by Colonel Mulligan, 
of the 23d Illinois. On Sept 19, 1862, di- 
rectly after the battle of Antietam, he was 
made second sergeant. Here he was 
wounded in the head by the fragment of 
a shell which left liini for some time un- 
conscious, but in a week he was in his 
place again. He was taken prisoner at 
Harper's Ferry, but at once paroled He 
liad liis right shoulder broken in a rail- 



road collision during the war, contracted 
heart disease and rheumatism in the army, 
and now draws a pension of $18 per 
month. He was in the battles of Antie- 
tam, Harper's Ferry and others, and was 
honorably discharged at the close of the 
war. After the war he returned to Osce- 
ola, 111., and followed his trade until he 
came here in 1870, in search of health. 
He settled in Clinton township till Shef- 
field was started, then came to town and 
worked at his trade. In 1876, he was ap- 
pointed postmaster and held the office un- 
til Mr. Bowen was appointed. In 1881, 
he went into business in company with H. 
Morehouse, where he continued until the 
spring of 1883. He signed the charter 
and was instrumental in the organization 
of the G. A. R here, of which he is ser- 
geant. He was married, March 8, 1858, 
to Mary E. Milden, a native of Ohio, 
They have had three children — Corrilla 
Louisa, Ransom Dudley and lone Eftie, 
who died when five years of age. 

James Borst is a prominent resident of 
Sheffield, having come here in 1877. He 
was born in Schoharie Co., N. Y. When 
sixteen years old he went to Laporte Co., 
Ind., going from there to Missouri, thence 
to Wisconsin in 1856. His advantages 
weie very limited. When he was mar- 
ried he commenced life without a dollar, 
but by hard work and close economy he 
began to accumulate property, and when 
he went to Wisconsin, in 1856, he bought 
a small farm and from that day onward 
he has made rapid advancement in the 
acquisition of wealth, far surpassing the 
dreams of his boyhood. Ho is now sixty- 
seven years of age, hale and vigorous, 
and possesses a large fortune. In 1867 



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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



343 



he moved into the village of Fox Lake, 
Wis., and for ten years he retired from 
active labor. In ISV? he c me to Shef- 
ffeld, Iowa, where he invested a large 
amount of his fortune. He owns 280 
acres of land in Clinton township, ad- 
joining the town, a part of which is in 
the corporation. He owns the finest resi- 
dence in the town, built by himself in 
ISTT, also the finest business block built 
in 1882, at a cost of 17,000. He also 
has several other business houses and four 
tenement houses, and is doing much in 
building up the town. He has platted 
Borst's addition to the village, and sells 
lots at prices to encourage settlers. For 
fifteen years Mr. Borst has been an 
active member of the Baptist Church, 
and a life-long republican. He is a very 
liberal man and joins heartily in every- 
thing that tends to build up tlie town, 
and his efforts are appreciated by the 
people. He was married in 1843 to Me- 
lissa Culver. They have four children 
— Bethone, Wm. D , Joseph B. and John 
L. 

Joseph CTilchrist, one of the early set- 
tlers of Ross township, was born in West- 
moreland Co., Penn., July 3, 1827. He 
is the son of Josepn and Julia (McCollister) 
Gilchrist, both natives of Pennsylvania. 
His mother died while he was a child, and 
he was brought up on his father's farm. 
At the age of eighteen he began to learn 
the shoemaker's trade, at New Salem 
Cross Roads, Pennsylvania, which vocation 
he followed for a number of years. In 
1858, he removed to Iowa and located at 
Shell Rock, Butler county, where he 
worked at shoemaking about three years, 
then removed to Franklin county. In the 



fall of 1802, he settled on the place he now 
owns. He first bought forty acres on sec- 
tion 10, to which he has added from time 
to time, until he is now the owner of 240 
acres, nearly all of which is under cultiva- 
tion. Mr. Gilchrist is an enterprising 
farmer, having twenty-eight head of cattle 
and nine horses on his place. He began 
setting out fruit trees soon after locat- 
ing, and now has a thrifty orchard, nearly 
all in bearing condition. Mr. Gilchrist 
married Sarah A. Bushyager, of Pennsyl- 
vania, Aug. 8, 1849. She has borne him 
eight children, all of whom are now liv- 
ing — Irving K., born May 3, 1850; Mary 
E., born Oct. 4, 1850; William D., born 
Nov. 5, 1854; Sarah L., born Oct. 31, 1850; 
.Martha J., born April 19, 1850; Alice S., 
born Aug. 1, 1801; Joseph G., born March 
12, 1864, and Truman H. J., born Dec. 1, 
1860. The first four children were born 
at Adamsburg, Penn., the next in Butler 
Co., Iowa, and the three last named in 
Franklin county. Mr. and Mrs. Gilchrist 
are members of the Disciple Church at 
Rockwell. 

POSTOFFICE. 

The postoffice, at Sheflield was e.'^tab- 
iished in 1 874. W. S. Bowen was the first 
postmaster; he served one year and was 
succeeded by N. J. Brown, who kept the 
office a year, when Mr. Bowen again re- 
ceived the appointment, and was still post- 
master in 1883. The office was made a 
money order office in October, 1877. The 
first order was issued to Richard Wilde 
for *48, payable at Mason City to Brick- 
son & Nelson, dated Oct. 1, 1877, In 
August, 1883, there had been issued 4,7(t7 
money orders. 



* 



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344 



lll^luKV OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



\V. S. Bowen, postmaster and mayor of 
the town of Sheftiold, in 1883, has been 
identified with, the interests of the place 
since its very commencement. Mr. Bowen 
was born in Canada East, near the Ver- 
mont line, in October, 1829. He is the 
son of Peter and Mary Bowen, natives of 
New Hampshire. He was brought up on 
a farm, receiving a common school educa- 
tion. He followed farming in his native 
county. When he moved to Clayton Co., 
Iowa, he followed the same occupation 
until 1867. Mr. Bowen then removed to 
I^ranklin county, settling in Clinton town- 
ship on section 5 and owning 200 acres of 
the section. When the town of Sheffield 



was laid out, in 1874, he moved to that 
village and was soon after appointed post- 
master. After holding the office a short 
time he vacated it for a few years, but was 
again appointed, and was still postmaster 
in 188.3. He has been a justice of the 
peace for several years, was elected mayor 
when the town was first incorporated, and 
with the exception of one term, has held 
that office ever since. He was also town 
treasurer for eight years, and has been 
connected with the school board most of 
the time since he lived in Sheffield. In 
politics he is a strong republican. He was 
married, in 1864, to Hattie Vance. 



CHAPTER XIX 



GENEVA TOWNSHIP. 



This township, in 1883, comprised con- 
gressional township 91, range 19 west, and 
was one of tlie four townships in the east- 
ern tier of the county. Martin Boots, 
Peter C. Berry, D. G. Carbaugh, Q. A. 
.Jordan and Jabash Jones, were among the 
first settlers of the township. 

The land is of a most excellent quality, 
and as highly valued as any in Franklin 
county. Mayne's creek runs through the 
township from west to east, which, with 
its small tributaries, waters and drains 
the en ire township. Timber is found in 
Four Mile Grove and Highland Grove. 

Great is the contrast of the township, 
as seen in 1883, with that of 1860, when 



the few settlers were undergoing hard- 
ships, such as the future generations can 
never fully conceive of. The pioneer 
would look out over the wide frontier and 
wonder if he would live to enjoy the priv- 
ileges of a fully developed country — 
whether the iron horse would ever course 
through this section of Iowa in place of 
the ox team method of transporting mer- 
chandise and produce. Each season 
brought with it some signs of better days, 
until in 1870 the farmer and merchant 
found access to the eastern markets by 
way of the Central of Iowa Railway, 
from that date the county has steadily ad- 
vanced, and in 1883 Geneva, as well as 



■r" IS ^ 



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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



345 



those townships adjoining it, was fast 
developing into a choice agricultural dis- 
trict, and in the near future is destined to 
rank high among the fair garden spots of 
Iowa. 

SETTLEMENT. 

The first settlers of this township were: 
Job Garner, Amon Rice and Peter Rein- 
hart, in IBS'*. 

Garner located on section 15, and built 
the first house in the township, remaining 
there a year. He then sold to Martin 
Boots and entered the land where Hamp- 
ton now stands, giving forty acres of the 
same to the county. 

In 1855, J. E.' Perdue, Silas Moon, Mar- 
tin Boots, Charles Leggett, Henry Smith, 
George Hansell, William H. Thompson, 
David Church, Q. A. Jordan, Rufus Ben- 
son and Samuel Carbaugh, settled in the 
township. 

J. E. Perdue came from Illinois, locat- 
ing on section 17, where he lived until 
1868, when he removed to southern Iowa. 

Silas Moon came from Indiana and set- 
tled on section 17, where he remained for 
a time and moved to Oregon territory. 

Charles Leggett settled on land after- 
ward owned by J. Pickering. 

Henry Smith first came in the fall of 
1854, but did not come to remain until the 
following spring. He entered land on 
on section 17, which he afterward sold to 
J. E. Perdue. 

George Hansell moved from Ohio to 
Cedar Co., Iowa, April, 1855. He came 
to Geneva township in July of that year, 
locating on sections 6 and 7, where he 
lived until 187.3, when he removed to Ing- 
ham township, where he had owned land 



for several years. The station on the 
Dubuque & Dakota railway was named 
after him. 

William H. Thompson came in 1855 and 
settled on sections 7 and 8. His wife tells 
of many laughable incidents connected 
with pioneer life in Franklin county. It 
is related that the few women of the set- 
tlement used to call upon each other, not 
for sympathy, but for the express purpose 
of getting more of a company to help 
each other "hate the country." 

The old settlers of the township tell of 
a "curious" soup, noted for not being over 
rich. A soup bone was hung up in the 
window and its shadow allowed to fall 
upon boiling water. 

William II. Thompson, one of the old 
settlers of Geneva township, was born in 
New Hampshire in 1831. He grew to 
mannood in his native State, on the farm, 
attending the common school and acade- 
my in his native town, where he also 
taught school. In the fall of 1855, he 
came to Franklin county and entered his 
present farm. He remained in Waterloo, 
Iowa, during the winter, returning to his 
new home the following spring, where he 
has since resided. On the organization 
of the township, Mr. Thompson was ap- 
pointed township clerk. He has also held 
the office of drainage commissioner, and 
in 1856 held the office of deputy county 
clerk. He is a staunch republican. He 
was married in the spring of 1857 to Lucy 
E. Joslin, a native of New Hampshire, 
born in 1828 ; they have had six children, 
four of whom are now living — George D. 
Herbert W., Clarence H. and Roland J. 
Mr. Thompson is a member of the Metho- 
dist Church. 



yy 
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2^ 



9 »w. 



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346 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



David Church located in the township 
in the fall of 1855 and hired a house. In 
the spring of 1856, he built and moved 
his family there. He settled on section 9, 
and in 1883 owned several hundred acres 
of land in this county. David Church was 
born in Erie, Penn., Oct., 20, 1827, 
and is a son of David and Margaret 
(Clark) Church. He came to Franklin 
Co., Iowa, in 1855 and bought a claim in 
Geneva township. In 1856, he brought 
his family, commenced improvements and 
farmed until 1881. He was one of the 
board of county supervisors for six years, 
was one of the organizers of the Citizen's 
Bank of Hampton, and always a director 
of the same. He is an active politician and 
has been a life long democrat. He re- 
ceived a limited education in his native 
State. In 1854, he came west and lo- 
cated in Winnebago Co., 111. In 1852, he 
and [larlet C. Shattuck, of Pennsylvania, 
were married and have two children — 
Walter, residing in Washington town- 
ship, and George H. 

Q. A. .Jordan came from Illinois in 
1854 or early in 1855, locating on section 
16. He remained until jnst prior to the 
war, when he moved to Kansas While 
a resident of the township he saw what 
he supposed to be some elk in the distance; 
having a fleet footed mare he mounted 
her, with his gun, and started for them. 
Upon Hearing the objects he found them 
to be two horses, with a man riding one of 
them and leading the other. The man 
put whip and spur to the horses and tried 
to make good his escape, but when Jordan 
got within shooting distance, he called 
upon him to halt, saying he would shoot 
if he did not. The man did not obey. 



and, good as his word, Jordan fired and 
wounded him. He then brought him 
back" a prisoner, when it was found that he 
was a horse thief. Shortly afterwards 
parties came from Fort Dodge, claimed 
the horses, and took charge of this pio- 
neer thief, who was dealt with according 
to law. 

Martin Boots is one of the early settlers 
in Geneva township. He was a native of 
of Fayette Co., Ohio, born in 1817. He 
was reared on the farm, and when sixteen 
years of age, went with his parents to 
Indiana. He received his education at 
the log school-house, henc_e it was a lim- 
ited common school education. When 
twenty-one he engaged in farming. May 
25, 1844 he married Rebecca Jones, boin 
in Preston Co., W. Va., in 1820. in the 
fall of 1854, they came to Iowa, stopping 
the first winter near Waterloo, and the 
following spring, coming to Geneva town- 
ship, they purchased and opened the farm 
on which he still resides. The first relig- 
ious services in the township were held 
at his house. Mr. and Mrs. Boots are 
members of the United Brethren Church, 
and have eight children: Rhoda, William, 
Martha J., James W , Mary E., John M., 
Malena E. and Simeon. In politics he is 
a republican. His farm consists of 240 
acres, valued at 130 per acre, containing 
excellent buildings, near which is a fine 
spring, which furnishes an abundance of 
water, not only for domestic purposes, but 
also for stock. He makes stock a special- 
ty, and is successful. 

Rufus Benson settled on section 16. 
He was born in the town of Richmond, 
Cheshire Co., N. H., Sept. 7, 1804, and is 
a son of Isaac and Eunice (Sawyer) Ben- 



±^ 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



347 



son, natives of New Hampshire. His 
grandfather was one of the first settlers of 
that State. Rufus was the fifth of seven 
children, three girls and four boys. His 
father died in Vermont. His mother 
died when he was but seven years old. 
When twelve years old he went with a 
married sister to Ohio, where he remained 
three years, when he returned to New 
Hampshire. After staying two years 
here he returned to Ohio, where he mar- 
ried, Dec. 11, 1828, Caroline Wells, a na 
tive of Geauga Co., Ohio, born Aug. 12, 
1810, by whom he had four children. In 
1^55 he came to Franklin county, settling 
on section 16, Geneva township, where 
he now resides. Mrs Benson died Sep- 
tember 5, 1862. He was again married 
Dec. 13, 1864, and by this marriage had 
three children. 

During 1856, Hichard Horner and P. 
C. Berry, came to this township. Hor- 
ner came from Indiana and settled on 
section 18, which had been taken up by 
John Evans, the year prior. Mr Horner 
was born, November 28, 1812, in Balti- 
more, Md. At fourteen years of age, he 
was bound out to learn blacksmithing. 
After serving an apprenticeship for five 
years, he spent four years working at his 
trade in Chambersburg and Pittsburg, 
when he returned to Baltimore and stayed 
there eighteen months, and also two years 
in Pittsburg. He also spent sometime in 
boating between Pittsburg and New Or- 
leans. In 1835 he went to Cincinnati, 
Ohio, and worked at his trade two years, 
and in 1837, went to Warren, Wayne 
county, Ind., and followed his trade until 
he came here, in 1856. After coming to 
Franklin county he combined blacksmith- 



^. 



ing and farming until 1862, when he 
turned his attention wholly to farming, 
which he still follows. He was married, 
October 22, 1840, to Hannah Maninfold, 
born in Washington Co., Tenn., De- 
cember 1, 1820. They have had eight 
children — Benjamin, Jesse, (deceased), 
Joseph, (deceased), William, John, (de- 
ceased), and Shepherd. Three of his sons 
served in the war, where Jesse was killed. 
Mr and Mrs. Horner, were membeis of 
the United Brethren Church for twelve 
years, but there being no church of that 
denomination where they live, in Geneva 
township, they have united with the M. 
E. Church. Mr. Horner was originally a 
Democrat, but became a Republican on 
the organization of that party He has 
an excellent record as a man and citizen, 
is one of the solid men of the county, and 
well regarded by all l^is fellows. 

W. C. Horner w.is born in Indiana, in 
1844, and came to Franklin county with 
his parents when fourteen years old, re- 
ceiving a common school education. He 
enlisted Aug. 13, 1862, in company H, 
32d Iowa Infantry, and was in the follow- 
ing engagements: Red River Expedition, 
Nashville, Eastport, Miss., and Holly 
Springs. After he received his discharge 
he returned to Franklin county, where he 
was married Dec. 31, 1865, to Rhoda Boots, 
born in Indiana, March, 1845. They have 
eight children living — Martha E., Herbert 
O., Ida May, Bertha R., William A., 
James W., Edith I. and Charles C. He 
is a republican in politics and has held 
local offices. 

P. C. Berry, born in Lebanon Co. Penn. 
in 1815, is a son of Peter and 
Elizabeth (Lutz) Berry, natives of Penn- 



> V 



A 



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348 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



sylvania. In 1815, they removed to Cin- 
cinnati, and from there to Batavia, and 
then to Butler Co., Ohio, and again to 
Cass Co., Ind., where the father died in 
1853, the mother in 1873. They reared a 
family of eight children, the subject of 
this sketch being the sixth. P. C. Berry 
was reared on his father's farm, and as the 
advantages were not what they now are, 
his education was limited. He was mar- 
ried in Cass county, Aug. 4, 1836, to 
Christena Thomas, a native of Preble Co., 
Ohio, born Feb. 14, 1817. Her parents, 
Lewis and Barbara (Albright) Thomas 
were natives of North Carolina, from 
whence they removed to Ohio, then to 
Indiana, both dying in Miami county. 
They had eleven children; Mrs. Berry be- 
ing the eighth. In 1856, Mr. Berry emi 
grated with his family to Franklin county, 
and purchased the farm where he now 
lives. He and his wife have been mem- 
bers of the Methodist Church upwards of 
forty years. The farm consists of 328i 
acres, under a good state of cultivation, 
valued at $35 per acre. He is a republi- 
can in politics. Fourteen children have 
been born to them, seven of whom are 
now living — Mary J., Emeline, Edward 
N , Oliver B., William D., James C. and 
John W. Mr. Berry is a member of the 
Masonic order, and was a charter mem- 
ber of the Hampton lodge. He is regarded 
as an excellent citizen. 

In 1858, Eleazer Manifold settled in 
Geneva township. He was the seventh 
son of a family of eleven children. Mr. 
Manifold, Sr., was born in Tennessee, in 
1812. When a boy he went to Indiana 
where he was mairied to Hannah 
Sedanbaugl), born in Pennsylvania. She 



died in 1874. Eleazer was born in 
Randolph Co , Ind. When eight years 
of age, his parents removed to Iowa and 
wintered in Black Hawk county, and in 
the spring of 1858, came to Franklin 
county, settling at Four Mile Grove, in 
Geneva township, where the father died 
in 1875. The mother is still living near 
where they first settled in the township. 
Eleazer was married June 15, 1874, to 
Elma C. Pound, born in Wisconsin, in 
1855. They have three children — AlvaC, 
Edna A. and Jesse B. 

During 1859, Jarvis Clock and his son, 
H. C. Clock settled in Geneva township. 

Jarvis Clock, the second son of Ebenezer 
and Lucinda Clock, was born near Islip, 
Suffolk Co., L. I., Feb., 1828. In 1832 
his parents moved to Painesville, Lake Co., 
Ohio, where he attended school until he 
was about fourteen years of age, when he 
went into the employ of the captain of a 
vessel engaged in the merchant service on 
the lakes. Here he remained for several 
years and then went on board a whaling 
ship. He was fond of a sailor's life and 
followed it for several successive years. 
In 1855 he came to Iowa and purchased a 
farm in Franklin county, Geneva town- 
ship. On the 9th of September, 1858, he 
was married to Nancy Marvin, of Pike 
Co., Ohio. The following winter they 
spent in Illinois, and in the si)ring came 
to Franklin Co., Iowa. He immediately 
began improving his place though thej' 
did not move on it until 1866. That year 
he built a substantial stone house and the 
following year set out an orchard and 
planted a grove of maple trees. He was 
careful for nothing so much as to make 
his farm a valuable and comfortable home. 





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^ O JO AjrO/yi^ 





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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



353 



and means of sustenance for his family, 
and though he did not live to improve it 
according to his ideal, yet he made it one 
of the best farms in the county. There 
are four children in this family — Mary 
Belle, born Jan. 12, 1862, Kire LaClare, 
born July 8,j5;1863, Archie Louis, born 
Oct. 25, 1867 and Rose Marvin, born Feb. 

28, 1873. In February, 1879, Mr. Clock 
was attacked with pneumonia, and after 
an illness of only a few days, died Feb. 18, 
1879, at the age of fifty-one years. For 
more than twenty-five years he had been a 
member of the I. O. O. F. and was buried 
by that order. He was a man of ster- 
ling integrity, and his influence was always 
on the side of religion, temperance and 
right. 

Lovelett Stoddard came in 1860, having 
lived three years in Reeve township. He 
was born in Connecticut, in 1816, where 
he grew to manhood. He received a com- 
mon school education, was married Sept. 
6, 1840, in Connecticut, to Catherine E. 
Bishop, who was born in England, in 
1818. In 1857 they came to Franklin 
county, and first settled in Reeve town- 
ship, remaining until the spring of 1860, 
when they removed to Geneva township, 
where they still reside. They have had 
two children — Fannie E., (now deceased), 
born Nov. 23, 1842. She was finely edu- 
cated, was one of the early teachers 
of the county, and was married Nov. 4, 
5862, to Dr. S. R.Mitchell. Three children 
were born unto them — Clara L., Mary F. 
and Fannie M. William P., was born May 

29, 1845. He received a good common 
school education. He is republican in 
politics, and has held the oflice of town- 
ship clerk, and school secretary. He was 



married Dec. -^5, I 876, to Alice E. Hedges, 
a native of Ohio, born July 30, 1857. 
They have two children — Mark L. and 
Glenn H.. Mr. and Mrs. Stoddard, senior, 
are members of Episcopal Church. Mr. 
and Mrs. Stoddard, junior, are members of 
the M. E. Church. 

Among others who came to the town- 
ship during the next ten years were: Ed- 
ward McClelland, N. Cknnmens, Henry 
Andrews, Henry Hide, Isaac Appelby, 
James W. McDougle, Adam Knau and 
John G. Herbster. 

Edward McClelland is a son of Frederick 
and Dorcas (Carr) McClelland, who were 
early settlers of Pennsylvania, where they 
lived until their death; his father died 
January 18.= 9, aged seventy years, and his 
mother, in 1863, aged sixty-seven. They, 
had ten children, six boys and four girls. 
The subject of this sketch was the fourth, 
and one of twins, born in Bradford in 
1824. He acquired a good common school 
education and chose farming as an occu- 
pation. He married Ilannh P.Roberts, 
July 18, 1847. She was born in Bradford, 
Penn., May 27, 1820. They came to 
Geneva township in 1861, and in January 
1878, removed to their present home on 
section 15. Four children have Tjeen 
born to them -Edward B., Marietta (de- 
ceased), Edward D. and Mary J. They 
are members of the Disciple Church, and 
also of the Grange. He is a republi. 
can in politics, and has held several county 
offices. 

N. Clemmens is of German descent, 
born in Washington Co., Penn., in 1833. 
There he grew to manhood, and was married 
in 1*'58 to Susan Whiteman, born in 1832. 
In 1862 they came to Franklin county, and 



24 



IV 



A* 



fe^ 



354 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



now live on section 2 in Geneva township. 
His farm consists of 240 acres, valued at |i20 
per acre. They have had seven children, 
six of whom are now living — Sarah E., 
Francis K., Andrew, James, William, 
George W. (deceased) and Allison. 

Allen Andrews, was born in Onondaga 
Co., N. Y., in 1828. He spent his youth 
on a farm and was educated at the com- 
mon schools. Hi.s parents were natives 
of Connecticut, from which State they re- 
moved when quite young to New York, 
where they both died. After the father's 
death Allen returned and spent four years 
in Connecticut, and then came back to 
New York, where he was married in 1851 
to Mary Hotchkiss, a native of New York, 
l)orn in 1828. In 1853 he emigrated to 
Dodge Co., Wis., where he worked at his 
tr.ade of carpenter and joiner until 1866, 
when he came to Franklin Co., Iowa, and 
settled on section 13, in Geneva township, 
where he lived until his death in Decem- 
ber 1875. He left a wife and nine chil- 
dren — Henry H., Carrie H., now wife of 
Frank Watson, Nellie I., Minnie C, 
Eleanor E., Emma E., Maria A., Frank B. 
and Mercy M. Mr. Andrews was a repub- 
lican in politics, and frequently held local 
offices. At one time he was a member of 
the boai-d of county supervisors. He was 
always a good father and worthy citizen. 
He was a member of the Masonic fra- 
ternity. 

Henry H. Andrews, son of Allen An- 
drews, and an old settler of Geneva town- 
ship, was born in Dodge Co., ^\ is., 
August, 1855. He came with his parents 
to Franklin county, where he has since 
lived. After his father died he took 
charge of the farm and family. He was 



married Nov. 2, 1878, to Charlotte E. 
Hacker, a native of Dane Co., Wis., born, 
June, 1857. They have had three chil- 
dren— C. Belle, Clare M. and Allen II. 
Henry H. Andrews is a republican, and 
at times has held local offices in his town- 
ship. 

Henry Ihde was born in Suite Amt 
Schweren, Germany. When sixteen years 
old, his parents emigrated to Dodge Co., 
Wis. He received a common school edu- 
cation in the German language. He enlisted 
in company C, 1st Wisconsin regiment, 
served three month in the army of the 
Potomac; was enrolled April 24, 1861; 
discharged Aug. 21, 1861. He re-enlisted 
Aug. 21, 1862 in company K, 29th Wis- 
consin Infantry; discharged June 22, 1665; 
was wounded in the face by a gun-shot 
at Champion Hills near Vicksburg. After 
receiving his discharge he returned to 
Wisconsin, and in 1867 removed to Frank- 
lin county and settled in Geneva town- 
sjiip, where he still lives. He was mar- 
ried Nov. 1, 1865, to Mary Burmeister, a 
native of Zecun Amt Hagenow, Germany. 
They have live children^George, Clara, 
Laura, Augusta and Edwin. He served 
faithfully in the war and his pension is 
only a just due. He is an estimable citi- 
zen. 

John M. Yenter, a native of Wurteni- 
burg, Germany, came to Pennsylvania 
when twenty-one years old. He remained 
there eleven years, and then went to Du- 
buque, Iowa, and in 1867 came to Franklin 
county, settling on section 2,2, in Geneva 
townshijj. He was the first to start the 
tlu'iving German settlement in that town- 
sliip. While a residen of Dubuque, he 
worked at mason work, and also in the 



V 






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k^ 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



355 



lead mines. He was first married in 
Pennsylvania to Mary Klent, by whom he 
had two children, one of which is still liv- 
ing — Martin. His wife died before he 
left Pennsylvania, and he married again. 
By the second wife he had two children. 
His third wife was the widow of Christo- 
pher Bolinger, by whom he has had four 
children. 

Lsaac Appelby.was born in Madison Co., 
N. v., in 1809. When a boy his parents 
removed to Cayuga county, where Isaac 
grew to manhood. He received a good 
common school education. He was twice 
married; first in 1831, to Betsey Suthard, 
a native of New York, by whom he had 
six children, four of whom are now living. 
In 18G4 he moved to Jo Daviess Co., HI., 
where his wife died the next year. He 
was again married in Oswego Co., N. Y., 
in 1S58, to Maria Wilder, born in Madison 
Co., N. Y., in 1825, after which he re- 
turned to Jo Daviess county, remaining 
until 1868, when they removed to Frank- 
lin county and purchased the farm. He 
died of pleuro-pneumonia, Feb. 4, 1815, 
leaving a wife and four children to mourn 
his loss. His children are — Eli, George, 
Myron and Leroy B. George is prosecu- 
ting his studies in the Chicago Medical C^ol- 
lege. Mr. Appelby was formerly a demo- 
crat, but since coming here had voted the 
republican ticket. His farm consists of 
! 52 acres, valued at $30 per acre, and is 
well improved. In the autumn of 1882, 
Mrs. Appelby fell and dislocated her hip. 
While it troubles her considerably, she is 
still in full possession of her mental fac- 
ulties 

James W. McDougle is from Seneca 
Co., Ohio, born Jan. 28, 1835, where he 



grew to manhood, receiving a common 
school education. He is of Scotch extrac- 
tion. He was married in Richland Co., 
Ohio, Dec. 20, 1863, to Margaret J. Riley, 
born in Allegheny Co., Penn., June 8, 
1840. In the fall of 1868, he came to 
Franklin county, remained overwinter at 
Mayne's Grove, and in the spring came to 
Geneva township, where he still resides. 
He enlisted May 2, 1864, in company I, 
164th Ohio National Guards, serving until 
Aug. 27, 1864. They have had two chil 
dren — "A illiam and May (deceased). 
They are members of the Methodist 
Church at Four Mile Grove. 

Adam Knau came to Franklin county, 
with his family, in the spring of 1860, and 
located on section 22, Geneva townshij), 
where he still resides. He was born in 
Hessia, Germany, Sept. 28, 1831. When 
eighteen years of age he emigrated to 
Pennsylvania. He was married in Butler 
Co., Iowa, to Mrs. Margaret Winkler, a 
native of Bavaria, born in 1825. They 
have had four children, three of whom are 
now living — Henry A., John G. and 
Margaret S. John is dead. They are 
members of the Evangelical Church. He 
is a republican in politics, and at present is a 
member of the board of township trustees. 

W. C. Reinke was born in Prussia, in 
1838. He is the son of Joachin and Han- 
nah (Sclimall) Reinke, natives of Prussia; 
the father born in 1815, and the mother in 
1814. In 1857, they came to America, 
set lingin Dodge Co., Wis , following farm- 
ing until 1866, when they removed to Iowa 
and settled in Hardin county, where the sub- 
ject of this sketch had preceded them the 
year previous. They remained here until 
1869, and then removed to Franklin county 



-p 



;Rr 



^? 



356 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



settling on section 25, in Geneva town- 
ship, where they still reside The subject 
of this skfltch is the eldest of six children. 
He received his education in the common 
school, in the German language, and also 
attended school after coming to America. 
He was ordained minister of the gospel, 
in the Evangelical Association, in 1867, 
his first circuit being at Butler Center, 
Butler Co., Iowa. He is now engaged in 
farming. 

John G. Herbster was born in Baden, 
Germany, Oct. 28, 1821. His parents 
were natives of Germany, where they 
lived until their death, the father in 1858, 
aged sixty-three, the mother in 1852, aged 
fifty-two, having a family of eight chil- 
dren, Mr. Herbster being the second. lie 
was married in 1859, to Ann Mary Schrei- 
ber, born in Germany, Nov. 20, 1829. In 
the spring of 1859, they came to the 
United States and settled in Stephenson 
Co., 111., where they lived two years, 
when he removed to Hardin Co., Iowa, 
and remained until the spring of 1869, 
when he came to Geneva township and 
purchased a farm of 160 acres on section 
35. Mr. and Mrs. Herbster have had four 
children, three of whom are living — Jacob, 
Mary and Emma. They are members of 
the Evangelical Association. He is inde- 
pendent in politics, and has held local 
ofiices. 

Among the settlers of 1870, were Wil- 
liam B. Bryan, John Knoll, Louis Belzer 
and Fred. R. H. Lill. 

William B. Bryan came to Geneva 
township in 1870, and settled on section 7. 
He was born in Geauga Co., Ohio, July 10, 
1837. His parents, in 1843, moved to Jo- 
Daviess Co., 111. He received a good edu- 



cation, and chose farming for an occupa- 
tion. He enlisted Aug. 15, 1862, in company 
H, 96th Illinois Infantry, serving until 
the close of the war. He was wounded 
by a musket ball at the ba tie of Lookout 
Mountain, and after his discharge returned 
to JoDaviess coun'.,y, where he was mar- 
ried Dec 25, 1866, to Susan K. Townsend, 
born in JoDaviess county, Feb. 1 6, 1 846. He 
was the fourth son of Abram and Polly E. 
(Beadsley) Bryan; father boin in 1803, in 
State of New York, mother born in Ohio, 
in 1813, and were married in 1829, 
having a family of seven children. The 
father died March 11, 1872; the mother is 
still living. The parents of Mrs. Bryan 
were George N. and Mary (Miner) Town- 
send; the father was born in Vernon 
Co., N. J., Aug. 28, 1806; mother in On- 
tario Co., N. Y., March 31, 1811. Mr. 
Townsend was orderly sergeant in the 
Winnebago war. Had a family of thir- 
teen children, Mrs. Bryan being the sixth. 
Mr. and Mrs. Bryan have had seven chil- 
dren, six of whom are living — George S., 
Harry H., Ernest T., Roy S. Wayne, 
(deceased), Mary W. and William I. 

John Knoll came from Illi ois in 1870. 
He was a native of Berne, Germany, born 
March 4,1813. He received a good edu- 
cation in the German language and 
learned 'he stone mason trade, at which 
he worked until 1852, when he came to 
Bufl^alo, N. Y., and labored two years, 
and then went to Freeport, 111., remaining 
until 1870, when he moved to Franklin 
county, settling in Geneva township, 
where he lived until his dea h, Aug. 7, 
1882. He was married in 1842 to Anna 
B. Gruber, a native of Germany, born m 
1819. They had four children, two of 



-s h- 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



357 



whom are now living — John and Mary, 
now the wife of Frederick Schrieber, 
residents of the township. John, Jr., 
was born Jan, 9, 1847, in Germany, and 
came with his parents to Franklin county, 
where he grew to manhood and received 
a common school education in the English 
language. He was married Jan. 16, 1879, 
to Catherine Hoebel, born in Freeport, 
Stephenson Co., 111., April 25, 1857. 
They have two children, Edward and 
Mary. They are members of the Evan- 
gelical Church. 

Louis Belzer is a native of Germany, 
born in 1836. In 1848 his parents emi- 
grated to the United States and settled in 
Washington Co., Wis. ; were there five 
years, when they moved to Dodge Co., 
Wis., and remained ten years, and then 
moved to Iowa, settling in Black Hawk 
county, where his parents still live. Louis 
remained there seven years, when he 
came to Franklin county, and located in 
Geneva township, on the farm where he 
now resides. He was married Sept. 27, 
1862, to Mary Ann Krebs, a native of 
New York, born in 1839. They were the 
parents of twelve children, eight of whom 
are now living — Susan C, Sarah M., 
Franklin L., Luella B., Mary G., Edward 
W., Freddy A. and Frieda A. (twins). 
They are members of the Evangelical 
Association. Louis and Barbara Krebs, 
parents of Mrs. Belzer, are natives of 
Alsace. They came to the United States 
in 1830, and settled in New York State, 
where Mrs. Belzer was born. Her father 
died in 1852, aged fifty-two years. 

Frederick R. H. Lill has been a resi- 
dent of section 14, Geneva township, since 
1870. He was born in Lincolnshire, 



England, Nov. 10, 1818, receiving a com- 
mon school education, and where he en- 
gaged in farming and as teamster until 
1856, when he emigrated to Canada ; 
thence to Green Lake Co., Wis., in 1869, 
where he lived for one year and sought 
Iowa for a permanent home He was mar- 
ried, in 1846, to Elizabeth Brown, born in 
Lincolnshire, in 1820. They had two chil- 
dren — Harriet who died in England, and 
Mary A., born in Canada. They are 
members of the Methodist Church. He 
is a republican in politics and has been in 
office. He has eighty acres of land valued 
at $35 per acre, which is under an excel- 
lent state of cultivation. 

James Pearse settled in the township 
in 1872. He is a native of England, born 
in Devonshire, May 4, 1825. He is the 
son of Jeffrey and Joan (Hendy) Pearse, 
natives of Devonshire, England, who died 
there, the father July 7, 1847, aged 
sixty-three, the mother in January, 1869, 
aged seventy. His father was born and 
raised in the house where the family had 
lived for several generations. His parents 
had eleven children, of whom James was 
the tenth. He grew to manhood in his 
native land, and though his early advan- 
tages were limited as to an education, yet 
by self-application and study he has ac- 
quired a good practical education. In 
1850, he emigrated to Canada, and en- 
gaged in farming, remaining there until 
1871, when he removed to Linn Co, 
Iowa, renting land one year. The next 
fall he came to Franklin county, locating 
on section 7, in Geneva township, where 
he still remains. He now has 600 acres 
of good land, valued at f25 per acre. IVlr. 
Pearse has been very successful since he 



^" apT*" 



^ 



Q ^ 



358 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



came here. He landed at Hampton with 
no capital to begin on except a wagon and 
three hor.ses ; but by industry, economy 
and hard work, he has secured a good 
home and competence for life. On the 
12tli of April, 1852, he wedded Jane Rey- 
nolds, who was born in Suffolk, England, 
Aug. 1, 1823. By this union they have 
had eight children : William, Hannah 
(deceased), Jeffrey, Thomas, John, James 
Henry, George Reynolds and Stephen. 
Mr. and Mrs. Pearse are members of the 
Methodist Church at Geneva. He is a 
sound republican, and at different times 
has filled local offices in his township and 
county. 

Jeffrey Pearse is a farmer by vocation, 
his farm consisting of 120 acres, under a 
good state of cultivation, valued at $20 
per acre. He iS|the son of James Pearse, 
born in Halton Co., Canada, April 15, 
1857. When fourteen years of age he emi- 
grated with his parents to Iowa, first going 
to Linn county and from there to Franklin 
county, where he grew to manhood, re- 
ceiving a common school education. He 
was married. May 31, 1883, to Polly 
Hayes, born in Green Lake Co., Wis., 
Oct., 7, 1864. Mr. Pearse is a mem- 
ber of the I. O. O. F. lodge at Geneva. 

Bernard Huitman located herein 1873. 
He was born in Germany, in 1824. When 
eighteen years old he emigrated to America 
and settled in Galena, 111., where he was 
married Feb. 4, 1864 to Mrs. Mary Feich, 
born in Alsace, .lune 15, 1831. She had 
been the wife of Frank Xavier, born in 
France, Oct. 30, 1824, married at Wood- 
stock Illinois, April 1, 1850. They had 
four children — Mary, Joseph, Celestine 
and Louisa Mr. Xavier died Sept. 30, 



1 860. By her last marriage they have four 
children — Henry, Josephine, Julia and 
Antoinette. Mr. Heitman was also twice 
married, had fourchildren all now living — 
Mary, Catherine, Caroline and Frank. They 
are all members of the Catholic Church. 
Mr. Heitman came to Franklin county 
from Illinois in 1873. and purchased the 
farm, where the family now reside. 

John Baurr was born in Wurtemburg, 
Germany, where he grew to manhood. He 
had good educational advantages, having 
attended Heidelberg two winters, after at- 
tending the common schools. He was a 
weaver by occupation. When twenty-one 
years of age he removed to Dubuq\ie 
Co., Iowa, remaining until 1873, when he 
came to Franklin county and located on 
section 23, in Geneva township, where he 
is now living. He was married May 6, 
1867, to Rosine Christina Sinn, born in 
Wurtemburg in 1840. Five children have 
been born to them — John, George, Willie, 
Chris, (deceased) and Charley. The 
mother of Mrs. Baurr is still living in 
Wurtemburg at the age of seventy-five; 
the father died in 1877, aged seventy-nine- 
John C Bell is the second son of John 
and Elizabeth (Bonson) Bell, descendants 
on the mother's side of an old family of 
Bonsons. Mrs. Bell's grandfather, Richaid 
Bonson, was a liberal of the John Bright 
school, and spent a large fortune in com- 
batting aristocracy. He died about ihe 
year 1816, aged ninety-nine years. John 
C. Bell was born in Yorkshire, England, 
where he received a limited education. 
His father was born in 1809, the mother 
in the same year. The father died in 
1854. In 1855, the mother and family 
emigrated to this country and located in 



^^ 



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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



359 



Grant Co., Wis., and in 1883, resided 
in Lafayette Co., Wis. She has a fam- 
ily of ten children. The father was a 
mining surveyor and contractor, of whom 
J. C. received instruction, which he has 
followed extensively in Wisconsin, Illi- 
nois, California, Idaho and British Colum- 
bia. He came to Geneva township, Frank- 
lin county, in 1815, and has since engaged 
in farming. In ISGI, he wedded Sarah J. 
Raw, born in Grant Co., Wis., in 1840. 
They are the parents of eight children — 
Bonson C, Mary A., Barbara C, Laura, 
Edward S., Fannie, John C. and Ella. 
In politics, he is a republican and holds 
the office of justice of the peace, and has 
held the office of secretary of the school 
board seven years. 

Frank Beach was the fourth son of Les- 
ter and Lydia (Chase) Beach, natives of 
New York, and who removed to Ohio, 
where they were married, in 1835, and 
then moved to Peoria Co , 111 , being 
among the first settlers of that county, 
wliere the mother still lives, aged sixty-five. 
The father died in 1857, aged fifty-four. 
They had a family of nine children. 
Frank enlisted in company K, 86th Illi- 
nois; after serving several months, was 
taken sick and discharged and is now on 
the pension list. He was married, Dec. 
29, 1864, to Sarah Elsey, born in Essex, 
England, in 1845, and who went to Rome, 
N. Y., remained one year, thence to Kane 
Co., 111., and from there to Peoria county, 
where she was married. Mr. and Mrs. 
Beach have had four children, three of 
whom are living — Lydia E., Emily C, 
Lilla M. and Frank. They are members 
of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Four 
Mile Grove. They removed to Bear 



Grove, Butler county, in 1866, and in June, 
to Franklin county, settling on section 
12. The farm consists of 320 acres. He 
is a republican in politics, and has held 
local offices in Madison township, Butler 
county. He is an estimable citizen and 
held in high regard by his neighbors. 

Thomas F. Argent was born in Galena, 
Jo Daviess Co., 111., Nov. 17, 1845. In 
1 861, he went to Pike's Peak and engaged 
in mining two years, and in January, 1863, 
he enlisted in McLean's Independent bat- 
tery, serving until September, 1865, near- 
ly two years of which time he spent on the 
plains and one year against Gen. Price in 
Missouri. After receiving his discharge, 
he returned to Illinois, and in May, 1866, 
went to Colorado and engaged in lumber- 
ing, remaining fourteen months, when he 
returned to Galena and engaged in farm- 
ing until April, 1876, then came to Frank- 
lin county and settled in Reeve township 
and engaged in farming there until 187 7, 
when he came to Geneva township, and, 
in the spring of 1881, rented the place 
where he still resides. He was married. 
May, 1870, to Elizabeth Ginn, born in Jo 
Daviess Co., 111., November, 1846 They 
have five children — William, Nettie, John 
D., Jane and Robert. 

Ludwig Bell, a native of Mecklenburg 
Schwerin, was born in 1828; grew to man- 
hood there and received a good education 
in the German language. He emigrated 
to Milwaukee, Wis., and remained until 
1865, when he went to Monroe county, 
staid until 1873, when he removed to Ack- 
ley, Hardin Co., Iowa; thence to Madison 
township, Butler county. In 1878, he 
moved to Geneva township, Franklin 
county, section 12, where his home now 



•Ti^ 



>\ 



360 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



is. His farm consists of 280 acres, valued 
at f20 per acre, and is one of the best 
stock farms in the county. He was mar- 
ried in his native country, in 1859, to 
Mary Wichman, who was also born in 
Mecklenburg. They are the parents of 
eight children — John F., Mary, Charley, 
Riecke, (deceased) William, Minna, Lou- 
isa and Tilda. Mr. and Mrs. Bell are mem- 
bers of the Evangelical Church Mr. Bell 
is a democrat and a good citizen. 

Charles L. Canfield was born in Trum- 
bull Co., Ohio, Sept. 8, 1832, and grew to 
manhood on the farm, receiving a com- 
mon sc lool education. When twenty-one 
years of age his parents moved to La Fay- 
ette Co., Wis., and engaged in farming. 
He was mirried March 25, 1855, to Har- 
riet Hurlbert, a native of Lamoille Co., 
Vt, born Feb. 9, 1833. In 1878 they 
came to Franklin county, settling in Gen- 
eva township, where he has since resided. 
He engaged in .farming until 1881, when 
he purchased the Geneva hotel. He is a 
member of the I. O. O. F. society. Mr. 
and Mrs Canfield are members of the 
Freewill Baptist Church, and are parents 
of four children— Ella L., Eva S., Hattie 
A. and Charles W. 

John Dovey was born in Somersetshire, 
England, in 1837. At the age of fourteen 
he emigrated to Canada, remaining four 
years, thence to Dubuque Co., Iowa, where 
he staid until the spring of 1871, and 
then went to Ackley, Hardin Co., and in 
t e spring of 1881, removed to Franklin 
county, locating on section 23, in Geneva 
township, where he still lives. He was 
married in 1858 to Adelaide Jackson, who 
died in [lardin county, in 1874. He was 
married in 1874 to Josepiiine Miller, who 



died March 24, 1881. He then married in 
January, 1883, Mrs. Mary J. (Berry) Mur- 
phy, daughter of Peter C. and Christina 
Berry, old settlers of Genevatownship. She 
was married to Mr. Murphy Feb. 15, 1855, 
in Cass Co., Ind. In the spring of 1856 
they came to Franklin county. They had 
five children, four of whom are now liv- 
ing — Peter D., John ,H., Maggie E. and 
EmmaC, wife of G. G. Cooley of Bristow, 
Butler county, who died Oct. 5, 1882, and 
Rhoda M. Mr. Murphy served in the 
army and died June 8, 1881. 

Rev. Jacob Haymond was born near 
Wheeling, W. Va.. in 1826. He was the 
son of Edward and Nancy (Jones) Hay- 
mond, natives of West Virginia. In 1836 
they removed to Indiana, and locating 
near Indianapolis, engaged in farming 
until 1855, when they removed to Black 
Hawk Co., Iowa, where they remained 
until they died, the father in 1860, aged 
sixty-one, the mother in 1S63, aged sixty 
one. Rev. J. Haymond was married in 
Indiana in 1847, to Martha Smith, born 
in North Carolina in 1820. After their 
marriage they went for a short time to 
Illinois, and in 1856 to Black Hawk Co., 
Iowa, wtiere he tilled the soil until 1860, 
when he entered the ministry, which 
profession he still follows. Though he 
only liad a common school education, yet 
by reading and study he is well informed. 
He was converted before his marriage, 
in Indiana, and united with the Methodist 
Episcopal Church. His first charge was 
Spring Creek, from 1860 to 1863, since 
which time he has been engaged in Mar- 
shall, Grundy, Hardin and Linn counties, 
and in 1879 took charge of the church at 
Geneva, remaining there three years. 









Ce^i.^4^^ 



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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



.4 9 



363 



V 



after which he went to Marshall county, 
where he is now. They had nine chil- 
dren, among them three jxdr of twins 
— Emily L., Malissa and Alonzo T.(twins), 
Elisha B., Edward H, Ellen M. and 
Esther (twins), Byron and Eluraa F. 
(twins), the latter deceased. 

Edward H. Haymond, fifth son of Rev. 
J. Haymond, was born September, 1852, 
in Kendall Co., 111. He went with his 
parents to Black Hawk and Hardin coun- 
ties, and after finishing his studies in the 
common schools, attended Friend's Acad- 
emy at Providence, and also two terms in 
the Normal school at Iowa Falls, after 
which he followed teaching five years. 
He was married in April, 1873, to Etna 
E. Pence, born at Steamboat Rock, Har- 
din county, in 1856. He removed to Mar- 
shall Co., Iowa, in 1874, and remained 
there five years, then returned to Hardin 
county, and in 1881 came to Franklin 
county, settling on section 13, Geneva 
township, where he still resides. Mr. and 
Mrs. Haymond have three children — 
Frank E., M. May and Roy C. 

John M. Boots, O. H. Tihnan, and John 
M. Runyan were also among the early 
settlers in Geneva township. 

John M. Boots is the son of Martin 
Boots, an old settler of Geneva township, 
and was born in the township, June I, 
1856. He had a good common school educa 
tion, was reared on his father's farm 
and since doing for himself, has engaged 
in farming. He was married Jan. 22, 
1882, to Rachel M. Manifold, born in 
Black Hawk county, March 25, 1856. Her 
parents are old settlers of the township. 
He moved to his present farm on section 
2, in the spring of 1882. 



O. H. Tilman, a native of Darke Co., 
Ohio, born in 1839, was a son of Daniel 
and Mary (Thomas) Tilman. His father 
was born in Ohio, the mother in Tennessee. 
In 1842, they moved to Indiana, and in 
1855 to Franklin Co., Iowa, settling on 
section 10, Geneva township, where they 
lived until they died, the father in 1861, 
at the age of fifty two, the mother at 
Ackley, in 1876, at the age of sixty-four. 
Aug. 14, 1862, the son, O. H. Tilman, en- 
listed in company H. 32d Iowa Volunteers 
and served until Aug. 25, 1865. He took 
part in a number of engagements. When 
he received his discharge he came back to 
Franklin county, where he has since re- 
sided, except four years spent at Ackley. 
He was married in 1867 to Miss M. L. 
Clinesmilh, born in Holmes Co., Iowa, in 
1848. Her parents were natives of Penn- 
sylvania, who moved to Ohio in 1832, 
stopped in Wayne, and afterwards moved 
to Franklin county, where they are now 
living with their daughter. The father 
was born in 1 805, the mother in 1809. They 
had six children, all dead but one, Mrs. 
Tilman. Mr and Mrs. O. H. Tilman have 
two children, W. O and Jessie M. Mr. 
Tilman is a member of the I. O. O. F. at 
Ackley. The parents of Mrs. Tilman, 
Andrew and Margaret (Miller) Cline- 
smith, came from Ohio to Franklin county, 
in 1855, and settled at Mayne's Grove, re 
maining there one year, when they went 
to Morgan township; they also lived at 
Ackley, Hardin county. 

John M. Runyan came from Trumbull 
Co. Ohio. He was born Feb. 18, 1834, 
and is a son of John and Jane (McLese) 
Runyan. His father was born in Alle- 
gheny Co., Pcnn., March 18, 1803, and 



oPT*" 



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304 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



his mother, born in the North of Ireland, 
(near Giant's Causeway) in 1805. They 
weie married in Mercer Co., Penn., then 
went to Ohio, John M. being born the 
same year. They remained there one 
year, then spent one year in Pennsylvania, 
but returned to Ohio, where the father 
still resides. The mother died in IS"". 
.Tolin M. attended Kinsman's Academy, 
in Trumbull Co., Ohio, three years. He 
chose farming for a vocation, which he 
still follows. He was married Nov. 1,1857, 
to Alcena E. Canfield, born in Hartford, 
Trumbull Co., Ohio, June 24, 1842. They 
have two children — Addie M. and Charlie 
J. They are now members of the Metho- 
dist Church, but were formerly Free-will 
Baptists. Mr. Runyan went to La Fay- 
ette Co., Wis., in 1854, where he was 
married. He moved to Franklin county 
and settled in Geneva township, where 
be still resides. He enlisted August, 
18G2, in company B, 31st Regular Infant- 
ry Volunteers, serving eight months, but 
was discharged by reason of sickness con 
tracted in the army. 

FIRST THINGS. 

The first marriage, the first birth, and 
also the first death in Geneva township, 
occurred in the family of Henry Smith, 
who was married to his second wife, Han- 
nah Eves, in 1857 or 1858, this being the 
first marriage. Mr. Smith lost a child by 
his first wife in 1855, which was born in 
1854. 

()R(;anic. 

In the spring of 1858 the township was 
organized by the county judge, who ap- 
pointed VV'illiam H. Thompson, clerk; 
D.inicl Tillman and VVilliam B. Johnson, 
trustees. The first election was held in 



the spring of 1858, at a log school house 
on section 16. 

The township ofiTcials for 1883 were: 

William H. Thompson and Adam Knau, 

trustees; Fred Stermer, assessor; M. L. 
Tidd, clerk; George W. Parks and J. C. 
Bell, justices of the peace. 

SCHOOLS. 

The first school was taught by Anna 
Scott, in the winter of 1854-5, at the cabin 
residence of Peter Reinhart. Onl)' five 
scholars attended this j>ioneer school. A 
school was taught by Alvira Johnson — 
afterward wife of Mr. Crayton — in 185(i, 
at the house of Daniel Tilman. The first 
school house was built, on section 16, in 
1857, by subscription. The first term of 
school in this house was taught by William 
H. Thompson, who was a party to a laugh- 
able circumstance. One morning Mr. 
Thompson went to the school house to 
open school, but he found the scholars, 
headed by the big boys, had locked him 
out, and refused to let him in unless he 
would agree to treat them to something, 
the next Friday. Mr. Thompson, full of 
Yankee wit and shrewdness, climbed the 
fire-i>]ace chimney, made of split sticks 
and mud, and placed a broad board over 
the top of the chimney flue, which drove 
the smoke downward into the school room. 
Notwithstanding this the boys maintained 
their position, though peering out of the 
windows with bloodshot, streaming eyes; 
the teacher was obliged to go home and 
did not return until the following morn- 
ing, when he found things serene; but the 
big boys all had red eyes, but took the 
surroundings in as a double joke, on both 
teachei' and scholars, .\mong the older 
boys who took ])art in this was William 
Ilorine, who, later in life, was color bearer 



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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



365 



in an Indiana regiment, had his foot shot 
off at tlie battle of Gettysburg and was 
afterward eduQated by the State of In- 
dina. The first permanent school house 
was erected during the summer of 1862, 
in which a school was kept the following 
winter, by Amelia Cole, with fifteen 
scholars. This house was in use for 
school purposes until 1873, when it was 
sold at auction to John Strain, for $50. In 
1883, Geneva township had eight school 
houses and 340 children of school age. It 
will be seen by the following, that 
"rings" existed, even at an early day. 
Section 16 was the school section, and 
was to be so]d at auction to the 
highest bidder, according to law; but 
the few settlers combined into a "ring" 
and agreed not to bid against one another 
in the sale of this land, which took in 
Four Mile Grove, containing some choice 
timber land, which the pioneers had by a 
amutuil understanding staked off, into 
five and ten acre lots, for their own use. 
In consequence of this the lands were 
sold at an average price, of about $1.30 
per acre. 

RELIIilOUS. 

'J he first religious services were held at 
the house of Mr. Boots, on section 15, in 
the summer of 1855, by Revs. Brown and 
Olmstead, who held occasional services. 
The United Brethren denomination organ- 
ized a society in 1858, by Revs. John 
Buckmaster and Israel Schaffer, with the 
following members : John Gould, Mr. and 
Mrs. Boots, Jesse Manifold and wife, J. 
Jones, Mary Jones, Thomas Jones and 
Sarah Jones. Services were held at the 
log school house, on section 16, preaching 
once in four weeks, usually. 

v~ 



CEMBTBEY. 

The first cemetery in Geneva township 
was located about a mile east of Four Mile 
Grove. Tllis cemetery served the whole 
township until 1868, when the interments 
were removed to grounds near the Grove. 
Another cemetery was located at High- 
land Grove, which, in 1875, was removed 
loathe Geneva village cemetry. 

GENEVA VILLAGE. 

Geneva is situated on section 19 of 
Geneva township. It was platted in Sep- 
tember, 1871, by Wm. J. McVey, of Dix- 
on, 111. The first to engage in business at 
this point was H. C. Clock, who erected a 
building 22.\26 feet, two stories high, and 
commenced to do business in October, 
1871, with a stock of about *8,000. Mr. 
Clock was still engaged in business, in 
1883 carrying a general stock. 

The Geneva House was built by II. C. 
Clock. The original building was a school 
house, which was moved for this purpose 
and added to, making its present dimen- 
sion. The first landlord was H. C. 
Clock. In 1875, he sold to A. P. Mc- 
Cardle, who ran the house for a time, 
when it again fell into the hands of Mr. 
Clock, who ran it until March ^5, 1881, 
when Charles L. Canfield became proprie- 
tor, and was t^till running it in 1883. 

The drug business was first represented 
by Tidd &, Silence, who opened a store in 
1880, continuing in company a year, when 
Tidd became sole proprietor, and was run- 
ning the only drug business there in 1883. 
He also was the only practicing physician 
of the town at the time. 

The first one to engage in the hardware 
trade, was John D. Parks, in 1875, in a 
building erected for the purpose. He was 






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306 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



succeeded by his son, George, who sold to 
J A. Waddington, proprietor of the only 
hardware store at Geneva, in 1883. 

A boot and shoe shop, doing repair 
work and carrying a full line of boots and 
shoes, was established at Geneva in 1878, 
by Joseph Kulas, who was in trade there 
in 1883. 

George Thompson started the first ex- 
clusive grocery store, in 1877. He sold to 
Fred Steiner, in March, 1880. 

A wagon shop was opened by Joseph 
Fuchs, in 1882, and a blacksmith shop 
about the same time by George Johnson. 

The Geneva Creamery was established 
in the spring of 1881, by H. C. Clock at a 
cost of *1, 600. The building was 20x26 
feet, with a wing for horse-power room 
20x30 feet. In 1883, this creamery was 
consuming the milk of 500 cows. During 
the month of July, 1883, $1,600 was paid 
for cream at this creamery, showing that 
the farmers paid much attention to dairy 
business, which is one of the paying 
branches of farm work in Franklin county. 

The first one to deal in lumber, was M. 
Burns, who opened a yard in October, 
1871, continuing in trade until 1872, when 
he sold to H. C Clock, who was still run- 
ning the business in 1883, having an annual 
sale of $10,000 worth of lumber. 

The pioneer grain dealer of Geneva was 
M. Burns, who ran lumber and grain busi- 
ness together for a year. H. C. Clock & 
Bro. built the Geneva elevator, in 1875, at 
a cost of |!4,000. It was a frame building, 
28x36 feet, and had a capacity of 6,000 
bushels. 

POSTOFFICE. 

In 1858, a postoffice was established 
near Geneva, and kept at private houses for 



many years. William H. Thompson was 
among the first who took charge of the 
mail in the township. He held the posi 
tion also after the Central Iowa railway 
was built, and before Geneva village was 
platted or made a stopping place; and a 
good joke is told on Mr. Thompson, who 
went out one dark night with a lantern 
and signaled the train to slop, and de- 
manded the Geneva mail pouch to be 
thrown off. The office had not yet been 
ordered moved to the village, but the con- 
ductor told him to go to gehenna and passed 
on. Soon after the station was established, 
and H. C. Clock was appointed postmaster. 
He was still holding the office at his store 
in 1883. In July, 1881, the office was made a 
money order office. The first order was 
issued to Charles H Tidd in favor of 
George S. Clark, for 15.25. The first order 
paid was to Peter W. Hicks from George 
Hicks, forSilO.lO. The first five months 
there were 185 orders issued, and up to 
Aug. 1, 1883, there had been 902 issued, 
which is a good index to the business of 
the town. 

H. C. Clock, postmaster of Geneva and 
an old resident of Franklin county, and 
the first to engage in the mercantile busi- 
ness at Geneva, was born in Painesville, 
Lake Co., Ohio, July 24, 1839. He is 
is the son of Ebenezer and Lucinda 
(Jarvis) Clock, natives of Islip, L. I., who 
were of English extraction. They were 
married in the year 1824, and emigrated 
in 1830 to Lake Co., Ohio, where the 
father died in 1841, at the age of forty- 
one, the mother dying in 1869, aged sixty- 
three. They were the parents of nine 
children, seven boys and two girls ; the 
subject of this sketch being the sixth. 



i']'S> "^ 



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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



367 



II. C. Clock, in 1853, removed to Jo 
Daviess Co., Ill , and in 1 859 came to Mays- 
ville, Franklin county, and engaged in the 
mercantile business with his brother ; he 
followed the same until June 24, 1861, 
when he entered the State service, and 
July 17, the same year, was mustered into 
company C, 6th Infantry, Iowa Volunteers, 
of which he was made 1st sergeant, which 
position he held until May, 1862, when 
he was promoted to 2d lieutenant, then 
1st lieutenant, and in 1864 to captain, 
which position he held until his final dis- 
charge, Feb. 25, 1865. On receiving 
his discharge, he returned to M lysville 
and again entered the mercantile business 
with his brother, which he followed until 
the fall of 1871, when he removed to 
Geneva and engaged in the same business 
which he still follows, and is the present 
postmaster. He is a member of the[Odd 
Fellow and Masonic fraternities. He 
was married May 17, 1865, to Emily A. 
Roberts, born in 1839 at Spartansburg, 
Crawford Co., Penn., by whom he has had 
eight children, all of whom are still liv- 
ing except one. He is a republican in 
politics. Captain Clock took part in the 
battles of Pittsburg Landing, siege of 
Corinth, charge at Jackson, Miss., Mission 
Ridge, and engagements between Chatta- 
nooga and Atlanta. 

SOCIETIES. 

Alba Lodge No. 213, I. O. O. F., was 
organized at Maysville January 23, 1871, 
by H. C. Clock, W. W. Soper, A. A. 
Noble, W. T. Bullis, T. H. Reeve and G. 
W. Soper. The first officers elected were: 
W. W. Soper, N. G. ; A. A. Noble, V. 
G. ; T. H. Reeve, secretary ; H. C. Clock, 
treasurer. 



^Slcr 



The lodge increased rapidly, and con- 
tinued to hold their meetings at Maysville 
until the completion of the Central Rail- 
way of Iowa, in 1874, when it was re- 
moved to Geneva. The following is a list 
of the noble grands who have served 
since its organization ; W. W Soper, A. 
A. Noble, H. C. Clock, T. H. Reeve, Silas 
Page, J. H. Stevenson, M. B. Jones, J. 
M. Hedges, J. M. Runyan, C. L Clock, 
J. H. Page, C. C McArdle, John Ihde, 
R. B. McCord, D. J. McMillan, V. A. 
Harris, James Kulas, H. M. Roberts, C. 
H. Tidd and S. L. Jones. 

Jarvis Clock joined by card Oct. 3, 1871, 
and died Feb., 18,1879. The lodge has 
had seventy-two members since its organ- 
ization. In 1883, it numbered thirty-five, 
at which time it was in a sound condition, 
with new members being added from 
time to time. There are but very few, if 
any, lodges in this district that are in a 
better condition, financially or otherwise. 
The decrease in its membership is due 
chiefly to removal of members, most of 
whom have taken withdrawal cards. Only 
two deaths had occurred in the lodge up 
to Aug. 1, 1883 — S R. Hedges, who was 
drowned in Nebraska, and Jarvis Clock, 
who died at home. But one member's wife 
has died since the organization of the 
lodge — Mrs. G. W. Soper. 

Kedron Lodge, No. 24), A. F. & A, 
M., was organized at Maysville, Iowa, 
July 29, 1868, by a dispensation from the 
grand master, which was granted to C. 
I;. Clock, A. B. Hudson, E. L. Clock, 
Henry Shroyer, J. M. Jones, A. Pickering 
and B. K. Jackson. The lodge was or- 
ganized by the election of the following 
officers : Charles L. Clock, J. W. ; L. 8. 






jj f" — ^ 



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t 



368 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



Cooley, secretary ; J. D. Parks, treasurer, 
H. C. Clock, S. D. ; Henry Shroyer J. D.; 
J. M. .Tones and Albert Pickering, stew- 
ards ; B. K. Jackson, Tyler. 

The lodge was removed to Geneva, Jan. 
■2S, 1 874. The lodge showed tiieir appre- 
ciation for services rendered by C L. 
Clock, by re-electing him to the office ot 
worshipful master, nine successive years, at 
the end of which time, he removed to 
Hampton to assume the duties of county 
auditor. W. T. Bullis succei ded Mr. 
Clock, serving one year. B. K. Jackson 
was elected in 1878, and served one year 
and was succeeded by H. C. Clock, who 
served two years. W. T. Bullis was again 
elected in 1881, serving one year. Dr. C. 
II. Tidd was elected in 1882 and was re- 
elected in 1883. Daniel W. Bullis was 
initiated at Maysville, Oct., 5, 1870, and 
remained a constant and faithful member 
until his death in March, 1870. His was 
the only death in the lodge up to August, 



1883 — a very remarkable fact. The total 
membership of the lodge since its organi- 
zation, has been fifty-nine. In 1883, it 
was twenty-seven; the decrease being due 
to removals, except the one death men- 
tioned. The success of the lodge has 
always been very flattering. The grand 
secretary of the State remarked to a dele- 
gate from this lodge, to the Grand Lodge, 
a few years since, "That it was unneces- 
sary to look over the papers of this lodge, 
as they were always correct.'''' Kedron 
lodge has always been extremely careful 
in the selection of officers, and as a result, 
have been financially sound. 

A Methodist Episcopal Church was or- 
ganized at an early day in Reeve township, 
and was afterward known as the Geneva 
Methodist Church. This society owns a 
fine frame church edifice and parsonage, 
on an adjoining lot. Rev. O H Spronl 
was pastor in 1883. 



CHAPTER XX. 



GRANT TOWNSHIP. 



Grant township is on the south line of 
Franklin county, in the second tier from 
the eastern boundary, and comprises con- 
gressional township 90, range 20 west. 
Prior to 1870, this territory was a part of 
Reeve and Osceola townships. It was 
named by John Griggs, in honor of Gen. 
Grant. It is a prairie township, with but 
one stream, Beaver creek, which heads on 



section 9, and courses its way to the south- 
eastern corner, where it enters Osteola 
township. The soil is of a sandy loam 
and is well adapted to stock raising. 

SETTLKMENT. 

James Sayre, Sr., Amos Roberts and two 
men named Macey and Stoddard, madetlie 
first settlement in Grant township, in I860 
Sayre and Stoddard settled on section 5. 



7^ 






HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



369 



Levi Talhelm came to the township, 
from Reeve township, in 1863. He is a 
teacher, and now officiating in that capac- 
ity at the Center school house. He re- 
ceived his education in the common 
schools of Illinois and Iowa. His history 
and present position afford abundant proof 
of the manner in which he improved his 
ojiportunities. He was born in Maryland, 
May 10, 1848. His parents, Humphrey 
and Nancy (Petrie) Talhelm, moved to 
Rockingham Co., Va., when he was an 
infant, going thence to Lee Co., Ill , in 
the fall of 1855. In September, 1860, they 
removed to Clinton Co., Iowa, remain- 
ing but one year. In December, 1861, they 
came to Franklin county and located on 
section .36, Reeves township. Two years 
after they fi.xed their residence on section 
4, Grant township. Mr. Talhelm is the 
eldest of nine children. He was married 
June 4, 18V1, to Anna Cogswell. Their 
two children were born respectively as 
follows: Arther I., July 19, 1872 and Nora 
]>., June 11,1876. Mr. Talhelm is estimated 
to be one of the representative and influ- 
ential citizens of the county. He has of- 
ficiated as township clerk, also as treasurer 
and secretary of the school board. 

John Griggs came in 1864, locating on 
section 36. In 1867, among others who 
came for settlement were the Cogswell 
and Bullis families. 

William T. Bullis, was born in Niagara 
tJo., N. Y., Aug. 22, 1839. His father was 
Arnold Bullis, and his mother Malinda 
(Wert) Bullis, who had ten children ; Wil- 
liam T. being the oldest. At the age of 
six, his parents moved to Lee Co., 111., 
lived there eight years, and tlien removed 
to LaSalle county, that State, where his 



mother died early in the fall, and his 
father, December 24, of the same year. 
William T. enlisted, in 1862, in the 104th 
Illinois Infantry, serving his country 
until July, 1865. He was married, in the 
spring of 1851, to Eliza Zern, by whom 
he had five children — Malinda, William, 
Charles, Nellie and John. Mr. Bullis is a 
Mason, and a radical republican in his pol- 
itics. He aided in the organization of the 
township, and his brother was one of the 
number who gave the name of Grant in 
honor of his old commander — U. S. Grant. 

Franklin M. Hamblin arrived in Grant 
township, in May, 186S, and was one of 
its organizing board. He was born Nov. 
8, 1836, in Hancock Co., Ohio ; is a son of 
Don Alonzo and Isabel (Slight) Hamblin, 
and is the fourth of eight children. He 
obtained a fair education in the common 
schools of his native State, and, in 1854, 
came to Iowa. He was a resident of Du- 
buque county, until May, 1 868, when he set- 
tled in Grant township, Franklin county. 
He enlisted as a soldier in the civil war, 
Oct. 8, 1861, enrolling in company H, 12th 
Iowa Infantry. He was in active service 
three years, receiving an honorable dis- 
charge Dec. 6, 1864. He was married May 
16, 1880, to Fanny Smith. Their two chil- 
dren are named Avallon G. and Harriet J. 
Mr. Hamblin is a republican in political 
sentiment. 

Wesley Brogan came in 1873, locating 
on section 5. He is the tenth child of 
John and Margaret (Dunlap) Brogan. He 
was born Sept. 20, 1833, in Campbell Co., 
Ky., and is one of a family of twelve 
children. In 1843 his parents moved to 
Muscatine, Iowa, where they lived until 
1869. October 14, of that year they located 



:f 



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370 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



in Grant township, Franklin county. Mr. 
Brogan was married in 1855, to Permelia 
Batchelor, and his household flock includes 
nine children. Their names are : Leroy, 
Morris, Elwood, Jesse, Ackley, Ethlena, 
Mary, Cora and Oreilla. 

Joseph Studer came in 1813. He is a 
native of Waterlooshire, Canada, where 
he was born July 7, 1850. His parents, 
Amandus and Francis (Bolinger) Studer, 
had a family of ten children, of whom 
Joseph is second in order of birth. When 
he was seventeen years old, he determined 
to exchange his home in the Dominion 
for one in the States, and accordingly went 
to Illinois, where he stayed four years, com- 
ing thence to Eldora, Iowa, and, two years 
later, to Franklin county, where he located 
in November, 1873. He was married Jan. 
2, 1872, to Catharine Hoffer. They are the 
parents of six children : Edward, Mary, 
William, George, Joseph and Matilda. 
Mr. Studer is a democrat, and the family 
are communicants in the Catholic Church. 

William Boddy came from Hardin Co., 
Iowa, in 1873, settling on section 26, 
Grant township. He is a Yorkshireman 
by birth, and a stone mason by trade. He 
was born in England, Feb. 15, 1843. His 
father and mother, Robert and Mary 
(Newton) Boddy, were the parents of 
eightchildren. In 1848, they emigrated to 
America and settled at first in the State 
of New York, where they lived three 
years, going thence to S ephenson Co., 
III. Mr. Boddy attended the common 
schools of this country, obtaining a good 
fundamental education, which he finished 
in the academy at Warren, 111. He 
became a soldier, and fought for the honor 
and integrity of the Union cause from 



the first years of the civil war until 1865, 
as sergeant in company A, 92d Illinois 
Volunteers, when, on being mustered out 
of service, he returned to Illinois. Mr. 
Boddy went afterwards to Kansas, and, in 

1868, was married to Ann Eliza Meeker. 
Their six children are Elmer R., Addie 
A., Mary M., Arthur N., Jennie M. and 
Charles D. The family came to Iowa in 

1869, and passed four years in Hardin 
county, removing to Lee township, Frank- 
lin county, and settling in the township 
of Grant, in March, 1883. Mr. Boddy 
belongs to the Masonic fraternity. 

W. B.Johnson settled in the township 
in 1874. His parents were W. 13. and 
Lydia H. Johnson, who came from Ver- 
mont to the wild west, in 1846, and re- 
mained a short time in Walworth Co., 
Wis., removing thence to Linn Co., Iowa. 
In 1855 they came to Franklin county, and 
settled in Geneva township. The site of 
their location is now that of i he depot in 
the village of Geneva. The senior John- 
son was the first mail carrier from Mays- 
ville to Cedar Falls. Mr. Johnson, the 
subject of this sketch, was born Oct. 6, 
1844, in Vermont. He came to Iowa with 
his parents, and attained his majority 
under his father's supervision. In Au- 
gust, 1863, he enlisted in the itth Iowa 
Cavalry, and remained in the service until 
Feb. 16, 1866. He returned to Geneva 
after his discharge. He was married Dec. 
6, 1860, to Hester Van Kirk, of Franklin 
county. In the spring of 1874, the family 
settled in Grant township, and now re- 
side on section 6. Their four children 
are Addie E., Mary I., Jason A. and 
Earl W. Mr. Johnson is a radical repub- 
lican. The family attend the Methodist 



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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



371 



cliiirch at Pleasant Ridge, in Hamilton 
township. 

Moses A. Webber located on section 15 
of Grant township, in March, 1875. He 
is a son of David and Eliza (Ames) Web- 
ber, and had thirteen brothers and sisters, 
he being twelfth in order of birth. He 
was born July 25, 1828. He made the 
acquaintance of labor early in life, and 
at twenty managed his father's farm and 
carried on the trade of brickmaker. He 
was married in Oxford, Oxford Co., Me, 
Oct. 16, 1853. His wife was Olive L. 
Dyer. They have thiee children living — 
Oscar M., Ora and Scott. One daughter, 
Ida E., died of heart disease Jan. 13, 1877. 
M. Webber's farm contains 240 acres of 
land, which is a fine exhibit of his agricul- 
tural skill and energetic perseverance. He 
is a tneraber of the Masonic order. 

Heinrich Meyer, the only child of 
Heinrich and Doratha (Ilener) Meyer, was 
born Nov. 22, 1856, at Hanover, Germany. 
His early life was spent at home, where he 
received a common school education, and 
at the age of nineteen came to the 
United States, first stopping at Cincinnati, 
Ohio, and soon afterwards came to Frank- 
lin Co., Iowa and purchased land in Grant 
township, where he now resides. He was 
married to Doratha Gottscholk, in 1877, 
by which union there are three bright 
children — Alviana, Doratha and Augusta. 

E. B. Keeling came in 1876. The 
parents of Mr. Keeling were natives of 
England, and resided in Staffordshire at 
the date of his birth, Jan. 21, 1847. He 
is a son of George and Mary (Bate) Keel- 
ing. They went, while he was still in 
early youth, to Manchester, England, 
where their son was educated. They 



again, in 1857, transferred their residence 
to Warrington, where they remained ten 
years. In 1867, he came to America and 
settled at Freeport, 111., continuing in that 
vicinity until 1872. Mr. Keeling went to 
Dakota that year and entered a claim for 
480 acres of land. In 1876, he came to 
Franklin county, and May 24, 1877, was 
married to Mary Griffin. Their three 
children are — Ella E., Mary J. and Mabel 
F. The parents are members of the 
Episcopal Church. 

Henry Fessler, a prominent politician 
of Franklin county, located here in 1876 
He was born in Berks Co., Penn., April 9, 
1841. He is the youngest of seven chil- 
dren. His parents, Henry and Elizabeth 
(Hirschy) Fessler, died, respectively, in 
1848 and 1867. Mr. Fessler obtained his 
education in the common schools of the 
keystone State, and at eighteen years of 
age went to Ogle Co., 111., where he was a 
resident twelve years. The enthusiasm of 
patriotism, awakened by the outbreak of 
the rebellion, swept him along with its 
resistless tide, and, in 1861, he enlisted in 
the 55th Illinois. At the end of the war 
he returned to Illinois, and there remained 
until the date of his coming to Iowa, in 
1871. He made a brief stay in Hardin 
county, and passed one year in Osceola, 
Franklin county. His residence in Grant 
township covers a period of seven years. 
He was married Nov. 16, 1865, to Susan 
Miller, born in the keystone State. Fol- 
lowing is the record of their children — 
William, born Sept. 17, 1866; John F., 
July 18, 1869; Adelaide, June 20, 1872; 
Mary, Dec. 24, 1873. Guy died Aug. 21, 
1868; Catharine, Aug. 31, 1871; Matilda, 
Api'il 29, 1878 The family are members 



^-. 



26 



r 



At 



^ 



372 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



of the Lutheran Church. Mr. Fessler is 
of the greenback persuasion in politics. 

Newton Penny was born in Howard, 
Co., Ind., Nov. 3, 1813. When fourteen 
years old he went to Missouri, and from 
there to Marion Co., Iowa, where he re- 
mained over two years, and c^me to Fr ank- 
lin Co., Iowa, settling in Grant township, 
October, 187f. He enlisted^ in the 32d 
Iowa Volunteer under Capt. R. S. Benson, 
of Hampton, and was mustered out Aug. 
34, 1865, at Clinton, Iowa. He was mar- 
ried, Oct. 28, 1866, to Catherine Miller, by 
whom he had five children who are living 
— Elizabeth C, Ilattie B., Nancy C, 
James E. and Jeaunette. Mr. Penny is a 
member of the Odd Fellows order, also.of 
the Knights of Honor. In politics he is a 
republican. He has been township trus- 
tee eight terms, and justice of the peace 
seven years, besides holding other offices. 

Benjamin Havens was born in Monmouth 
Co., N. Y., Nov. 9, 1842. He is a son of 
James and Hannah (Johnson) Havens, 
and was the fourth of ten children. In 
1848, he removed to Wayne county, where 
he remained until the fall of 1860, when 
he went to Hardin Co., Iowa. In 1877, 
he came to Kranklin county. In 1863, 
lie enlisted in the 9th Iowa Cavalry, ser- 
ving until February, 1866. He was mar- 
ried in July, 1866, to Mary E. Ford, by 
whom he has five children — John W. 
Benjamin Franklin, James H., Elmer E., 
Rosie May and Minnie M. He is a mem- 
ber of the Grand Army of the Republic, 
and a zealous worker in the republican 
party. 

John W. Myer located on section 6 in 
1878. He was born in Waukesha Co., 
Wis., May 12, 1855. He is a son of John 



and Catharine (O'Whiler) Myer. His 
parents, with their family, came to Frank- 
lin county in 1858. Mr. Myer was mar 
ried Jan. 8, 1878, to Matilda Pickins, and 
on the 15th day of the same month they 
fixed their residence in Grant township. 
Their family includes two children — 
Orville T. and Verdon N. Mr. Myer is a 
republican of the most decided type. 

Nicolaus Plattner is a farmer who set- 
tled on section 22 of Grant township, in 
1880. He farms a la ge tract of land 
which he is mOTlaging according to success- 
ful methods, and where appearance and 
outfit reflects the greatest credit upon its 
proprietor. Mr. Plattner was born in 
Switzerland, May 3, 1832. Like every son 
of Helvetia, he received a good and useful 
education, and was fitted in his native 
country to become a good citizen, particu- 
larly of a Republic. He came to America 
in 1858, and perfected himself in the art 
of gardening. He was married April 9, 
1862, to Maria Rath. The family includes 
nine children — Jacob, Andrew, John, 
George, Anna C, Samuel, Frederick N., 
Mary and David. Mr. Plattner settled 
first in Minnesota, and shortly after went 
to Dubuque, Iowa, where he lived eighteen 
years working at his trade. In 1880, he 
settled in Franklin county, as stated. He 
belongs to the Presbyterian Church. 

Edward Ryan came in 1880. He was 
born in Herkimer Co., N. Y., Dec, 27, 
li545. His parents, Michael and Johanna 
(Cantwell) Ryan, had eleven children, of 
whom Edward is fourth. The senior 
Ryan removed his family and interests to 
McHenry Co., 111. during the infancy of 
his son, and, nine years latei', transferi'ed 
h s residence to Hardin Co. Iowa. Mr. 



iK" 



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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



373 



Ryan came to Grant township in the 
month and year of his marriage, which 
occurred Jan. 27, 1S80. His wife was 
Nora Kiley. 

ITEMS OF INTEREST. 

The first marriages in Grant townsliip 
were those of Levi Talhelm and Anna 
Cogswell, and Mr. Lambert and Ruth 
Cogswell, in 1871. 

The first death was Mrs. Johnson, 
grandmother of Mrs. Levi Talhelm, who 
died in the spring of 1872. She was bur- 
ied in the cemetery at Maysville. 

The first birth was Charles W., son of 
W. T. and Eliza Bullis, born May 14, 
18G7. 

The first sermon preached in the town- 
ship was by Kev. VI r. Woods, from Mays- 
ville, a Methodist minister. It was at 
the house of J. F. Moats, in 1800. 

In December, 1870, as Levi Talhelm 
was going from his home to Iowa Falls on 
foot, he was accosted by a man who de- 
manded his money. Talhelm resisted as 
best he could, but in the encounter re- 
ceived two gashes, cutthiough his clothing, 
and a severe blow on the arm He suc- 
ceeded in taking Talhelm's knife and 
pocket book, leaving him unconscious for 
some time. The weather being cold pre- 
vented him from bleeding to death. He 
finally wandered to a farjii house. No 
clue was ever found as to the perpetrator 
of the foul deed. 

One of Mr. Fessler's little girls was 
burned to death while playing near a 
burning straw pile, about 1878. 

In 1883, Matthew Peafau, who was 
working in the township, met with a vio- 



lent death. He was at Faulkner, where 
he had received money from his father, in 
Germany, with which he was to purchase 
land. He was in good spirits, walking 
on the Iowa C'entral track, when he looked 
back, at the same time catching his foot 
in a frog of the track, thro« ing him under 
a passing train^ killing him instantly. 

ORGANIC. 

In 1870, Wesley Brogan drew up a pe- 
tition to have a township set off from 
Oakland township. He was aided by 
John Griggs. They received thirty-one 
signers and the petition w s granted to 
them that fall. The first election was 
held at a school house on section 16, Octo- 
ber 16, at which time there were thirty- 
two votes cast for the following officers: 
Long Salley, clerk; J. F. Moats, assessor; 
B. F. Cogswell, John Griggs and H. Tal- 
helm, trustees. Wesley Brogan was ap- 
pointed clerk in place of Salley, and Nelson 
Salley, assessor, in place of Moats. 

In 1883 the township officers were: Ed- 
ward Ryan, clerk; M. H. Sheldon, asses- 
sor; Newton Penny, Henry Fessler and 
Joseph Studer, trustees. 

SCHOOLS 

The first school was taught by Jennie 
Roberts at the house of J. F. Moats, in 
the winter of 1869-70. The same winter 
Miss Sperry taught at the house of Hum- 
phrey Talhelm. In 1883 there were eight 
school houses in Grant townskip. At this 
date there were 211 scholars in the town- 
ship. Much attention has been given to 
educational matters in this part of the 
county. The patrons of the schools have 
always selected the best men for school 
officers, and employed the best of teachers. 



\K 



374 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



CHAPTER XXI. 



HAMILTON TOWNSHIP. 



Hamilton was detached from Reeve 
townsliip in 1871. It comprises town- 
ship 91, range 21 west. It is a prairie 
township of the most fertile quality, 
bounded on the north by Marion, on tlie 
east by Reeve, on the south by Lee and 
on the west by Morgan townships. In 
the southern part the land is rolling, 
through which runs a small stream, along 
the banks of which are considerable tim- 
ber. The soil is a sandy loam, with a clay 
sub-soil. The northern portion of the 
township is a level prairie, of a deep 
black loam, a large portion of which is 
low and swampy. The total number of 
acres in the township is 23,040, the as- 
sessed value of which was $249,936. The 
township is well adapted to stock raising. 

SETTLEMENT. 

The first settlement was made by Rich 
ard and John Bingham who came from 
Indiana, together with a man named 
Limpman, in 1855, pre-empted land and 
erected log cabins. They only remained 
a year or two, the former returning to In- 
diana, and the latter going to California, 
where he shortly afterward died. 

The next to settle were Robert and An 
drew Hamilton, from whom the township 
was named, Robert Derrah and William 
Braden. At this time not a single house 
appeared in the whole township and these 
four families camped out in a tent by a 
grove across the line for a few weeks, in 



what was afterward Reeve township, 
while Andrew Hamilton was building a 
small log house on his claim, where all 
four families lived until the following au- 
tumn, when each provided himself with a 
cabin home of the same kind rude, though 
warm and comfortable. 

Andre iv Hamilton came in the fall of 
1855. He was born in Dunnigal county, 
Ireland, in 1828. He received a common 
school education in his native country. 
In 1848, he came to America and settled 
in Harrison Co., Ohio, where he was 
engaged in farming. Here he lived until 
1855, when he bought a lot of stock and 
came to Iowa, stopping in Independence 
for a few months, but the same year com- 
ing to Franklin county and settling on 
the farm where he still lives, and on which 
he built the first log house in the tt>wn- 
ship. He continued to live in that house 
until 1873, when he built the house where 
the family now live. His fathei-, Aaron, 
lived with him until his death in 1859. 
Mr. Hamilton makes a specialty of stock- 
raising and has a farm of 220 acres in this 
township and 160 acres in Lee township. 
The township of Hamilton was named in 
his honor without his knowledge or con- 
sent. He helped to build the .Methodist 
church, of whicli he has been a member 
for about five years. In politics he is, and 
has been all his life, a strong republican. 
He was married, in 1862, to Jane Stock- 



flcr- 



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^^ 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



375 



dale, a native of Ireland, who came to 
Iowa with her parents in an early day. 
They are the ])arents of eight children — 
Charles S., Robert, Willie, Frank, Jesse, 
Asbury, Lillie May and Johnnie C. 

Robert Hamilton was born in Donegal 
county, Ireland, in 1826, and came to 
America in 1847, first settling in Ohio, 
where he worked by the month for nine 
years, when he moved, May, 1856, to 
Franklin Co., Iowa, and entered eighty 
acres on section 25 and has added eighty 
acres more, now having a fiiie farm under 
cultivation. He is a member of the Method- 
ist Church, is a republican, and has been 
townshi]) trustee several times. He was 
married in 1854 to Mary Scott, of Jeffer- 
son Co., Ohio. They have four children 
— James A., David, Charles and Bessie. 

Robert Darrah came in 1856, settling on 
section 36. He was born in Ireland, Dec. 
25, 1819. He came to America in 1848, 
locating in Harrison Co., Ohio. While in 
his native count y he received a liberal 
education, and learned the trade of shoe- 
making; also was engaged in manufac- 
turing fine linen; but after he came to 
Ohio he engaged entirely in the shoe- 
making business. In 1855 he came to 
Iowa, settling at Independence, where he 
remained until the spring of 1856, when 
he came to Franklin county, in company 
with the Hamilton brothers, and soon af- 
ter bought the farm where he still lives. 
Afte coming here he bought 100 acres and 
built a log house in which he lived until 
about six years ago. He was instrumental 
in getting the township of Hamilton set 
oft", and by him the township received the 
name of Hamilton, in honor of Andrew 
and Robert Hamilton, his brothers-in-law. 



He taught the first school held in the 
township in the winter of 1857-8, in a 
little log shanty, there being eight or nine 
pupils in attendance. He was justice of 
the peace for about four years; was town 
clerk for five years; was one of the first 
petit jurors in Franklin county; was trustee 
of the town for a long time; was school 
fund commissioner for two years; was sec- 
retary of the school board and levied a tax 
of $550 to build a school house; and was 
also school treasurer for some two years. 
He has been a republican all his life, and 
is a member of the Iviethodist C hurch. He 
was married in 1852 to Elizabeth Hamil- 
ton, sister of Robert and Andrew Hamil- 
ton. They have had eight children, si.\ of 
whom are now living — Mary C, engaged 
in teaching; Jennie, died at -the age of 
fifteen; John H., lives in Lee township; 
Lizzie L., teaching; Nancy A., teaching; 
Robert A., lives at home; Eva, died at the- 
age of ten, and Walter H. 

Thomas Stockdale came into Hamilton 
township in 1859, prior to which he had 
lived in Hardin county, where he had re- 
moved from Beloit, Wis. He was born 
in Ireland, in 1833, and his opportu- 
nities for an education were limited. In 
1851, he emigrated to America, and set- 
tled in New York State, where he engaged 
in farming three years, then going to 
Wisconsin, he settled in Beloit, finally 
coming to his present home on section 26. 
He has 360 acres, under a good state of 
cultivation, valued at between $7,000 and 
$8,000. He has about sevenVy-five head 
of graded stock, and is energetic and suc- 
cessful. In politics he is a republican. He 
is a member of the .Methodist Church, 
which, in 1881, he assisted largely in 



JV' 



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376 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



building. . He was married in January, 
1859, to Catherine Hamilton, who died 
in August, 1877, leaving four children — 
Stewart, Charles, Lucilla and Aaron. He 
was again married in September, 1878, to 
Caroline Killions, a native of Illinois. 
They have two children — Fred and 
Maggie. 

C. Cobble, from Pennsylvania, and two 
brothers named Kempthorn, from Wis- 
con-iii, were the next settlers. 

J. W. Wallace settled in Hamilton 
township in 1861. He is a son of William 
and Mary Wallace. He was born Nov. 
10, 1817. His father was a Presbyterian 
minister, but owned a farm in Harrison 
Co., Ohio, where the subject of this sketch 
was born, -grew up and received a common 
school education. Mr. Wallace lived in 
his native place thirty-two years, then 
spent six years in Guernsey Co., Ohio, then 
came to Iowa and settled in Alamakee 
county. He entered land in 1 1 amilton town- 
ship, Franklin county, the same year, 
on which he now lives. He lived in 
Clayton, Iowa, for five years, and in 1861, 
settled on his farm in Hamilton township. 
He has 880 acres of land, 520 acres of it 
in a body, and all under cultivation. He 
does an extensive business in stock, as 
well as grain raising. He was one of the 
trustees of the town for sometime, and also 
school director. In politics, he is a thor- 
ough republican. He is a member of the 
Presbyterian Church. He was married in 
1845, to Mary Guthrie, a native of Ohio. 
They are the parents of six children — 
Margaret J., Robert C. and William M., 
(twins), Thomas M., J. Elliott and Samuel 
D. 



Among those who came to ihe township 
in 1861, were John and David Elliott, who 
came from Ohio, together with William 
Ganfield. The latter was born in Som- 
ersetshire, England, in 1831. He was 
reared in trhe country and his school ad- 
vantages were those pertaining to the 
country. He emigrated to America in 1850, 
first going to Monroe Co., N. Y., where he 
remained five years, then to Dubuijue Co., 
Iowa, staying six years, and then moved to 
Franklin county, settling on section 26, 
taking 120 acres of land, to which he has 
added 160 acres, making a most desirable 
home. He is making a specialty of stock 
raising, is working into cattle, and is mak- 
ing a success of it. In politics, he is a re- 
publican. He was trustee one year, road 
repairer, school district treasurer one year, 
and is the present treasurer of the school 
district of the township. He was married 
in 1853, to Rebecca Walker, a native of 
Ireland. Theirchildren are — William G., 
Nathaniel, John W., Henry B , Annie, 
Ida, Emma and Arthur. 

Charles Kempthorne settled, in 1868, on 
the northwest quarter of section 25. He 
was born in England, June 14, l.s40, emi- 
grating with his parents to the United 
States, in June, 1850. He first settled at 
Lower East Fork, Jo Daviess Co., 111. 
Soon after they removed to Benton, Wis., 
where his father engaged in farming. He 
worked on his father's farm until the 3d 
of June, 1861, when he enlisted in the 3d 
Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, company 
I, for three years or during the war. He 
was engaged in the battles of Winchester, 
Cedar Mountiin, Antietam; at the latter 
engagement he was wounded in the right 
wrist. He was honorably discharged 



rjj? 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



377 



from the service, on the 29th day of June, 
1864, at Washington, D. C. The follow- 
ing compliment was paid him by his com- 
mander: "One of the best soldiers I ever 
met with; has not been reprimanded since 
nnder my command." After l-aving 
tlie army he returned to Platteville, 
Wis., and entered the Platteville Acad- 
emy, where he received more than 
a common school education. In Sep- 
tember, 1867, he was married to Jane 
Richards, of Benton, Wis., by which union 
there were seven children, five of whom 
are living — three boys and two girls. In 
March, 1868, he removed to Iowa, and 
located in Hamilton township, where he 
owns 320 acres of land, which is under a 
fine state of cultivation. He makes a spe- 
ciality of grain and stock raising, and is 
oiie of the most successful farmers in the 
township. He is a republican in politics 
and has held nearly all the otKces of the 
township. 

E. H. Stenson came to the township 
in 1870, settling on section 21. He is a 
son of Michael and Elizabeth (Kelley) 
Stenson, born in Stephenson Co., 111., Jan. 
24, 1843, being the oldest of a family of 
SIX children. He grew to manhood on a 
farm, receiving a good common school 
education. In 1862, he left his father's 
farm and enlisted as a private in com- 
pany I, 74th Illinois Volunteer Infantry, 
serving a little over three years. He was 
wounded at the battle of Resaca, Ga., 
May, 1864, in the left foot, and was an 
invalid for a long time, after which he 
was detached for light duty at Nashville, 
Tenn. He was transferred to the 36th, 
and did special duty as mail cnrrier 
at New Orleans La., for about five 



months. He was in the battles of Perry- 
ville, Ky., Stone River, Mission Ridge, 
and in many smaller engagements. He 
now receives a pension of two dollars per 
month. After he returned from the war 
he went to Stephenson Co., 111., and en- 
gaged in fai'ming until 1870, when he 
came to Iowa and settled on the farm in 
Hamilton township, where he has lived 
ever since. He has held nearly all the 
local offices in the town. He was school 
director for about six years, was town 
trustee four years, assessor three years, 
and has been town clerk for ihe past four 
years. He taught school in sub-district. No. 
5, Hamilton township, two terms, in the 
winters of 1876-7 and 1882-3, and was 
secretary of the school board for about 
six years. He was married, Feb. 22, 1874, 
to Maria LTnderkafHer, a native of Wis 
consin. They have three children — Lida, 
Cora and Jesse. 

Edward Scuntlebury came to Iowa in 
1876, settling first in Wayne county, where 
he farmed two years, removing then to 
Hamilton, where he purchased 160 acres 
on section 16, and since that time has 
been successfully engaged in farming and 
stock-raising, his stock being all graded. 
He rents the adjoining 120 acres and 
farms heavily, together with dairying. 
He was born in England, in 1834, and re- 
ceived a limited education, being brought 
up on a farm. In 1867, he emigrated 
to America, going first to Warren, Jo Da- 
viess Co., 111., where he engaged in farm- 
ing thirteen years, when he went prospect- 
ing through Kansas, Oregon, California 
and other States until 1876. He was mar- 
ried, in 1863, to Elizabeth Ormrod, also a 
native of England. William, Charles, Jo- 



-<"l^ -^ 



^^ 






37S 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



sephine, Frank, Ella and Edward, Jr., are 
their children. 

Jacob Pearson purchased his present 
home in 1874, and settled on it in 1879. 
He had but little means when be came, 
but by industry and economy has acquired 
a large farm and as fine buildings as any 
in the township! He was born in Mont- 
gomery Co., Penn., in 1837, where he re- 
ceived a good common school education, 
and then learned the machinist trade, 
working at it in his native place until 
1865, when he went to southern Illinois 
and followed his trade eight years. He 
was city marshal of Pana, 111., and in Feb- 
ruary, 1876, removed to Fort Dodge, Iowa, 
working at his trade for three years. In 
politics he is a republican. He was a 
school director one year. He is of Quaker 
descent and holds to the religion of his 
forefathers. He was married,' in 1860, to 
Sarah Jane Millard, a native of Pennsyl- 
vania. I'hey have three children — Joseph, 
Henry and Jimmie. 

James Sharpe settled in 1875. He was 
born in Ireland, in 1813, and came to 
America in 1872, settling in Butler Co., 
Iowa. He was there for two years and 
then, in 1875, came to this township and 
settled on section 22, engaging in the 
stock-raising business. He was married, 
in 1837, to Elizabeth Irwin. They had 
nine children, all coming to this county 
together. In religion Mr. Sharpe is a 
Presbyterian, his wife being a member of 
the Reformed Presbyterian Church. In 
politics he is a republican. 

J. J. Sharpe, sou of James and Eliza- 
beth Sharpe, was born in Ireland, in 1859. 
He was brought up on a farm, receiving 
a common school education; came to 



America, in 1871, and settled in Butler 
county, where he rented land until he 
came to Hamilton township, in 1875, and 
bought the eighty-acre farm where he 
now lives, his father living with him. He 
deals in Durham cattle and a graded Nor- 
man horse, having fifty head of stock, be- 
sides five horses. In religion he is a 
Presbyterian. 

Anthony Snyder, who came in 1878, is 
the son of Philip and Matilda Snyder. 
He was born in Chamberlain Co., Peun., in 
1840, and came to Franklin Co., Iowa, 
in 1878, locating on section 32, Hamilton 
township, where he has 240 acres of 
land, on which he has made all the im- 
provements. When he v^s seven years 
of age he came with his parents to Miami 
Co., Ohio, being there brought up on a 
farm and receiving a common sohool edu- 
cation. In 1873 he left Ohio and went 
to Kansas, remained there two years, 
then moved to Jones Co., Iowa, remained 
there three years and in 1878 came 
here. In May, 1864, he enlisted in the 
147th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was 
for five years a member of the Ohio 
National Guards, and was a non-com- 
missioned ofticer. He was j)resent at 
Early's attack on Washington. He has 
been a town trustee since the fall of 
1879. He is a member of the Odd Fel- 
lows. Mr. Snyder was married in 1868, 
to Madora Cramer, a native of Ohio. 
They are the parents of seven children, 
four living — Lucinda Jane, Nettie May, 
Argus Franklin and Lulu. 

Thomas Malone located iji Hamilton 
township in 1878. He was a son of 
Thomas and Mary (Flannigan) Malone, 
was born in Worcester, Mass., April, 1852. 



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7 




/^. 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



383 



* -r»| J 



When he was about four years of age, he 
removed with his parents to Wisconsin, 
and settled near Milwaukee. Here he 
was brought up on a farm, receiving a 
common school education. He spent nine 
years in northern Wisconsin in 'he lumber 
and agricultural business for himself, but 
in 1878 came to this county and settled 
on a farm of 160 acres on section 13, 
Hamilton township, that he had bought 
some ten years before. Here he built a 
tine brick house, (it being the only brick 
house in this township) at a cost of about 
$700, aside from his own work; he paid 
five dollars per acre for his land, and it 
is now worth twenty-five dollars per acre. 
He has seven fine horses; the value of his 
stock may be estimated at not far from 
$2,000. The greater part of this wealth 
he has accumulated since he became of 
age, having but $900 to start with. He 
has taken an active part in the politics of 
the township, is, and always has been, an 
indepenpent, voting for the best man. 
He was married in 1877 to Hattie E. 
Clark. Three children have blessed this 
union — Thomas E., John C. and Eleanor 
A. 

N. J. Wanamaker located in 1879, on 
section 17. He was born in Mahoning 
Co., Ohio, in 1838. When he was fifteen 
years of age his parents moved to Grant 
Co., Wis., where he grew to manhood on 
his father's farm, receiving but a limited 
education. Me lived at home until 1871, 
when he came to Iowa, first settling in 
Hardin county, then removing to Kos.suth 
county, thence to Floyd, and finally to 
Franklin county in 1879, locating on a 
farm in Haiiiilton township where he 
bought eighty acres of land. Here he has 



erected his buildings and has made good 
improvements. In the fall of 1879 he was 
elected town trustee, and also in 1880 
elected to the same office on the republi- 
can ticket. He has been almost a life- 
long republican, his first vote only being 
cast for Stephen A. Douglas. In the fall 
of 1862 he enlisted in the 25th Wisconsin 
Volunteer Infantry, company C, and 
.served for three years. He was in the 
battle of Resaca, and in many other im- 
portant engagements; was also with Sher- 
man in his march to the sea, but never 
received a scratch. He was mustered out 
at Washington, D. C, and then returned 
to Wisconsin. He is a member of the 
school board, Mr. Wanamaker was mar- 
ried in 1867 to Orphelia Hirst, a native of 
Ohio. Mable, Elsie, Roy and Willie, are 
their children. 

FIRST THINGS. 

The first child born in the township 
was John, a son of Robert Darrah. He 
was born in the winter of 1857, and in 1883 
was a resident of Lee township. 

The first death occurred, also, in 1857. 
Nathaniel Walker, a brief resident of the 
township, died at the house of Robert 
Hamilton. The second death was Aaron 
Hamilton, father of Robert and Andrew, 
who was eighty-four years old. 

The first wedding, was that of James 
Faun and Margaret Braden, a daughter of 
William Braden. "J he ceremony was per- 
formed b)' James Rucker, a justice of the 
peace, and took place at the residence of 
William Braden, in 1858. 

The first religious services held, were at 
Andrew Hamilton'shouse, in 1857. The 
name of the preacher is unknown. A 
cliurcb was built by the Methodist Society, 



^ opv 






.a » 



3S4 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 






ill the fall of 1881, on Robert Hamilton's 
farm, the grounds being donated to the 
society. The building cost |!l,400, and 
was dedicated that fall by Rev. Milliner, 
of Iowa Falls, assisted by the pastor, Rev. 
Jacob Ilaymond. 

The first postoffice was established 
about 1870, in the house, of A. C. Wright, 
with Nelson Wright as postmaster. He 
held it for three years, at which time it 
was discontinued. Since then the people 
have gone to Hampton for their mail. 

OKGANIC. 

In 1871, the township of Reeve was 
again sub-divided and re-organized and this 
portion named Hamilton, in honor of the 
Hamilton brothers. 

The first election was held Oct. 10, 1871, 
when the following named were duly 
elected to office: Trustees. R.J. Elliot, R. 



Hamilton and J. W. Wallace; assessor, I. 
W. Myers; clerk, D W. Elliott; justices 
of the peace, D. M. Pratt and Asa Wright; 
constables, J. E. Bahcan and Albert Miller. 
In 1883, the officers were: E. H. Stenson, 
clerk; H. E. Latham, assessor; A. Snyder, 
trustee; Thomas Malone and James Stock 
dale, constables. 

EDUCATIONAL. 

The first school in the township was 
taught by Miss Bell Birkett, in 1863, in a 
frame building, which was first erected on 
section 25, then moved to section 26, again 
removed to another part of the section, 
but finally re-located on section 25, under 
the new arrangement of having school 
houses two miles apart. In 1883, the 
township had six school houses valued at 
|4,U0iJ. The average attendance was 190 
scholars. 



CH/^PTER )^Xli 



HAMPTON CITY AND WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP. 



This beautiful and enterprising city 
was laid out in 1856, by James B Reeve, 
George Ryan and wife, and Job Garner. 
'While there may be nothing really re- 
markable in the develo])ment of the past, 
or anything striking in the present, still 
there is much that cannot fail to be of 
interest to those who have been closely 
connected and identified with the city in 
all the various changes that have occurred 
from year to year. To those who have 
watched the growth and progress from 



its earliest origin, when Franklin county 
was but a wild prairie country, until the 
present time, the accomplishment of by- 
gone days would seem now like a great 
task, but it is in fact the sure and legiti- 
mate results of an advanced state of civili- 
zation. 

Hampton is situated two miles east of 
the center of the county, in the civil 
township of Washington. The incorpo- 
rate limits of Ilanijiton embraces all of 
this township. Three lines of railway 



^ 



1^ 



* — -'— 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



385 



f 
1 

\ 



pass through Hampton, connecting it with 
the leading markets of the north, east 
and south. They are the Central of Iowa, 
running north and south ; the Dubuque 
& Dakota, operated by the Illinois Cen- 
tral Railroad Company, running east from 
Hampton ; and the Iowa Central & North- 
western, operated by the Central of Iowa 
Railroad Company, running from Hamp- 
ton to Belmond, twenty-two miles to the 
west. The city is surrounded by some of 
the finest and most productive agricultural 
and stock-raising lands in the State, which 
is a guarantee of a permanent and ever 
increasing trade. 

There are many imposing and substan- 
tial brick blocks to be seen upon the busi- 
ness streets, and a stroll about the place 
discloses many fine and impressive resi- 
dences, surrounded by beautiful grounds, 
made charming by their fine shade trees 
and lawns. An abundance of shade trees 
adorn the streets, which are level and well 
improved, giving the place an appearance 
which would do credit to a much older 
city. 

Among other notable features of the 
place, are the public square and city 
p.irk. The land was donated at an early 
day, by the projectors of the city, 
to be used for county purposes, and 
that which now comprises the city 
park was afterwards transferred to the 
city, and improvements made thereon. 
Shade trees were set out, and a band stand 
erected. These grounds have become a 
much frequented place of resort. 

The location of Hampton is exceedingly 
healthy; the inhabitants are possessed of 
high intelligence, and the society is of the 
most refined and desirable character. 



THE BEGINNING. 

About the first settler in the region of 
Hampton, was James Van Horn. 

Anion Rice settled just northeast of the 
limits of the present township of Wash- 
ington, in 1855, and erected a log cabin 
about one fourth of a mile south of where 
Beed's mill now stands. In 18t-3 he was 
still making that place his home. 

Job Garner sold a claim which he had 
made in Four Mile Grove in 1855, and 
located on the town site of Hampton, 
erecting a log cal)in in the little grove 
adjoining the town plat on the northwest, 
into which he moved in September, 1855. 
The log house is still standing. 

George Ryan, in 1855, settled a short 
distance northeast of the main part of 
town. 

In March, 1856, the county seat of 
Franklin county was permanently located 
at Hampton, and Job Garner and George 
Ryan joined interests for the purpose of 
laying it out. The proposed town was 
then called Benjamin, the idea being, 
it is said, to have the name read Benja 
min, Franklin county, in honor of the 
noted philosopher. Immediately after 
the March election and the town of 
Benjamin declared the county seat, 
steps were taken toward laying out the 
town, and as H. P. Allen was county survey 
or, the job naturally fell to him, as accord- 
ing to the terras of the contract between 
Garner and Ryan and the county, the 
county was to lay it out. In the latter 
part of May he proceeded to discharge 
his duties, and on the 2d of June, 1850, 
the work was finished and the plat record- 
ed with the county judge. Mr. Allen had 
a number of assistants ; the records show 



*" 



T 




^86 



insTORV OF FRANKLTN COUNTY. 



that Asa I'hitt i-cooivt'il *1.75 for liaiiliiiii- 
stakos for the now town ; Allen (4aiiu>r 
$4.37 for services as cliainnian ; William 
Esterbrook i.'i.l-i for like services; S.I?, 
.laekson *4.;!7 ; S. Iv. Freed $1.2") and 
Matthias Garner $5.87, also as chainman, 
and Allen Garner $4.50 for stakes. Mat- 
thias (-Jarner, too, hauled the stones that 
were [ilaced in some of the corners. 
Allen aTid Matthias Garner were sons of 
I'ncle Job; Jaekson was a younjiattor 
ney who had wandered into the county, 
and, as clients were scarce, he was not 
above drawing one end of a surveyor's 
eliain ; Freed was a sonin-Iaw of Garner's 
and Plait and E.sterbrook, it is thought, 
were young men looking for land. All 
stopped at Uncle Job Garner's of course. 

When the town came to be platted, K. 
I'. Piatt strongly objected to the name of 
Iienjamin. He was at that time quite 
inrtiiential, and succeeded in having Judge 
Reeve order that the town be called 
Hamilton in honor of the famous Hamp- 
ton Koads in Virginia. The name was 
learned fi'om a history of Virginia, belong- 
ing to Piatt, in which the Hampton 
lloads were frequently referred to as the 
best and .smoothest in the world. 

About tlie time the town was platteil 
T. T. Rawson came from Clarksville, for 
the purpose of building a store, bringing 
with him Frank Geiger, his brother in- 
law, to help in its erection. They put up 
a log house, a story and a half in heiglit, 
on lot 5, block 1, which was tinished June 
1, 1856. It was the lirsl building erected 
on the town plat proper. Prior to this 
Rawson had moved in a stock of goods 
and stored them at Garners, waiting the 
completion of tlie log store, but about the 



middle of May, tlie goods were o])ened in 
the log building, when altout half tinished. 
The stock consisted of dry goods, hard- 
ware, liquors and general merchanciiseand 
cost about $2,000 The county rented a 
portion of Rawson\s building — the npi)er 
story — and Piatt, who, by this, time was 
deputy for all of the county officers, 
moved in, and the county seat found a 
permanent location. 

Rawson's store was kept by Frank 
Geiger. It was continued until in Janu- 
ary, 1857, when it was traded to Isaac 
Newton Dodd, who styled himself "the 
phrenologizer," and had the reputation of 
being a litttle crazy. He only run the 
store a short time when it was removed to 
some jtoint on the Iowa river. Rawson, 
after selling out, returned to his former 
home in t'larksville, Hutler countv, and in 
a year or two left his wife aiul ran away to 
Salt Lake with another man's wife. He 
was a trii-ky, dishonest fellow; had some 
means and carried a pompous air .iiid 
considerable style. He was the only man 
in the county at that time who rode in a 
buggy. 

Frank Geiger left Hampton soon after 
Rawson went out of business, and has 
since lived at Muscatine the greater part 
of the time. 

At about the same time that Rawson's 
store was tinished, in June, 1856, another 
institution was established which added 
importance to the town. This was a 
blacksmith shop started by Jacob Shideler. 
He erected a little hut of poplar poles, 
about ten feet stpiare, on a lot north of 
where William G. Heed now lives, and 
opened his shop i herein. Shideler was a 
German, and a good fellow. He oi.ly re- 



- ■ '3 



4 



M^ 



IITSTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



387 



maineii until 1858, when he sold out to a 
lilacksmith named Clark, and removed to 
(JolorAdo, where he engaged in stock rais- 
in2 and when last iieaid t'lorn had become 
wealthy. 

In June, 1856, James Thompson came 
here from Vinton,- where he had been liv- 
ing since 1852, engaged principally at car- 
penter work. Early in the spring of 1850, 
a proposition was made him by Everett 
Keyes, a merchant of Vinton, that, if he, 
Mr. Thompson, would look up a location 
and build a store, Keyes would furnish the 
stock and they would become partners in 
the mercantile business. Mr. Thompson 
accepted this proposition and accordingly 
came to Hampton, in June, 1856, in search 
of a location. He passed through Fiank- 
11 11 county from south to north, and was 
much pleased with the appearance of the 
town site of Hampton. Isaac Miller and 
R. F. Piatt informed him that the lots 
were all sold, the prices ranging between 
|i50 -tnd %100 per lot. He went on up to 
Mason City and Clear Lake, and coming 
back to Hampton, stopped again and finally 
managed to get one lot. Still he did not 
conclusively make up his mind to locate 
here, but returned home by way of Marietta, 
in Marshall county, hoping to find some 
opening that promised better. But after 
getting home he decided to try it at 
Hampton, and accordingly in August, 
1856, he came back with two loads of lum- 
ber that he had bought at Vinton. A 
store building was at once commenced. It 
was 16x24 feet, one story, and stood op- 
posite the southeast corner of the court 
house square. This building has since 
been moved, but still stands on Reeve 
street south of the Cannam House. The 



stock of goods for the store had Ijeen pur- 
chased in New York and shipped before 
the building was finished. Jiefore they 
arrived, however, Mr. Thompson received 
word that his partner, Mr. Keyes, had 
been killed in a saw-mill accident at Vin- 
ton. It was also learned that the goods 
had been burned • while on the lakes. 
These misfortunes' placed Mr. Thompson 
at a great disadvantage, and discouraged 
him, but in a short time, his partner's 
father, Amarj' Keyes, of Marion, took his 
son's interest, and became his partner. 
The insurance which had been placed 
upon the original stock was put into new 
goods, which in due time arrived and 
were opened up Sept. 1, 1856. The firm 
of Thompson & Keyes continued the busi- 
ness until the spring of 1859, when tlie 
former purchased Keyes' interest and asso- 
ciated himself with William G. Beed. An 
addition had been put to the building in 
1857, by A. J. Cannam, carpenter, which 
made of it a respectable store building. 
This business finally ))assed into the hands 
of the LJeed Brothers who still conduct it. 

In 185.3, George Beed, Andrew J. Can- 
nam, James H. Beed, D. W. Mott and 
Charles Beed settled in this vicinity. 

In the meantime, soon after the county 
seat was located at IIan]i)ton, A. Fretoe 
came from Michigan bringing a new steam 
saw-mill. George Ryan gave him five 
a<;res of land, lying just east and adjoin- 
ing the northeast corner of the town plat. 
The mill was a good one, and was hailed 
by the entire county as a valuable acjuisi- 
tion. It was equipped with a circular saw, 
and had a capacity of sawing between 
2.,000 and .3,000 feet of lumber per day. 
Fretoe ran it for al>out one year, but saw 



•^5 



^^ 



388 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



it would not pay, and the mill was finally 
moved to Horse Neck, in Butler county. 
About the same time a hotel was erected. 
It is treated under the head of "hotels." 
These were about all the improvements 
in 1856 

Among those in 1857, Chauncy Gillett, 
who had come here in 1856, erected what 
is now a part of the Phoenix hotel. 

In the summer of 1857, J. D. Thompson, 
then district judge, and a part owner in 
the town site, moved here and erected a 
story and a half grout building, which is 
now occupied by Dr Corning Thomp- 
son remained here for sometime, and then 
returned to his former home in Eldora. 

Late in the fall of 1857, George Beed 
and Chauncy Gillett entered into partner- 
ship for the erection and operation of a 
grist mill. They erected a large stone 
V)uilding about twenty rods west of the 
northeast corner of the town plat. They 
bought an engine and boiler of Jesse R. 
Dodd, at Oakland, and fitted up a saw-mill, 
equipped with a circular saw, giving it a 
capacity of sawing over -2,000 feet per day. 
Flouring machinery was also purchased 
and put in, the building being arranged 
for three run of stone. The saw-mill was 
set up in a shed. It was started in 1859 or 
1860. But wheat was only thirty cents per 
bushel, flour proportionately low, wood 
$2.50 per cord, and nothing to do. The 
consequence was that the entire earnings 
of the mill would not keep it in fufel, and 
the owners concluded to try water power. 
Accordingly they dug a ditch about half 
a mile long, from Squaw creek, on the 
north side, through J. H. Van Nuy's farm, 
down to the mill, which was to be a race 
to carry the water. It ran along the edge 



of the blufl^ below the residence of James 
Beed, then near where A. Kinney now 
lives, and so on down to the mill. They 
went so far as to plank nearly half of the 
ditch, when they found that they had 
failed in one very important particulai-, 
and that was to have the ditch cut so that 
the water would run through it. Upon 
making this discovery they took out the 
plank and sold them for bridge timber, 
George Beed, at about the same time, sell- 
ing his interest in the business to Gillett 
for $50 The mill was run, however, for 
sometime afterward, and finally in 1863, 
when Mr. Gillett died, the property was 
settled in probate by Judge North, and 
most of the machinery sold to W. R.Jam- 
ison, of Union Ridge, Butler county. The 
building finally went to pieces, although 
the stone has been utilized for other pur- 
poses. 

In 1858, O. F. Kitchell, from Bridport, 
Vt., became a citizen of Hampt<in. 
He remodeled and moved into Chauncy 
Gillett's barn, which has since burned 
down. Kitchell is now living in his 
former home in Vermont. 

In 1859, was erected the Franklin 
Mills, an imposing structure, located on 
section 20, Mott township, an enterprise 
which has always been a credit to the 
county. The building was 36x36 feet in 
size, one story high, and contained one 
run of stone, which was sufficient for the 
work of those early days. The grists 
were often brought to the mills on horse 
back, but more frequently by o.\ teams. 
The reputation made by the mill in those 
days has never diminished, but has stead- 
ily gained. The mill was erected by T. 
K. Hansburg at a cost of $4,000. In 1864 



->. 



-f. 



- 4^— >- 



J>L\ 



^ 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



389 



""^s- 



the property was purchased by William 
G. Beed, who, in 1870, enlarged it to a 
two story building with an addition, add- 
ing an elevator 20x36 feet. In 1882, the 
mill was changed to the rollei system, 
equipped with three run of buhrs and 
twelve sets of rollers. Mr. Beed has re- 
cently added another elevator, 28x50 feet 
and a warehouse 24x50 feet. In 1883. 
these mills were employing eight men 
and had a capacity of 150 barrels per 
day. 

In February, 1859, T. B. and H. H. 
Carpenter, merchants of Cedar Falls, es- 
tablished a branch of their store at Hamp- 
ton, opening in a building erected by 
John E. Boyles, which stood on the same 
ground which is now covered by the mag- 
nificent Beed Block. It was a little frame 
building 16x24 feet. The store was placed 
in charge of J. T. Stearns 

Early this year, S. M. Jones and M. S. 
Bowman came from Vinton and estab- 
lished the first newspaper in Franklin 
county, under the name of the Franklin 
Record. The office was in a building 
which is still standing, although much re- 
modeled, and is now occupied by G. M. 
Spencer as a residence. The Record has 
undergone many changes and is now 
called the Franklin County Recorder. S. 
M. Jones is the present affable postmaster 
at Hampton. 

During this year, 1859, James Thomp- 
son erected a building just east of where 
the Methodist church now stands. It was 
24x36 feet in size, and was built almost 
entirely of native timber sawed here, and 
finished with black walnut. The building, 
much changed, still stands, and is the 
present home of William Hoy. 



At about the same time, the school 
house was erected by F. A. Denton and 
E. A. Evans. It was 24x36 feet in size. 
It w 8 used at an early day for schools, 
religious meetings, dances and everything 
else, and many were the squabbles over 
which should be allowed and which ex- 
cluded. The building still stands, now 
occupied by William Parr as a residence. 

Rev. John Gilliland, in 1859, erected 
what was afterwards known as the old 
A. Gillett house on Reeve street. 

D. W Dow came in 1859, and bought 
the Steve Jones printing office building, 
which he put on a sled and moved to 
where it now stands. He fitted it up and 
N. B. Chapman moved into it, Mr. Dow 
boarding with him and teaching school. 
The building, much remodeled, is now 
occupied as a residence by G. M. Spencer. 

Early in 1857, Tracy Reed erected a 
double log house, just west of where the 
Congregational church now stands. This 
was where the first grand jury of Frank- 
lin county met. J. I. Popejoy was the 
foreman of the grand jury and J. T. Mc- 
Cormick, clerk. 

In 1858, Norman Lisk put up a building 
just south of Thompson's store. 

During this year log houses were put 
up by John Harlan and two other parties. 

W. G. Beed erected a building on the 
corner of Reeve and Third streets, where 
he still lives. A log house was moved in 
from the country and re-built, in which 
George Beed moved and lived for a num- 
ber of years. 

In 1859, M. Dodge put up a dwelling 
south of where the Cannam House now 
stands on the opposite side of tl e street. 



\^ 



:iJj 



'k. 



390 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



This brings the settlement and growth 
of Hampton up to 1860. Among those 
who had been living here, either all or a 
portion of the time, the following named 
are remembered: James Thompson, F. J. 
Geig'er, James T. McCormick, George 
Beed, D. W. Dow, I. N. Dodd, A. J. Can. 
nam, Chauncey Gillett, Charles De Lama. 
ter, O. F.Kitchell,PerryHoyt,I.M. White, 
I.Justus, Jacob Shideler, Thomas Shideler, 
G. W. Eckley, W. N. Davidson, Ike 
Jones, J. D. and G W. Thompson, A. Gil- 
lett, Rev. John Gilliland, Norman Lisk, 
S. li. Vankirk, Jonn E. Boyles, J. T. 
Stearns, Dr. J. S. Kurd, R. F. Piatt, Job 
Garner, T. T. Rawson, S. M. Jones, Ru.s- 
sell Freed, Jack Newell, Charles Noll, 
Riley Howe, Judge A. North, Lee and C. 
Sharpe, James Vanhorn, Mr. Kohlhoff, F. 
M. Rother, Judson Kiiapp, John Harlan 
and J. H. Van Nuys. 

Until 1805, Hampton- almost stood still. 
Times were hard, money scarce, and it is 
s^iid that enterprise was the worst thing a 
man could have. 

In 1861, A. C. Walker and John Nixon 
started a general store in the stme build- 
ing that James Thompson had occupied. 
They remained in trade but a short time. 

John McDonald established a general 
mere andise store in the building for- 
merly occupied by the Carpenter Brothers; 
but soon (juit. 

InlSe.i, J. T. Stearns and S M. Jones 
erected a frame building 22x36 feet, where 
the National Bank building now stands. 
This building has been added to and moved 
near the Cannam House, where it still 
stands. 



In 1861, Kohlhoff & Rother established 
a brick yard, north of the bridge, near 
where A. Kinney lives. 

At one time during 1862, for a period 
of about two months, Hampton was with- 
out a store. This was relieved by W. G. 
Beed and G. H. Ingham, who started up 
again. 

After the close of 'he war, times grew 
better, and Hampton improved more raj)- 
idly, and when the railroad reached here 
in 1870, the boom actually set in, and 
within a few years the town assumed city 
proportions. 

FIRST THINGS. 

The first house within the corporate 
limits of Hampton, was erected by Job 
Garner, in 1855. It was a large logbuild- 
ing situated in the grove on Squaw creek 
near the flowing spring. 

The first store in Hampton, was started 
by T. T. Rawson. The first substantial 
business started was by James Thompson. 

The first hotel was built by John E. 
Boyles, and stood where the Beed Block 
now stands. 

The first school in Washington town- 
ship was taught by Clara Wyatt, during 
the summer of 1856 

The first religious service held in Hamp- 
ton, was in the fall of 1856, by T. K. 
Ilansbury a minister of the Christian 
Church, wli.0 was often called "Tea Ket- 
tle Ilansbury." The services were held 
at the house of A. J. Cannam, now tlie 
N. S. Barger place. 

The first child born in Hampton was 
Eva Thompson, afterward Mrs. W. B. 
Barney, a daughter of James and M. J. 
Tl'.ompson. She was born Feb. 7, 1857. 



*7t 



V 











^^^d^PC€^.^<l^ 




-y^^i^-i-^. 




Vj _j^i«irtirti«Awqv;i*l < vif 





HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



395 



BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT. 

The starting point in the business life 
of Hampton has already been treated at 
length. For many years the stores were 
general and all carried almost every class 
of goods, but as the business of Hampton 
began to assume larger proportions, the 
general merchandise began to separate, 
and the various stores, as a rule, handled 
one line exclusively. In this con- 
nection will be presented a history of 
each of the various lines of trade, giving 
the first and that in 1883, interwoven with 
the personal history of some of the most 
prominent business men. 

The first dealer in general merchandise 
was T. T. Rawson. The second, and really 
the first substantial merchant of Hampton, 
was James Thompson. In 1883, the general 
merchandise line was represented by the 
Beed Brothers, Isaac Robinson Patterson 
& Cole, W. J. Stonebraker and J. R. 
Medley. 

William G. Beed is one of the promi- 
nent business men of Hampton, to which 
place he came and embarked in business 
in 1858. He was born Jan. 9, 1831, and 
is a native of Devonshire, England, where 
his early life was spent, having excellent 
advantages. He then entered a mercan- 
tile office in London, which place he re- 
tained until 1858, when he came to 
America, proceeding at once to Hampton, 
where he formed a partnership with James 
Thompson, with whom he was associated 
but a short time. He then purchased the 
entire interest, and continued alone until 
1865, when he admitted his brother James. 
The firm since being William G. Beed & 
Bio. Beside his mercantile business, in 
1864, Mr. Beod purchased the Franklin 



W^^ 



flour mills, since which he has devoted 
most of his time to his milling interests, 
his brother conducting the mercantile. 
He is one of the directors in the Citizens' 
Bank, having been one of the organizers 
of it. In the conflict for the county seat 
he was one of the supervisors of the 
county, and much credit is due him for 
his untiring zeal in retaining the county 
seat at Hampton. In politics he is a 
staunch republican, and has always been 
a strong advocate of the temperance cause. 
He was married in 1865, to Miss H. A., 
daughter of John Gould, one of the pio- 
neers of Franklin county. One son has 
been born to them — Hugh. They are 
members of the M E. Church. 

James H. Beed, junior member of the 
firm of William G. Beed & Brother, es- 
tablished in business at Hampton in 1867, 
prior to which he had served two years as 
county recorder. He was born in Devon- 
shire, England, November 2, 1835, where 
he was educated and attained his majority, 
emigrating to America in 1856. After 
prospecting for some time, he came west 
to Hampton, Iowa. In November, 1861, 
he enlisted in the 4th Iowa Cavalry, as a 
private. He was promoted to quarter- 
master sergeant, serving until honorably 
discharged, in August, 1864, after which 
he returned to his present home. He mar- 
lied Miss C. J. Lyman in 1870. They have 
one daughter — Lotta. They are members 
of the il. E. Church. He is an active, en- 
terprising business man and an excellent 
citizen. 

Isaac Robinson, merchant and capitalist, 
located in Hampton in 1869, when he 
founded his present business. He is a 
native of Westmoreland county, England, 

28 -=0 ~ 



'f 



•V' 



k. 



396 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



the famous lake region, unparalleled in 
pic.Uiresqure beauty, and the home of the 
lake poets. He was born October 30, 1835, 
and is the son of Thomas and Ann (Lee) 
Robinson. His father was of Quaker 
lineage, born in Cumberland county, July 
10 1811. His mother was a native of 
Northumberland county, born Oct. :35, 
1804. They came to LaFayette county in 
1844. The elder Robinson was a mechanic 
and an engineer in the lead mines of 
Yorkshire and he came to the mining re- 
gion of Wisconsin as affording a wider 
iield for his abilities and energies. The 
journey from England consumed about six 
weeks. Landing at New York they pro- 
ceeded up the Hudson river to Albany, 
going then' e by rail to Buffalo. The trip 
to Chicago, by steamer, occupied two 
weeks. At Chicago a farmer's team was 
chartered to transport the family to their 
destination, the route requiring six days. 
Mr. Robinson, Sr., engaged in the same 
capacity as in England, and his history 
presents a peculiar phase of the possibili- 
ties under American institutions. Claim- 
ants divided their prospects with men who 
could supply the necessary qualifications, 
:ind by these means Mr. Robinson became 
hirgely interested in mines. He and his 
wife are still residents of LaFayette 
Co., Wis. Mr. Robinson, of this sketch, 
was but eight years old when his father 
took him to Wisconsin Social conditions 
there and subsequent events have had a 
large influence in molding his character 
and shaping the bent of his life. He had 
little school training in England and 
hardly none in Wisconsin, as the license 
of the times precluded much attention to 
any claims beyond the immediate exi- 



gencies of the hour. The pictures by Bret 
Hart of life on the Pacific slope are but 
reprints of times and events at New 
Diggings. Men enforced their demands 
at the point of 'he knife and with a cocked 
revolver. Human life was as unstable as 
the hopes centered in the possible treas- 
ures in the depths below their feet, and 
the existing state of affairs had a lasting 
influence on the sanguine, nervous lad, 
who there learned his lessons in human 
nature. At a later day life improved in 
some phases at New Diggings. The new 
El Dorado on the sunset coast of this con- 
tinent drew away the turbulent element 
and greatly improved social matters. 
Wisconsin had become a State and law and 
order prevailed above ground. But in the 
bowels of the earth a reign of terror ex- 
isted. A class of men opera' ed there who 
were bent on substantiating their fictitious 
claims on the basis of might prevailing 
over right; they excavated transversely to 
intercept and cut of the paying leads of 
adjacent mines. ]ioth parties went in and 
out, armed' to the teeth with knives and 
revolvers, and blood and life paid the 
penalty when the contestants met in the 
mouth of disruption. The elder Robinson 
held to the peace principles of his ances- 
tral descent, but events had developed an- 
other trait of his lineage in the son and 
overtopped his father's characteristics and 
he took his sire's position to meet the in- 
vaders, who found "uncle Tommy's" ter 
ritory a fair field for their depredations. 
A detailed account is too long for this 
brief sketch, but the effects of this experi- 
ence fitted Mr. Robinson for a period 
when the weU'nrcof tlie country demanded 
men of resolution and promptness. At 



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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



S91 



twenty-one he engaged in raining interests 
wliich he pursued about seven years. 
Meanwhile bis health became impaired. 
Not of robust physique, he fell into a pe- 
culiar nervous state which demand change, 
and in 1860 he started for Colorado, going 
as far as Omaha. He spent the ensuing 
winter in the Bermudas. The next year 
he passed in Wisconsin and in June, 1862, 
he went to England, returning in April, 
1863. The war was in full blast and an- 
archy had returned to New Diggings. 
Tlie generation" left by the early settlers 
retained a germ which the times had 
nurtured into active existence and lawless- 
ness, and rebellion was rampant. Beside 
the location afforded ready ingress to the 
worst element from the south. It was a 
nest of sympathy with secession and dis- 
loyalty. The rebel sympathizers were in 
systematized revolt and the Unionists 
were terrorized and subdued. Mr. Robin- 
son responded to the call of his nature 
trained to abhor disorder and brute force, 
which the State had sent two companies 
of troops to keep within limits. He made 
a personal appeal to every republican and 
Unionist, and in an open field a company 
was organized, constituting a home militia 
sufficient for the local exigencies and the 
local authorities were notified that New 
Diggings had rallied for its own protec- 
tion. The United States companies were 
withdrawn and the home militia, consist 
ing of old men, boys and men exempt by 
physical disability, established order and 
maintained the rights of freedom of senti- 
ment. Mr. Robinson commenced com- 
mercial operations there in 1863. He sold 
out in 1868 and came to Hampton where 
he has since lived quietly and free from 



the excitements of his early life, which 
undermined his health and brought him 
the wear and tear incident to years of toil 
He bought one of the two stoics then ex- 
isting in Hampton and has since continued 
its management. He has extended his 
business interests somewhat and operated 
as a loan broker and purchaser of real 
estate. He was married at Hazel Green, 
Wis., Nov. 8, 1865, to Eliza, daughter of 
John and Margaret (Greaves) Graham. 
She was born in Middleton, Durham 
county, England, April 28. 1849. Her par- 
ents came to America, in the first year of 
her life, and settled at New Diggings, 
where her father was a wood worker on 
mining machinery. Mr. and Mrs. Graham 
are deceased, aged respectively sixty-eight 
and sixty-one. The family of Mr. and Mrs. 
Robinson, four sons and four daughters, 
were born as follows: Luella C, Oct. 21, 
1866; Thomas J. B., Aug. 12, 1868; 
George A , March 21, 1810; William Tee, 
July 10, 1872; Estella A., March 28, 1874; 
Mary A , Feb. 22, 1876; Ruth E„ Dec. 23, 
1878; Isaac Barton, April 2, 1881. 

W. J. Stonebraker, merchant, has prose- 
cuted his present business at Hampton 
since 1872. He was born in Lincoln Co., 
Mo., Oct. 10,18.30. His parents settled 
ill La Fayette Co., Wis., in 1844, where 
Mr. Stonebraker was reared to agricultural 
pursuits and attended the public schools. 
He was afterward a student in the schools 
at Platteville, Wis. Since his coming o 
Hampton he has taken a lively interest in 
local politics, and for eight years past he 
has held the office of councilman. In 
1860 he was married to Ellen Day. Their 
children are— Eva, William L., David L , 
Arethusa and Ernest. 



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398 



IIISIORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



The first hardware store in Hampton 
was established in 1867 by Stearns <fe 
Finch, in a buihling which they erected 
near the Beed House, and which is still 
standing. In 1869 this firm dissolved and 
J. T. Stearns associated himself with 
Austin North, as Stearns & North. This 
partnership continued for three years, 
when they were succeeded by Minor & Nor- 
ton; they by Minor & Mattocks; then 
came Beebe & Nye, and the former's in- 
terest being purchased by the latter, R. 
J. Nye still conducts the business, occu- 
pying a building in the Empire block. 

The second hardware store was estab- 
lished by I. F. White in 1872, in a build- 
ing which he erected and which still 
stands just west of the Franklin County 
Bank. White sold to C. Schabacker, 
who is yet in trade, occupying a room in 
the postoffice block, erected by himself 
and S. M. Jones. Charles Beed bought 
his hardware business from J. D. Parks, 
in 1878. 

Charles Beed, a prominent hardware 
dealer in Hampton, was born in Devon- 
shire, England, June 20, 1843. In 1857 he 
came to America and soon afterwards 
settled on a farm in Franklin Co., Iowa. 
Here he engaged in farming until 1873, 
at which time he moved into Hampton, 
and in 1878 engaged in the hardware 
business. In politics he is a republican. 
He is a member of the Congregational 
Church. In 1866 he was married to 
Lydia Hacker, a native of Ohio. This 
union has been blessed with four children 
— Loekwood, Mercy, Frankie and Lewis. 

Charles Schabacker, hardware merchant, 
has been a resident of Hampton since 
1876. He was born in Germany, July 2, 



1837, and when seventeen years old came 
to America, locating first at Galena, 111., 
where he learned the blacksmith's trade. 
Three years later he weflt to St. Paul, 
Minn., where lie remained two years 
running a delivery wagon. From there 
he went to Hazel Green, Wis., where he 
engaged in building wagons and linggies 
and followed that business until he came 
to Hampton in 1876, and began the hard- 
ware trade. Mr. Schabacker is a member 
of the city council and is also one of the 
board of township trustees He was mar- 
ried in 1860 to Frances Hobble, who was 
born in Maine. Their three children are 
— Clarence, Martha and Albert. 

Gold, Baum & Co. were the first to en- 
gage exclusively in the dry goods busi- 
ness. They opened their store in 1882, 
and still continue the business in the 
building owned by Mary Murphy. 

The first clothing store in Hampton was 
established by Henry • and Jonas Schles- 
singer, in the building now owned by E. 
A. Norton. Henry sold to his brother 
Jonas who now conducts the business in 
the First National Bunk block. 

Grinnell & Ives opened the second 
clothing store in a building where the 
First National Bank block now stands. 
Henry Osborne succeeded Grinnell & Ives 
and in turn sold to Captain R. S. Benson, 
and the goods were finally moved to Clear 
Lake. Frank Speicher & Co opened a 
clothing store, in 1879, in the Empire 
block, and they still continue in the busi- 
ness. 

Josiah Phelps opened the first grocery 
in Hampton, in 1867, and afterward took 
in O. F. Sweet as })artner. Mr. Phelps 
sold to O. F. Sweet, who h.Ts since con- 



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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



399 



tinned the business. Mr. Sweet now oc- 
cupies the brick building on the corner of 
Third and Reeve streets. The second 
grocery store was established, in 1867 or 
1868, by A. Cowan, in a building erected 
Ijy himself. Mr. Cowan continued in this 
business until 1880, when he purchased a 
general stock, but sold out to J. R. Med- 
ley, who still continues the business. In 
1870, Carbaugh & White opened a grocery 
store in a building where the Franklin 
County Bank now stands. They quit the 
business in 187 2. Nathan Parker opened 
his grocery store, in 1878, in a building 
adjoining the Franklin County Bank. He 
is still in business. Phelps Bros opened 
their grocery store, in 1880, in the Beed 
block. The next to engage in this branch 
of trade was Frank Devault, who estab- 
lished his business, in 1882, in the Empire 
block. The same year he sold to Farmer 
& Hoxie, who continue the business. O. 
H. Humiston opened a grocery store, in 
1880, but failed after being in business 
about nine months. The grocery trade is 
at pi esent represented by O. F. Sweet, 
Phelps Bros., Nathan Parker and Farmer 
& Hoxie. 

Oney Foster Sweet has been a resident 
of Hampton, since March, 1869. He was 
born, Dec. 13, 1841, in Susquehanna, Penn. 
He is a son of Almon and Caroline (Fos- 
ter) Sweet. At the age of fourteen he be- 
ban attending a select school at Newark, 
N. J. After leaving school he commenced 
clerking in a wholesale establishment in 
New York city, remaining there until 
1861, when he went into the army, enlist- 
ing in the 1st Pennsylvania Light Artil- 
lery, spending six months in the recruit- 
ing service at Harrisburg, Penn. In the 



spring of 1862, he joined his battery at 
Hagerstown, Md. He was in active 
service until the close of the war, having 
taken part in twenty-three engagements. 
He was in the battles of Winchester and 
Cedar Mountain and also on Pope's famous 
retreat at Biistow Station and Bull Run, 
where the rebels captured every gun of 
his battery, save the one on which he was 
cannoneer. Then, following these engage- 
ments, were Antietam and Fredericksburg, 
where Mr. Sweet celebrated his twenty- 
first birthday; next came Chancellors, 
ville and Gettysburg, where his battery 
was stationed on Cemetery Hill, and 
where he saw twenty-three of his com- 
rades fall around him in as many minutes. 
In the spring of 1864, he was detailed or- 
derly to Gen. Hancock's headquarters, 
second army corps, and was in the battles 
of the Wilderness, Spottsylrania Court 
House, North Ann River and Cold Har- 
bor, and also participated in the ten 
months' siege before Petersburg and 
Richmond, and was present at Lee's sur- 
render at Appomattox Court House. He 
received his discharge, June 11, 1865. 
Mr. Sweet was married, June 13, 1869, to 
Helen M. Coon, by whom he has five chil- 
dren — Marian, Edna, Robert, Willie and 
Oney F. He has acquired an enviable 
reputation and has succeeded well in busi- 
ness, but is never happier than when with- 
in a circle of old soldier boys, recounting 
the thrilling incidents of his life in the 
army of the Potomac. 

.Tosiah Phelps, of the firm of Phelps 
Bros., grocers, has been a resident of Iowa 
since the year 1843, when his parents 
moved to Wapello county. Mr. Phelps 
was born in Gallia Co., Ohio, Jan. 27,1 843. 



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400 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



He enlisted in Wapello county, March 10, 
1862, in company E, I7th Iowa Infantry. 
He was captured Oct. 13, 1864, and con- 
veyed a prisoner to the stockade prison 
pen at Andersonville, Ga., and there held 
until April 10, 1865. He was under fire 
at Corinth (first and second battles), at 
Farrington, luka, Yockahockany River, 
Miss., Port Gibson, La., Raymond, Jack- 
son, Champion Hills, Black River, siege of 
Vicksburg, Mission Ridge, and went 
through the Atlanta campaign. After 
his discharge, June 9, 1865, he returned 
to Iowa, and April 27, 1869, came to 
Hampton where he has since been actively 
engaged in the grocery business. He was 
married Oct. 24, 1869 to Mary Eller, of 
Wapello Co., Iowa. They have nine 
children as follows — Jennie L., Arthur D., 
William R., Benjamin, Jessie and Bessie, 
twinp, L. D., Martha and May. Mrs. 
Phelps died April 5, 1880. 

Nathan Parker, grocer, established his 
business at Hampton in 1878. He was 
born in Barnstable Co,, Mass., May 7, 
1831. At fifteen he went to sea and made 
two trips on a whaler, lasting four 
years. At the termination of his second 
voyage, in 1849, he crossed the plains to 
California, and in 1852, returned to Massa- 
chusetts where he engaged in commercial 
matters until he came to Iowa in 1877. 
He spent a year at Eldora before coming 
to Franklin couniy. He belongs to the 
Congregational Church, and is a member 
of the Masonic and Odd Fellows orders. 
He was married in, 1855 to Elizabeth G. 
Clark, of Massachusetts. 

The first drug store was established, in 
1870, by Dr. O. B. Harriman, in a build- 
ing east of the court house square. Dr. 



Harriman built the Harriman block, into 
which he moved his stock of drugs. He 
sold to Armstrong Bros., who continued 
the business about four years, then sold to 
Baldwin & Hntchins. The latter firm 
continued until Mr. Hutchins sold to E 
V. Baldwin. Mr. Baldwin still continues 
the business in the Beed block. The fol- 
lowing firms and individuals represented 
the drug trade in Hampton in 1883: O. B. 
Harriman, Hutchins & Funk and E. V. 
Baldwin. 

The first furniture store in Hampton 
was established in 1867, by IT. Weeks in 
a building which he erected on the same 
block as Ilarriman's Opera House, which 
was burned down a few years ago. Mr. 
Weeks is still in trade, occupying a room 
in the Beed block, and is associated with his 
son. The second furniture store \\ as 
started by Murphy & Johnson in the old 
Murphy building. This firm was subse- 
quently dissolved, and the business was 
continued for about one year and a half by 
T. Murphy, when he went out of the b\isi- 
ness. The next furniture store was 
started by A. J. Cannam and H. Osborn, 
in 1879, in the northwest corner room in 
Harriman's block. Mr. Cannam sold to 
Osborn, who erected the fiist building 
south of the Empire block, where he 
opened up, and soon afterward the firm 
became Osborn & Bell. In less than a 
year,however, John Bell moved to Allison. 
Mr. Osborn carried on the business alone 
until 1883, when he sold to Harry Gray, 
who is yet in trade. This leaves tlie 
furniture business in the hands of U. 
Weeks & Son and Harry Gray. 

The pioneer dealer, exclusively, in boots 
and shoes in Hampton was G. M. Spen- 



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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



401 



cer, who opened in the McKenzie building 
in 1870, and is yet in trade. Frank Sny- 
der was the next, opening in the same 
building that had been occupied by Spen- 
cer, when the latter removed to the Os- 
born building. He remained for about 
two years, but, as it is said, he sold goods 
for less than they cost him, he did not suc- 
ceed, and quit the business. In 1870, 
Cyrus Roberts establi.shed himself in the 
boot and shoe trade, and is still in busi- 
ness. The next boot and shoe store was 
established by F. L. Faatz in Dow's block. 
He is still in trade, now occupying the 
Jeffers' building. Thus this line is now 
represented by G. M. Spencer, Cyrus 
Roberts and F. L. Faatz. 

Cyrus Roberts has resided in Hampton 
since 1870. He was born in Cromwell, 
England, Aug, 1, 1845. He came with 
his parents to America in 1848. They 
settled in Iowa Co., Wis., where Cyrus 
grew to manhood and learned the shoe 
maker's trade at Mineral Point. In Sep- 
tember, 1861, he enlisted in company C, 
12th Wisconsin Volunteers, and served 
until he was honorably discharged, Aug. 
29, 1865. He was with Sherman on his 
march to the sea, and also with Grant at 
Vicksburg. After his discharge, he re- 
turned to Mineral Point, Wis., and 
followed his trade until coming here. 
Since he settled here, he has been engaged 
ill the stove business. He was married in 
1869, to Mary Jane Triplet, by whom 
ho has three children — Emma, Albert Le 
Roy and Edna. 

F. L. Faatz, shoe dealer, has been en- 
gaged in his present calling at Hampton 
since 1877. He was born, Sept. 22, 18.39, 
in Wayne Co., Penn. His father died while 



he was a youth, and at the age of eighteen, 
in company with his mother, he re- 
moved to Blue Earth Co., Minn., where 
he engaged in teaching. He enlisted in 
1362, in company E,. 9th Minnesota 
Infantry, and was discharged June 19, 
1865, at Nashville, Tenn., at the close of 
the war. He returned to Minnesota and 
engaged in the wagon trade at Mankato, 
and prosecuted that business there three 
years. He went to Kansas in 1872 and 
was soon after elected superintendent of 
schools of Henry county, which position 
he held four years. He came to Iowa in 
1876 and engaged one year at Eldora, in 
the same business which he is now pursu 
ing at Hampton. He was married in 
1865 to Elizabeth Bray, a native of Eng- 
land. They have three children. 

The first millinery store in Hampton 
was started by Mrs. Clara Davidson, at 
her residence. It was afterward removed 
to a building on the same block, occupied 
by Harriman's opera house. The present 
dealers in this line of goods are Mrs. D. 
W. Dow, Mrs. W. L. Burres, Miss 
Whitcher, Mrs. Fox, Mrs. E. A. Allen and 
Miss Mary Murphy. 

The first regular barber shop in Hamp- 
ton was opened by Hoffman & Heckel, in 
company with another man whose name 
has been forgotten. The present profes- 
sors of the tonsorial art are J. M. Buck- 
ingham and Frank Bailey. 

The first jeweler to locate at Hampton 
was Louis Worth, who opened a stock of 
goods in the William Raymond building 
in 1871, and afterwards removed to the 
Empire block He remained in business 
for six or seven years, when he was closed 



^ 



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402 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



out. He is at present in Laramie City, 
W. T. 

The second jewelry store was opened 
by Benjamin Illingworth. The present 
dealers in this line are S. E. Hall and F. 
W. Sweet. 

S. E. Hall, jeweler, became a resident 
at Hampton, in 1869, and here he grew up 
and obtained his education at the public 
schools. At the age of sixteen, he com- 
menced learning the details of his present 
business, which he has since pursued. He 
was born in Stephenson Co., 111., Jan. 16, 
18.57. He is a son of A. and Catherine 
(Zimmerman) Hall. They settled here in 
18G9. Mr. Hall married Lillian Denton, 
of Charles City, in September, 1882. 

The first confectionery and restaurant 
was established by H. D. Williams. He 
put up the building now occupied by 
Parker, the grocer, and it was at that time 
the best business building in the place. 
The present representatives of this line 
are J. H. Downing and A. Speicher. 

Charles Rogers opened the first bakery 
in Hampton, in a building now occupied 
by S. E. Hall. There are now two baker- 
ies in Hampton, run by J. H. Downing 
and George Gregg. 

The first book and stationery store was 
established by G. II. Brock, in a building 
now torn down. Among those who have 
at various times been engaged in this busi- 
ness, are Taylor & Carhart, A. R. Carter, L. 
B. Carey, L. B. Knox, L. P. Holden, Dr- 
Harriman and L. M. Street & Co. The 
line is now represented by L. D. Lane. 

A. R. Carter, formerly book and music 
dealer, came to Hampton in 1874, and es- 
tablished this business in March, 1883. 
He tir.st came to Franklin county in 1862. 



remaining only one year. He was born 
in Cattaraugus Co., N. Y., March 1.3, 1841. 
His parents, S. H. and Sarah (Randall) 
Carter, settled in Ashtabula Co., Ohio, in 
1843. There Mr. Carter reached his ma- 
jority, obtaining a good education and 
afterward engaging in teaching at Sebe 
waing, Huron Co., Mich. He was married 
in 1862, to Rozetta K. Philbrick. After a 
year spent in Franklin county, he went to 
Watrousville, Mich , where he was en- 
gaged in mercantile transactions until 
1874, the year of his second and perma- 
nent removal to this county. Mr. and Mrs. 
Carter had three children — Frank, Maud 
and Lou. The mother died Dec, 2, 1872. 
Mr. Carter was married again in August, 
1878, to Martha A. Bonhan; they have 
one child— Abram, born May 29, 1880 
The first exclusively tobacco and cigar 
store, was s arted by Kratochvil & Ott, 
who are yet in that business. 

The first wagon maker to open a shop 
in Hampton, was John Lambert & Son, 
who began business in 1865. The second 
was Spencer Coon, who began business in 
1867. J. C. Inman was the third. The 
present wagon makers are S. S. Coon, 
C. S. Hobbie, Moyd Hamilton and E. F. 
Smith. 

S. S. Coon founded the business of wag- 
on making at Hampton, in 1869, which 
vocation he has followed ever since. He 
is a native of Delaware Co., N. Y., born 
Dec, 23, 1827. A few years after his 
birth, his parents moved to Susquehannah 
Co., Penn. There he passed the first years 
of his manhood, and learned his trade. In 
1862, he enlisted in company F, 144th 
New York Volunteers, serving first in the 
ranks and afterward being promoted to 






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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



405 



sergeant. He was honorably discharged 
at Elmira, N. Y. in July, 1865. During 
two years of his period of service, he was 
on duty at the headquarters of Gens. Foster 
and Gilmore. He was married in 1845, to 
Sarah P. Bennett, born in Pennsylvania. 
Their children are Helen M., wife of O. 
F. Sweet; Angle, now Mrs. George Shane; 
Eva, now Mrs. O. E. Daniels; and Hattie 
K. Coon. 

The first set of abstract books for 
l'"ranklin county were compiled by James 
Thompson. This set is now owned by 
T. C McKen/.ie The second set were 
prepared by C. S. duilford who is yet in 
the business. King, King <fe Street are 
also abstractors, and have a complete set 
of books. 

J. T. Stearns was the first to make in- 
surance a special business. G. G. Clem- 
nier was also in this business at an early 
day. The present insurance agents of 
Hampton are G. G. Clemmer, O. H. Brain- 
erd, Taylor & Evans, King, Kingtt Street 
and C. S. Guilford. 

'J he first blacksmith of Hampton was 
Jacob Shideler, of whom mention is made 
elsewhere. Among those who have been 
engaged at this trade since are Mr. Clark, 
.^l. Dodge, George Thompson, \N illiam 
True, James Maxon, E. F. Smith, Andy 
Graham, Henry Scott, Hugh McDonald, 
John Inman and others. The representa- 
tives of this trade in 1883 were E. F. Smith, 
Lloyd Hamilton, C, S. Hobble, O. F. Lowe, 
John Lowe and A Sweihart. 

E. F. Smith, blacksmith and veterinary 
surgeon, learned his trade in Bradford Co., 
Penn., and settled in 1856, at Pontiac, 111., 
going thence to Shellsburg, Iowa, 'n 
1867 he came to Hampton and opened a 



blacksmith shop, which he has since man- 
aged He has made a thorough study of 
veterinary surgery, and is the only practi- 
tioner in that art in the county. Mr. 
Smith was born in Bradford Co., Penn., 
Dec. 22, 1831, and there was his home 
during his minority. He was married in 
Illinois, in August, 1857, to Mary E. 
Scott. Their family band includes the 
following children: — Christopher C, 
Charles E., Lillie M. Josephine and Mil- 
liard P. 

Lloyd Hamilton has been pursuing his 
trade of blacksmith at Hampton since 1874, 
at which date he settled in Franklin 
county. He was born in Baltimore Co., 
Md., Sept. 9, 1852. He there passed his 
lioyhood and youth, and learned his busi- 
ness, which he has established at Hamp- 
ton, and is operating extensively and 
])rofitably. 

C. C. Hobble, carriage builder and black- 
smith, came to Hampton in 1875, and 
soon after established his present exten- 
sive business, the largest of its kind in 
Hampton. He was born in Solon, Maine, 
vVug. 5, 1849. His parents removed soon 
after to Grant Co., Wis., where Mr. Hob- 
ble grew to man's estate, and learned the 
trade of blacksmith. He was married in 
in 1874, to Annie Wassail, a lady of Eng- 
lish birth. They have children as fol- 
lows: Leslie, Florence, Louise and Alfred. 

O. F. Lowe opened his present shop 
and business at Hampton, in 1879. He 
came here in 1876, and has since worked 
at his trade. Mr. Lowe was born in Jeffer- 
son, Cass Co., N.H., June 16, 1830. He en- 
listed as a recruit in the Mexican war, 
but remained only a short time in the 
service. Not long after he shipped on 



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406 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



board a whaling vessel, and was after- 
ward engaged as a sailor on a merohant- 
man. Afterward, while on a whaling 
voyage, the vessel touched at an island in 
the South Pacific, where the ruling ele- 
ment was cannibal. He had had a mis- 
understanding with the captain, and re- 
solved ^o leave the ship, which he did at 
the port referred to, the vessel sailing 
without him. His experiences were novel, 
to say the least, as he was more than once 
in the greatest danger of being eaten by 
the natives. At one time he was sur- 
rounded and expected to be taken pris- 
oner, but for some unknown reason they 
left him. Another vessel touched on the 
island, and succeeding in getting aboard, 
he went to Chili, South America, where 
he stayed three months, and then sailed 
for the United States. He fixed on the 
trade of a blacksmith and ship ironer, as 
a business, and in 1867, came west as far 
as Cleveland, Ohio, going thence to Solon, 
Ohio, where he worked as a blacksmith. 
He was married, August 17, 1867,toElien 
Thompson, and in 186S, came to Mays- 
ville, Franklin county, and opened a shop 
remaining one and a half years He then 
went to New York and interested himself 
in mercantile affairs. He removed to But- 
ler Co., Iowa, in 1873,whei'e he remained 
until he came to Hampton, in 1876. Mr. 
Lowe has several inventions in popular 
use. The family includes two children — 
Florence E. and Mabel E. 

The first dray in Hampton was run by 
W. H. Morrison. The business in this lino 
in 18SR was attended to by J. W. Stalker, 
T. Freeman, John Atkinson, S. A. Holmes 
and M. Gallagher. 



J. W. Stalker was born in Albany Co., 
N. Y., May 12, 1834. He came to Iowa 
in 1865, settled in Fayette county and en- 
gaged in farming. He afterwards lived 
in the counties of Clayton, Buchanan 
and Jones, coming in 1874 to Hampton. 
Here he engaged in draying and has 
made a success of his business A sketch 
of the life of .VIrs. J. W. Stalker is here 
presented: 

Miss Emily Bell was born in Preston 
Hollow, Albany Co., N. Y., May 26, 1838. 
At the age of twelve years she was con- 
verted, baptized and became a member 
of the Baptist Church. In 1851 she re- 
moved to Salisbury, Herkimer Co., N. Y., 
and the following year to Broome county, 
same State. On Sept. 12, 1854, she was 
ma ried to J . W Stalker, at Whitney's 
Point. Mrs. Stalker commenced theolog- 
ical study under the instruction of A. A. 
Lason, of Starkey Seminary, N. Y., and 
at the age of twenty entered the minis- 
try of the Christian Church, at Glen Au- 
brey, N. Y , becoming missionary for the 
New York Northeast Conference, sta- 
tioned at De Ruyter, Mara hon, Harford 
and Otselic, where many members were 
added to the churches. In 1866 they 
came to Iowa, settling in Buchan.an 
county, and organized the lirst Christian 
Church in the county at Greeley's Grove. 
In 1871 Mrs. Stalker was called to the 
pastoral work of a church at Strawberry 
Point, Clayton Co., Iowa, and organized 
a ciiurch at Honey Creek, Delaware Co. 
Mrs. Stalker was ordained at Moscow, 
Muscatine county, by Rev. J. F. Wade, of 
New York, assisted by J. Baker and G 
Gillett, of Iowa, being the first woman 
ordained in Iowa, and the second in the 



'W^ 



Ip 



.1 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



40'7 



United States. The following year she 
commenced active missionary work for 
the conference and traveled 5,600 miles, 
preaching one sermon a day, adding 400 
to the membership, re-organizing four 
churches and building and dedicating 
one new chapel at Fulton. In 18V4 Mrs. 
Stalker returned to the pastoral work at 
Greeley's Grove, but in a few months was 
urged and accepted a call to the church 
at Mayne's Grove, Franklin county, resid- 
ing at Hampton. .At the end of a year 
and a half, failing health compelled Mrs. 
Stalker to retire from active pulpit work. 
Mr. and .Mrs. Stalker have one child — 
Nellie E. 

The first grain dealer in Hampton was 
Mr. Zook. Among other early dealers 
were Abner Hall, W. G. Beed, E. A. and 
A. N. Smith, W. H. Crawford, G. H. 
Wilccx, Parr & Elder and W. E. Atchin 
son & Co. Those engaged in the grain 
trade in 188:^ were: Northey & Harrison, 
S. .\I. Alderson & Co., W. G. Beed and 
James Dobbins. 

The first livery business was started by 
.lohn Bolton, in 1868, in a stable on the 
lot north of and adjoining the Beed 
House. He sold off his stock and quit 
business in 1870. William Ward com- 
menced business in the same barn in the 
spring of 1871, and sold to John Shobe 
in 1873. Shobe continued for about one 
year and failed. John Bolton is now 
proprietor of the Gilman House, Sheffield. 
William Ward removed to Te.vas, and 
is now living in Kansas. John Shobe 
removed to Nebraska in the spring of 
1883. In 1883 the livery business was 
represented at Hampton by Ward & 
Myers and Phelps & Loher. 



♦A- 



The first painter was W. D. F. Ran" 
dolph, who did the most of the work in 
this line for many years. There were 
many others from- time to time, among 
whom were E. J Stonebraker, L. S. Cut- 
ler and W. N Davidson. In 1883 the 
trade was represented by E. J. Stone- 
braker, A. C. Boals, C. B. Savage, Eugene 
Dean, J. S. Trowbridge and J. M. Ross. 

A. J. Cannara, Ike White, I. Justus and 
J. Bates, were among the pioneer carpen- 
ters of Hampton. The principal ones 
working at this trade in 1883 were: M. 
A. Ives, Roberts & Kiefer, C. W. Boutin 
& Brother, J. W. Johnson, C. H. Peterson, 
E. A. Nortcwi, G. li. Wilcox and A. A. 
Gillett. 

Major C. W. Boutin came to Franklin 
county in March, 1860, locating at Hamj)- 
ton, where he has since operated as a con- 
tractor and builder. He was born in 
Chester, Windsor Co., Vt., Nov. 8,1839. 
He is a son of Joachim and Martha ( War 
ner) Boutin. At eighteen, he decided on 
his vocation in life and worked as a 
carpenter until the breaking out of the 
rebellion, when he enlisted in company 
C, 1st Vermont Volunteers, in the first 
three months requisition. At the e.xpira- 
tion of his term of service he re-enlisted 
in company K, 4th Vermont Infantry, 
was elected first lieutenant, then pro- 
moled to captain, and finally commis- 
sioned as major, June 4, 186.5. In August, 
1865, he was honorably discharged, and 
soon went to Chicago, from there to Lake 
Co., 111., and finally moved to Hampton 
from Webster City. He was married to 
Julina French, in March, 1864. 

W A. Roberts, carpenter, has been a 
resident of Hampton since 1873. He was 



- I'* 

i? 



-^ 



408 



IllsTuilY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



a native of Wales. His parents, J. W. 
and Catherine ( Humphrey) Roberts, emi- 
grated to Watertown, Wis., in 1848. 
Their family consisted of two children. 
The mother died soon after removing to 
Wisconsin. W. A. Roberts attended 
school until fourteen years of age, when 
he worked on the farm one year, tiien 
eidisted and remained in the war until its 
close, after which he learned the carpen- 
ter trade in Milwaukee, which he has 
since followed. In 187ii, he married a 
daughter of Charles and Mary Ann Mc- 
Coy, of Wisconsin. He moved to Mason 
City in 1868, where he remained three 
years, then removed to Kansas, but being 
unsuccessful he came again to Iowa, locat- 
ing in his present home, where, by energy 
and perseverance, he has secured a farm 
of 160 acres undei good improvement, a 
home residence with two lots, also a 
carpenter shop, located in the city. They 
have two children — Agnes, aged eleven, 
and Frank Orison, aged nine. 

E. C. Kiefer was born April 23, 1848, 
in Milwaukee, Wis His parents. Chris- 
tian and Elizabeth (Leonard) Kiefer, 
were natives of Germany. The father 
was engaged in the bakery business in his 
native country until coming to America in 
1845. He settled in Wisconsin and now 
owns 400 acres of land. K. (J. Kiefer 
received a liberal education and remained 
with his parents until he was twenty-one 
years of age. Before he became of age 
he learned the carpenter's trade, which 
business he has followed ever since, at 
present doing a jobbing business in part- 
nership with W. A. Roberts, under the 
firm name of Kiefer & Roberts. He 
came to Franklin county in 1870 and set- 



tled in West Fork township, remaining 
there until 1 880, when he removed to 
Hampton, where he has since lived. In 
1873, he was married to Amelia Rohnicr, 
of Ingham township, Franklin county. 
This union has been blest with two chil- 
dren — Leonard Edward, aged five years, 
and Florence, two years old. 

E. A. Norton, carpenter and builder, 
came to Hampton in 1876. He was born 
in Crawford Co., 111., Oct. 8, 1840. His 
parents went to Beloit, Rock Co., Wis., 
in 1846, and in 1852 moved to LaFayette 
county, same State. In 1863, E. A. Nor- 
ton enlisted in company E, 43d Wiscon- 
sin Volunteers, and served for two years, 
when he was discharged, his health hav- 
ing been permanently injured. In 1876, 
as stated, he settled in Franklin county. 
Mr. Norton has been twice married. He 
had one child by his first wife — Sybil, 
now the wife of Walter A. Church. Aug. 
15, 1865, he was married to Catherine 
H. Taylor, of Platteville, Wis. The 
second marriage has been blessed witli 
seven children : Nellie, Jasper, George, 
Mary, Andrew, Clara and Guy, and one, 
Jasper, is dead. Mr. Norton, religiously, 
is what would be termed an Old School 
Baptist. 

The first harness shop was run by A. 
E. Rogers in a little building on second 
street, east of Rule's meat market. He 
ran it for about one year, during the war. 
In 1883 the harness business of Hampton 
was attended to by W. L. Burres and E. 
E. Alexander, Mr. Burres running two 
shops. 

E. E. Alexander is a native of Iowa. 
He was born atPlaiiifield, Mitc]iell county, 
Aug. 12,- 1853, His father, Henry A. 



J'. 



^ 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



409 



Alexander, raoved to Vlitchell county, 
where he was a pioneer, in 1852. Mr. 
Alexander was a resident in Mitchell 
county until 1873, wlien he begin learn- 
ing his trade at Waterloo. In 1876, he 
went to Mona, Iowa, and opened a harness 
shop, which he managed until December, 
1878. In that year he came to Hampton 
and established his business on Fourth 
street. He was married in November, 

1877, to Elizabeth McDowell. Their only 
daughter is named Lilly M. Mr. and .Mrs. 
Alexander are both members of the Metho- 
dist Church. In his store Mr. Alexander 
carries about $2,000 worth of stock. 

W L. Burres was born in Randolph 
Co., Ind., Dec. 30, 1846. He has re- 
sided in Hampton, Franklin county, since 

1878. Most of his early life was spent 
in his native county. In April, 1861, he 
enlisted in the three months service, in 
company A, 8th Indiana Infantry. At 
the end of the three months, the regiment 
was re-organized as the 27th Indiana, in 
which he served in company F for one 
year. He was then honorably discharged, 
but soon after enlisted in company A, 
147th Indiana. He was afterward pro- 
moted to sergeant, and in November, 
1865, he was discharged with the com- 
mission of 2d lieutenant. He came to 
Hardin Co, Iowa, in 1869, and worked 
at the carpenter trade at Steamboat i-!ock 
for three years. He then spent one year 
in California and then returned to Hardin 
county where he was engaged in railroad- 
ing until 1877, when he opened a harness 
shop at Steamboat Rock. He followed 
this business there until Septemb' r, 1878, 
when he came to Hampton and went into 
the same business. He was married Oct. 



"Tp 



1, 1879, to Rachel Hadden. They have 
one child — Edna B. 

The first lumber yard was ( stablished 
by I. W. Benson. The second by W. P. 
Smith. In 1883, this line of trade was 
being represented by W. P. Smith, F. I). 
Smith and J. B. Gray. 

W. P. Smith has resided in Hampton, 
Franklin county, since June, 1870 He was 
born in Rensselaer Co., N. Y., Jan. 14, 
1834. His early life was spent on his 
father's farm, receiving a good common 
school education. In 1854, he came with 
his parents to Rock Co., Wis., where for 
some time he engaged in farming. He 
was afterwards engaged in the grocery 
business at Broadhead, and also in the 
lumber trade at Delaware, Wis. After 
coming to Hampton, in 1870, he, in com- 
pany with his brother Frank, opened the 
first lumber yard at Hampton, in which 
business he has been actively engaged 
ever since. Mr. Smith is an active mem- 
ber of the M. E. Church. He is a master 
mason and a member of Anchor Chapter, 
No. 61, at Hampton. In 1856, he was 
married to Mary Locke. They have four 
children — Charles W., Carrie, Nellie and 
George. > 

F. D. Smith became a citizen of Hamp- 
ton, Franklin Co., Iowa, in 1870. He was 
born in Oneida Co., N. Y., Aug. 11, 1849. 
He is a son of David andPriscilla (Potter) 
Smith. In 1 8.54, his parents came and set- 
tled in Whitewater, Wis., where he grew 
up on his father's farm and received a 
libenal education, first in the common 
school, and afterwards in the State Nor- 
mal school and at the Albion Academy. 
When he came to Hampton, with his bro. 
ther, he went into the lumber trade, and 



-,f^ 



;.|«- 



^ 



410 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



has ever since been identified with the 
lumber interests at this place. Mr. Smith 
is a master mason and a member of Anchor 
Chapter, No. 01, at Hampton, In 1880, 
he was married lo Ella I Hemming, a 
native of Ohio. They have one child — 
Carrie H. 

The first photograph gallery was opened 
by R. I. Smith, in 1864. In August, 1883, 
tlie artist was O. B. Bates. 

The first hall in Hampton was in the 
Empire block, and was called Holden's 
Hall. The furniture and fixtures were 
sold to O. B. Harriman, who, in 1878, 
erected the fine building known as Harri- 
man'.s Opera House, whicli is used for all 
purposes of amusement. 

The first dealer in agricultural imple- 
ments in Hampton was D. W. Dow, who 
opened a warehouse in 1866, on the corner 
of Fourth nd Main street. He remained 
in trade for about two years. In the spring 
of 1874, Robert Jeffers established his 
agricultural warehouse, and is still in trade, 
carrying a vast stock and doing a business 
of *100,000 per annum. In 1877, T. H. 
Coble opened his agricultural implement 
depot, and still does a large business. 
James Allinson opened his stock in 188-3. 

Robert Jeffers is now the oldest dealer 
in agricultural implements at Hampton. 
He was born in Henry Co., Ky., June 4, 
1830. When he was eight years old his 
parents moved to southern Illinois, and 
afterwards to Rock Co., Wis., where Mr. 
Jeffers worked on his father's farm. In 
1852, he settled on a farm in LaFayette 
Co., Wis., where he lived until 187i), and 
then moved to Franklin Co., Iowa, and 
settled upon a farm near Hampton. In 
1874, he abandoned agricultural pursuits 



to follow his present business, but still 
owns a farm of 320 acres in Marion 
township. Mr. Jeffers is one of the trus- 
tees of Washington township, and has 
been a member of the school board of the 
independent district of Hampton for nine 
years. He was a charter member of the 
Hampton Lodge, No. 218, I. O. O. F. Mr. 
Jett'ers was married in 1854, at Shellsburg, 
Wis., to Elizabeth Day, a native of Illi- 
nois. They have seven children now 
living — Byron L., W. P., Nancy L., Sarah 
J., Sherman C, George W. and Robert F. 

T H. Coble came to Hampton in 1877, 
and instituted his present business. He 
is engaged in the sale of agricultuial 
machinery, etc. He was born in La Fa- 
yette Co., Wis., Sept. 21, 1846. He was 
reared and educated in his native county. 
In 1870, he came to the State of Iowa and 
located on a farm in Butler county, near 
Aplington, which he operated until he came 
to Hampton, save one year that he lived 
in the village of Aplington. His business 
is in ever} way successful, and he is es 
teemed a substantial and public spirited 
citizen. He was married in 1871 to Mar- 
gery Mason. Their children are — Lola 
and Mattie. 

W. C. Stickney came to Hampton in 
1879, and was associated one year with 'J'. 
H. Coble in the business in which that 
gentleman is now engaged. In 1881, he 
commenced operations as a harness maker 
and soon after embarked in pump manu- 
facturing. He was born in Prince Eil- 
ward county, i>rovince of Ontario, June 
8, 1S42. He passed the first twenty-seven 
years of his life in his native county and 
acquired a good common school educa- 
tion. In 1869, he went to Jo Daviess 



r 



^h 



±^ 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



411 






Co., 111., and engaged in farming. A year 
later he settled in Butler Co., Iowa, and 
remained two years, returning to Canada. 
He was married in 1870, to Nancy E. 
Coble, born in La Fayette Co., Wis. Their 
four children living are — Edwin, Russell, 
Walter and Edna. 

The first regular dentist was Dr. Ross, 
who located in 1867, and has been in 
Hampton ever since. Next to him, carafe 
M. L. Jones, about 1872 and remained un- 
til 1876, when he moved to Iowa Falls. 
L. E. Douglas came in 1873, but only re- 
mained about six months, when he removed 
to Montreal and soon afterward died. 
He sold to Dr. M. H. Ross who is yet in 
the business. L. T. Hale located in 1879, 
practiced one year and removed to Iowa 
Falls. V. B. Pool settled at Hampton in 
the dentistry practice in 1882, and was 
still here in 1883. F. C Musser came a 
few months later and is still here. 

The first tailor was Stephen Murphy, 
who came about 1860, and remained for 
several years. A. M. Bailey located at 
Hampton in 1872. In 1883 he was the 
only one in trade at Hampton. Among 
those who have been in the business at 
Hampton are Stephen Murphy, D. J. Paige 
cfc Co., and Mr. Fargo. 

The first feed store was opened by W. 
G. Beed in 1875, in a building on Fourth 
street, but in 1877, moved into a building 
opposite the postoffice block, on Reeve 
street. This is the only exclusive flour 
and feed store in Hampton and is run in 
connection with the Franklin mills 

George Hansell, David Church, G. W. 
Sopcr, E. L. Clock and J. E. Cannani all 
handled stock here at an early day, as did 
D. W , C. J. and A. M. Mott, who were 



3« 



still dealing in this line in 1883. G. W. 
Soper, N. McDonald and Northey & Har- 
rison, also attend to the same business. 

G. W. Soper has been a resident of 
Reeve township since 18.56, his parents J. 
M. and Angeline (Gray) Soper, emigra- 
ting to Franklin county, at that time. He 
was born in St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., 
Jan. 23, 1837. He enlisted in 1861, in the 
3d Iowa Battery, serving six months. 
For the past ten years he has been en- 
gaged in the stock business at Hampton, 
in which he has been very successful. 
He was married in 1857 to Constantia^M. 
Leggett, a native of Ohio, by whom he 
had six children, five of whom are living 
—Florence A., Ella M., Charles M., Cora 
A. and Lu Verne W. His wife died in 
1871. In 187 2, he married Ella M.Brown. 
Their children are — Constantia E., Jessie 
M., Wallace W. and Leaverett Ingersoll. 

N. McDonald, assessor at Hampton, 
first located his interests in Franklin coun- 
ty, in 1861, when he was his brother's 
agent for the Franklin mills. He afterward 
established himself in trade at Hampton, 
in which enterprise he met with gratify- 
ing success, lie closed his business in 
1864, but found a life of retirement un- 
suited to his active temperament, and in 
1867, he again commenced operations in 
trade, continuing until 1873. Since that 
date he has been engaged in real estate 
traffic and has been recently dealing ex- 
tensively in fine stock. In politics, Mr. 
McDonald is a republican. He was mar- 
ried in 1851 to MoUie Marshall. He was 
born in Perry, Co., Ohio, Feb. 8, 183-;. 
lie passed the first twenty-four years of 
his life in his native county, and in 1856 



^^f 



J: 



,=2- 



412 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



came to Champaign Co., 111., and there 
engaged in commercial life. 

The first butchering was done by the 
farmers of the surrounding country. The 
first regular meat market was opened in 
1868, by Mr. Newton. In 188.S, there 
were two meat markets in Hampton, run 
by Rule Brothers and Phelps Brothers. 

The United States Express Company 
opened an office in Hampton sometime in 
1870. T. H. Chance was the first agent. 
O. F. Sweet was the agent in 1883, having 
the office in his grocery store. 

The American Express Company opened 
an office in 1880, at Baldwin & Hutehins' 
drug store. They rt'ere the agents, but their 
clerk, L. M. Street, did the business. E. 
M. Funk succeeded Baldwin & Hutehins, 
and was the agent in 1883, having the 
office in his drug store. 

HOTELS. 

The first hotel in Hampton was built 
for John E. Boyles, by A. J. Cannam and 
James Ilogan, in the spring of 1857. In 
April, 1857, it was opened by John E. 
Boyles. Those who ran the house after 
Boyles, were James A. Guthrie, A. J. Can- 
nam, Morticai Dodge, J. E. Hunter, Abner 
Adams, J. E. Hunter, A. J. Cannam and 
John CoUony. The latter was running it 
when it was destroyed by fire in 1876. It 
stood on the lot near the alley, where the 
Beed house now stands. 

The second hotel in Hampton was 
opened iu what was known as the Barger 
building. A. .1. Cannam was the first 
landlord. 

The original building, of that which 
goes to make up the Pheonix Hotel of 
to day, was erected by Cliauncy Gillett, in 
1858, who occupied it for a number of 



years. Shortly after the close of the war 
E. S. Stiles opened up the building as a 
holel. Many additions have been made 
to the original building, and it is now a 
pleasant, cozy tavern, run in a satisfactory 
manner by T. L. Boylan. 

The Cannam House was opened Aug. 16, 
1875. It was built bj- A. J. Cannam^ at a 
cost of $1 1,272 and contained thirty-one 
sleeping rooms. It was run by A. J. Can- 
nam until 1879, when he sold it; but in 
1881 again purchased it and operated it 
until May, 1883, when J. H. Rule became 
proprietor. 

The Beed House, in Beed's block, which 
was erected in 1880, at a cost of $55,000, 
was opened by D. P. Simpson in 1880. He 
was succeeded by Frank L. Taylor, who 
operated it until May 1, 1883, when A. J. 
Cannam leased the property and now does 
a large business, both local and transient. 
This hotel is three stories in height, built 
of brick, finished and furnished in the best 
modern style. It is one of the best houses 
in northern Iowa, and has become a pop- 
ular place of resort for commercial men 
and pleasure seekers. 

Andrew J. Cannam, proprietor of the 
Beed House, is the son of William and 
Priscilla (Thompson) Cannam, and was 
born in Ohio, Sept. 19, 1832. In 1837, 
his parents emigrated to LaFayette, Ind., 
where he grew to manhood and acquired 
his education and learned the trade of 
carpenter. In 1856, he removed to Hamp 
ton, Franklin county, where he followed 
his trade eight years. He assisted in 
building the first hotel built in Hampton. 
He embarked in the hotel business, in 
1864, which he has since engaged in and 
in which he is eminentlv successful, not 



*^* 



& I 'y ' 





•-Cid^-^ 







Cy^, ..M^c^ <X ^^^CA^. 



■k 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



W 



only financially, but is known far and near 
as one of the most popular hotel proprie- 
tors in Iowa. 

HAMPTON CBEAMEBT. 

Among the valuable industries of the 
town is the creamery which was estab- 
lished by I. W. Myers, in 1880. It was 
the first creamery in Franklin county. 
This creamery is located on Squaw creek, 
in the northeastern part of Hampton. It 
is a commodious building 24x48 feet, two 
stories and a basement. An eclipse wind- 
mill furnishes the power by which the 
pump, churns and other machinery are 
run. The first year the creamery was 
established it used the cream of about 
200 cows. The farmers were at first 
somewhat skeptical in the matter, and 
would sell their cream a few weeks and 
then try to realize more from their cows by 
making their own butter in the old fash- 
ioned way, but each attempt only proved 
to them the fact that more could be made 
by selling to the creamery, as their facili- 
ties, both for making and marketing, were 
more limited than those of the creamery, 
and, finally, it has become an established 
fact that the creamery system gives abet- 
ter return than any other plan. In 1882-3, 
Mr. Myers used the cream of 1,200 cows. 
He ran si.x wagons over a territory having 
a radius of over twelve miles, and from 
the cream thus collected, made two tons 
of butter per week. This product is sold 
mostly in New York and Boston and mar- 
kets at fully as high a price as that made 
in the eastern States, thus proving thai 
Franklin county, in common with all Fowa, 
is soon destined to rank as high in the 
dairy business as the Orange Co., N. Y., 
butter making district. 



^^ 



I. W. Myers settled on the east half of 
section 24, in Hamilton township, in 1868, 
where he engaged in farming, cultivating 
timber and teacliing. His work in the 
Sabbath school was highly appreciated; 
especially is this true of his leadership in 
vocal music throughout the neighborhood. 
In 1872 he was elected county superintend- 
ent of schools, and was re-elected in 1876. 
On the expiration of his term he spent a 
short time in selling school supplies and 
Ridpath's History of the United States. 
While engaged in this business he had an 
opportunity to get acquainted with men 
who were building up a new enterprise in 
various portions of the State. He at once 
determined that Franklin county should 
take a leading part in the new enterprise, 
the creamery. Realizing the dangers that 
might beset such an undertaking, and 
knowing the value of personal experience, 
he resolved to leave nothing undone that 
would supply the requisite experience. 
He accordingly went to work in a cream- 
ery as a practipal butter-maker until he 
was acquainted with all the particulars of 
the business. He then built the Hampton 
creamery, a' Hampton, the first in the 
county. In operating the new business he 
had many obstacles to overcome, as such 
an instil ution was but little known gen- 
erally; but energetic perseverance was at 
last rewarded with success, and his busi- 
ness is moving along on a substantial 
basis. The Hampton creamery has many 
friends and no enemies. Mr. Myers was 
born in Waterloo Co., province of On- 
tario, Canada, Nov. 20, 1839. His parens 
were natives of Pennsylvania. He re- 
mained at home until seventeen years 
old, where he incidentally became a 

30 "^ ~ 



•ya--^ 



41S 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



teacher, and afterwards became a student 
at tlie Gait Grammar School, which he 
left in 1861. Repassed the next three 
years in teaching in Canada. In 1 804 he 
went to Lena, 111. During the win- 
ter of that year he enlisted in company 
(t, 147th Illinois Volunteers, and served 
until the close of the war, receiving an 
honorable discharge. He returned to 
Lena and in 1860 became principal of the 
public schools. His experience as a 
teacher has been extensive and successful, 
having spent over forty terms in the 
school room. He possesses well devel- 
oped illustrating powers. Mr. Myers 
was married in 1866 to Alice Francisco, 
daughter of the late Charles Francisco, 
(if McHenry Co., 111. She was a teacher 
of rare abilities, and a lady of high moral 
culture and refinement; one who is now 
indefatigable in her efforts to put ber 
children in possession of the same quali- 
ties. Her amiability is constant and en- 
during. Her faith in the Christian relig 
ion is unshaken. She lias ever been a 
willing worker in the Sabbath school. 
The names of their six children are — 
Alice Inez, Orson Francisco, John Perci- 
val, Aaron Irving, Helen Maria and 
Garfield. The youngest, Garfield, died 
when he was one year old. 

The following letter from Rev. George 
Cuthbertson may be of interest to the 
friends of Mr. Myers: 

"Wyoming Ont., May 22, 1883. 

To the Union Puhlishing Company: 

Gentlemen: Twenty years ago in my 
capacity of superintendent of schools in 
the county of Waterloo, Canada, I met 
with men of many shades of character. 



Trustees, teachers and parents were 
almost all known to me. 

"There was one family that made a deep 
impression on my memory. The father, 
John Myers, was an industrious, sober, 
intelligent and upright man. He possessed 
by his force of character, the confidence of 
the surrounding country. In politics, in 
municipal and agricultural gatherings, his 
counsels were always listened to with re- 
spect; and he was in all these gatherings 
assigned a position of honor. For years 
he was reeve of the township, and thus 
had a seat in the county council. But in 
education he seemed to manifest a deeper 
interest than in any other public question. 
He trained up his children to be sober, 
industrious,intelligent members of society. 
In one of these I took a deep interest I 
came into contact with him both officially 
and privately. He had good natural 
talents, and took every opportunity of add- 
ing acquired knowledge and information. 
He was one of the most successful teachers 
under my charge, because he took a deep 
interest in his work, and faithfully dis- 
charged his duty, not as a man-pleaser, but 
as a conscientious man. He thus endeared 
himself to the scholars, and was a favorite 
throughout the school sections. Natur lly 
amiable and with such parental exauiple 
and home surroundings, Isaac could not 
help making his mark in whatever locality 
his lot might be cast 

"Called away from labor in a distant 
part of Ontario, I lost sight of Mr. Myers, 
and only lately I hear of his being the 
proprietor of the Hampton Creamery, in 
the State of Iowa. It matters not what 
I^aac Myers puts his hand to, he will, by 
honesty, diligence and courtesy, succeed; 



-&pr*" 



•M'S- 



ifti^ 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



419 



and I am sure that the more a community 
knows him, the more will it be convinced 
that he is worthy to be entrusted with office 
or positions of confidence. My memories 
of Isaac Myers are of the most pleasant 
kind. Yours truly, 

Geo. Cuthbertson, 
Pres. Minister, late Inspeotor of Schools." 
Hampton foundry and machine shop 
wash. lilt by the Hampton Manufacturing 
Company, in 1S80, at a cost of $10,000. 
The object of the enterprise was to pro- 
vide a general foundry and repair shop. 
It was afterward sold to Pinkham, Higley 
. & Warren, subsequent!}' owned by ('. W. 
lioutin who sold to Pinkham, Higley and 
Cole. This enterprise was a valuable ac- 
ijuisition to Hampton. 

BANKS. 

The Franklin County Bank was estab- 
lished in 1871 by J. F. Latimer and A. J. 
Kellara. The former was president, and 
the latter cashier. The bank was first 
kept in a small building which flood just 
west of the present bank building. From 
there it was moved to the brick building 
on the corner of Reeve and Fifth streets. 
In June, 1876, R. S. Benson was admitted 
as a partner, and l)eeame vice-president. 
Soon after .Mr. Benson purchased J. F. 
Latimer's interest, when the bank was 
officered by A. G. Kellam, president ; R. 
S. Benson, vice-president; T. C.McKenzie, 
cashier. In November, 1877, Fred. Ward 
became cashier, and in 1880, R. S. Ben- 
son became president. The same year 
Mr Kellam retired. The following sea- 
son they built the present bank block, at 
a cost of $20,000. The vaults of this 
bank are so constructed that they are the 
most secure of any in the State; and they 



are made doubly secure by the use of a 
Sargant's time lock, and Yale safe deposit 
boxes. In 1883, the officers were : R. S. 
Benson, president ; G. C. Hayes, vice- 
president ; O. H. Brainerd, cashier. 

Capt. Rufus S Benson, president of the 
Franklin County Bank, came to Franklin 
county in 1855, at which date his parents, 
Rufus and Caroline (Wells) Benson, joined 
the pioneer corps of Iowa. Capt. Benson 
was born in Madison, Lake Co., Ohio, 
June 3, 1842. He was thirteen years old 
when he came to this State, and he soon 
after entered the college at Beloit, 
Wis., where he was pursuing his studies 
when the war broke out. In 1861, he 
enlisted in company F, 1st Wisconsin In- 
fantry, for three months' service. At the 
expiration of his term he returned to 
Franklin county, but did not remain 
long inactive, and soon after entered 
upon the work of organizing company II, 
32d Iowa Infantry, of which the Hawkeye 
State is justly so proud. He went to the 
field in the position of 2d lieutenant and 
at Columbus, Ky., was promoted to Ihe 
rank of captain. He served until August, 
1805, and was in tlie battles, of Fort De- 
Russy, La., March 14, 1864; Alexandria, 
La.; Pleasant Hill, La., April 9, 18G4 ; 
Yellow Bayou, La., May 1!~', 18(14; Lake 
Chicot, Ark., June 9, 1864 ; Tupello, 
Tenn., July, 14,1864; Old Town Creek, 
Tenn , July 15, 1864; Nashville, Dec. 15 
and 16, 1864; Spanish Fort, Ala.; and 
Blakely, Ala., April 9, 1865; besides other 
minor engagements. Soon after his re- 
turn home he was elected clerk of the 
courts, which office he filled four years. 
He was next chosen auditor and served 
two years, and afterwards acted four years 



•f 



^? 



420 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



as county treasurer. He purchased an 
interest in the Franklin County Bank, and 
ill 1881 was elected president, which po- 
sition he still holds. In 1881 he was 
elected a member of the State legisla- 
ture, and is at present an incumbent of the 
same position. He has always been a 
republican, and is a member of the Ma- 
sonic fraternity, and was largely instru- 
mental in establishing a chajjter at Hamp- 
ton, of which he was first high priest. 
Hg was married at Hampton, in 1866, to 
Sarah Porter, from New York. They 
have three children : Wells R., Guy E. 
and Holly P., born respectively, Nov. 14, 
1868; May 25, 1875; and March 12, 1878. 

O. U. Brainerd, cashier of the Franklin 
County Bank was born in Collinsville, 
Conn., July 15, 1854. His parents, N. H. 
and Eliza A. (Hatch) Brainerd, were both 
natives of New England. When the son 
was but two years of age they located in 
Iowa City, Iowa, and there Mr. Brainerd, 
of this sketch, spent his youth. He ac- 
(juired a good fundamental training at the 
public schools, and afterward completed 
a thorough course of study at the State 
University of Iowa, where he gradu- 
ated in 1876. He became assista»it teacher 
in the high schools of Oskaloosa, and a 
year later acted as assistant in the high 
schools at Iowa City, which position he 
retained three years and pursued the post 
graduate course at the university for one 
year. Then he was offered and accepted 
the position of principal of the Hampton 
schools, which he retained for three years, 
when he received the appointment of 
cashier of the Franklin County Bank, 
vice Fred. Ward, resigned. Mr. lirainerd 







was married in 1879 to Minnie Goodrich, 
of Iowa. 

The Citizen's Bank was organized under 
the State laws, June 1, 1875, and articles 
of incorporation were adopted Sept. 10, 
1875. The stockholders were: W.E.Atch- 
ison, David Church, George W. Hansell, 
J. W. McKenzie, J. M. Hemingway, C. 
P. Vigren, J. B. Galer, A. A. (4aler, John 
Carhart, George Beed, James H. Beed, 
Wm. G. Beed, G. G. Clcmmer, D. W. 
Mott, C. J. Mott, I Robinson, W. H 
Crawford, A. N. Miiier and William Ray- 
mond. The amount of paid up capital 
was $25,000. It has since been increased 
to $75,000. The first officers were: George 
Beed, president; C. J.' Mott, vice-presi- 
dent; William Raymond, cashier. In 188:3 
the bank officers were: George Beed, presi- 
dent; D. W. Mott, vice-president; G. G 
Cleramer,'cashier; A. W. Beed, assistant 
cashier. Directors: George W. Pease, Wm. 
G. Beed, I. Robinson, C. P. Vigren, D. 

C. Ilolcomb, W. A. Alexander, C. J. Mott, 
David Church and G. W. Hansell. 

The pre ent stockholders are: W. E 
Atchison, G. G. Clemmer, Wm. G. Beed, 
C P. Vigren, C. J. Mott, A A. Galer, G. 
W. Hansell, D. Church, J. H. Beed, D. 
W. Mott, R. Slee, G. W. Pease, A. R. 
Carter, R. Mullen, H. Barker, J. Wilson, 

D. C. Ilolcomb, F. D. Smith, John Silvius, 
John Ueed, B. C. Beed, John Plielps, I. 
Robinson, B. P. Moulton, W. A. Alexan- 
der, George Beed, A. L. Clark and Damon 
Mott. 

The development of the business of tliis 
liank is shown by comparison of the fol 
lowing statements made to the auditor of 
State. The first made was on the "Oth 
of November. 1875: 






HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



4-21 



ASSETS. 

Discounts, etc $36,373 34 

Real Estate 4,533 46 

S.ife, fiirniuire, etc LOSS 71 

In Chicago Banks 1,703 94 

Cash and cash items 3,435 53 

47,092 98 

LIABrLITIES . 

Capital $35,200 

Deposits 21,377 24 

Undivided piofits.. 515 74 47,093 98 

STATEMENT JUNE 30, 1883. 

ASSETS. 

Discounts, etc $209,788 10 

Real Estate 979 15 

Safe, furnituie, etc 1,672 95 

lu Chicago and New York Banks 27,805 53 

Cash and cash items 14,537 87 

$354,783 60 

LIABILITIES. 

Deposits $168,382 99 

Capital 75,000 00 

Undivided profits. 11,400 61 $254,783 60 

During this interim the bank has paid 
dividends to its stockholders, e<juivalent 
in the aggregate to 140 per cent, of its 
capital. 

George Beed, president of the Citizens' 
Bank, is a lit subject for a sketch in this 
connection. Thousands of enterprising 
young Englishmen have heard of the ris- 
ing west, and, attracted by its promising- 
openings, have sailed for the New World, 
and proceeded directly to the land of prai- 
ries. Here with their business habits, ac- 
(juired in the old country, they have cast 
themselves upon their ownpoA^ers, and by 
industry and prudent management secured 
a competency, or become independent in 
a few years. To this class belongs George 
Beed. Me is a son of Tlionias and Anne 



(George) Beed, and was born at Colyton, 
in Devonshire, England, on the 25th of 
June, 1832. He attended school most of 
the time until he was sixteen years of age 
and during the next ten years was em- 
ployed as a clerk in the importing "house 
of Ricketts, Boutcher & Co., London. 
Thus thoroughly educated in a business 
line, and well reared in American progress, 
and full of enthusiasm to visit the young 
west, there to select a home, he sailed for 
the United States, and reached Franklin 
Co., Iowa, in the spring of 1856. Purchas- 
ing a tract of land near the present site of 
Hampton, the county seat, he spent two 
years in its improvement. In 1858 and 
1859, he was engaged in a steam grist mill 
and saw-mill near Htimpton, an enterprise 
which proved very unfortunate, he losing 
all he had. The following year Mr. Beed 
served as deputy treasurer and recorder of 
the county, and a year later was elected 
treasurer and recorder. By repeated elec. 
tions he served eight consecutive years, 
the last term of two years as treasurer only, 
the two county offices having been sepa- 
rated. In 1870, he engaged largely in the 
real estate business, to which he had pre- 
viously given some attention, and became, 
in a short time, a heavy dealer in landed 
property. He owns a large quantity of 
improved lands, and has had over 
5,000 acres broken during his residence 
in the county. Indeed, very few citizens, 
owners of real estate, have done more than 
he to develop the agricultural wealth of 
Franklin county. In September, 1875, 
Mr. Beed organized the Citizens' Bank of 
Hampton, he being one of the principal 
stockholders and the president. It has 
become a popular institution, and is doing 



422 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



a tlirifty business. Mr. Beed has been a 
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church 
and an officer in the same for many years, 
and is known for his liberal support of the 
gospel, and of every worthy benevolent 
enterprise. In politics he has always 
been identified with the republican party. 
On the 18th of August, 1857, he was mar- 
ried to Marinda Denman, of Erie Co., Ohio, 
and by her had tive childr.en, four of whom 
are now living Mrs. Beed died on the 
2d of August, 1875. On April 12, 1876, 
he was married a second time, to Amelia 
Illingworth, of Hampton. He was mar- 
ried to his present wife, formerly Abbie 
Goodrich, March 21, 188.3. .\'r. Beed is a 
leader in local eiiterprises. He obtained 
the subscriptions by which the right of 
way for the Central Railroad of Iowa 
was secured, bringing the road to Hamp- 
ton, the natural line being about three 
miles east of town. He not only gave 
much time but much money to accomplish 
tliis end, and a failure would have been 
ruinous to the place. Mr. Beed has been 
for several terms one of the school direc- 
tors of the city, and cheerfully gives more 
or less time, from year to year, to advance 
its educational interests, and in many 
respects is one of the most enterprising 
and useful citizens ot Franklin county. 
Mr Beed has eight brothers, seven of 
whom live in Franklin county. William, 
the eldest, is one of the most public-spirited 
men in his part of the State. All are 
hard working men, who by their industry 
have placed themselves in easy circum- 
stances. 

G. G. Cleramer, cashier of the Citizens' 
Bank, came to Franklin county in .807, 
and soon after commenced the duties of 



principal of the schools at Hampton. In 
1872, he was appointed superintendent of 
schools to fill a vacancy. He was elected 
to the position of superintendent the en- 
suing year, and remained in that position 
till September, 1875, at which time he 
resigned and was elected cashier of the 
Citizens' Bank, a situation he has since 
retained. He was married in 1865 to 
Mary E. West. Their four children ;.re — 
John W., Christina G., Gideon C. and 
Charles Clyde. Mr. and Mrs. Clemmer 
are members of the Baptist Church. 

The First National Bank of Hampton 
commenced operation Dec. 1, 1881, with a 
paid up capital of $42,500. The officers 
of this banking house are: J. F. Latimer, 
president; William Raymond, vice presi- 
dent; D. D. Inglis, cashier. Their cor- 
respondents are the National I'i.rk Bank, 
New York; Merchant's National Bank, 
Chicago; Commercial National liank, 
Dubuque, and E Latimer & Co., Delev;aii, 
Wis. The fixtures of the bank are of tlie 
most improved style, inchuiing aDiebold 
safe with a Sargent's time lock. 

J. F. Latimer, president of the First 
National Bank, has resided in Hampton, 
Fianklin county, since 1871. He is a na- 
tive of New York State, born in Tompkins 
county, Sept. 25, 18.33. He gi'ew to man- 
hood in his native coumy, receiving but h 
limited education. In 1854, he came to 
Wisconsin and soon after engaged in the 
grain trade at Walworth, in which he was 
very successful. He continued this busi- 
ness until he came to Hampton, in 1871, 
and then in company with A. G. Kellam, 
established the Franklin County Bank, of 
which he was the first president. In 1876, 
he disposed of his interests in this bank 



^* 



:^=±l^ 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



423 



and in company with D. D. Inglis engaged 
in the real estate business. In 1881, he 
became one of the founders of the Fii-st 
National Bank, which is one of the sound- 
est banking institutions in northwestern 
Iowa. Mr. Latimer was elected the first 
president of this bank and still holds that 
position. Mr. Latimer is a republican and 
whilst never seeking to be prominent in 
politics, yet he has always taken an active 
interest in trying to secure worthy candi- 
dates for election. He is a Master Mason. 
D. D. Inglis, cashier of the First Na- 
tional Bank, and one of its founders, is a 
native af Scotland, born June 13, 1839. 
Until he was twenty years of age he at- 
tended the public schools of his native 
town, fitting himself for a business career. 
He entered the employ of a mercantile 
liouse in London, England, and afterwards 
at Shanghai, China, subsequently engag- 
ing in commercial pursuits in Japan, 
which proved a successful venture. In 
1876, he came to America and soon after 
to Franklin county, where he engaged in 
business with J. F. Latimer, and on the or- 
ganization of the First National Bank be- 
came its cashier. He is a member of the 
Episcopal Church. Mr. Inglis was mar- 
ried in 1868, at Shanghai, to Matilda 
Weed of Walworth county, Wis. They 
have three children. 

RELIGIOUS. 

The First Congregational Church of 
Hampton was organized Sept. 7, 1857, by 
Revs. John Wilcox and J. B. Grinnell. 
John Avery was the first church clerk. 
The first pastor was Rev. W. P. Avery. 
Meetings were held in the court house 
until the spring of I860, and tlien in tlie 
school house until July 5, 1873, when 



^^ 



they dedicated a new church. Rev. 
George Magoon, D. D., president of 
Iowa College, preached the dedication 
sermon. Among those who have served 
as pastors of this church are W. P. Avery, 
Otis D Crawford, H. H. Barrows and A. 
D. Kinzer, the present pastor. The church 
for many years held Sunday school in 
union with other denominatians. In 1883 
the officers of the society were : John 
Evans, deacon ; O. H. Brainerd, clerk ; 
Charles Beed, treasurer ; U. Weeks, W. 
D. Evans, N. Parker, J. M. Hemingway 
and J. B. Galer, trustees. 

The Methodist Church of Hampton was 
originally on a circuit with Chapin, 
Shobes Grove and Maysville, but in 1871 
it was set apart as a separate charge. The 
first sermon was preached by Rev. John 
Gilliland in the court house. The church 
building was erected in 1870, at a cost of 
|6,000, and dedicated Jan. 1, 1871. It is 
a frame strucuire, 36x60 feet, and is lo- 
cated on lots 5 and 6, block 1 4 of Gillet's 
addition to Hampton. A subscription of 
$3,000 was at first raised, which has 
been added to from time to time, until the 
debt has been entirely lifted. The 
following is a list of the pastors 
who have been stationed at Hampton: 
Rev. J. A. Kerr, in 1867-8. He was still 
in the Upper Iowa Conference in 1883. 
Mr. Kerr was a graduate of Cornell Col- 
lege, Iowa. Next came Rev. F. M. Rob- 
ertson, who was a graduate of the Upper 
Iowa University, at Fayette. He remained 
until October, 1871, and was followed 
by Rev. W. L. Thorp, who came from 
New York, and after preaching here one 
year, returned to that State. He was suc- 
ceeded by Rev. W. J. Mitchell, a gradu- 



r 



J«>_.-J>. 



-• 2' 



424 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



ate of Meadsville, Penn., Seminary. In 
1873, Joel B. Taylor came, remaining 
until 1876. He died in 1881 at Epworth, 
Iowa, and was buried at Hampton. F. 
X. Miller came next and .served for three 
years and was followed by Rev. Charles 
Cressey, who was formerly from Maine, 
coming to Iowa after serving in the Union 
army two or three years. He was en 
gaged as a teacher for a time. During 
his pastorate here, his wife died, and 
about one year later he also died. After 
this the church was supplied from other 
places until Rev. C. F. McLain came. 
He is the present pastor. A Methodist 
Sunday school was organized in 1871, 
with N. McDonald as superintendent. 
In 1883, William G. Beed was superin- 
tendent. 

The Baptist church was organized Feb. 
15, 1865, by Revs. William Wood and T. 
H. Judson. The original members were 
Daniel Whitmarsh, Maria Whitmarsh, 
Mary P. Jones, Iluldah St. Clair, C. J. 
Mott, Mrs. S. C. Mott, Nancy Van Nuys, 
Jeiusha Albright, Nancy Grim, Elizabeth 
North, Elizalieth Capron, Clarinda David- 
son, William Albright and Mr. Wheeler. 
The first officers of the church were : 
Pastor, T. H. Judson ; deacons, Daniel 
Whitmarsh and William Albright; trus- 
tees, Daniel Whitmarsh, C. J. Mott, Wil- 
liam Albright, Jonas Grim and J. E. Can- 
nam ; clerk, A. D. St. Clair. The first 
services of this denomination were held in 
the old frame school house in the northeast 
part of Hampton, which is now occupied 
as a residence by the family of William 
Parr. Rev. T. II. Judson, the first pas- 
tor, remained from Feb. 15, 1865, to Dec 
15, 1866, when he resigned and Rev. L. 



N. Call was elected to succeed him. Rev. 
Call served as pastor until Feb. 28, 1875, 
when he resigned and the church was 
without a pastor until June 16, 1877, 
when a call was accepted by Rev. Wil- 
liam Wilder, who served until June 26, 
1881. Rev. L. B. Plumer was the next 
pastor, and served from Jan. 22, 1882, 
until May 27, 1883, since which time there 
has been no pastor. The present house 
of worship was erected in 1869, at a cost 
of $5,000. Its size is 36x58 feet. The 
officers of the society, in 1883, were: 
Deacons, Allen Green, C. J. Mott and A. 
T. Little ; clerk and treasurer, G. G. Clem- 
mer. The total membership of the church 
since organization, has been about 280 ; 
the membership in 1883 was 114. A 
Sabbath school was organized in 187u, 
and has continued its regular sessions 
with scarcely an interruption. The first 
superintendent was G. G. Clemmer. In 
1883 the school had an enrollment of 208, 
and an average attendance of 105. The 
officers at that time were : Superintend- 
ent, G. G. Clemmer ; assistant, George 
E. Higley ; librarian, J. W. Clemmer; 
secretary, James H. Raymond ; treasurer, 
Harry S. Cooper. 

SOCIETIES. 

Windsor Lodge, K. of P. No. 71, was 
organized March 3l', 1882, by E. U. Hib- 
ben with the following charter member- 
ship: F. L. Taylor, G. S. Guilford, J. T. 
McCormick, D. W. Henley, N. W. Beebe, 
W. A. Church, S. M. Jones, J. B. Gray, 
E. Harmon, J. H. Neff, John McNeill, J. 
M. Hemingway, B. S. King, F. W. Sweet, 
V. B.Pool and S. C. Stephens. The offi- 
cers of the lodge were: F. L. Taylor, P. 
C: N. W. Beebe, C. C. ; D. W. Henley, 






o l V *" 



^j|"! k^ 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



421 



V. C. ; J. M. Hemingway, P. ; B. S. 
King, K. of R. S.; J. B. Gray, M. of P.; 
C. S. Guilford, M. of E.; S. C. Stephens 
M. at A.; John McNeill, I. G.; J. H. Neff, 
O. G. In 1883 the membership was the 
same as when organized, no deaths having 
occurred. 

Anchor Lodge, No. 191, A. F. & A. 
M., was granted a dispensation by the 
grand lodge of the State, March 6, 1866, 
The first officers were : J. T. Stearns, W. 
M.; George W. Nash, S. W.; James 
Thompson, J. W . The charter members 
were : J. T. Stearns, George W. Nash, 
■lames Thompson, H. C. Graves, J. E. 
Cannam, E. F. Hanks, P. C. Berry, S. M. 
Jones, J. F. Robbins. Edwin Dustin. Offi- 
cers in 1883: T. C. McKenzie, W. M.; C. 
Schabacker, S. W.; John Atkinson, I. 
W.; M. H. Ross, secretary. The full 
membership was sixty-eight. The fol- 
lowing deaths have occurred: A. D.Ben- 
son, July 20, 1881; W. H. Crawford, Dec. 
27, 1882; D. P. Maxon, April 10, 1875; J. 
E. Cannam, Nov. 9, 1870. 

Anchor Chapter No. 69, A. F. & A M., 
was organized Nov. 25, 1874, with the 
following named charter members: R. 
S. Uenson, J. T. Stearns, C. W. Benton, 
K. D. Smith, I. F. White, James Thomp- 
son, T. C. McKenzie, W. P. Smith, Daniel 
Murlin, N. McDonald. The first regular 
meeting of the chapter was held Dec. 31, 
1873. The first officers were: R.S.Ren- 
son, high priest; N. McDonald, secretary; 
James Thompson, king; J. T. Stearns, 
scribe; D. Murlin, C. H.; C. W. Boutin, 
P. S.; W. P. Smith, R. A. C; R. F. 
White, M. 3d V.; T. C. McKenzie, M. 2d 
v., F. D Smith, M. 1st V. Officers in 1883 
wore: E. S. Patterson, H. P ; C. L. Clock, 



king; J. S.Nye, Sr., scribe; C. Schabacker, 
treasurer; D. W. Henley, secretary; T. C 
McKenzie, C H; G. W. Boutin, P. S.; L. 
P. Hold, R. A. C; R J. Nye, M. 3d V; M. 
H. Ross, M. 2d v.; Samuel Boutin, M. 1st 
v.; W. A. Franklin, S. The total member- 
ship of the lodge was fifty-six. 

Hampton Lodge, No. 2\8,J^-Q-rO. F., 
was chartered by the grand lodge of the 
State, Oct. 19, 1871. The charter mem- 
bers were: Albert Pickering, George A. 
Lambert, Robert Jeffers, John Bolton, 
Charles D. Mattock and M. G. Roger. 
The first officers were: Albert Pickering, 
N. G.; Kobert Jeffers, V. G.; Charles D. 
Mtatock, secretary; M. G. Roger, treas- 
urer. In 1883 the lodge numbered thirty- 
five, and the officers were: E. C Keiffer, 
N. G.; James Alli.son,V.G.; J. W. Coble, 
secretary; W. J. Wright, treasurer; J. 
M. Waite, P secretary; L. Hamilton, R. 
S. to W. G.; W. A McDowell, L. S. to 
W. G.; J. Buckingham, R. S. to V. G.; C. 
C. Cunninghams, L. S. to V. G.; D. C. Mal- 
loy, warden; R Jeffers, conductor; H. 
Wheeler, R S. S ; C. Loss, L. S. S. 

J. W. McKenzie, Post No. 81, G. A. R., 
was organized in June, 1882. It was named 
in honor of Judge McKenzie, the hero of 
Altoona, a resident of Hampton. The 
following is a list of those who were mem- 
bers of the Post in 1883 : R. S. Benson, 
D.-W. Dow, C. L. Clock, L. B. Raymond, 
G. M. Spencer, I. W. Myers, T. C. Mc- 
Kenzie, John Foughty, H. D. Brown, John 
C. Ferris, E. J. Stonebraker, G. W. Rey- 
uolds, W. D. Layton, W. A- Franklin, B. F. 
Ferris, A. C. Boals, J. Phelps, L. P. IIol- 
den, C. W. lioutin, Norman Allen Frank 
M. Norton, Cyrus Roberts, George Schol- 
lian, W. J. Wright, J. W. Bailey, M. H. 



:il 



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r 






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428 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



15 



Ross, H. H. Wheeler, S. Bailey, J. W. 
North, Daniel North, Arthur T. Reeve, S. 
D. Richardson, H. G. Rust, William H. 
Richards, E. W. Hodges, Fred Reinke, F. 

F. Argent, O. G. Reeve, W. J. Singer, J. 
M. McCord, John Vincent, W. C. Horner, 
Z Graighton, R. P. LaMore, F. P. Evans, 

D. Graighton, W. A. Roberts, M. B. Jones, 

E. A. Norton, R. L. Bird, James Camp- 
bell, George Autry, John Low, Joseph 
Birkfer, W. L. Burres, N. B. Claypool, L. 
J. Kron, G. A. Baldwin, George Allen, W. 
W. French, L. Elseffer, J. C. Jones, John 
Nowell, Dr. J. H. Hutching, S. A. Bullock, 
T. H. Rose, R. E. McCrillis, W. T. Ad- 
ams and Frank B. Marble. Officers of the 
post : Capt. R. S. Benson, post com- 
mander ; D. W. Dow, senior vice-cora- 
niander ; F. L. Faatz, junior vice-com- 
mander; G. L. Clock, quartermaster; L. B. 
Raymond, officer of the day; G. M. Spen- 
cer, officer of the guard ; I. W. Myers, 
chaplain ; T. G. McKenzie, adjutant ; 
John Foughty, sergeant major ; H. D. 
Brown, quartermaster sergeant. 

HAMPTON DRIV1N(; I'ABK ASSOCIATION. 

The admirers of fast horses organized 
this association at Hampton, in June, 1872, 
with the following as first officers : D. 

G. Garbaugh, president ; R. S. Benson, 
secretary; A. N. Minor, treasurer. The 
first meeting was held on Saturday, June 
8, 1872. A number of fast horses were 
present, and a good time was had. This 
organization is still in existence. 

EDUCATIONAL. 

The first public school house erected in 
Hampton, was a frame building put up in 
1S59, which stood on Fourth street, on the 
lot now occupied by William Parr's dwell- 
ing The building was put up by E. A. 



Evans and F. A. Denton. The first school 
was taught by Clara Wyatt in a house 
which stood on the corner of Second and 
Reeve streets. 

The second school house was built in 
1865 It was a stone building located on 
Reeve street. This building served the 
town until the fall of 1877, when the new 
structure was completed, and the first 
term of school commenced about Septem- 
ber 1. This building is a brick edifice, 
with terra cotta ornamentation, after 
plans of B. J. Bartlett, of Des Moines. It 
is 68x72 feet in size, with a tower upon 
the west side, 1 6x20 feet. The building is 
three stories high, with four rooms each, 
on the first and second floors — the upper 
story is divided into three rooms, besides 
a library 12x16 feet. Halls eight feet 
wide run through the entire building. 
The tower gave ample room for a staircase 
without encroaching upon space of the 
main building, and extends to a height 
of 100 feet above the ground, add- 
ing much to the architectural beau- 
ty of the building. A stone tablet, 
bearing the inscription, " 1876 — Public 
School," is placed on the front of the 
tower. The building accomodates 700 
pupils, and together with grounds cost 
*20,000. G. W. Bouton & Bro. were the 
contractors, and while the edifice remains, 
it will stand as a monument of their labor 
and skill. The building stands upon a 
high elevation, between Third and Fourth 
streets, facing the west. It can be seen at 
a great distance, and preseutsan imposing 
view upon approaching the city from any 
direction. 

Hampton has for many years been noted 
for its good schools and uncommon interest 



V" 



.k. 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



429 



inaniesfed in all educational matters. The 
first male teacher was S. H VaiiKirk, who 
was for many years county surveyor. 
Those who have been principals are : N. 
Chapman, William N. Davidson, A. D. 
St. Clair, L. B. Raymond, J. C. Whitney, 
G. G. Clemraer, M. R. King, Mis.s K itchell, 
Miss O M Reeve, L. B. Cary, O. H. Brain- 
erd and Miss O. F. Sweet. 

In 1883, the school board consisted of 
the following named gentlemen: G. G. 
Cleramer, president; James Raymond, 
secretary; Arthur Beed, treasurer; H. A. 
Harriman, M. H. Ross, W. H. Hoxie, L. 
B. Raymond and Robert Jeffers, directors. 

In 1883, there were ten teachers em- 
ployed in the public schools, one male and 
nine females. The average attendance 
was then 350. The average cost of tuition 
per scholar, for that year, was $1.43. The 
value of the school property in Hampton, 
was then placed at 1-17,000, besides appa- 
ratus valued at $225. 

CEMETERY. 

The first burying ground in Hampton 
was situated just west of the village, on 
the south side of Squaw creek. The first 
body interred, was that of Mrs Howe (or 
Ryan), who froze to death in the winter 
of 1856-7. 

July 11, 1863, a cemetery association 
was formed, constitution and by-laws 
adopted. The first officers elected were: 
George H. Ingham, president; George 
Beed, secretary; and J. J. Johnston, treas- 
urer. George H. Ingham, A. Rice, J. J. 
Johnston, N. McDonald and George Beed, 
trustees. Tho society, soon after its or- 
ganization, purchased two and a half acres 
of land of Obadiah Smith, for cemetery 
])iirpose8. A few years later, ten acres 



were added, making twelve and one half 
acres in all. The bodies of all those in- 
terred in the old cemetery, were removed 
to the new. This cemetery is located just 
northeast of town, on the north bank of 
Squaw creek, on a beautiful plateau over- 
looking the city. It contains some tine 
monuments, among which, is that of the 
late Judge J. W. McKenzie, which is a 
mottled granite column, bearing the in 
scription on one side: The Hero of Aliomia. 
That of J. Bobst, is the most costly in the 
yard. 

HAMPTON p. '.STOFFICB. 

During the first few years after the set- 
tlement in and about Hampton, mail was 
obtained at Cedar Falls. Later it was ob- 
tained at May.sville, and in 1858 the Hamp- 
ton postoffice was established with R. F. 
Piatt as postmaster, the office being kept 
at the store of James Thompson. 

The following is a list of the postmas- 
ters who have held the office, giving the 
date of their appointment: R. F. Piatt 
1858; James Thompson, 1859; George 
Ryan, 1860; Chauncy Gillett, 1862; Har- 
riett Gillett, 1864; J. T. Stearns, 1866; N. 
McDonald, 1868; and S. M. Jones, 1871. 

The Hampton postoffice was made a 
money order office in 1869. The first order 
was issued to Stearns & North, payable to 
Westphall & Hinds, Dubuque, Iowa; 
amount, $50. The first order paid, was to 
George A. Lambert, of Iowa Falls; amount, 
$50. 

Stephen M. Jones, postmaster at Hamp- 
ton, is the pioneer newspaper man of 
Franklin county. He was born in Essex 
Co., N. Y., Sept. 8, 1837. His parents, 
Russell and Amy (Calkin) Jones, came 
to Johnson Co., Iowa, in 1845. Five years 






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430 



HISTOKV OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



later they removed to Cedar Rapids, where 
Mr. .Tones siibseciiiently le.iriied the print- 
it's trade and assisted in printing the 
first copy of the Progressive Era, the tirst 
newspaper publislied in Linn county. In 
1853, Fred Lyman started the ^'inton Ea- 
gle, the tirst newspaper published in Ben- 
ton county, which Mr. Jones assisted in 
the establishment of, and on which he 
worked most of the i ne until his removal 
to Fraukliu county, in March, 1851). Im- 
mediately after his arrival here he began 
the publication of the Franklin Record, the 
initial newspaper of the county. He dis- 
posed of his interests therein in 1866 and 
engaged in the dry goods trade. In 187], 
he was appointed to his present position. 
Mr. Jones has been a republican from the 
outset of his political life. He was mar- 
ried, March 1, 1858, to Adelia Jones, a 
native of New York. Their children aie 
— Cora, Nettie, Paul and Amy. The sec- 
ond daughter is the wife of Frank P. Mor- 
gan, editor of the Sheffield Press. 

RECORDED PLATS. 

The various town plats of Hampton we: e 
filed for record as follows: 

Hampton proper by James B. Reeve, 
George Ryan and Harriet Ryan, June -1, 

1856. The plat was surveyed by II. P. 
Allen, county surveyor. 

The first addition was made by Chauncy 
Gillett and Harriet Gillett, June 8, 

1857. This was surveyed by A. F. Whit- 
man. 

A. L. Kingman's addition was made 
June 16, 1870. 

Beed's first addition was made by 
George Beed and wife, March 21, 1871; 
Obadiah Smith, Surveyor. 



Beed's second addition was made by 
George and Amelia Beed, Dec. 8, 1879. 

Mott's addition was made by A. M. 
Mott, June 30, 1880. 

INCORPORATION. 

Hampton was incorporated in 1871. 
The first mayor was William Raymond, 
and S. M. Jones was the first recorder. The 
following named gentlemen have served 
as mayor since the place became an incor- 
porated city: William Raymond, 1871; 
A. Green, 1872; W. B. Vanderver, 1873; 
Judge North, 1874; T. H. McKenzie, 
1875 and 1876; 0,B. Harriman, 1877, 1878 
and 1879; J. F. Latimer, 1880 and 1881; 
W. F. Harriman, 1882 and 1883. 

The following officers were elected for 
1883: W. V. Harriman, mayor; M. A. 
Ives, recorder; ''■\'. F. Weeks, treasurer: 
N. McDonald, assessor; W. J. Stone- 
braker, J. W. Johnson, C. W. Boutin, 
L. P. Holden, T. C. McKenzie and C. 
Schabacker, councilmen. 

WASHINGTON TOWNS)llI". 

This township was one of the three 
original townships of Franklin county. 
It then embraced the territory now com- 
prising the townships of Richland, Ross 
West Fork, Ingham, Mott, Washington 
and Marion. At various times changes 
have been made in the boundaries until 
it has assumed its present limits, embrac- 
ing 800 acres on sections 27, 28, 33 and 
34, township 92, range 20. The w hole of 
this township is embraced in the incor- 
porate limits of Hampton. 

PROMINENT CITIZENS. 

Major L. P. Holden came to Franklin 
county in August, 1871, settling first at 
Hampton and foui- years after going to 
Sheffield. While there he was eneafjed 



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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



431 



as a real estate broker. He returned to 
Hampton in 1879, where he has since re- 
sided. He is proprietor of 680 acres of 
land, 640 of which is localed near Shef- 
field He was born in Rutland Co , Vt., 
July 14, 183.5, and is son the of Phineas H- 
Mnd BetSY (Parker) Holden. His parents 
removed to Will Co, 111 , in 1836, « here 
he was reared and educated in the common 
schools, chiefly. His education was com- 
pleted at the Davenport college. April 
•21, 1861, he enlisted in company F. '20th 
Illinois Volunteers, going out as orderly 
sergeant, and serving as such for sixteen 
months^ when he was discharged for 
promotion in the 88th, known as the 2d 
Board of Trade regiment, where he was 
appointed captain of company P], and iu 
August, 1864, promoted to the rank of 
major. He served until the close of the 
war in 1865, and was in action at Frede- 
ricktown. Mo., Fort Donelson, Shiloh, Per- 
ryville. Stone River, Chickamauga, Mis- 
sion Ridge, in the Atlanta campaign, 
Spring Hill, Franklin, Nashville and in 
many minor engagements. ,In politics he 
was originally a Douglas democrat, and 
has always adhered to the principles of 
the democratic party. He is a Mason, 
and belongs to the Chapter; is also a 
Knight Templar. VVhile home on a fur- 
lough in March, 1865, 'he was married to 
Lotta Reynolds, a native of Illinois. 
They have three children living — Birdie 
R , CoraE. and an infant. After the war 
he was appointed assistant revenue as- 
sessor of Chicago and held that post for 
nearly six years. He is a member of the 
city council of Hampton. 

W. II. Hoxie, agriculturalist and stock 
farmer, settled at Hampton in 1870, where 



he has since pursued his present vocation. 
He was born in Oswego Co., N. Y., Nov 
3, 1831. In 1844 his parents came west 
to Lake Co., 111., he accompanying them. 
He afterward established himself at Bar- 
aboo. Wis., removing in 1854 to Grundy 
Co., Iowa. In 1855 he settled in Butler 
county, where he was occupied in farming. 
In 1863 he came first to Franklin county, 
and located in Ingham township, re- 
maining there seven years previous to his 
final settlement at Hampton. He was 
married in 1859 to Elsie Babcock, a native 
of Illinois. They have ten children — 
Dwight, Frank, Edith, William, Arthur, 
Fred, Annie, George, Lua and Bess. 

D. C. Mallory came to Franklin county 
in 1876, and located in Reeve township. 
Five years later he purchased a farm in 
Washington township and has since de- 
voted his means and energies to stock 
raising, in wJhich enterprise he is among 
the leading men in the county. He was 
born in Vermilion Co., 111., March 14, 
1837. His parents located soon after 
in Stephenson county, and there Mr. Mal- 
lory reached man's estate. He attended 
the public schools and completed his edu- 
cation at Rock River Seminary, at Mount 
Morris, 111. After leaving school, he 
engaged in teaching until 1864, when he 
enlisted in company K, 46th Illinois In- 
fantry. He served until August, 1865, 
when he was honorably discharged. He 
then engaged in farming in LaFayette 
Co., Wis., until he settled in Franklin 
county, as stated. Mr. Mallory is a mem- 
ber of the M E. Church at Hampton. 
He was married in 1860 to Miss E. A. 
Hutchinson. Three children are living- — 
Edgar A., Eugene II. and Benjamin H. 



'Tf. 



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432 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



L. S. Lathrop was born in Susquehanna 
Co., Penn., Jan. 7, 18-30. He is the son of 
Zebadiah and Maria (Thatcher) Lathrop. 
His father was a native of Connecticut 
and his mother of Vermont. In 1851, 
the family removed to Cedar Falls, Iowa, 
and in 1855 settled on section 17, Molt 
township, Franklin county, where the son, 
L. S., entered a farm. He built a log 
house and broke ten acres the first season. 



In 1873, he came into Hampton where 
he has since resided, and for the past four 
years has had charge of the cemetery 
grounds at Hampton. He has been mar- 
ried twice. His first wife was Maria 
Keinnel. She bore him one child, Ettie, 
now the wife of Ira Fay. Mrs. Lathroj) 
died in 1871. His second wife was Sopnia 
VVauld. They were married in 1873, and 
have one child — Myrtie. 



CHAPTER XXIII 



INGHAM TOWNSHIP. 



Ingham comprises congressional town- 
ship !)ii, range 19 west, and is in the 
eastern tier of townships. It was de- 
tached from Washington township in 
1858. George H. Ingham of Granville, 
Ohio, was among the first settlers, and to 
him the township is indebted for its name. 
The township, as bounded in 1883, con- 
tained over 23,040 acres, of which but a 
ver\' small proportion was waste land. It 
is well supj)lied with water, the West 
Fork of the Cedar River running diago- 
nally to the southeast, across the north- 
eastern part of the township. Three 
creeks, flowing from the west and south, 
form a junction on the farm of D. W. 
Mott and flow across the entire town, 
under the name of the South Fork of the 
Cedar River. In addition to these creeks, 
are numerous living springs of pure water, 
making the township well adapted to 
stock raising, which is the principal in- 



dustry. The Dubuque &, Dakota rail- 
road passes through the southern part of 
the township, and Hansell Station, on 
section 29, affords a good shipping point 
for the large amount of stock annually 
supplied by Ingham township. The soil 
is very rich and productive. The only 
timber in the township is found along the 
streams, amounting in all to about five 
sections. This township is one of the most 
beautiful in the county, as well as most 
valuable, Nearly every farm has a large 
amount seeded to clover and timothy 
which yield two prolific crops annually. 
There are over twenty-five farmers in the 
township, who keep from 50 to 500 head 
of cattle, some of which are being fed 
throughout the entire year. 

In 1883, there was more stock being 
raised, fed and shipped from Ingham than 
from any other township in the couniy. 
The Mott Bros., D. W. and Albert M., 



"?; 



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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



433 



were perhaps the largest dealers, feeding 
from 300 to 500 head the year round; 
their corn bill alone in the month 
of July that year was over llOO per day. 

SETTLEMENT. 

The first settler in the township was 
David Allen, who located in the north- 
eastern corner, in the timber along the 
West Fork of the Cedar river, afterwards 
known as Allen's Grove. He came in the 
spring of 1854, with a large family. His 
son, Jonathan Allen, located on section 1, 
afterward owned by John Meahan. The 
same year John R.Hartgraves located in the 
southeastern part of the township, making 
an entry of 160 acres of land on section 
35. 

John R. Hartgraves settled in Iowa 
in 1847, in Johnson county, and after liv- 
ing there seven years he went to Butler 
county in 1853. In August of the same 
year he settled where he has since resided, 
in Ingham township. His claim included 
land on each side of the creek, and 
afforded some of the finest timber in the 
county. It seems that human nature was 
in some respects similar to its present 
exhibit, as it is reported that much valu- 
able timber was stolen in the early days. 
When Mr. Hartgraves settled in this 
county. Cedar Rapids was the nearest 
milling point and market place. He was 
born in North Carolina, Oct. 11, 1824. His 
father died when he was three years old, 
and the mother and three of her sons went 
lo southern Indiana. Mr. Hartgraves 
there learned the trade of a tanner, at 
which he labored until the year of his re- 
moval to Iowa. He was married to Sina 
Ann Stacy, Aug. 13, 1843. They have had 
nine children— David,who died in the army ; 



Nicholas T., John R., Peter, Solomon T., 
George, Elizabeth Jane, Almeda and Olive 
Caroline. Peter Hartgraves was the first 
child born in Ingham township. Mr. 
Hartgraves was the first road supervisor, 
and has been school director ten years. 

Joseph Riddle settled on section 25, in 
in 1854, where he lived about twelve years 
and then removed to Missouri. 

David Allen, the first settler in Ingham 
township, came to Wapello Co., Iowa, in 
1849, and in the spring of 1854, settled in 
Ingham township in the grove which 
bears his name. His claim of land is now 
owned by .John Gourley. The early records 
of the Allen family show a picture of 
pioneer privations and hardships common 
to all settlers in a hitherto unjx'opled 
region. Mr. Allen was born in 1804, in 
North Carolina. His father's family re- 
moved to Indiana in 1814, and thence to 
Kentucky, where David remained eight 
years and then located in Putnam Co., 
Ind., which was his residence until he 
came to Iowa. Mr. Allen was married 
May 10, 1827, to Nancy Ilogan, of Ken- 
tucky. They had twelve children, nine of 
whom are living — William, John, James, 
Esther, Wesley, Clark, Marion, Jane and 
Leland. Six of these are in Iowa and one 
each in Kansas, Nebraska and Dakota. 
Mr. and Mrs. Allen reside with their son, 
James W. 

James W. Allen came to Iowa when a 
lad of twelve years, accompanying his par- 
ents to Wapello county, in 1849, and 
thence to Bremer county. In 1854, they 
settled in the northeastern part of Ingham 
township, at whnt became known as Al- 
len's grove. Mr. Allen was born in Put- 
nam Co., Ind., July 8, 1835. The Allen 



1^ 



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434 



HISTOllV UK FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



family were the first settlers in the town of 
Ingham, fixing their residence as before 
stated. Mr. Allen enlisted in the fall of 
1864, in company H, 15th Iowa Infantry, 
and was with Sherman on his noted march 
to the sea. He was discharged at Daven- 
port, Iowa, Aug. 6, 1865, and returned to 
his home in Franklin county, where he 
has since been engaged in farming on 
section 16. He was married Sept 10,1857, 
to Susannah Harlan, of Butler county. 
Seven of their ten children are living — 
Sarah, Oscar, Ruth, Charles, Esther, Min- 
nie and Ida Jane. Mrs. Allen died April 
25, 1883, after suffering eight years, from 
a cancer. Both parents were members of 
the Ba]jtist Church. Mr Allen has always 
acted with the democratic party and has 
held the office of trustee and other minor 
positions. 

Benjamin Jones, a pioneer of Franklin 
county, came here with his father and 
brother in 1854, and ogether, they entered 
320 acres of land in Geneva township, be- 
side buying eighty acresof school land. Mr. 
Jones, Sr., remained a resident of Geneva 
until his death in February, 1882. Benja- 
min Jones bought eighty acres of land in 
Ingham township in 18*79, and removed 
hither in 1881. His land is located on 
section 35, and valued at $30 per acre. Mr. 
Jones was married, in 1 845, to Sarah Thorp 
of Delaware Co., Ind. She was born in 
Ross Co., Ohio, in 182 i, and removed to 
Indiana in 1831. Mr. Jones was born in 
West Virginia in 1813. His father, Jabish 
Jones, was born in Virginia in 1792. His 
mother, Mary (Llewellyn) Jones, was a 
native of Pennsylvania. They moved to 
to Indiana in 1834, and bought land in 
Delaware county. While residing there. 



Mr. Jones learned the trade of carpenter, 
which he pursued several years. His 
household includes eight children — Beer- 
sheba, William H., Alexander, Nancy, 
Andrew, Samuel, Emeline and Amanda. 
Two children are deceased. Alexander 
was a soldier for the Union, and enlisted 
in company H, 32d Iowa Infantry, and" 
served through the war. The homestead 
farm is under the management of Andrew, 
third son. 

George H. Ingham came from Ohio in 
1855, and located on the northeast quarter 
of section 32. He remained until IfeBS, 
when he engaged in trade, at Ham])ton, 
with William G. Beed; he afterward re- 
turned to his farm and finally sold it to C. 
J. Mott, in 1866, and returned to Ohio. 

Among others who came in 1855, were 
Isaac Stover, who settled at Allen's grove; 
Isaac Grandiu, and a Mr. Jones, who was 
buried in a well in Butler county, in 1857. 
John Staley also came the same year, lo- 
cating on the place afterward owned by 
James Anway. 

In 1856, A number of settlers came in, 
among whom were: Loren Cooley, Simon 
Selix and Lemuel Armstrong. Mr. ( ooley 
remained a few years and went to Kansas. 

Lemuel Armstrong, deceased, was one 
of the pioneers of Ingham township, 
Franklin Co., Iowa. He was born in 
Armstrong Co., Penn., July 12, 1808. His 
father wa* a farmer, and Lemuel engaged 
in the same occupation and rafting on the 
rivers of Pennsylvania. He removed to 
Ashland Co., Ohio, and from there to V\'y- 
andot count}', where he gave his energies 
to clearing off a farm in the backwoods. 
Overwork injured his health and he re- 
solved to leave Ohio and seek a place 






HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



435 



more favorable for farming. In the fall 
of 18.55 he removed to Linn Co., Iowa, and 
remained there until the next spring, 
when he came to Franklin county. He 
first located on the bottom lands south of 
Hartgrave's creek, on section .35. In July, 
1857, the bottom lands were overflowed to 
the depth of several feet, caused by the 
bursting of a cloud. The crops were all 
destroyed along the creek bottoms. The 
water came into his house above the win- 
dow sills. The family had just finished 
breakfast and had barely time to escape 
from the rushing waters to higher land 
east of the house, and before reaching the 
elevation the horses had to swim. From 
Monday until Wednesday the house was 
filled with water. This convinced Mr. 
Armstrong that the low land was not the 
safest place during a freshet and he re- 
moved to liigher land on the north of the 
creek. After two or three years he located 
on section 16, where he lived until his 
death, which occurred May 29, 1880. Mr. 
Armstrong'.s wife was Mary J. Anderson 
of Ashland Co., Ohio, who survived him 
two years, and who died, Aug. 16, 1882. 
There were six children, five of whom are 
still living. Mr. and Mrs. Armstrong were 
members of the Presbyterian Church and 
for a number of years he was an elder in 
that Church. He was a republican in 
politics; had held nearly all the townshij) 
ofHces, and was postmaster of Menzie 
postofiice at the time it was discontinued. 
Merrill Armstrong, son of Lemuel 
Armstrong, was born in Ingham township, 
Franklin Co., Iowa, Sept. 24, 1857, and ha.s 
been a life-long resident of this county. 
Since the death of his father, Merrill has 
conducted the home farm which consists 



of eighty acres of productive land. His 
brother, Curtis Armstrong, was a member 
of company H, 32d Iowa Volunteer In- 
fantry, and died in 1868 of consumption, 
contracted while in the service. 

Simon Selix, residing on section 13, to 
which he moved in 1856, is the son of 
David and Cecelia (Fletcher) Selix, na- 
tives of the Blue Ridge Mountains, from 
which they removed in 1806 to Musking- 
um Co., Ohio, where Simon was born, Jan. 
1, 1818, and where the father died in 
1858. In 1845, Mr. Selix moved to Bureau 
Co., 111., and the following year to White- 
side county, where he engaged in farming 
and carpentering until 1856, when he 
came to Franklin county, where he has since 
made his home. In 1872 he erected a 
good frame house, which was destroyed by 
fire, with most of its contents, March 11, 
1873. This disaster made it necessary for 
him to again occupy the log house, which 
had been his home so many years. March 
4, 1841, he married Diantha H., a daugh- 
ter of Justus and Diantha Hall, of Morgan 
Co., Ohio. They have had thirteen chil- 
dren, nine of whom are living — Justus H., 
David F., George H., William H., Eleanor 
E., James N., Cecelia D., Mary S. and 
Julia A . They are members of the M. 
E. Church, and Mr. Selix is a good citizen. 

David F. Selix is the son of Simon and 
Diantha (Hall) Selix, who were among 
the pioneer settlers of Ingham township 
The family, including father, mother and 
five children, settled in Franklin Co., 
Iowa, in 1856. David Selix was born in 
Whiteside Co., 111., Jan. 16, 1847. He at- 
tended the first schools of this township 
and. at twenty years of age, went to Kan- 
sas, where he found employment near 



32 



rpr 



A 



'-4* 



436 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



Fort Scott for one year, when he took a 
claim in Labette county. He remained 
there four years and then came back to 
Franklin county. Six months later he 
returned to Kansas, where he remained 
about eighteen months, and returned 
permanently to Franklin county and 
bought 120 acres of first-class land 
on section 12, Ingham township. Nearly 
•ill his land is now under the plow, and he 
is making rapid improvements of various 
kinds. He was married in March, 1881, 
to May Hanna, who was born in Wiscon- 
sin. Her parents came from Pennsyl- 
vania. Mr. and Mrs. Selix have two chil- 
(li-en— Sheridan, born Dec. 18, 1881, and 
an infant daughter, Winnafred C, born 
April 5, 1883. Mr. Selix is a republican 
in politics. 

The following year, 1857, a few settlers 
located, among whom was Nathan 
Moore, who was killed by lightning in 
1879, while at a school board meeting, on 
section 16. 

The township did not settle very rap- 
idly until after the war, when its develop- 
ment was enhanced very much by the 
construction of railroads through the 
cdunty. 

John Meehan was born in the county of 
Sligo, Ireland, June 22, 1825, and was 
with his father on the farm until sixteen, 
when he entered the Queen's service as a 
member of the Irish constabulary, and 
served six years. At the expiration of 
that time he resigned and came to Amer- 
ica, to better his circumstances. He landed 
in New York, in 1846, came to the Ind- 
iana, settling in La Porte cou ty. After 
living there about six years, he purchased 
a farm in Porter county and remained 



there until 1860, when he removed to 
Franklin Co , Iowa, and located on section 
1, Ingham township. At that time Cedar 
Falls was the nearest market place, dis- 
t nt about fifty miles. In 1862 Mr. 
Meehan enlisted in company H, 32d Iowa 
Volunteer Infantry, and served through 
two years of the hardest service. While 
at Fort Pillow he received an injury by 
being crushed on a heavy army wagon. 
After being in the hospital six months, he 
was discharged for disability, and now 
draws a pension. He has never re 
ceived the full use of his arms. Since 
the war he has followed farming, and 
now has 160 acres of land on section 1. 
Mr. Meehan married Louise Ann Billing 
ham, of Cherry Valley, 111., at her father's 
house in Cerro Gordo county, April 14, 
1869. They have six children — Mary, 
Edward, Bartley, Louisa, Ida and James. 
Mr. Meehan has been director of the school 
district for twelve years. Himself and 
wife are members of the Catholic Church 
in Dougherty township, Cerro Gordo 
county. 

James Anway is one of the earliest set- 
tlers of Ingham township. He came to 
Howard Co., Iowa, in 1856, where he took 
a claim of 160 acres, upon which he lived 
five years, then exchanged for his present 
home. He occupies the farm taken by 
John Staley, one of the earliest settlers of 
this township. Mr. Anway was born in 
Delaware Co., Ohio, Aug. 14, 1814. His 
parents were natives of New York, and 
were among the pioneers of Ohio, where 
they engaged in farming and where James 
remained until emigrating to Iowa. He 
was married in 1837 to Caroline Odle, who 
died in 1866, leaving eleven children. He 



Vis 



"^f 



Ma- 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



437 



was again married in 1868 to Nancy M. 
Watkins, of Franklin county, who has 
borne him six children, five of whom are 
living — Caroline, James, Nathan, Lorendo 
aTul Freddie. Mr. Anway has held the 
ortice of trustee. His son, W. H , has a 
blacksmith shop at Hansell, which trade 
he acquired by his own effort, and is doing 
a successful business. 

.lames Trindle has been a resident of 
Franklin county since 1862. He ex- 
changed a farm of ninety acres in Wis- 
consin for 320 acres of land in Ingham 
township and !|(500 in cash. Immediately 
on his settlement here, wilh the assistance 
of his eldest son, then sixteen years of 
age, he broke sixty-five acres, and the fol- 
lowing year, harvested 800 bushels of 
wheat, 500 bushelsof corn and 100bu8hel^ 
of potatoes. He has now one of the 
most productive farms in the township. 
Mr. Trindle is one of five brothers, all 
living, who have, unaided, made their 
lives successful. All contributed to the 
support ot the family until after the age 
of twenty-one. One lives in Pennsylva- 
nia ; two are in railroad business in Indi- 
ana and one is in Iowa. Mr. Trindle, of 
this sketch, was born in Fairfield, West- 
moreland county, Aug. 24, 1823. Wil- 
liam and Agnes ( McCurdy ) Trindle were 
natives of the same county. The pater- 
nal descent is Scotch ; the mothers ances 
tors were Irish. At ten years of age, 
James began life as a driver on a canal, 
and continued until old enough to fill a 
more important place. After two years 
as a laborer, he was made a captain, and 
two years later l>ought a boat which he 
sold tlie following year, and was then 
employed by the Pennsylvania & Ohio 



Co., as captain of a boat plying between 
Pittsburg and Johnstown. Tired of life 
on a canal, he began a mercantile career 
at Bolivar, which he maintained two years 
and relinquished on account of poor 
health. He went, in October, 1854, to 
Dodge Co., Wis., where he spent eight 
years in farming, and then removed to 
Iowa. He built his fine residence in the 
fall of 1879. He was married, Dec. 24, 
1846, to Margaret Baird, of Westmore- 
land Co., Penn. Her parents were set- 
tlers of Derry township, and owned an 
immense tract of land. Mr. and Mrs. 
Trindle had eight children, all of whom 
grew to maturity. Two are now dead. 
Those living are — George W., Jane A., 
Sarah O., John F., Julia F. and Mary E. 
Mrs. Trindle died, June 20, 1880, and was 
buried in Union Ridge Cemetery, Butler 
county. Mr. Trindle was married July 4, 
1881, to Mrs. Maria Hilliker. She was 
born in the State of New York and settled 
in the territory of Wisconsin. Her first 
husband, E. J. Hilliker, came to Iowa in 
1867, and died in Ingham township in 
1878. Mr. and Mrs. Trindle are members 
of the United Brethren Church. Mr. 
Trindle is a republican in politics and has 
served four years as justice of the peace. 
W. K. Tucker, a prominent farmer of 
Ingham township, was born in Windh m 
Co., Conn., April 16, 1826. His father 
was from Rhode Island and was a shoe- 
maker. The son worked in the cotton 
mills of Connecticut until 1858, when he 
went to La Salle Co., 111., and one 
year later removed to Lee county in the 
same State. He came to Franklin county 
in November, 1865, and began with 100 
acres of land in Ingham township, and at 



^fV 



J^5- 



438 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 






once entered upon its irapiovemeiits. He 
hauled the luniher for his house from 
Aplington. The roads were in such a 
state that they were compelled to unload 
their three wagons five times and carry 
their lumber through sloughs. Mr. Tucker 
now owns .320 acres of land and has 
eighty head of stock and 150 sheep. Mr. 
Tucker is the only farmer in Ingham who 
raises sheep profitably. He was married 
in 1849 to Mary A. Cogswell of Brooklyn, 
Windham Co., Conn. They have five 
children — William C, born Feb. 14, 1850; 
Charles, born Nov. 20, 1855; Edward H., 
born Oct. 8, 1858; Ralph E., born July 
24, 1868, and Ellen M., born March 2-4, 
1852. All the children are living with or 
near their parents, with the exception of 
the youngest daughter, who is the wife of 
Mr. Bell, of Wright Co, Iowa. Mr. 
Tucker is a democrat in politics 

Jacob Woodley, one of the leading 
farmers of Ing am township, purchased 
eighty acres of school land on section 16, in 
1864, while on a prospecting tour through 
Iowa. In 1865, he sold his farm in Wis- 
consin and removed to his present home. 
He is the son of John and Mary (Rogers) 
Woodley, who were early settlers in Ly- 
coming Co., P«nn., where Jacob was born 
Jan. 18, 1837, the father being of Dutch 
descent, the mother a native of England. 
The father's occupation was lumbering, 
but he also ran a saw-mill, to which busi- 
ness Jacob was brought up. In 1847, the 
family moved to Lodi, Columbia Co., Wis., 
where Jacob engaged in farming and 
lumbering until he removed to Franklin 
Co., Iowa. His first residence here was a 
log house 13x1 7 feet In 1878, he built a fine 
new residence. July 3, 1857, he was mar- 



ried at Lodi to Sarah Menzie. Her 
parents were natives of New York, set- 
tling in Wisconsin in 1850. Mr. and Mrs. 
Woodley have had eleven children, seven 
of whom are living — Robert, Richard, Ida 
Jane, John, Jacob, Frank and Lilly. Mrs. 
Woodley is a member of the Free-Will 
Baptist Church. Mr. Wooley is a success- 
full farmer, and regarded as a good citizen. 
He takes a lively interest in the affairs of 
the township. In politics he is a republi- 
can. 

Oscar A. Chambers came to the town- 
ship in 1866. He was born near Fremont, 
Sandusky Co., Ohio, Oct. 25, 1845. He 
accompanied his father, B 8. Chambers, 
to Bureau Co., 111., and subsequently 
went to Kansas. They started to drive 
from there, Dec. 18, 1865, and arrived in 
Polk Co., Iowa, January 1. I heir trip 
was one of considerable hardship and 
disaster. In crossing an icy hill, one of 
the horses fell and slipped backward 
down the hill, and it became necessary to 
unload the wagon and carry the aiticles 
over by hand. The same thing happened 
the next day, Mr. Chambers being dragged 
down the hill under the wagon, nearly 
losing his life. He came to Franklin 
county in 1866, and has lived in Ingham 
township ever since, excepting three 
years, in which he was operating as a 
merchant at Dumont. He disposed of his 
business there in October, 1881, and has 
since lived on the farm. In 1882, he 
made a trij) to the Red river country, but 
was not pleased with the outlook. Mr. 
Chambers was manied June 9, 1870, to 
Cinderella Cecilia Dearmoun, of Butler 
county. Hei' father is one of the oldest 
seltleis in this pait of Iowa. Mr. and 



^r 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



439 



Mrs. Chambers have had four children. 
Those living are — Arthur E., Nellie M. 
and Hattie I. The parents belong to the 
M. E. Church. Mr. Chambers has officiated 
in several local offices. 

Orlando Hilliker, agriculturist and stock 
farmer, was born in Dodge Co., Wis. 
May 28, 1847. His father, Ellis Hilliker, 
was a native of the State of New York, 
and a pioneer of Wisconsin. He came to 
Ingham township with his family, consist- 
ing of his wife, two sons and a daughter, 
in 1867. He bought a fine farm of -200 
acres, in 1877, which is the property now 
owned by Orlando Hilliker, wlio is mak- 
ing a speciality of stock, and now has tifty- 
nine head of fine graded cattle. He was 
married, in 1870, to Merceena Smith, 
whose parents still reside in Ingham. 
They are natives of Vermont. Mr. and 
Mrs. Hilliker have had six children, five 
of whom are living — Ida, Flora, Etta, 
Freddie and Effie. Ellis died in 1876. 
The parents are members of the Church of 
the United Brethren. Mr. Hilliker is 
president of the school board. 

Edward Burnham became a resident of 
Floyd Co , Iowa, in 1867, and the follow- 
ing year settled where he now resides in 
Ingham township. He was born in 
Windsor Co., Vt., Feb. 14, 1819. His 
parents, Frederick and Hannah (Mason) 
Burnham, were also natives of the green- 
mountain State. The father, who was a 
carpenter, was killed when his son was 
about two years old, by falling from the 
ridge of a saw-mill, on the rocks beneath. 
The mother died five years later. When 
seventeen Edward went to Rutland, and 
engaged in farming until 1845, when he 
removed to Cook Co., 111., where he rented 



a farm. He lived in the counties of Mc- 
Henrv and Cook until after the war. 
Mr. Burnham enlisted from DuPage 
county, in company A, 52d Illinois Volun- 
teers in the fall of 1861. He served one 
year and was discharged for physical disa- 
bility, for which he has since drawn a pen- 
sion. He was married in 1843 to Mary 
Rollins. She died in Floyd county in 
1867, leaving two children. The second 
wife of Mr. Burnham was Mrs. Prudence 
M., widow of Thomas Lewis She was 
born in Ohio, in 18.31, and had two chil- 
dren — Samuel C. and Alfred B. Lewis. 
The only child of Mr Burnham now living 
is Emma C. Remembrance H., eldest 
son, served through the war in the 12th 
Illinois Cavalry, and was under fire in 
some of the severest engagements of the 
war. He was wounded once and had a 
horse killed under him. Edward Royal, his 
youngest son, was born, Oct. 16, 1849, in 
Cook Co., 111., and died in that county, 
Feb. 26, 185.5. Mr. Burnham has 
always been a republican in politics and is 
a zealous member of the M. E. Church, 
having been connected with it for forty 
years. He has been leader ten years, also 
exhorter sixteen years. 

Lyman Hall is a native of Knox Co., 
Ohio, born in March, 1853. His parents, 
Norman and Betsy (Bell) Hall, were 
among the early settlers of Knox county, 
from which they removed to Bureau 
Co., 111., where the father died in 1876. 
Lyman passed his youth on the farm in 
Bureau county, and when the rebellion 
broke out, enlisted, but on account of lame- 
ness in his left arm, was rejected. In 1 867 he 
came to Franklin Co., Iowa, remained 
throuifh the winter and returned to lUi- 



*7\ 



440 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



nois. The following May he came to Iowa 
again, retuniing that fall He remained 
in Illinois for two years, then came to reside 
in Franklin Co., 'owa He bought eighty 
acres of land of his uncle, Simon Selix, 
and has improved tiie place, until he has 
now a tine home, surrounded with all the 
comforts of life. In '1858, Mr. Hall mar- 
ried Lucina Ellen Brotherton, whose par- 
ents were among the first settlers in 
Franklin county. Mr. Brotherton died, 
April 25, 1 882. Mr. and Mrs. Hall are the 
parents of two children — Norman Hall 
and Leona Adell. In poll ics, he is a re- 
publican. Himself and wife are members 
of the United Brethren Chcurh. 

T. W. Bailey, farmer, settled where he 
now resides in Ingham township, on sec- 
tion 24, in 1869. He came first to Iowa 
in February, 1866, and selected a farm 
at Jamison's Grove, Butler county, where 
he resided three years. He was born near 
Danbury, Fairfield Co., Conn., May 13, 
1836. His parents, George W. and M. 
E. (Bearss) Bailey, were natives of Con- 
necticut, and in 1844, went to Ohio and 
settled in Catawba Island. The father 
was a graduate of West Point and held 
the rank of lieutenant. The paternal 
grandsire of Mr. Bailey was a soldier of 
the war of 1812, and his great-grand father 
was a patriot of the revolution. In 1857, 
Mr. Bailey left Ohio and engaged in farm- 
ing in Bureau Co. 111., where he remained 
ten years. Mr. Bailey was married Nov. 
20, 1860, to Mary L, daughter of B. S. 
Chambers, of Bureau Co., 111. Their son, 
Edwin Wheeler Bailey, was born Jan. 11, 
1868, in Butler Co., Iowa. Mr. and Mr. 
Bailey are members of the Methodist 
Church. He is now class leader and pres- 



ident of the board of trustees of the l^n- 
ion Ridge Methodist Church. He lias 
been justice of the peace and also school 
director. He owns eighty acres of t'lie 
land. 

W. Wilkins emigrated to Butler Co., 
Iowa, April, 1866. Feb. 14, 1869, he pur- 
chased his present home on section 12, 
from Wesley Allen, who was a pioneer. 
His farm contains eighty acres, valued at 
$30 per acre. He was born in Hereford 
shire, England, Oct. 4, 1 829. At the age of 
eight, he hired to a neighbor and has since 
worked for himself. When twenty-two, 
he went to Staffordshire and farmed ten 
years. He emigrated to America in 185], 
landing in New York, where he remained 
a few weeks, then removed to Maucli 
Chunk, Penn. In 1854, he went to 
Cleveland, Ohio, from there to Iowa. He 
married Mrs. Mary E. Davis, a widow, 
born in South Whales, in 1830, and who 
emigrated, with her two brothers, to Amer- 
ica, in 1848. They have had two children, 
neither of whom are living. They are 
members of the Union Ridge M. E. 
Church. Politically, he is a republican. 

Gifford Mickel came to his present home 
in Ingham township, Franklin county, in 
the fall of 1869. He was born in Scho- 
harie Co., N. Y., Jan. 21, 1823. His parents 
were Jeremiah and Elizabeth (Wiley) 
Mickel, who were natives of the Mohawk 
valley. The father was a soldier in the 
war of 1812 At the age of seventeen 
Gifford learned the blacksmith trade at 
Florida, Montgomery Co., N. Y. He fol- 
lowed his trade in that place for three 
years, then went to Ogle Co., 111., and 
located near Dixon, where he followed 
farming in summer and his trade in the 



e 



±i^. 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



441 



winter, until 1862, when^he removed to 
Clarksville, Iowa. He purchased land 
east of that place and carried on farming 
and blacksmithing until 1869 when he 
came to his present home He built his 
shop on his own place, which was the first 
blacksmith shop in Ingham^township. He 
built his shop on Union Ridge in 1875 
and in 1878 moved it to^its present loca- 
tion on section 1. Mr. Mickel is an in- 
dustrious, enterprising man and has all 
the work he can do, as a blacksmith. In 
September, 1842, he married Lavinia 
Sperry, of Ogle Co., 111. Her parents 
were from Ohio. AJr. and Mrs. Mickel 
have had twelve children, eight of whom 
are living^ — Annie, Elizabeth, Henrietta, 
Gift'ord, Livinia, Henry, Emma and Owen. 
The parents are members of the M. E. 
Church at Union Ridge, and Mr. Mickel 
has been an officer in the Church ever 
since he became a member. He com- 
menced the first Sunday school at Allen's 
grove and has lived to see a large class 
grow up there. In politics, Mr. Mickel is 
a democrat. 

J. T. Gans, a prosperous farmer of 
Ingham township, made his first acquaint 
ance with Iowa when he was a youth of 
eighteen, bringing two teams and remain- 
ing three months. In 1876, became to the 
township of Ingham as a permanent resi- 
dent, and now owns 120 acres of land 
which he values at |25 per acre. He 
intends devoting his entire time and atten- 
tion to stock-raising, of which he is now 
establishing the foundation. He was born 
in Green Co., Wis., June 23, 1851. His 
parents were Joseph and Sarah (Rodrick) 
Gans. They were natives of Pennsylvania 



and pioneers of Green county. Mr. Gans 
was married in the spring of 1869, to 
Florence Brown, of Green Co., Wis. She 
was daugh er of a pioneer of her native 
county; her father moved from Ohio to 
Wisconsin, in 1845. Belle, aged nine and 
Mozelle, aged four years, are. the children 
of Mr. and Mrs Gans. Mr. Gans is a 
democrat in political faith; is at present a 
justice of the peace, and is director and 
secretary of the school board of his district. 

L. Reed located in 1871. He was born 
in Northumberland Co., Penn, Nov. 2, 
1834. He is a son of Samuel and Eliza- 
beth (Chrissinger) Reed, pioneers of Penn- 
sylvania. Mr. Reed's father was a farmer 
and miller. The family removed to Mar- 
ion Co., Ohio in 1844, and located on a 
farm. At the age of twenty -one Mr. Reed 
set out on a prospecting tour through 
Indiana and Illinois, laboring on the route 
as circumstances or inclination dictated. 
He was married in 1859, to Eliza Johnson, 
of Marion Co., Ohio, and went to Indiana, 
locating near Bourbon, Marshall county, 
where he lived five years. There Mr. 
Reed enlisted, but was rejected because of 
a slight lameness. He came to Franklin 
Co., Iowa, in the fall of 1869, and two 
years after secured his present farm. He 
owns 171 acres of land which he values at 
$4,275 in the aggregate. Mr and Mrs. 
Reed are members of the Brethren Church. 
Seven of their ten children are living — 
John F., David F., Margaret A., Rosetta, 
Melinda I., Catherine and Ida May. Mr. 
Reed came to Iowa with good health and 
determination to make his life-work suc- 
cessful as his capital stock. He bought 
land on credit, and has accumulated a fine 



^«- 



Jl 



442 



HiaTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



*^ 



^' 



property. He built a good residence in 
1881, which is an ornamen' to his farm. 
He is raising stock to some degree and has 
forty head of cattle. He has held several 
local offices. 



Frank Barry, a leading stock farmer 
of Ingham township, was born in Green 
Co., Wis., Aug. 1.3, 1850. His parents, 
Edmund and Elizabeth (Kirby) Barry, are 
natives of Ireland. The father served 
five years in the English army. They came 
to America and located in Green Co. 
Wis., about 1845, where Mr. Barry, Sr., is 
still living where he originally settled. 
Frank Barry remained at home engaged 
in stock-raising until May 1869, when he 
came to Franklin county. His aggregate 
capital when he arrived was a pony, a sad- 
dle and $.30 in money. Associated with 
his brother William, he bought land on 
section 10, Ingham township, and, in 1873, 
they sold and came to their present loca- 
tion, where they commenced operations in 
stock as a specialty. Their herd num- 
bered 100 head of cattle as a nucleus. In 
1882, the sales of Barry Bros, amounted 
to $33,000. The firm remained intact un- 
til July, 1882, since which Frank Barry 
has managed the farm which includes 
560 acres. In 1882, the yield from the 
farm was 7,vjOO bushels of corn and 1,400 
bushels of oats. The place contains three 
living springs of water, making it pecu- 
liarly advantageous for stock purposes. 
Mr. Barry buys young stock and feeds 
for the market, holding about 200 head 
of cattle and 200 hogs. Mr Barry was 
niarriod, Oct. 6, 1881, to Katie She!ian, at 
Monroe, Wis. Slie was born in New 



York and her parents were early pioneers 
of Wisconsin. 

Samuel Bailey settled in Chickasaw 
Co., Iowa, in 1866, and the next year 
moved to Bremer county, where he re- 
mained two years and then came to 
Franklin county in 1869. He bought 106 
acres of land in Ingham township, to which 
he has added until he is now proprietor of 
274 acres of first class land, all under cul- 
tivation, and devoted to a considerable 
exteiU to stock raising. Mr. Bailey was 
born in Green Co., Wis., Sept. 26, 1842. 
His father was a native of Georgia, and 
his mother was born in Virginia. They 
settled in Green county among the pio- 
neers of Wisconsin. Mr. Bailey enlisted, 
April 5, 1862, in company B, 18th Wis- 
consin Infantry, under Captain Jackson. 
He served three years and was at Shiloh, 
where his regiment went into the engage- 
ment with 900 men and but 300 respond- 
ed to roll call when the battle was 
over. He was at Corinth, Jackson, Cham- 
pion Hills, siege of Vicksburg and Mission 
Ridge, and in all the campaigns where his 
regiment was in action up to April, 1864. 
He was then detailed at Huntsville, Ala., 
as teamster of head(juarters, department 
and served through Sherman's campaign. 
He was discharged at Goldsboro, North 
Carolina; April 5, 1865. At Jackson his 
company was under the enemy's cross 
fire, and of thirty-three men, eleven fell 
within three minutes. Mr. Bailey went 
through the war wi hout a scratch He 
was married, March 8, 1866, to Phd'be 
Devon, a native of Michigan, born Oct. 
27, 1844. Her parents afterward removed 
to Wisconsin, where her mother still lives. 
Mr. and Mrs. Bailey have two sons — Kni- 






.4^ — ^ 



:i^ 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



443 



ery, born in Bremer county, Sept. 8, 1868, 
and Wellington, born in Franklin county, 
Nov. 9, 1873. 

R. Woodley, farmer, was born in Ly- 
coming Co., Penn., June 13, 1832. His 
father was a farmer, and, in the fall of 
1845, moved to Columbia Co., Wis., where 
Mr. Woodley lived until 1869, when he 
removed to Iowa. He worked for the 
Wisconsin Stage Company from 1851 to 
1861, and had become the owner of forty 
acres of land in Wisconsin which he sold, 
and bought eighty acres in Ingham town- 
ship, where he has since resided. He 
was married, Jan. 31, ' 1863, to Jane 
Darling, born Sept. 10, 1843, in Washing- 
ton Co., Vt. She came with her parents 
to Wisconsin in 1855, and in 1871, moved 
to Clayton Co., Iowa, where her father 
still lives. Mr. and Mrs. Woodley have 
had eight children born to them — Clara, 
the eldest, died May 20, 1868; Cora, Hat- 
tie, Frankie, Myrtie, Jane, Julia and Fred- 
die are the names of those living. Mr. 
Woodley was drafted into the army, in 
the fall of 1863, but became exempt by 
paying 1300. 

G. H. Minert came to Hampton, Iowa, 
in the fall of 1870, where he lived two 
years. He then rented his present farm 
and three years later purchased it. The 
farm contains 160 acres, all under cultiva- 
tion, being well supplied with water, one 
spring especially having a great flow and 
is never failing. He devotes his time to 
farming. He is the son of Henry and 
Nancy (Riley) Minert, natives of Ohio, 
and early settlers of Vermilion Co., Ind., 
where G. H. was bom Feb. 20, 1833. In 
1844, they emigrated to Green Co., Wis., 
where the parents still live and are en- 



gaged in farming. G. H. remained with 
his parents until removing to Iowa. In 

1868, he went to Montana by way of the 
Missouri river, to Fort Benton, and from 
thence to Helena by stage, proceeding to 
Salt Like City on horseback, where with 
two companions he crossed the range, 
bringing up at Cheyenne, where was the 
Union Pacific railway. In September, 
1857, he married Frances Gasper, of Green 
Co., Wis., a native of Virginia. They 
have a family of seven children, six of 
whom are living — Oscar, Frank, Edith, 
Martha, Arthur and Guy. Mrs. Minert 
died July 10, 1877, and is buried at 
Hampton. Mr. Minert has been assessor, 
road supervisor and school director. He 
is a republican in politics, and lias been a 
member of the Masonic fraternity twenty 
years. 

George Sutton came to Franklin county 
in June, 1870. He was born in Derby- 
shire, England, Sept. 12, 1229. His father, 
John Sutton, was a stone cutter, and in 
1842 emigrated to America. The family 
lived in Columbia Co., N. Y., one year, 
and in June, 1843, moved to Dodge 
Co , Wis. He remained on his father's 
farm until after he was twenty-one, and 
then learned the carpenter's trade at 
Chicago and Rockford, 111., working in 
the latter place for eight years, after 
which he moved to Chicago, where he 
worked at his trade for three years and 
then returned to Dodge Co., Wis., pur- 
chased a farm, and remained there until 

1869, when he came to Iowa, arriving in 
Franklin county in June, 1870. He mar- 
ried Margaret McAffee, Feb. is", 1859. 
She is of Scotch and English parentage, 
but was born in Ireland. She came to 



33 






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444 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



America about 1853. They have three 
sons. George B. was born in Wisconsin 
in 1861; Franklin L was born in Chicago 
in 1864, and Albert Grant, born i" this 
county in 1872. The eldest son is married 
to Mary Alice Dearmoun, and lives on his 
father's farm. The parents are members 
of the M. E. Church. Mr. Sutton has been 
township trustee, and has held the various 
school offices; for the past three years he 
has been township clerk. In poliics he 
is a republican. 

James Lefever came to Franklin county 
in 1870, and bought ninety-four acres of 
land. He now owns 188 acres, nearly all 
of which is under cultivation. He built 
his present residence in 1873. He is 
chiefly engaged in the raising of stock, 
and has now thirty-six head of cattle, 100 
hogs and ten milch cows. He sells his 
cream at the Hampton creamery. In 
1877 he went to Wexford Co., Mich., 
where he was interested in farming and 
lumbering. He remained eighteen months 
and returned to Iowa. He was married 
July 4, 1867, in Grant Co., Wis., to Clara, 
daughter of William Carroll, a resident 
of Franklin county. Mr. and Mrs. Lefever 
have six children — Adelbert, Guy, C'ar- 
roll, Orland, Ida and Etta. The parents 
are members of the M. E. Church. Mr. 
Lefever has been president and secretary 
of the school board, and has also held the 
office of road supervisor. He is a repub- 
lican in polities Mr. Lefever was born 
Sept. 6, 1844 in Lancaster Co., Penn. His 
father, Abram Lefever, was a farmer in 
that county and when his son was two 
years of age, the family moved to the vi- 
cinitv of Erie. Mr. Lefever moved to 



Grant Co., Wis., in 1865, and became the 
owner of fifty acres of land. 

G W. Burns is one of the successful 
farmers of Ingham township. He came 
in 1872 and has since resided on section 
22, where he owns 160 acres of land and 
has most pleasant surroundings. He is 
the son of James and Lavinia (Mead) 
Burns, and was born at Fitchville, Huron 
Co., Ohio, Nov. 15, 1843. His father was 
a carpenter. G. W. received such an ed- 
ucation as the common schools could at 
that time give. In 1862 he went to work 
for the United States government, put- 
ting up telegraph lines. He was with a 
party whose business was to run lines 
over battlefields, after the army. Aftei' 
serving in this capacity for two years 
he was taken sick and returned home, 
where he engaged in farming until 1872, 
when he came to Franklin county. He 
began to improve his farm as soon as he 
arrived and camped out while he was 
breaking. 

In 1879, he set out an orchard which is 
now one of the best in Franklin county, 
having 500 trees, with seventeen varieties 
of apples. Among them are the Hass, 
Duchess of Oldenburg, Plum Cider, Red 
Astrakan, Walbridge, Tolman Sweet, Fa- 
mous and Ben Davis. He has 200 crab a]i- 
ple trees, and a fine variety of grapes, 
plums and other fruit. By good cultiva 
tion and care Mr. Burns has demonstrated 
the practicability of fruit growing in 
Franklin county. Mr. Burns was married 
at Fairfield, Huron Co., Ohio, to Susan 
Newton, Dec. 25, 1871. Mrs Burns is of 
English descent, her family being early 
settlers of Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Burns 
have five children — .lulia, Clarissa, Eliza- 



^i 



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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



+45 



beth, William and Ezra. The parents are 
members of the M. E. Church. 

J. Darling was born in Waterbury, Vt., 
Oct. '21, 1838. His parents, Moses and 
Aimira (Braley) Darling, removed from 
Vermont to Wisconsin in 1859, and in 
1868 settled in Clayton Co., Iowa, where 
tiie senior Darling is still living. The 
mother died in 1848. The subject of this 
sketch obtained his education in tlie public 
schools of Washington Co., Vt. He was 
married in 1859 to Olivia B. Royce, of 
Vermont, and they set out in life with 
nothing but a stock of good health as 
capital. They went lo Clayton Co., Iowa, 
in 18t)8, and, five years later, came to 
i'^'ranklin county. Mr. Darling had his 
team and 1*50 in money when he reached 
here. In June, 1873, he bought eighty 
acres of land and the same year broke 
seventeen acres. He has now a good 
farm, a pleasant home and is in promising 
circumstances. He has been secretary of 
the school board five years, and for two 
years was road supervisor George F , 
Krama Jane and Frank are the names of 
the surviving ehildi-en of Mr. amd Mrs. 
Darling. One (^hild, Elmer, died when 
six weeks old. 

N. B. Claypool is located on 320 acres 
of good land in Ingham township, all of 
which he acquired by purchase and which 
is under the best improvements. His first 
investment in land in Franklin county 
was the purchase of 120 acres in 1873. 
1 lis house is surrounded by a thrifty grove. 
In 1879, he commenced raising stock, for 
which his farm is particularly adapted. 
He started with ten head of cattle and 
now has six times that number. In 1882 
he built a barn 24x28 feet in dimensions. 



Mr Claypool is a republican and has held 
the office of township trustee for seven 
years. He has alsol>een a member of the 
school board. He was born in JoDaviess 
Co., 111., May 14, 1836. His parents, 
Milton and Rosanna (Higgins) Claypool, 
removed to Illinois from Kentucky and 
were among the pioneers of JoDaviess 
county. Mr. Claypool remained on the 
farm until he was nineteen years of age. 
He was married July 4, 1854, to Annette 
Townsend and for the thirteen ensuing 
years rented farms. He then bought 20o 
acres of land. In 1865, Mr Claypool en- 
listed in company K, 96th Illinois Infantry 
and served eleven months. He was dis- 
charged at San Antonio, Texas, and re- 
turned to Illinois. Mr. and Mrs. Claypool 
have eight children — Ernest E., Rosanna. 
Edward B., George M., Mintie A., Elfie, 
N. B., Jr. and Phil. H 

C. Koemer, a farmer of Ingham town- 
ship, who is among her most prominent 
and energetic agriculturists, was born in 
Hesse Darmstadt, Germany, on the 24th 
of November, 1831. He came to the United 
States when not quite twenty years of age 
and first located at Lyons, Wayne 
Co., N. Y. He remained there six 
years and learned the carpenter's tr de. 
He next went to Cedar Falls, Iowa, 
and worked at his trade until the fall of 
187.5, when he settled in Ingham township 
on section 19. He own 167 acres of good 
land, with 115 acres under cultivation. 
His place has on it a large spring of living- 
water, which he intends to convert into a 
fish pond, and will stock it with carp. Mr. 
Roemer is interested to some extent in fine 
stock and owns forty-five head of graded 
cattle. He markets annually about 100 






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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



hogs. In 1882, he erected a good barn 
and his farm is considered one of the best 
managed and improved in the township. 
He values his laud at $30 per acre. Mr. 
Roemer owned eightyacresat Cedar Falls, 
which he sold for |.31 per acre. He was 
married, Jan. 4, J854, to Katie Humbert. 
Her father was born in France and mother 
in Bavaria The former is now living at 
Cedar Falls. Mr. and Mrs. Roemer have 
had eleven children, ten of whom are liv- 
ing and of the following ages — Charles C, 
24; George Solomon, 19; Edward A., 17; 
Claudie F., 12; Daniel K., lU; Harvey H., 
9; of the girls, Amelia C., is the wife of 
Edward Kiefer, of Hampton; Lydia A., is 
the wife of George Kugler, of West Fork; 
Julia N., is aged 15 and Christina A. is 13. 
The two last named are at home. Mr. and 
Mr.s. Roemer are members of the Zion 
Evangelical Church of Mott township. 
Mr. Roemer cast his first Presidential vote 
for John C. Fremont and has always re- 
mained a republican. He has held the 
office of justice of the peace for three 
years and also has held other local offices. 
William Hamilton has been a resident 
of Iowa since about 1855, when he came 
to Scott county, and located about twelve 
miles from Davenport, which was his 
home until he came to Franklin county, in 
1876. He bought a farm in the township 
of West Fork, which he has rented since 
the fall of 1882, when he took up his resi- 
dence at Hansell station. Mr. Hamilton 
was born near Philadelphia, Aug. 20, 1834. 
His parents, William and Rose (Calhoun) 
Hamilton, were natives of Ireland and 
emigrated to Pennsylvania at an early 
day. The father was a farmer and Mr. 
Hamilton was reared to the same profes- 



sion. He was educated in the common 
schools and received three terms of in- 
struction at an academy. Mr. Hamilton 
was married Dec. 17, 1856, to Mary Paul, 
of Philadelphia. She died Sept. 8, 1868, 
leaving four children — Eva, John, George 
and James. June 20, 1869, Martha Quig- 
ley became the wife of Mr. Hamilton. 
Their children are — Ada, Willie, Mary and 
Benjamin. Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton are 
members of the M. E. Church Mr. Ham- 
ilton is a republican in political faith, and 
has held the office of justice of the peace, 
beside the several school offices. 

G. H. Stackhouse first came to Franklin 
county in 1877. He rented a fann, re- 
mained on it one year, then removed to 
Kansas and lived on a claim there one 
year, but the next year came back to 
Franklin county and settled permanently 
on section 6, Ingham township, where he 
owns sixty-six acres of good land. He was 
born in Washington Co., Ohio, on the 
17th of April, 1845. His father was a 
farmer and removed from Ohio to Deca- 
tur Co., Ind., where he remained eighteen 
years, then moved to Champaign Co., III., 
where G. H. lived for thirteen years. He 
there owned 160 acres of land. In August, 
186;^, G. H. Stackhouse enlisted in com- 
pany F, 68th Indiana Infantry, being at 
that time only a little over sixteen years 
of age. Al the battle of Mumfordsville, 
after being engaged with the enemy for 
two days, he was taken prisoner. He was 
taken to Bowling Green, Ky., and after 
being paroled, he, with his regiment, was 
sent tQ Indianapolis, where they were in 
camp until their exchange, in 1863. He 
then returned to the service, but on ac- 
count of his youth, bis father took him 



A. 



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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



447 



from the army on a writ of habeas corpus. 
In 1865, he moved to Illinois and the next 
year, was married to Sophina Anship, of 
Indiana. He remained in Illinois until 
July, 1877, when he came first to Franklin 
Co., Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Stackhouse have 
three children — John Owen, born in Indi- 
ana; Ida and Carrie, born in Illinois. 
The parents are members of the United 
Brethren Church. Mr. Stackhouse has 
always been a democrat. 

In 1854, Benjamin Jones came to Frank- 
lin county with his father and brother, 
and together entered 200 acres in Geneva 
town.ship, also eighty acres of school land, 
where the father lived until his death in 
1882. Benjamin was a resident of that 
township until the fall of 1881, when he 
moved to his present farm in Ingham, 
which he had purchased in 1879. He 
also owns eighty acres on section 35, val- 
ued at ^30 per acre. He was born in West 
Virginia in 181.3, being the son of Jabish 
Jones, born in Virginia in 1792, and Mary 
(Llewellyn) Jones, a native of Pennsylva- 
nia. In 1834, the family emigrated to 
Delaware Co., Ind., where he learned the 
carpenter trade, which be followed sev- 
eral years, and then removed to Iowa. He 
married, in 1845, Sarah Thorpe of Dela- 
ware Co., Ind., a native of Ross Co., Ohio, 
born in 1821, and who removed to Indi- 
ana in 1831. They have had ten children, 
eight of whom are living — Beersheba, 
William H., Alexander, Nancy, Andrew, 
Samuel, Emeline and Amanda. The farm 
is under the management of their son 
Andrew. Alexander was a member of 
company H, 32d Iowa Infantry, and served 
through the war. 



ORGANIZATION. 

The original township comprised town- 
ships 92 and 93, range 19, and were 
set apart by Judge Reeve in 1858, and an 
election ordered to be held at the house of 
Simon Selix, April 5, 1858, with Henry 
Meyer, president; G. H. Ingham, Lemuel 
Armstrong and J. H. Allen, as judges; 
Isaac Stover and J. A Staley, as clerks. 
At their election, Henry Meyer and J. A. 
Staley, were elected justices of the peace; 
Simon Selix and L. H. Cooley, constables; 
Isaac Stover, clerk; L. Armstrong, Simon 
Selix and J. H. Allen, trustees. 

May 17, 1858, the trustees held their 
first meeting, and divided the town into 
two road districts. The township then 
embraced the territory known as West 
Fork; but in 1868, was sub-divided. The 
first election, after the division, was held 
Nov. 3, 1868, and resulted as follows: 
Trustees, Hugh Clark and T. H. Wil- 
liamson, the other members holding over. 
At ihe special election of 1882, on the 
prohibitory amendment question, their 
were eighty one votes cast for, and twelve 
against — three bl.anks — leaving a majority 
of sixty-nine for prohibition. 

The township officers for 1883 were: 
N. B Claypool, M. Menzie and J. S. Sil. 
vius, trustees; G. W. Trindle, assessor; 
George Sutton, clerk; Horace Hance and 
William Wright, constables; William 
Hamilton and J. T. Gans, justices of the 
peace. At this date, there were 122 voters 
in the township under forty-five years of 
age, and forty-five who were over that 
age, 167 in all. 



w — 






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448 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



FIKST EVENTS. 

The first birth in the towiisliij), was 
Peter, son of John R. Hartgraves, born 
Feb. 2, 1856. 

The first death of a resident of Ingham 
townsiiip, was that of Mr. Jones, before 
referred to as suffocating in a well in But- 
ler county in 1857. Mrs. Jones' father 
c inie to the county and removed the widow 
and family. Mrs. Jones afterward mar- 
ried a man named Ward, in Mahaska 
county. 

The first marriage in the township, was 
that of James W. Allen and Susan Harlan. 
Tile ceremony was performed at the house 
of the bride's parents in Butler county, 
Sept. 10, 1857. The next marriage was in 
1858, that of George Harlan and Charlotte 
Stacy, who, in 1S83, were living in Wash- 
ington territory. 

The first preaching service in the town- 
ship, was at the house of Jonathan Allen, 
on section 1, in 1855. Services were held 
in tlie Hartgraves school house, in 1857. 

The first blacksmith shop in the town- 
ship was started by G. Mickel, in 1809, 
wiio was still engaged in the business in 
1SS3, at wliich time there were two other 
shops in the township — one at Hansell 
station, conducted by VV. H. Anway, and 
one on the farm of .T. S Silvius. 

In July, 1858, a flood, occasioned by 
the bursting of a cloud up the creek, 
causing an overfJow of water which 
spread over the ground south of the creek 
to a depth of four feet, caused great loss 
to crops of grain, which were nearly 
ready to harvest. The f mily of Mr. 
Armstrong were at breakfast, when Mr. 
Staley, who was building a bridge across 
the creek, warned them of the rising flood, 



and before the family could leave, the 
water came into the house as high as the 
windows, giving them scarcely time to 
place a few of their goods in the attic 
and escape to higher ground Horses and 
cattle were obliged to swim to the up- 
lands. This flood so discouraged Mr. 
Armstrong that he left his claim and im- 
provements, removing to the northern 
part of the township. Another sucii a 
flood has never been known in the county 
since. 

SCHOOLS. 

The first school was taught by Leonaid 
Lockwood in David Allen's house in the 
winter of 1856-7. This was a private 
school. The first public school was taught 
by John A. Staley, in a school house 
erected on the southwest corner of section 
25, in the fall of 1857. The house was 
moved several times and now stands in 
Butler county. Only seven scholars were 
in attendance at Staley's school, nearly all 
of whom were members of the Hartgraves 
family. In 1883 there were nine school 
houses in the township, with scliool prop- 
erty valued at $4,500. The disti-icts were 
all independent, and the total number of 
scholars in the township was 20 1. 

CHURCHES. 

The Methodists held meetings at the 
Union Ridge school house, at intervals, 
after 1860, but there was no organization 
until 1866, since which time the class lias 
been in existence. Rev. J. G. Wilkinson 
formed the class, which consisted of T. 
W. Bailey and wife, M. L. Bailey, James 
and Margaret Prindle, B. S. Chambers 
and wife, Thomas Lewis and wife. The 
class was organized under the title of the 
Second Methodist Episcopal Church of 



r 



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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



449 



Franklin County. Rer. Wilkinson was snc- 
ceeded by Rev: Cooley, and during his 
pastorate there was a revival by which 
the membership was increased to thirty. 
This society was supplied, up to 1883, in 
the following order : Revs. Isaac Hall, J. 
A. Kerr, W. F. Dorwin, William Gough, 
A. J. Northrug, J. W. Gould, M. L. Whit- 
more, J. M. Beal, G. W. Lutz, O. H 
Sproul, W. A. Pottle, W. S. Uorwin and 
S. A. Camp. The society has held service 
in school houses, and in 188.3 worshipped 
at the Chambers school house. Dur- 
ing the winter of 1882-3, a revival 
was held, resulting in the conversion of 
twentv-one, who united with the church, 
making thirty-nine in all. The society 
has a parsonage at Hansell. 

The United Brethren organized a class 
under the leadership of Elder Stone, of 
Wright county, in 1875. The iirst mem- 
bers were: O. A. Hilliker and wife and 
his father and mother; James Trindle and 
wife, William Trindle, James Wrightmar 
and wife. In 1883 the society numbered 
about thirty, holding meetings every two 
weeks at the Chambers school house, 
under the charge of Rev. W. R. Benson, 
who also preached at liristow. During 
the revival meetings of 1882-3 over 
twenty were added to the church. 

The German Baptists, or Diinkards, 
organized Jan. 1, 1883, as a branch of 
the Cold Water Church, of Green, Butler 
Co. Regular services were held, how- 
ever, from 1875, in the Chambers school 
house, under the leadership of Rev. John 
F. Eidenberry, of Green. The officers of 
the organization in 1883 were: J. M_ 
Hanawalt, pastor; Mrs. Hanawalt, Joseph 
Allen and Levi Reed, deacons. The 



society then numbered about a dozen, 
services being held every other week. 

J. M. Hanawalt is the officiating minis- 
ter of the Brethren or so-called Dunkards, 
of this section. He came to Franklin 
county in the fall of 1875, and bought the 
place where he now resides, including 
sixty-one acres of land in this county and 
124 acres in Bu ler county. He was born 
in Mifflin Co., Penn., April 24, 1850. His 
parents, Joseph R. and Mary (Surgart) 
Hanawalt, were natives of the Keystone 
State. The father was a farmer, and for 
thirty-five years was an elder in the 
Brethren or Dunkard Church. For six- 
teen years previous to his death he was a 
bishop. Mr. Hanawalt was reared on a 
farm and attended the seminary in his 
native State four months, after which he 
went to Salem College, Indiana, returning 
to Pennsylvania in the spring of 1873. 
He went back to Indiana in September 
of the same year, and in December was 
married to Caroline, daughter of bishop 
Jacob Shively. He remained in Indiana 
until October, 1875. Mr. and Mrs. Han- 
awalt have had four children. Those now 
living were born as follows: Emanuel E., 
in 1876; Rosa Ann^ in 1878, and Lilly 
May, in 1881. Mr. Hanawalt has been 
director and secretary of the school dis- 
trict seven years. 

A Union Sunday School was organized 
in the spring of 1883, which had an aver- 
age attendance of over 100 scholars, 
which was in charge of Oscar A. Cham- 
bers, superintendent. 

The Union Ridge Baptist Church was 
organized May 27, 1865, with fourteen 
members. Adrian Gillett was the first 
clerk of the society, and Calvin Gillett, 






V 



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450 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



deacon. The first pastor was T. H. Jiid- 
son. The society was never very strong, 
and on account of several removals, dis- 
banded in February, 1868, under the pas- 
torate of Rev. C. A. Smith. 

HOOD TEMPLARS. 

A Good Templars lodge was organized 
in 1867 with thirty-eight members, char- 
tered by order of the grand lodge. The 
society met at Union Ridge school house. 
The first officers of this lodge were: O. 
A. Chambers, worthy chief; Justice Selix, 
secretary; R. S. Chambers, chaplain. The 
society flourished for a time but gradually 
lost interest and finally ceased. 

VILLAGE OF HANSELL. 

The village of Hansell was laid out by 
George W. Hansell in the summer of 
1881. Fifteen acres were platted on the 
northwest quarter of section 28, and a 
part on 29 The Dubuque & Dakota 
railroad established a station there one 
year after the line was finished through 
the township, and named it in honor of 
Mr. Hansell. The business of the place 
in 1883 consisted of a general store, kept 
by M. L. Whitmore, who established his 
business in 1881. A blacksmith shop 
which was run by W. H. Anway. An 
elevator with a capacity of 14,000 bushels, 
built in a circular form, was erected by 
George W. Hansell in 1880. Lumber 
and stock was handled by Mr. Hansell 
in connection with the grain business. 
During 1882 he i)aid $20,000 for grain 
alone, and this station has been noted 
as the best corn market in the county, 
and large numbers of cattle are annually 
fed within Ingham township. The rail- 
way books show liie following for the 
year ending July, 1883: 58 car loads of 



cattle shipped; 21 car loads of hogs, and 
63 of grain besides many car loads of 
cattle shipped in from Chicago and other 
points, to be fed by the farmers and stock 
men of Ingham township. 

In 1883, George W. Hansell was erect- 
ing a large store building, to be stocked 
with general merchandise, the business 
house to be managed by a firm composed 
of Hansell, Son & Sweet, who were also to 
keep agricultural implements in another 
large warehouse, being built in July, 1883. 
G. W. Hansell is a heavy land holder and 
one of the most prominent citizen, from 
his connection with the progress and 
growth of the county, from its incipiency 
to the present time. He came to Franklin 
county in July, 1855, and located land on 
sections 6 and 7, in Geneva township and 
immediately commenced improving. He 
remained in Geneva township until 1873, 
when he removed to Ingham township, 
where he has since been an important 
factor in its general welfare. He owns 
1100 acres of first-class land, and the 
splendid residence he occupies, built in 
1873 at a cost of $5,200, is rated the finest 
building in the township. Mr. Hansell is 
also engaged extensively, as a stock farmer. 
He has always taken an active interest in 
county affairs generally, and was one of 
the voters who helped locate the county 
seat at Hampton, in 1856. In the summer 
of 1881, he laid out the village of Hansell, 
and the ensuing year, erected the elevator 
there. Mr. Hansell was born near Xenia, 
Ohio, Jan 15, 1830. Michael Hansell, 
his father, was a farmer at New Vienna, 
Ohio, and reared his son to the pursuit of 
agriculture. In 1850, the latter went to 
Keokuk, Iowa, and after a year's tarry 



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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



453 



went to Ohio. In the spring of 1855 he 
was married to Laura B. Smith of Ohio. 
Her parents went, at an early period, from 
Rhode Island to the Buckeye State. Mr. 
and Mrs. Hansell have four children- 
Othello v., James W., Ida M. and Colonel. 
They were all born in Franklin county. 
James W., second son, has been station 
agent and telegraph operator at Hansell 
since the station was established. He is 
also acting postmaster. 

M. Whitmore, merchant at Hansell 
station, was born in Onondago Co., N. Y., 
in 1816. He was brought up on a farm, 
and after completing his education he be- 
came an itinerant minister of the Metho- 
dist Church. He came to Iowa in 1855, 
and had his first charge over a church at 
at Waukon. He officiated successfully at 
Elkader, Decorah, Dubuque circuit and 
Cottage Hill. He was connected with the 
Upper Iowa Conference and remained a 
minister there until 1811, when he went 
to the western coast and engaged in the 
same work. He preached there, chiefly 
in Washington territory, for three years, 
after which, he came to Franklin county, 
and engaged in his present business at 
Hansell. Mr. Whitmore was, during two 
years, in charge of the Union Ridge Meth- 
odist Episcopal Church, at Ingham. He 
has been twice married. His first wife 
died at Monmouth, Iowa, 'leaving one 
daughter, now in the east. Mr. Whitmore 
was married to Mary L. Deuel, in Jackson 
Co., Iowa. They have two children. Mr. 
Whitmore has been a traveling minister 
for thirty-two years, and previous to com- 
ing west, he was seven years a member of 
the Black River Conf. rence. 



POST OFFIOBS. 

The first postoffice in the township 
was established in 1860, with Isaac Stover 
as postmaster. It was called Union 
Ridge and located in the northeastern 
part of the township. After several 
changes in postmaster, during which the 
office was moved to the residences of the 
postmasters, James Harlan was the next 
incumbent after Stover, the office being 
held at his house in Butler county. When 
the railroad was built, the office was re- 
moved to Dumont and the name changed. 

Cream Hill postoffice was established 
with a man named Smith as postmaster, 
but upon the establishment of the office at 
Hansell was discontinued in 1880. 

Menzie postoffice was established in 
1867, with Mr. Hall as postmaster. He 
was followed by Lemuel Armstrong, who 
held the office until it was discontinued. 

Hansell postoffice was established in 
1880, when the station was decided upon, 
and George W. Hansell appointed post- 
master ; his son, J. W. Hansell, however, 
always had charge of it, as well as of the 
railroad business of the place. 

/ SPRING VALLEY FA.BM. 

Probably no farm in Franklin county is 
more worthy of extended notice than the 
Spring Valley farm, which lies in the 
southwestern part of Ingham, and the 
northwestern part of Geneva townships. 
It is devoted almost exclusively to stock. 
The farm contains about 3,600 acres, and 
is owned by D W. and A. M. Mott. It 
had always been owned by the brothers in 
partnership, and it is only lately that it 
has been divided. But this division is in 
name only, as the land virtually com- 



34 



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454 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



f 



prises one farm still, and will be treated 
as such under this head. 

The first piece of land going to make 
up this farm was purchased by Messrs. 
Mott, in 1868, of Mr. Wells, an Ohio man. 
The first tract purchased contained about 
700 acres. During 1869 and 1870, nearly 
all of I he balance of the farm was pur 
chased, making as stated, about 3,600 
acres in all. In 1869, 600 acres were 
broken, making about 1,100 acres under 
the plow. At first a good share of the 
farm was devoted to the raising of wheat 
and other cereals common to this latitude, 
but it was not long until this idea v;as 
abandoned, and the owners devoted all of 
their attention to dealing in and fattening 
stock. They still adhere to this plan, 
and their success is attested by the ap- 
pearance of the place. The farm lies in 
one of the most beautiful sections of 
Franklin county, and is well worth a visit. 
In 1883, all of the farm was devoted to 
hay and pasturage, except 480 acres which 
were planted to corn, and 100 acres in 

oats. 

The farm is fenced in excellent shape, 
having about fifteen miles of road fence 
and about twenty-eight miles of fencing 

in all. 

There are several tenants living upon 
the farm, who attend to the work of feed- 
ing and the Messrs. Mott are kept busy 
attending to the oversight of the work. 
There are five dwelling houses on the 
place, A. M. Mott occupying one, and the 
rest occupied by the tenants. D. W. 
Mott resides in Hampton, which lies with- 
in a thirty-minute drive to the west. Scat- 
tered over the place there are eight or ten 
barns and stables. The place is well wa- 



tered, having over six miles of creek and 
three never failing springs, while three 
wind-mills bring the water to easy access. 
Almost all of the farm is made up of 
a beautifully rolling prairie, there being 
less than eight acres of the 3,600 taken up 
by marsh land. Then it is made more 
valuable by the fact that it has about 1 00 
acres of natural timber. On the northern 
portion of the farm is seen the highest 
eminence between the Iowa and Cedar 
rivers. The mound raises its head far 
above the general level and from its sum- 
mit one can have a birds-eye view of the 
greater part of Franklin county, several 
of the most important villages being 
lirought into sight. In the valleys below 
are eeen the three streams winding their 
tortuous courses through and between the 
miniature hills, like golden threads, and 
finally merging into one and becoming the 
South Fork of the classic Cedar almost at 
your feet. 

In the summer of 1883, D. W. and A. 
M. Mott owned 1,450 head of steers, 930 
of which were being herded on the prairie 
west of here. The firm of Northey & 
Harrison were interested in 310 head of 
steers and 500 head of hogs which were 
being fed on the place. This made over 
1,600 head of cattle the Messrs. Mott 
owned and were interested in. During 
the summer of 1883, 556 steers were being 
fed. and each day 260 bushels of corn were 
hauled to the fields and deposited in the 
feeding troughs. The brothers put up 
from 800 to 1,000 tons of hay each year. 
No pretense nor attempt is made at 
raising cattle, but especial attention is 
paid to buying, fatteningand selling them. 
Messrs. Mott are men of wide observation 



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— sK 



M'^ 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



455 



and experience, and are careful business 
men. They have studied the business 
they follow and thoroughly understand it. 
Their theory is that every four feet of 
grass is worth more, intrinsically, than a 
hill of corn, and this without the expense 
and work of cultivating, planting and har- 
vesting, or wearing out machinery. They 
demonstrate this by the fact that two 
acres of pasturage will fatten a steer, or, 
in other words, add 300 pounds to his 
weight, which is worth at least nine dol- 
lars. The theory is a new one and is, no 
doubt, one which is correct, and will bear 
thought. 

In 1790, Jonathan Mott and wife moved 
from Connecticut to the State of New 
York and purchased a tract of land at 
fifty cents per acre, on the west side of the 
Unadilla river, in Madison county, and cut 
and cleared timber to make a farm. Tlie 
old and original place is still owned by 
their grandson, Henry Mott. The family 
consisted of seven children — three sons 
and four daughters. The oldest son, Jon- 
athan Mott, who was born Aug. 8, 1199, 
married Charlotte, daughter of John W. 
Crumb, July 5, 1829, and moved to a new 
farm on the east side of the river, in Ot- 
sego county. While there they had four 
sons — Cromwell J., born March 8, 1830; 
Delos W., born Nov. 11, 18.S2; Damon, 
born Feb. 17, 1837; and Albert M., born 
Sept. 3, 1843. Charlotte, the mother of 
these four sons, died April 15, 1848. Jon- 
athan Molt was again married, July 13, 
1848, to Celinda Colburn, who died in 
June, 1882. Being the second time a wid- 
ower, the father concluded to leave the 
place which had so long been his home, 
and spend the remainder of his days with 



his sons in Iowa. He came to Hampton 
in June, 1882, and died on the 22d of the 
same month, at the home of his son, 
Cromwell J. Mott. He was bulled in the 
cemetery at Hampton, Franklin Co., 
Iowa. 

Cromwell J. Mott, the oldest son of 
Jonathan and Charlotte (Crumb) Mott, 
was born in Otsego Co., N. Y., March 8, 
1830. During early life his educational 
advantages were such as the publicschools 
of that place and period afforded. In 1859, 
he came to Franklin Co., Iowa, and, to- 
gether with a brother-in-law, bought 780 
acres of land near Hampton. He soon 
after purchased his partner's interest, and 
has since added to his estate until it ag- 
gregates 825 acres, all in good condition 
and under good improvement. Mr. Mott 
has of late ye »rs given his attention chiefly 
to stock-raising, and is now one of the 
most successful stock men in Franklin 
county. Since his arrival he has actively 
interested himself in the progress of pub- 
lic affairs. He was the first to bring a herd 
of Shorthorn cattle to this county, and, in 
company with Captain R. S. Benson, 
brought tlie first imported Norman horses 
to the counly. He is still engaged in 
breeding from thoroughbred and imported 
stock. Mr. Mott was one of the organiz- 
ers of the Citizens' Bank, of Hampton, was 
the first vice-president of that institution, 
and is at present one of the directors. He 
has been a member of the board of super- 
visors for several years, and has held most 
of the local township offices. He is a re- 
publican in politics. In 185G, Mr. Mott 
was married to Catherine Clark, of Otsego 
Co., N. Y. Their children are— Flora C, 
Linnie and Bertie. 



A? — ^ 






] 



456 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



Delos W. Molt, second son of Jonathan 
and Cliarlotte (Crumb) Mott, was born 
Nov. 11, 1832, in Otsego Co , N. Y. He 
had the advantages of a fair common 
school education until 1852, when he was 
sent to Mayville Academy one term, and 
in the winter of 1852-3, he taught school 
in Ellery, Chautauqua Co., N. Y., after 
which he attended high school at South 
New Berlin until the fall of 1853. The 
following winter he taught school at Co- 
lumbus, Chenango county, and, in the fall 
of 1854, went to Indiana, where he re- 
mained one year, and then went back to 
New York on a visit. Returning'to Indi- 
ana a few weeks later, he started for Iowa, 
crossing the Mississippi river on the last 
day of January. 1856 In February lu- 
went to Jasper and Marshall counties, and 
then started on foot for Fort Dodtre, 
where he hired a horse and came to Frank- 
lin county. Returning to Fort Dodge, he 
entered several tracts of land in Franklin 
and Wright counties. He then returned 
to Marshall county with frozen feet, and 
in May started north, walking from Eldora 
to- Wright county, thence to Hampton and 
the farms now owned by himself and 
brothers, then to Fort Dodge and back to 
Iowa Falls, having on this trip walked 
over 210 miles. He concluded to "pitch 
his grip" and make this his home. In 
July, while living at Iowa Falls, Gilbert 
R Felton came out from New York, be- 
ing the first person D. W. had seen in 
Iowa whom he had ever met before. On 
the 12th of June, 1859, Mr. Mott was 
married to Mary P. Jones, daughter of 
H. P. Jones, of New Haven, Conn. 
In the fall of 1862, he removed to Ce- 
dar Falls and became principal of the 



schools of that city the following winter. 
In the spring of 1863, Albert M. Mott 
came from New York and the two joined 
interests, and bought grain in Cedar Falls. 
They then went into the cattle business, 
and, in 1865, closed out, and loading a 
steamboat, went down the Mississippi and 
up the Red, Black and Onatchita rivers. 
In 1866, they bought the Tom Swan, a 
small steamer, at Memphis, and ran that 
until July, when it sank, while they were 
in New York. Upon their return they 
started a store at Carolina Ledge, Miss., 
also the first store and postoffice at Leota 
Ledge, A. M. becoming postmaster, and 
the third store at Lake Washington. They 
were also engaged in planting cotton, em- 
ploying ninety-six hands in 1868. During 
the summer, while on a visit to Iowa, 
they made a purchase of some land east of 
Hampton, and returned to their business 
in the South. Mrs. D. W. Mott remained 
at Cedar Falls, and on the I7th of October, 
Delos Wells Mott, Jr., was born, and was 
five months old when his father first saw 
him. In the spring of 1870, D. W. Mott 
removed from Mississippi to Franklin 
county and improved the land previously 
bought, calling it Spring Valley Farm. 
A. M. Mott attended to the business in 
Mississippi until 1873, when he sold out 
and removed to the farm in Iowa. The 
Spring Valley farm was owned and man 
aged by the two until 1876, when it was 
divided, D. W. taking 1,440 acres and A. 
M. 2,060, each runninghis farm separately; 
but cattle are usuallj' bought and sold 
together. D. W. Mott has an interest in 
the Citizens' Bank, of Hampton, Brule 
County Bank, Dakota, and in four other 
companies in Dakota and Cohirado. Of 



J- . 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



457 



Mr. Mott it will suffice to say that his 
word is everywhere considered as good as 
his bond. 

Damon Mott, third son of Jonathan and 
Charlotte (Crumb) Mott, was born Feb. 
17, IBS'?. His educational advantages 
were the district schools, finished by 
terms at the Cooperstown Seminary and 
the institute at Fort Plain. In January, 
1862, he was married to Lucy, daughter 
of Palmer Dye, of Leonardsville, N. Y., 
and the same spring moved on a farm of 
660 acres, in the southeastern part of 
Black Hawk Co., Iowa, where he still 
lives. He is a good farmer, well read 
upon all topics and a deep thinker. 
His favorite place is his home, with his 
wife and only remaining daughter. Addle 
E. Mott, now seventeen years of age. 

Albert Monroe Mott, fourth son of Jon- 
athan Mott, was born Sept. 3, 1843. When 
four years and a half of age his mother 



died. He a' tended school at West Edmes- 
ton. Fort Plain, and at Hudson River In- 
stitute, Claverack, N. Y.,a military school 
on the Hudson. In 1863, he came to Iowa 
and engaged in business with his brother, 
D. W. Until 1876, his business was iden- 
tical with that of D. W. Mott, as has been 
staled. A. M. Mott was married, in Chi- 
cago, in June, 1873, to Ella C. Wood, a 
daughter of Dr. George B Wood, of that 
city. They then returned to the farm, 
which Mr. Mott is still engaged in man- 
aging. The farm consists of over 2,100 
acres, all of which is well improved. It 
is well stocked, containing over 700 head 
of cattle, several hundred hogs and nearly 
100 head of horses and colts Mr. Mott 
also owns land adjoining, in the town of 
Hampton, and has laid out Molt's addition 
to Hampton. Mr. and Mrs. Mott have 
two children — the oldest, Grace Edna; the 
youngest, George A. 



CHAPTER XXIV 



LEE TOWNSHIP. 



■^; 



Lee is one of the townships on the 
southern line of Franklin county; the 
second from the western border and com- 
prising congressional township 90, range 
21 west. It is bounded on the north by 
Hamilton township, on the east by Grant, 
on the south by Hardin county and on 
the west by Oakland township. Lee is 
a prairie township, and in 1883 was very 
thinly settled. There are three streams 



— Elk creek, Rock creek and Mayne's 
creek. There is no native timber within 
the limits of the township, but many fiiie 
groves planted by the hands of the pio- 
neer. The Burlington, Cedar Rapids & 
Northern railway passes through the 
south-western corner of the township. 

SETTLEMENT. 

The first"rsettlement was effected by 
William Taylor in 1854, who pre-empted 



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J, 



458 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



land. He soon afterward died, but the 
family moved on the claim and improved 
it. 

William Taylor located riear Iowa Falls, 
Hardin county, in the fall of 1854 with 
his family, consisting of his wife and 
seven children. In the winter of 1856, 
Mr. Taylor pre-empted 160 acres of 
land in Lee township, intending to settle 
on it the next spring, but he was taken 
sick and died a few days before the day 
fixed upon for moving. Mrs. Taylor, with 
her children, located upon the land in the 
early spring of 1857, and lived there until 
her sad death, which was caused by her 
clothes catching fire while trying to save 
her home from a sweeping prairie fire. 
This occurred September, 1859, and the 
mother was laid to rest in a quiet grave 
on the homestead where she lost her life. 
Her house was an humble cabin, 16x24 feet, 
one and a half story. Some of the chil- 
dren are still living at Iowa Falls, and 
Alden, Hardin county. 

George Wright settled on section 1 , in 
1862, and was the oldest settler living, in 
188.3, in Lee township. He was born in 
Cumberland, England, in 1821, and grew 
to manhood in Lancastershire, where he 
was married in 1846 to Sarah Wood. 
They emigrated to Vermont in 1848, and 
remained there until 1862, when they 
came to their present home. They have 
had five children, three of whom are liv- 
ing 

Jeremiah Lane came in 1865, locating 
on section 27, where he still lives, engaged 
in farming. He was born in New Hamp- 
shire, in 1807, and was married to Abigail 
Morrison, also a nativeof New Hampshire. 
In 1850, they emigrated to Kane Co., 111., 



where they lived until coming to Lee 
township. They have had three children, 
two of whom are living. 

The next settlers in the township were: 
Lee, Jones, Norman, Fitch and J. W. 
Slocum, all of whom came about 1869 

J. W. Slocum located on section 36. He 
was born in Duchess Co., N. Y„ in 1825. 
When three years of age his parents 
moved to Pennsylvania, where they died. 
They were of English descent, having ten 
children, J. W. Slocum being the eighth. 
He was married in 1847, to Emma Wood, 
born in Pennsylvania, in 1831, the third 
daughter of a family of seven children. 
Her father was anativeof Duchess Co., N. 
Y., and her mother of Massachusetts In 
September, 1862, he enlisted in company 
D, I7th Pennsylvania Cavalry, serving 
until June 20, 1865. He was in the battles 
of Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Wilder- 
ness, Spottsylvania, Coal Harbor and nu- 
merous skirmishes. After his discharge, 
he returned to Pennsylvania, laboring : t 
his trade which was that of a carpenter 
and joiner, removing to Iowa in 1869, 
where he has since followed faiming. He 
is a republican, and has held the office of 
justice of the peace almost consecutively 
since coming. He is regarded as an ex- 
cellent citizen, and is the father of eleven 
children, seven of whom are living — 
Floretta M., Aletta L., Carrie E., Jennie 
L., Annie J., Mary F. and Susan E. 

D. C. Mott and J. N. Montgomery also 
settled in the township in 1869. Mr. Mott 
located on section 33, where he remained 
until the time of his death, in 1875, after 
which his family moved to California. 

J. N. Montgomery was born in Penn- 
sylvania in 1827, and was there married 



-aK 



^ 



A 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



459 



to Luceva Ward. In 1849 they removed 
to Illinois, where his wife died. He sub- 
sequently married Mrs. Amanda Strider. 
He is member of the Masonic fraternity. 
In politics he is a greenbacker and has 
held local offices. ■ 

In 1870, among those who came to Lee 
township to effect permanent settlement, 
were J. W. Fraser and George H. Wilson. 

J. W. Fraser is still living on section 1. 
His occupation is farming. He was born 
in York, Livingston Co., N. Y., March 15, 
1814. He is the fifth son of William and 
Jeanette (Davidson) Fraser, who were the 
parents of eight children, and were na- 
tives of Inverness, Scotland, emigrating 
to the northern part of New York in 1800, 
where the father died. The family then 
moved to Waukesha Co., Wis., where the 
mother died. He was educated in the 
common schools, and was married in 1845 
to Jane Mclutyre, born in New York 
State, in 1819. Her father was a native 
of Scotland and her mother of New York. 
Mr. and Mrs. Fraser are the parents of six 
ciiildren — James K., Mary J., John, Isa- 
belle, Joseph and Eleanor. He is a demo- 
crat and has held local offices. 

George H. Wilson came in the spring 
of 1870, settling on section 27. He was 
born in Du Page Co. ,111., in January,1845, 
where he grew to manhood, receiving a 
common school education. He was mar- 
ried to Sarah E Hoyt, also a native of 
Illinois, Dec. 28, 1868, who died June 
6, 1874, leaving one child — Charles. He 
was again married, December, 1875, to 
Abbie Lane, a native of New Hampshire, 
born in 1848. In politics he is a republi- 
can, and has held local offices. His par- 
ents were old settlers of Du Page Co., 



111., removing from New York State, 
where they were married. They had sev- 
en children, George H. being the second, 
and are now living in Iowa Falls. 

H. S. Eddy came in the spring of 1871, 
locating on section 26, where he now re- 
sides. His occupation has been farming. 
He was born in Kane Co.,' 111., October, 
1839, where he grew to manhood, having 
good educational advantages. He served 
nine months in the 52d Illinois Infantry. 
He was married to Mary Ladd, in 1866, 
also a native of Illinois. They have four 
children. He is a republican and has held 
offices of trust in the township. 

Simon Doherty moved on section 22, 
in Lee lownship, in February, 1879, 
where he is now living. He has gen- 
erally been engaged in farming. He 
was a native of Kings Co., Ireland, born 
in 1829 In 1849, he emigrated to Phila- 
delphia, where he married Bridget Car- 
bary,'inj,1852,anativeof West Meath Co , 
Ireland, born September, 1827. In 1856, 
they moved to LaSalle Co., 111., where 
they farmed, remaining until 1879, when 
they removed to Franklin county. They 
are the parents of eight children — Kate, 
Thomas, Simon, Maggie, Mary A., Wil 
liam, Emma and James. ^Ir. Doherty has 
always taken an active interest in educa- 
tional matters, and has given his children 
a good education, three of them being 
teachers. Thomas, the eldest son, who is 
the present town clerk, was born in Phila- 
delphia, in March, 1855. He grew to 
manhood and received his education in 
the high schools of LaSalle Co., 111., and 
came with the family to Iowa, where he 
has since been engaged in farming during 
the summer months, and in winters teach- 



J' 



460 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



ing. He also holds the offices of school 
director and road supervisor. They are 
all members of the Catholic Church. 

OKGANIC. 

This township was set off from Oakland 
in 1870, and at first called Iowa township, 
but soon changed to Lee, in honor of Wil- 
liam H. Lee, one of the first settlers. The 
first election was held at the house of D. 
C. Mott, some claim, while others think it 
was at a school house afterward called 
No. 1. The date of this election was Oct. 
10, 1870. The judges were: J. W. Slo- 
cum, J. Bolitho and J. R. Norman; and B. 
R. Fitch, clerk- The following officers 
were elected: Trustees, B. R. Fitch, J. 
Bolitho and J. W. Slocum; assessor, P. 
Smith; clerk, B. R. Fitch; constable, J. R. 
Norman and P. Smith. The officers for 
188.3 were : Trustees, C. W. Cassack, 
Philo Loss and O. P. Lane; clerk, Thom- 
as Doherty; assessor, H. S. Eddy; jus- 
tices, J. W. Gratre iks and J. W. Slocum; 
constables, William Fiddler and Peter 
German. 

The vote on the proposed prohibitory 
amendment stood eighteen for, and twen- 
ty-seven against. 

At a special election held at the Center 
school house, June 19, 1880, at which 79 
votes were cast for and against a five per 
cent tax in aid of the B. C. R & N. rail- 
road, fifty were for and twenty-seven 



against the tax, which was to be paid, 
one-half in one year and one-half in two 
years. The first year's tax was paid, but 
owing to some illegality, the balance was 
never paid. The case was carried up to 
the courts by Dow & Co., of Hampton. 

ITEMS OF INTEREST. 

The first marriage in the township was 
Mr. and Mrs. Frank Taylor. 

The first fatal accident was the acci- 
dental shooting of a fifteen year old son 
of James Bolitho. He was hunting, some- 
time in the summer of 1880, when his gun 
was discharged by an accidental move- 
ment while walking through the brush. 

The first religious services were held 
at the school house in district No. 1, by 
Rev. C. R. Miller, an evangelical preacher, 
in the summer of 1876. R. L. Kenyon, 
Methodist, preached at about the same 
date. 

SCHOOLS. 

The first school in Lee township was 
kept in a private house on section 36, 
where J. W. Slocum now lives, and was 
taught by Mrs. George Wilson. A school 
house was built in 1868, on section 35, 
and used for a number of years, when it 
was sold to Jesse McDonald for $.35 and 
moved to section 13, and a new building 
erected which was still serving the dis- 
trict in 188:3, at which time the township 
had six school houses and 1 1.5 scholars en- 
rolled. 



^' 



jvt- 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



461 



CHAPTER XXV 



MARION TOWNSHIP. 



Marion township comprises township 
02, range 21, and is bounded by Richland 
on the north, Mott on the east, Hamilton 
on the south and Scott on the west, con- 
taining 23,840 acres of land. The south- 
oast corner of Marion township is the 
exact geographical center of Franklin 
county. 

The topography of the township, in 
common with those on either side of it, 
has no very striking features. The land 
is of a very rich, productive quality, and 
is gently rolling, with but little land 
which is untillable. There are two small 
streams passsing through the township — 
Tharp's creek and Spring creek. The 
former rises on section 6, taking an east- 
erly course, and passes through sections 
4, 5, 6, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 1, and leaves 
the township from the northeast part of 
this section. Spring creek enters the 
township on section 19, running eastward 
through sections, 19, 20, 21, 22, 27, 26, 
25 and 24, leaving the township from the 
eastern part of section 24. There is natu- 
ral timber on sections 1, 2 and 12. The 
Iowa Central & Northwestern railway 
line pass through the township, pro- 
viding a station and market place at the 
village of Latimer, situated on section 19 

SETTLEMENT. 

The first settlement in Marion township 
was made by three families named Fin- 
ney, Scheidler and Howard, who re- 



mained but a short time, and the date of 
their coming is now unknown. Henry 
Hacker came in 1864. T. H. Hacker 
came with his parents to Marion township 
in 1864. He was born in Medina Co., 
Ohio, in 1852. When two years of age, 
his parents moved to Madison, Wis., 
where they lived until he was twelve 
years old. He received a liberal educa- 
tion, attending the Wisconsin State Uni- 
versity during the years 1877, 1878 and 
1879. He taught school when he was 
twenty years old, and has devoted the 
most of his life to that vocation. He has 
lield several important township offices. 

Gideon Lumley came in 1864. He is a 
son of Caughlin and Frances (Milligan) 
Lumley, and was born at Dunrick, pro- 
vince of Ontario, Canada, January 9, 1847, 
where he spent his childhood. At the age 
of seventeen he came to E'ranklin county, 
Iowa, and lived in Mott township for some 
lime and then settled on sections 1 and 2 
in Marion township, living on ^section 1, 
where he now resides. On the l7th of 
January, 1868, he married Laura E. Riddle. 
They have five children— James C, Edward, 
Joseph, Elmer and Harry. Frank, their 
second son, died July 20, 1869. Mr. Lum- 
ley has been a school director two terms. 

John Menning, who came in 1870, is the 
oldest settler living in Marion township. 
He is the youngest of seven children, and 
was born in Bavaria, Germany, Sept 24, 



35 



9 

r 



ik 



46'2 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



1827. He is the son of John and Elizabeth 
(Konig) Menning, also born in Bavaria. 
He emigrated to America when twenty- 
four years of age, first locating in Colum- 
bia Co., Wis , but was in different parts of 
that State for seventeen years, when he 
came to Franklin county, Oct. 16, 1870, 
and settled on section 13, April 9, 1872. 
He was at that time a very poor man, 
having when he arrived but fl7, but 
energy and hard work, soon placed him 
in better circumstances. He bought 160 
acres of land on section 13, at $7.50 per 
acre which is now in an excellent state of 
cultivation, and he has also a comfortable 
home. He was married to Barbara Stop- 
pel, also from Bavaria, Germany. They 
have a f mily of nine children — John, 
Michael, George A., Margaret, Elizabeth, 
Barbara, Henry F., Andrew and EmmaC. 
They belong to the Lutheran Church and 
were one of three families who were 
original members. He usually votes the 
democratic ticket and has held offices of 
trust in his township. 

In 1873, George Shaver came from 
Ackley and settled on section 12, purchas- 
ing the west half of the northwest quarter 
of that section, where he was still living 
in 1883. 

James Riddle, G. R. Minor and Fred- 
erick Rodemeyer were the next, all of 
whom settled prior to 1877. From 1877, 
the township settled quite rapidly and in 
1883 there was over a hundred voters in 
the township, showing a very marked 
increase of inhabitants since 1877. J. S. 
Riddle, the youngest of eight children, 
and son of F. M. and Abigal (Chaffee) 
Riddle, was born in Genesee Co., N. Y., 
Nov 5, 1827. He remained in that 



vicinity until 1851, when he came to 
Grinnell, Iowa, and from there he went 
to Marshalltown, where he remained until 
1864, and then came to Franklin county. 
He lived in several parts of the county, 
but finally purchased land and settled in 
Marion township. He was married to 
Anna Harrington, on his nineteenth birth- 
day, Nov. 5, 1846. They have two chil- 
dren — Laura and Willie. Mr. Riddle has 
held many of the local offices in his county 
and is held in high esteem by all. 

Frederick Rodemeyer came to Franklin 
Co., Iowa, about 1874, bought, and located 
on 480 acres of land on section 34, Marion 
township He is the son of Deitrich and 
Sophie (Holz) Rodemeyer, and the fourth 
of five children. He was born in Hano 
ver, Germany, Dec 9, 1847. At the age 
of eighteen, he came to America and set 
tied at Lyons, 111., lived there about 
eighteen months, then moved to Chicago 
and engaged in the milk business for 
about seven years, at which time lie came 
to Iowa. He married Louisa Fehrmanii, 
in 1867, and they have had eight children, 
seven living: Caroline, Louisa, Minnie, 
Frederick, Harry, Amanda and Bertha. 
Mr. Rodemeyer has been justice of the 
peace four years, was a trustee, and is the 
present assessor and has held other local 
offices. He usually votes the democr. tic 
ticket, and is one of the best citizens and 
most successful farmers in the county 

Byron Jeffers, one of the reliable men 
of the county, came when fifteen years of 
age, first settling in Washington township, 
where he remained until the fall of 1875, 
when he moved to Chapin, in the same 
county, and soon after to Marion town- 
ship, where he purchased eighty acres on 



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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



463 



section 36, where be has a pleasant home, 
nicely situated about three and a lialf 
miles from Hampton. He is the oldest 
son of Robert and Elizabeth ( Day ) Jef- 
fers, and was born in LaFayette Co., 
Wis., May 4, 1855, where he .spent hi.s 
boyhood, receiving a good common school 
education. Mr. Jeff era married IVliss 
Edith Day, Oct. 10, 1875, and they now 
have two children living — Lyle, aged five, 
and Clyde Garfield, who was born the 
day President Garfield was assassinated, 
July 2, 1881. Mr. Jeilers is regarded as 
an excellent citizen, having held the office 
of town treasurer, and several local offices 
of trust. In connection with farming, he 
is interested in a creamery, gathering 
about 1,200 pounds of cream daily, and is 
raising a large amount of cattle. 

One of the settlers of 1876, was Her- 
man Missman, who was born in Oldeburg, 
Germany, in 1837. He came to America 
with his parents when eight years of age, 
and settled in Somerset Co., Penn., where 
the family remained but a short time, re- 
moving to Illinois, where they lived about 
ten years. Here the subject of this sketch 
was brought up on a farm, received a com- 
mon school education, and in 186f, came 
to Iowa, locating in Osceola township, 
I^'ranklin county, where he lived until 
1876, when he settled in Marion township, 
where he has 160 acres of good land on 
section 22. He has now about twenty- 
eight head of stock He was assessor for 
years and was elec ed at the last election, 
township trustee. He was married to 
Minnie Spechlt, a native of Germany. 
They have had ten children, eight now 
living : Charles A., Clarence H., Ferdi- 
nand, Norman, Frank W., Elvira H., 



Clara Bell and Carrie. Mr. Missman's 
father died when he was a child. His 
mother died in Illinois, in 1871. 

Heinrich Meyer also came in 1876 and 
located in Marion township, purchasing 
eighty acres of land on section 15 Mr. 
Meyer was born in Hanover, Germany, 
Nov. 22, 1856, and remained in his native 
counti7 until he was nineteen years old, 
when he came to the United States. He 
stopped for some time in Cincinnati, Ohio, 
then came to Iowa, locating in Franklin 
county, as above stated. In 1877 Mr. 
Meyer was married to Dorothea Gotts- 
chalk, also a native of Hanover, Germany. 
This union has been blessed with three 
children — Alvina, Dorothea and Augusta 
Mr. and Mrs. Meyer are both members of 
the Lutneran Church. 

Henry Rodemeyer, the oldest of five 
children, and son of Deitrich and Sophie 
(Holsen) Rodemeyer, was born Nov. 25, 
1840, in Hanover, Germany. At the age 
of fourteen he came to America and lived 
at Chicago four years, afterwards went to 
Du Page Co , 111., and remained there till 
the war, when he enlisted in the 55th 
Illinois Volunteers, company E, and was 
in the army four years. He was in many 
of the principal battles of the rebellion, 
and after the war he returned to Cook Co., 
111., and followed farming. In 1869 he 
went to Waterloo, Iowa, remained there 
till 1876, when he came to Franklin 
county and bought land on section 26, 
Marion township. Mr. Rodemeyer mar- 
ried Wilhelmine Helmes, March 8, 1867. 
They were married in Cook Co., 111., and 
have four children — Caroline, Deitrich, 
Henry and Frederick. In politics Mr. 
Rodemeyer is a democrat. 



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'k. 



4(34 



HISTOKY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



Emanuel H. Wohlford, son of John and 
Katharine (Kramer) Wohlford, was born 
Aug. 21, 1857, in Knox Co., Ohio, where 
he spent his youthful days until fourteen 
years old, when his parents moved to 
Stephenson Co., 111., in 1865, and remained 
there until 1877, when they came to 
Franklin Co., Iowa, and purchased eighty 
acres of land on section 36, in Marion 
township, where he now resides. Mr. 
Wohlford was married May 7, 1877, to 
Adeline Bixter, by whom he has five chil- 
dren — Cora A., Afton N., C rrie B., Lucy 
L. and Arthur F. Mr. Wohlford was an 
auctioneer in Illinois, and has followed it 
a portion of the time since coming to 
Iowa. 

Ludwig F. Grassley, son of Ludwig F. 
and Elizabeth (Bitz) Grassley, was born 
ill Bernbuck, Germany, June 20, 1842. At 
the age of fifteen he came with his parents 
to America, they first making their home 
at Blue Island, Cook Co., 111., where they 
lived nine years and then removed to Du 
Page Co., 111., where they remained until 
1877. Mr. Grassley married Louisa Gor- 
don, of Fi'ench extraction, who was born 
in Canada East. They came to Franklin 
Co., Iowa, and bought 120 acres of land on 
section 14, Marion township. They are 
both members of the German Lutheran 
Church. Mr. Grassley is a democrat in 
politics. 

Frederick Behn came to America in 
1871, first locating in Cook Co., 111. He 
remained there six years, then in 1877 
came to Franklin Co., Iowa, bought 160 
acres of land on section 11, Marion town- 
ship, where he now lives and gives his 
attention to farming. He was born in 
Hanover, Germany, March 7, 1841, and 



was the son of Frederick and Maria (Pet- 
zohn) Behn, who had six children, Fred- 
erick being the youngest. Mr. Behn mar- 
ried Dorothea Dreegmuller, May 19, 1867. 
They have four children ^Doras, August, 
Wilhelm and Rudolph. Mr. Behn is a 
good, industrious farmer, and makes farm- 
ing a success. 

Johann Fredericks, one of the settlers 
of 1878, is the seventh of ten children 
born to Heinrich F. and Dorothea (Fischer) 
Fredericks, in Hanover, Germany. He 
was born the 13th of December, 1840. At 
the age of fourteen he came to America 
with his parents, who first made their 
home in Du Page Co., 111. In 1861 Jo- 
hann enlisted in the 105th Illinois In- 
fantry. He was in thirteen battles, served 
his country three years and was honora- 
bly discharged. He then returned to Du 
Page couniy and remained there until he 
came to Franklin county in 1878. He 
was married to Christina Drogemuller, 
Nov. 22, 1872, a native of Hanover, Ger- 
many. They have five children — Emma, 
Herrmann, Martha, Anna and Wilhelm. 
They are members of the Lutheran Church. 

H. A. Clock, of the firm of Clock & 
Clock, general merchants, grain buyers 
and lumber dealers, was born in Lake 
Co., Ohio, in 1844. When eight years of 
age, his parents moved to Illinois, and 
settled in Jo Daviess county, where he 
grew to manhood and acquired a good busi- 
ness education. He came to Iowa to visit 
a brother who had been here some time 
previous, and enlisted in company H, 32d 
Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and served until 
the close of the war, participating in many 
of the bloody battles of the rebellion, but 
came out without a scratch. At the close 






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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



465 



of the war he went to the mountains, 
where he engaged in mining and pros- 
pecting until 1870, when he returned to 
Iowa, and accepted a clerkship in his 
brother's store, in Geneva, where he re- 
mained eleven years, when he came to 
Latimer, and in company with his brother 
and nephew, under the firm name of Clock 
& Clock, are prosecuting a business which 
is proving most prosperous. He was mar- 
ried in 18V2, to Miss S. M. Reeve, a daugh- 
ter of Judge Reeve. 

William J. Bennington came to Frank- 
lin county in the spring of 1880, and set- 
tled on a good farm in Marion township, 
farmed until the spring of 1883, when, he 
removed to the village of i atimer and 
engaged in business, and is doing well, 
selling farm machinery. He was born in 
Marshall Co., 111., in 1858, where he 
grew to manhood, and received a common 
school education. He was married June 
17, 1883, to Myra Myers, of Hampton, 
Iowa. 

Henri Muhlenbruch, the second of four 
children, and son of Wilhelm and Dora- 
thea Muhlenbruch, was born April 1836, at 
Hanover, Germany, and in 1863, married 
Wilhelmine Meyer. They lived in their 
native land until 1873, when they came to 
America^ settling first in Waterloo, Iowa, 
but in the fall of 1882, they settled in 
Franklin county, Marion township, on 
section 35, They have eight children : 
Henry, Carl, Wilhelm, Fred, Lena, Anna, 
Deitrich and Wilhelmine. They belong 
to the Lutheran Church, and in politics, 
Mr. Muhlenbruch is a democrat. 

Eugene Clock, the son of Alonzo and 
Rose Ann (Lynch) Clock, and the oldest 
of seven children, was born at Warren, 



Jo Daviess Co., 111., Aug. 12, 1854. Here 
he spent his childhood, received a common 
school education, and at the age of twenty, 
one came to Iowa, living in different parts 
of the State until he settled permanently 
at Latimer, Marion township, Franklin 
county. He is at present interested in 
the firm of Clock & Clock, consisting of 
H. A. Clock, C. L. Clock and Eugene 
Clock. 

FIRST EVENTS. 

The first marriage in Marion township 
was that of Albert Taylor and Minnie 
Segar. 

The first child born was Amel Men- 
ning. 

The first death was that of Charlie 
Neff, a son of John and Mary Neff. 

ORGANIC. 

Marion township was organized in the 
spring of 1874. The first election was 
held at the house of John Neff, in October 
of that year. The following were the 
first officers elected: Trustees, John Men- 
ning, George Shaver and James Riddle; 
assessor, G. R. Minor; clerk, G. R. Mi- 
nor. 

The oflicers for 1883 were: Trustees, J. 
W. Steenblock, J. M. Menning and H. 
Missman; assessor, Frederick Rodemeyer; 
clerk, T. H. Hacker. 

EDUCATIONAL. 

The first school was taught by George 
Minor in a building erected for that pur- 
pose in 1874 or 1875, on sec ion 1. The 
next school building was that erected on 
section 13, in 1877. In 1883, there were 
seven school houses in the townshi]), with 
156 scholars enrolled. 



^1 



:fr 



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460 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



RELIC.IOIS. 

Tlie first sermon preached in Marion 
towiisliip was by Kev. McCord, in the 
school house on section 1. Soon after, 
Rev. Schmidt preached in German. In 
1883, there were no church buildings, but 
services were held at various school 
houses. 

VILLAGE OF LATIMEK. 

Latimer was laid out, in 188:!, by C. L. 
Clock, on section 1!>. 



The first business house in the place was 
a general store opened by Clock & Clock, 
in 18S-2. 

In 1883, there was one store, run by 
Clock & Clock, a grain elevator and lum- 
ber yard, a blacksmith shop opened by 
Peter Damm; a school house, 22x40 feet, 
was being finished in July, of that year, 
in which a term of school was to be taught 
by Miss L. Jeffers, of Hampton. 

A postortice was established in Septem- 
ber, 1882, with H. A. Clock as postmaster. 



CHAPTER XXVI 



MORGAN TOWNSHIP. 



Morgan township is on the west side of 
the county, the second tier from the 
southern boundary, with Wright county 
on the west, Scott township on the north, 
Hamilton on the east and Oakland on the 
south. It is composed of congressional 
township 91, range 22. It derived its 
name from one of its earliest settlers, 
Lewis H. Morgan, who now lives in Ore- 
gon. The Iowa river runs through the 
southwest corner of the township, forming 
a semi-circle through sections 30 and 31. 
There is considerable heavy timber along 
the Iowa, but none elsewhere, except the 
beautiful artificial groves planted bv the 
pioneers. The soil is a dark, productive 
loam on the prairies and a more sandy 
loam along the river, which produces the 
finest crops of corn, grain and grasses of 
any in the far famed Iowa valley. The 
surface is irenerallv rollini;. with rich val- 



ley or bot om lauds that seldom overflow 
to do much damage to crops. 

SETTLEMENT. 

Lewis H. Morgan and R. E. Train were 
among the first to settle in Morgan town- 
ship, coming in 1856. 

Lewis H. Morgan, from whom the town- 
ship took it name, was born near Lexing- 
ton Ky.. about 1S09. He was educated in 
the common schools and being a great 
reader he became an intelligent man. He 
is a staunch republican in politics. He at- 
tended school with Abraham Lincoln in 
Illinois, and heard him make his first plea 
at the bar. He was married in Rlooniiug- 
ton. 111., to Miss Mason of >hat State. In 
1883, he was living in Oregon. 

Robert E. Train, who was the postmas- 
ter at Dowsiu 1883, was born in Sandusky, 
Ohio, in 1834, but was reared in Licking 
and Kuox counties, receiving his educa- 



* 

'''-'Its- 



¥ 



t^ 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



467 



tion at Antioch College under the in 
struction of Horace Mann, after which he 
followed teaching, and in May 22, 1856, 
come to Morgan township, where he has 
since lived with the exception of ten yearn 
spent in Wright county, where he held 
the office of town clerk six years, also 
county superintendent of schools, also 
member of the board of county supervi- 
sors. After returning to Morgan township 
he was supervisor one year, town clerk six 
consecutive years, then assessor two years. 
In 1880 he engaged in the real estate busi- 
ness, when he received the appointment 
of postmaster of Dows, which office he 
now holds. He was married April 27, 
1861, to Hulda J. Morgan, a daughter of 
the oldest settler of the township, after 
whom it was named. They have five chil- 
dren, three of whom are living — Francis 
15., Orrin B. and Robert E. Mr. Train is a 
member of the Congregational Church, 
also a meniV)er of the Masonic lodge of 
Dows, of which he is secretary. 

Frank White, Frank Walters, Lewis 
Osborne, Frank Mitchell, Jesse R. Dodd 
and E. A. Howland were among the early 
settlers of the township, the exact date of 
their coming, except Mr. Howland who 
came in the winter of 1857-8, is unknown. 
Jesse R. Dodd remained only a few 
months and removed to Oakland. E. A. 
Howland started the first cheese factory in 
this part of Iowa, in 1858, and continued 
the business several years. He was elected 
a State Senator from this district and was 
county supervisor for many years. He 
finally sold out and removed to Belmond, 
Wnght county, and engaged in the mer- 
cantile business. He afterwards engaged 
in the hotel business at that place. Mr. 



Howland is a prominent man and known by 
all the settlers along the Iowa river. A 
good joke is told on him by Col. S. J. 
Mendell, one of his most intimate associ- 
ates. Col. Mendell had just come to the 
county from New York, and was much 
amused at hearing Mr. Howland tell how 
he had revolutionized things in his neigh- 
borhood, and among other things he spoke 
of getting the farmers in the habit of 
weighing corn and other farm products in- 
stead of selling by measurement, as they 
had all been in the habit of doing. This 
occurred in 1866, and the following year 
was a cold, backward one, and the corn 
crop did not ripen well, consequently was 
very light weight, and one day after the 
crop had been harvested, Mr. Howland 
was measuring out a bushel of his soft 
corn, weighing about fortv-five j)ounds, 
he had sold, when Col. Mendell remarked: 
"I thought you said you made a law here 
that farmers should sell by weight." Mr. 
Howland looked up in his cunning manner 
and replied: "I did, l)ut I have been 
compelled to enact a new law this year." 
An interesting reminiscence from the pen 
of Mr. Howland ap])ears in the Reminis- 
cence chapter, which gives a good ac- 
count of early times along the Iowa 
valley. 

Samuel Parkinson came to Franklin 
Co., Iowa, in 1861, and settled on land 
which he had formerly bought in Morgan 
township. He owns .300 acres of land, 
forty acres of which are timber. He has 
made improvements on his land, erected 
valuable buildings and makes this his 
present home. He was born in Yorkshire, 
England, in 1825. After he became of 
age, he learned the carpenter trade, and 






vvj. 



468 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



in 1851, left his native land and came to 
America, spent one year in Pickaway 
Co., Ohio, then came to Iowa and lived 
two years in Muscatine and Cedar Rapids. 
In 1854, he settled at Iowa Falls where he 
engaged in mercantile business, remain- 
ing there until he came to his present 
home. He was married, February 19, 
1855, to Elmira Stevens, of Illinois, by 
whom he has had six children ; Anna R., 
George F., William S., Florence M., Alice 
M. and Edith M. 

Among others who came in 1864, was 
William Whipple, who settled on section 
17, where he still lives. He was born in 
Chenango Co., New York, August 24, 
1819. He lived in his native county until 
he was eighteen years of age, then re- 
moved to Rochester, N. Y., remaining 
there three years, and thence to Ak- 
ron, Ohio. In 1842 he removed to Wis- 
consin, and located in Green Lake county. 
On March 20, 1862, he enlisted in the 38th 
Wisconsin Volunteer Infanry. Whilst 
doing detached service at White House 
landing, Va., he received serious inju- 
ries from which he never fully recov- 
ered, and is now drawing a pension. He 
was honorably discharged after serving 
six months, and then returned to Wiscon- 
sin, and the following spring came to his 
present home in Morgan township. He 
was married in 184y, to Almira Root, who 
was born in Ohio, 1829. They are the 
parents of three children — Emma R., 
Oscar W. and George W. Mrs. Whipple 
died Sept. 12, 1873. Mr. Whipple is a 
republican in polities, and has held 
the office of justice of peace for several 
years. They were both members of the 
M. E. Churcli. 



In addition to those already mentioned, 
as being settlers of 1864, were the Guil- 
ams, Parkison, and Harrison Fletcher. 
During 1865 August Quansdorf and Sam- 
uel W. Bangs came to the township for 
settlement. 

# 
August Quasdorf is a native of Germany. 
He came with his parents to the United 
States in 1855, when he was thirteen 
years of age, and came to Iowa in 1864. 
He lived one year at Alden and then 
moved to Franklin county, bought wild 
land in Morgan township, erected a board 
shanty and immediately commenced to 
make improvements on his land. He 
came here with very little means, but by 
good management, hard work and econo- 
my, he has become one of our most suc- 
cessful farmers. He owns 274 acres of 
well improved land, on which he has 
erected a commodious frame house in 
which he now lives ; and besides his im- 
proved land, he has forty-five acres of 
timber. He was born Nov. 12, 1841, and 
when his parents came to America, they 
settled in Dodge Co., Wis., where the 
father died in 1860, at the age of fifty- 
four years, and the mother, March 14, 
1877. August was the youngest of six 
children, and since coming here, has 
taken an active interest in township mat- 
ters and has filled the offices of trustee 
and assessor. He was married, Aug. 20, 
1859, to Miss Luhra, a native of Germany, 
born Jan. 16, 1842. Their union has been 
blessed with nine children, seven of whom 
are now living — Carl A., George F., 
Emma A., Edward A. and Henrietta L. 
-J. They are members of the Lutheran 
Evangelical church. Mr. Quasdorf s mother 



1' 




.^-^o<^cf^c.<^^ '/ ^^ i^Uif'cCc^ )y(^ 




HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



471 



is now living with him, being eighty- 
eight years ot age. 

Alonzo A. Bangs came with his parents 
to Franklin county, in 1865, and settled in 
Morgan township, where the family still 
remain. He is the son of Samuel and 
Melissa (Morrison) Bangs, and was born 
Sept. 15, 1849, in Van Buren Co., Mich., 
and in 1861, moved with his parents to 
Wisconsin, and settled in Iowa county, 
where they remained three years, and 
then came and located at their present 
home on section 19 Alonzo A. received 
a liberal education in the common schools 
and remained with his parents until De- 
cembei"; 1879, when he was married to 
Josephine Mabboth, who was born in 
Wisconsin, in 1855. They have one child 
— Clifford. Mr. Bangs lives on a farm 
adjoining his father's, where he has 
erected a good house and is extensively 
engaged in sheep raising. 

Another prominent citizen, who located 
on section 30, in 1865, was A. J. North- 
rop, a Congregational minister of New 
York, who remained in the township until 
the time of his death, in 1880. His wife 
died the following year. 

Among the settlers of 1866, were* Col. 
S J. Mendell and William H. Weaver. 

Col. S. J. Mendell came to Franklin 
county, in the fall of 1866, and settled on 
section 30, in Morgan township, where he 
still resides. He is a native of Ellisburg, 
Jefferson Co., N. Y., born February, 1821 
He grew to manhood in his native county, 
received an academical education, attend- 
ing, at different times. Union Academy 
at Belleville, Clinton Liberal Institute, at 
Clinton, and also Black River Institute, at 
Watertown. At twenty years of age, he 



went to Hopkinsville, Christian Co., Ky., 
and taught school. In 1844, he returned 
to his native place, and remained there 
until 1851, when he moved to Adams, N. 
Y., and engaged in merchandise, and 
dealt largely in agricultural implements, 
which business he followed until April, 
1861, at which time he enlisted in the 
army. He served till the close of ihe 
war and made a good record. After the 
war he returned to New York, traveled 
through Minnesota and other States, and 
came hee in 1866. He is a thorough 
republican, and has held local offices at 
home. He was married in 1845, to Mary 
J. Porter, a native of New York, born in 
1824 They have had twelve children, 
eight now living : Estelle B., Jennie L., 
S. Herbert, William P., Henry S , Robert 
L., Gracie L. and Annie H. Bis parents 
were natives of "Vermont and were mar- 
ried in New York, where they died. They 
had six children. Col. Mendell being the 
second. 

William H. Weaver, located on section 
8, in 1866, where he still lives. He was 
born in Oxford Co., Canada, June 28, 1840, 
receiving a common school education. In 
Canada he was engaged in farming and 
lumbering. When he came to Iowa, he 
had no means save his strong arms and a 
determined disposition. LTpon ariving at 
Dubuque, he lacked five cents of having 
enough to pay for his breakfast, after 
paying for his railroad ticket to Ackley. 
Upon arriving at Ackley he engaged on 
a farm for five months, and then worked at 
the carpenter's trade on the Hampton court 
house, a few months. He worked at vari- 
ous kinds of business until March, 1868, 
when he moved to his farm. He im- 



36 



'^j 






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472 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



ported a fine stallion from Canada, which 
he afterward sold for$l,000. Mr. Weaver 
is a genius in many respects; he does his 
own carpenter and blacksmith work. Be- 
inaj a natural mechanic, he can construct 
almost anything out of wood or iron. In 
1883 he was well surrounded, owning 320 
acres of well improved land and a beauti- 
ful home. In politics he is a republican, 
and has filled many places of trust, as a 
local oflice holder. He was married Sept. 
18, 1869, to Mrs. Amelia Ray, who was 
born in Ohio, in 1842 Mr. Weaver is an 
active member of the Masonic fraternity, 
at Dows. 

Samuel W. Bangs settled on section 19, 
in Morgan township, where he has a fine 
farm of 250 acres, fifty acres of which is 
heavy timber land. He being a thorough 
practical farmer, his farm is under an ex- 
cellent state of cultivation, with a fine 
house and barn. He was born in Ohio, 
Dec. 29, 1820. When quite young his 
parents moved to Vermont, and from 
there to Monroe Co., N. Y., and again to 
.Michigan in 1835, being one of the first 
settlers in PawPaw, Van Buren county. He 
was raised on a farm, liaving the advan- 
tages of the common school. He was mar- 
ried in 1842 to Melissa Morrison, a native 
of Vermont, who was born in 1823. They 
cleared off and improved a farm of 1(50 
acres in the heavy timber near PawPaw, 
Mich., but owing to ill health and the 
poor soil of their farm, they sold out and 
removed to Jones Co., Wis., where they 
lived until 1806, when they moved to 
Franklin Co., Iowa. They are the par- 
ents of six children — Orisson, Hattie, 
AlonzOj Byron, Daniel and Frank. He is 



a republican in politics, and has filled 
numerous oflices of trust in his township. 
James K. Frazer settled in Maysville, 
Franklin Co., in ISTO, living there one 
year. Since that time he has been a res- 
ident of Morgan township. He is a na- 
tive of York, Livingston Co., N. Y., born 
Nov. 8, 1845. He removed with his par- 
ents when six months of age to Waukesha 
Co., Wis. Here he spent his younger 
days in the common school and on the 
farm until he came to this county. On 
the 27th of July, 1867, he was wedded to 
Alice M. Stickney, a native of NVaukesha 
Co, Wis., born August 28, 1844. Her 
father is a native of New Hampshire and 
iier mother of Vermont, both now living 
in Waukesha Co., Wis. Air. and Mrs. 
Frazer are the parents of four children — 
Nettie A., Viola E., Elva B. and Allen J. 
The parents both belong to the I. O. G. T. 
lodge. Mr. Frazer is a republican in poli- 
tics, and has filled many local oftices. In 
his experience in this country he has 
gone across the wild prairies when he 
had to trust to his faithful team to take 
liim through the blinding snow storms to 
his family, when it blew so hard that he 
could not possibly see the road ahead of 
his horses. • 

Ferdinand Schulz was born at Schwie- 
bus, Germany, June 17, 1849. lie came 
to Franklin Co., Iowa, in 1876, and at 
once located in Morgan township, where 
he has since resided. He received his ed- 
ucation in his native land, where he lived 
until 1872, when he came to the United 
States, settling first in Livingston Co., 111. 
There he remained four years, working 
first as a farm hand, but after acquiring a 
sufiicient knowledge of the English Ian- 



*y ha- 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



473 



guage, he engaged in teaching. During 
the time of the Centennial Exposition at 
Philadelphia, he was employed by the 
German commissioners in their depart- 
ment. Since coming to Iowa he has also 
been engaged as teacher in the public 
schools of this vicinity the greater part 
of his time. He was elected township 
clerk in 1879, and has held that office, 
nearly ever since. In 1878 he was mar- 
ried to Mary C. Wesenberg, who was 
born in Fond du Lac, Wis , Feb. 3, 1858. 
They have three children — Daniel E., 
Carl W. and an infant. 

Albert R. Wood purchased his present 
home, which consists of 160 acres, in 
1876. His occupation is farming. He 
was born in Columbiana Co., Ohio, Feb. 
3, 1840. When an infant his parents re- 
moved to Wood Co., Ohio, where his father 
died when he was four years old, and 
when eleven years old his mother again 
married. He received a common school 
education and worked on the Miami 
Canal until 1855, then farmed until he 
enlisted Aug. 18, 1861, in company A, 
2d Cavalry, Indiana Volunteers, serving 
until disabled from a gunshot wound at 
the battle of Resaca,' Ga., May 14, 1864, 
from the effects of which he now draws a 
pension. On receiving his discharge he 
went to Indiana Oct. 4, 1864, then to Clin- 
ton Co., Iowa, then to Clarke county, 
thence to Missouri, where he remained 
until 1869, when he came to Franklin 
county where he has since lived. He was 
married in 1873 to Mary C. Quinn, born 
in Indiana Sept. 22, 1849 They have 
four children — Nellie E., Nora A., Louis 
A., (deceased) and Orland R. In politics 
he is a republican. He is also a Mason, 



and a member of the present board of 
township trustees. 

ORGANIC. 

Morgan was one of the three original 
townships of Franklin county, and em- 
braced nearly one-third of the territory of 
the county. The first election was held 
at the house of J. I. Popejoy, who lived 
in what is now Oakland township, in the 
fall of 1856, when the following officers 
were elected: Justice of the peace, Lewis 
Morgan; clerk, Jesse R. Dodd; assessor, 
John I. Popejoy. 

In 1883, the township officers were: 
Trustees, P. Pierce, A. R. Woods and 
Henry W. Schultz ; clerk, Ferdinand 
Schulz; justices of the peace, S. J. Men- 
dell and A. H. Hackberth; constables, C. 
B. Flint and S. J. Capellen; assessor, Au- 
gust Quasdorf. 

SCHOOLS. 

The first school in the township was 
taught atOtisville, in 1856, by R. E. Train. 
This school house served for the whole 
township until 1867, when Jennie Men- 
dell taught in a log house. The same year 
a frame house was erected on section 30, 
and Col. S. J. Mendell took charge of 
the school and taught for five consecutive 
terms, "to keep himself from starving to 
death," he says. In 1883, there were sev- 
en school houses in the township. At 
this time there were 215 scholars in the 
township. 

CEMETERIES. 

The oldest cemetery was located on sec- 
tion 30, where about thirty bodies are in- 
terred. In August, 1883, preparations 
were being made to remove these bodies 
to the new cemetery on section 19, which 
contains eleven and a half acres of land 



ifV 



M 



474 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



and has been given the name of Mount 
Hope cemetery. An association was 
formed, in 1888, which was to have charge 
of the grounds. Another cemetery was 
started in 1879-80, on section 23, and was 
owned by the township. 

VILLAGE OF DOWS. 

This place is situated on the Burling- 
ton, Cedar Rapids & Northern railway, 
on sections -30 and 31, of Morgan town- 
ship, in Franklin county, and sections 25 
and 36, of township 91, range 23, of 
Wright county, at what was formerly 
known as Otisville. It was platted in the 
spring of 1881 by the Cedar Ripids, Iowa 
Falls & Northwestern Land and Town 
Seat Company and named after S. L. 
Dows, a railroad contractor of Cedar Rap- 
ids. The Iowa river flows just to the east 
of the town and is provided with two 
bridges, one from the north and the other 
from the southeast. 

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENTS. 

The business interests of the village of 
Dows are represented in all the various 
lines. The business men are an energetic, 
enterprising class. 

The first hotel was built by the Town 
Lot Company, and was operated by A'. I. 
Troth. In 1883, the only hotel of the 
place was kept by Mrs. R. L. Kent. 

A newspaper was started in 1881, called 
the Dows TViftwwe, which was discontinued 
after one year. I. C. Phifer was its edi- 
tor. 

The grain business was first handled by 
George Alexander and G. H. Richard- 
son. 

Mr. Alexander built his elevator in the 
fall of 1880, near the line, in Franklin 
county. It was 32x40 feet, with an en- 



gine room 18x22 feet, provided with a six- 
teen-horse power engine. This warehouse 
has a capacity of 15,000 bushels. In Jan- 
uary, 1883, a patent portable grist mill was 
put in which is doing a large business. 

G. H. Richardson, who lives in Iowa 
Falls, built his elevator in 1880. The 
size of the building was 22x22 feet, and 
cost 13,000, having a capacity of 18,000 
bushels. In 1881, he sold to L. R. Fobes, 
who ran it until March, 1882, and then 
sold to E. Oleson, the elevator then being 
run under the firm name of Iverson & Ole- 
son until Jan. 1, 1883, when Mr. Iverson 
purchased the interestof Mr. Oleson. Mr. 
Iverson is still i ■ business and also deals 
in live stock. During the year 1882, he 
shipped 189 car loads of hogs and grain. 

J. J. Iverson, grain and stock buyer, 
came to Iowa in 1876, taking charge of 
Richardson & Robertson's elevator, re- 
maining in their employ until 1880, when 
he formed a partnership with E. Oleson, 
in Dows, buying grain. In 1883, he pur- 
chased his partner's interest and the ele- 
vator built by G. H. Richardson, in 1880, 
and with it has connected stock buying, 
in which he is very successful. His par 
ents were natives of Norway, emigrating 
to VVisconsin, in 1833, being among the 
early settlers, and where they still live. 
He was born in LaFayette county, in 1850, 
grew up on the farm, receiving his educa- 
tion in the district school. From there 
he removed to Franklin county. He was 
married in 1876, to Anne Gardalen, who 
is a native of Norway, born in 1854. 
They have three children — Oliver B , 
Mary G. and Ida E. They are members 
of the Evangelical Lutheran Church at 
Oakland. 



*7|^ 



I— t- 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



475 



E. B. Willix started the first lumber 
yard in 1880. The following year, Cole 
<fe Davis put in the second lumber yard, 
but shortly after, failed. In 1883, this 
branch of trade was left in the hands of 
Willix & Graham, who deal in coal and 
lumber. Mr. Willix is of the firm of 
Graham & Wil lix, bankers, and of the firm 
of Willix & Graham, dealers in lumber 
and coal, and was born in Canada, in 1853. 
When three years of age, hia parents 
moved to Fulton, Oswego Co., N. Y., and 
from there to Alexandria, Jeflierson county 
that State, where he remained five years, 
after which he went to Marquette Co., 
Mich., and in 1869, to Wright Co., Iowa, 
settling just across the line from Morgan 
township, where he is now living. He 
received an education at the High School 
in Negaunee, Mich., after which he taught 
school a number of winters, carrying on 
a farm in the summer. He was married 
in 1867, to Etta Wood, who was born in 
Wisconsin, in 1852. They have one child 
— Laura. Mr. and Mrs. Willix are mem- 
bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 
He was superintendent of the Sunday 
school in 1883. He is also a member of 
the Masonic fraternity. 

John Graham, of the firm of Graham 
& Willix, bankers, came to Dows, in 
1881, engaging in the lumber and bank- 
ing business. Prior to this, he had 
followed carpentering in Chicago two 
years, and farming in Tama Co., Iowa, 
thirteen years, after which he came 
to Franklin county. He was born 
in Canada, in 1839, being reared on a 
farm and received his education in the log 
school house of that day. After becom- 
ing of age, he went to Chicago and began 



life for himself. He was married in 1873, 
to Alice Erritt, also a native of Canada, 
born in 1849. They have one child. 

The firgt general store was started by 
Wilson & Jenkins, in 1881 ; the second 
by Wild & Leekly. Soon after Wilson 
& Bushnell opened a general store. John 
Jenkins, merchant at Dows, was born in 
Wales, in 1846. After completing his 
education, he engaged in teaching and 
later as a book keeper in a wholesale 
house, remaining there six years. In 1871, 
he came to the United States and settled 
in Crystal township, Tama Co., Iowa, 
where he engaged in farming. In the 
fall of 1877, he went to Abbott, Hardin 
county, and engaged in the mercantile 
business, where he remained until 1880, 
and then removed to Dows and engaged 
in the same business, which, in 1883, he 
was carrying on in company with A. E. 
Johnson. He was married at Abbott, 
Iowa, in 1879, to Cordelia Dourte, of Ger- 
man extraction, born in Grundy Co., Iowa. 
They have been blessed with three chil- 
dren, two of whom are living — William 
L., Pearl andMelinda, (deceased). Both 
Mr. and Mrs. .lenkins are members of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church. 

Williams and Barber opened the first 
grocery store in 1881, and it was destroyed 
by fire the following January. 

O. R. Johnson was the next to engage in 
the grocery business, and has the only 
exclusive store of the kind in Dows at 
present. 

H. J. Miller started the first hardware 
store in the place, in 1881. This branch 
is now represented by H. J. Miller and 
H. L. Asemissen. 






476 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



H. J. Miller is a native of Pensylvania. 
He was born in Philadelphia in 1840 and re- 
ceived his education in the public schools of 
that city. When eighteen years of age, he 
started out to "see the world," as he puts it, 
traveling in Ohio and Kentucky. In 1870 
he went to Colorado, where he engaged in 
plumbing and gas fitting for a business, 
rioon after, he received an appointment as 
mail agent, and subsequently was trans- 
ferred to Iowa., to the Burlington, Cedar 
Rapids, & Northern railway line, where 
he remained until 1881, and then engaged 
in the hardware business at Dows, uader 
the firm name of Fisher & Co. He was 
married in 1870, to Anna M. Ray, who 
was born in Wisconsin in 1848. They 
have two children — Howard R. and Wal- 
ter H J. Mr Miller is a member of the 
Masonic fraternity at Dows, of which 
he is worthy master. 

H. Louis Asemissen was born in Hol- 
stein, Germany, in 1849. He attended 
school until sixteen years of age, then 
spent four years learning the drug and 
grocery business at which time he came to 
the United States, first stopping for a 
short time in New Jersey and then going 
to .Michigan. In the summer of 1874, he 
removed to Clinton Co., Iowa, where he 
engaged in a saw mill for awhile, then 
went to Preston, Jackson Co., where he 
engaged as clerk in a grocery and dry 
goods store. From there lie went to 
Wheatland, Clinton Co., where he was 
clerk in a dry goods, grocery and hard- 
ware store. From there he went to 
Reinbeck, Grundy Co., and went into the 
hardware trade for himself, remaining 
there until 1881, when he came to Dows, 
and engaged in the same business, which 



he still follows. He was married in 1877, 
to Kate Kries who was born near Lost 
Nation, Clinton Co., Iowa, in 1857; they 
have one child — Carl L. Mr Asemissen is 
a member of the Lutheran Church, and 
his wife belongs to the Catholic Church. 

The drug business of the place is rep- 
resented by H. E. Shultz, who came to 
Dows, Nov. 10, 1880, built his present 
store building, and has since carried on a 
successful drug business. He was boin 
near West Bend, Washington Co., Wis., 
in 1853. In 1865^ he removed with his 
parents to Alden, Iowa, and in March, 
1867, commence'd to learn the blacksmith's 
trade with L. Rummel and stayed with 
him eleven years. April 27, 1879, he pur- 
chased a stock of drugs from M. Utley, of 
Alden, and carried on the business until 
he came to Dows, where he still resides. 
He attended the High School at West 
Bend, also attended three terms of school 
at Alden, but he may be termed a self 
made man, as he obtained his principal 
education by private study and reading. 
He is of German descent, his parents emi- 
grating from Mecklenberg, Germany, two 
years before his birth. The father died at 
Alden; his mother still lives. He was the 
youngest of his father's family. He was 
married, April 2, 1879, to Lou F. Smith, 
born on Granadine Island, in the St Law- 
rence river, Feb. 20, 1854. They have 
one child — Lavita W. Mr. Schultz is a 
Mason and Odd Fellow. He casts his 
vote with the republican party and is now 
clerk of his township. 

In 188.3, the village and surrounding 
country supported two practicing physi- 
cians, Drs. J. A. Mulnix and F. E. Cornish. 



-bK 






11^ 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



477 



Mrs. R. Hopkins opened a millinery 
store in 1882, and is still in trade. 

The harness business was first repre- 
sented by D. W. Campbell, in 1881. He 
is the only harness maker in the place. 

D. O. Wilson started the only shoe shop 
in Dows, in 1881. He is still running the 
business. 

Wright & Collins started the first black- 
smith shop. The next was by E. Cald- 
well. The present are O. H. Hanson and 
A Quasdorf. 

Two wagon shops were started in 1881 ; 
one by Ward & Hill, and another by 
John Morgan. 

John Morgan came to Franklin county 
in July, 1877, and opened a wigon shop 
in Otlsville, remaining until 188], when 
he went to Dows. He was born in Pitts- 
burg, Penn., in 1836. In 1848 he went to 
Grant Co., Wis., where he learned and 
followed his trade until 1861, when he 
enlisted in a company of the 10th Wis- 
consin Volunteer Infantry, serving until 
June, 1862, when he was discharged on 
account of disability. He re-enlisted in 
1863, in company K, 47th Wisconsin Vol- 
unteer Infantry, and served until the close 
of the war, when he engaged in the C, 
M. & St. P. railroad shops at Prairie du 
Chien, remaining five years, going thence 
to Woodman, Wis., where be worked two 
years, then to Dubuque, where he worked 
three years at his trade, then removing to 
Franklin county. He was married in 
1857 to Jane Shipley, by whom he had 
tliree children^^Annie M.* Thomas J. 
and Mary J. His wife dying, he was 
again married to Bertha Johnson, a na- 
tive of Norway, and has one child — May- 
nard. 



The livery business is represented by 
Palmer Bros. 

The agricultural implement trade was 
first carried on by Ward & Hill ; the fol- 
lowing year Ward sold to Barnes, and 
the firm name was Hill & Barnes. They 
finally sold to J. F Kent. The- present 
d.ealers are : J. F. Kent, G. C. Gibson and 
Palmer Bros. 

John F. Kent, agricultural dealer, was 
born in Middletown, Butler Co., Ohio, in 
1844, where he lived until he was six 
years of age, when his parents removed 
to Illinois, and remained two years and 
then removed to Cedar Co., Iowa. They 
lived there ten years, and then removed 
to Horse Grove, Wright county. Mr. 
Kent's father died, in 1879 ; his mother 
still lives in the county. The subject of 
this sketch was the fourth child ; he re- 
ceived his education in the public school, 
and has taught several terms. In 1869, 
he located at Belraond, where he kept a 
hotel three years, and at the same time 
was engaged selling agricultur.l imple- 
ments. After leaving the hotel he engaged 
in the agricultural implements business ex- 
clusively, atBelmond and Alden. In 1881, 
he came to Dows, and established himself 
in the same business. He was married 
in 1868, to Martha M. Hianes, of Troy, 
N. Y. They have been blessed with two 
children— Lail a J. and Mary Alice. 'Mr. 
Kent is a member of the I. O. O. F. and 
Masonic orders, and is a democrat in 
politics. 

George C. Gibson is the son of George 
W. and Adeline E. (Howe) Gibson, the 
mother born in Vermont, October, 1832. 
They had five children, four boys and one 
girl. His father was of Scotch descent, 



f^ 



Jl 



'It. 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



born in York State, July, 1832. They 
moved to Logansville, Sauk Co., Wis., 
where George was born, in 1853. When 
twelve years of age, his parents moved to 
Illinois, remaining one year, thence to 
Iowa, locating on section 19, in Morgan 
township. He was reared on a farm, and 
received a common school education, after 
which he spent twelve years in the pineries 
of Micliigan and Wisconsin, returning to 
Iowa, May 10, 1881, first operating a ditch- 
ing machine in ike northern part of the 
State, and then engaging in his present 
business in February, 1882. Ilis father 
enlisted in 1864, in company K, 1st Wis- 
consin Volunteer Infantry, serving until 
1865. He was wounded in the head at 
the battle of Dallas, Texas, dying from 
the effects of the wound while under 
treatment at Chicago, 111. 

A creamery was started in the spring of 

1881, by Bushnell & Wilson, which, in 
1883, was consuming the cream from over 
600 cows, and producing upwards of 400 
pounds of butter daily. 

The legal profession in 1883, was repre- 
sented by F. M. Williams, who came in 

1882, and K. H. Whipple, who, in com- 
pany with R. E. Train, is in the real estate 
business also. 

The first meat market was started, in 
18S1, by C. B. Flindt, who sold to H. S. 
Cole in 1883. 

POSTOFFICE. 

A postoffice was first established at Otis- 
ville, in 1858, the name of which was re- 
tained, until the village of Dows sprung 
up in 1881, when it took that name. R. 
E. Train was the first postmaster at Dows, 
and still holds the oftice. 



RELIGIOUS. 

There has been various religious ser- 
vices held at the Otisville school house, 
since an early day, but in 1883, there was 
but one regularly organized church in the 
town of Dows, and that was the Methodist 
Episcopal society, organized at an early 
day. They held services in that school 
house until in 1881, when they erected a 
neat church edifice. This society now 
contains about fifty members. It is on 
the Alden circuit, and is supplied from 
that place. 

A union Sunday school was maintained 
in 1883. The Congregational people hold 
services once in two weeks; Rev. W. F. 
Harvey of Horse Grove preaching for 
them. 

SOCIETIES. 

Corneilian Lodge No. 425 A. F. & A. M. 
was organized by dispensation, February 
1882, and in June 1883, became a charter 
lodge, with the following named charter 
members: H. J. Miller, W. M.; H. E. 
Shultz, S. W.; C. C. Emmerson, J. W.; 
R. E. Train, secretary; William VVilJix, 
treasurer; David Miller, S. D.; James 
Rowen, A. R. Woods, William Smith, W. 
H. Weaver, F. A. Thayer, J. F. Kent, H. 
S. Cole, R.H. Whipple and H. G.Wilson. 

They have a fine lodge room, which 
hey occupy with the I. O. O. F. society, 
over Shutlz's drug store. 

The I. O. O. F. lodge was organized in 
July 1882, with five charter members: 
Robert Hopkins, David Pepper, J. L. 
Wild, C. H. Dillman and O. H. Ogletto. 
In August 1883, the lodge had a member- 
ship of twentv and was in a good financial 
condition. 






itzzz^ 



:^-. 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



479 



CHAPTER XXVII 



MOTT TOWNSHIP. 



Mott township is all of congressional 
township 92, range 20 west, except about 
one section embraced in Washington 
township, upon which the town of Hamp- 
ton stands. All the territory in Mott was 
formerly a part of Washington, which 
was one of the three original townsliips 
in the county, but has been divided from 
lime to time until it is now confined to the 
incorporate limits of the city of Hampton. 
Ross township is north, Ingham east, 
Reeve south and Marion west of Mott 
township. The surface of the land is 
somewhat broken for a prairie country, 
but one of the finest farming districts in 
the entire county It is well watered and 
drained by three beautiful, never failing 
streams, which flow in an easterly direc- 
tion — Buffalo creek, which enters on sec- 
tion {), running in a southeastern course 
through sections 4, 5, 9, 10, 15, 14, 23 and 
24; Spring creek, entering the township 
on the westsideof section 19, running east 
through sections 28, 21, 20, 22, 27, 26 and 
24, crossing the line on section 25; Mul- 
kins creek, entering the township on sec- 
tion 30 and passing through sections 29, 
28. 33 and 34, and leaving the territory 
from section 35. Some native timber 
grows along each of these streams, but 
none of any value except along Spring 
creek, on sections 19,20, 21, 27 and 28, 
and usually known as Mott's Grove. 



Two railroads pass through the town- 
ship — the Central of Iowa and Dubuque 
& Dakota. 

In 1883, Mott was as thickly settled as 
any part of Franklin county, and contained 
some of the choicest farms in Northern 
Iowa. Much attention was paid to stock- 
raising and feeding, which put the farm- 
ers in a good condition financially, and 
the value of their lands was rapidly in- 
creasing. 

SETTLEMENT. 

The first settler was James Van Horn, 
who located on section 21, in the fall of 
1854. 

The second settler was Isaac Miller, of 
Indiana, who stayed but a year or two and 
sold to George Ryan. 

The next actual settler in the township 
was Amon Rice, who came to Franklin 
county in 1854, first settling in Geneva 
township, but the following year moving 
to this township, where he was still living 
in 1883. 

Amon Rice is a prominent claimant for 
the honor of priority as a pioneer in Frank- 
lin county. He came to the county in 
June, 1854, locating first at Four Mile 
Grove, in Geneva township, where he 
lived until the fall of 1855, at which date 
he settled on section 20, Mott township, 
where he now resides. When he arrived 
. here his finances were in a fearful state 



^ 



480 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



of collapse, five dollars being the extent of 
his cash resources, but persevering deter- 
mination and well directed efforts have 
placed him in comfortable circumstances. 
He was born in Ontario Co., N. Y., Aug. 
8, 1816. His parents removed to Orleans 
Co., N. Y., in 1828, and four years later 
they started west, staying a short time in 
Ohio and Michigan, and finally locating 
in Illinois. Mr. Rice remained an inhab- 
itant of the Sucker State until his removal 
to Iowa. He was married, in 1845, to 
Maria Jane Scott, a native of Indiana. 
Their children are — Leonard G., Mary E., 
Allen J. and Frank M. 

In 1855, Noble Hart came to the town- 
ship, where he remained until the break- 
ing out of the rebellion, when he enlist- 
ed, and served during the war. At the 
close of the war he came home; remained 
two years and removed to Kansas, where 
he afterward died. 

James Scott also came in 1855, and set- 
tled on section 20, where he lived six 
years, and then engaged in work at the 
mill, which business he followed until the 
time of his death, sometime in 1867. 

Among others who came in 1855, were 
J. K. Utley, who settled on section 21, re- 
maining but a few years; Alexander Fra- 
zer, on section 15; and Charles Flanagin, 
who also settled on section 15. 

Joshua Cromwell came from Indiana, in 
1857 or 1858, and settled on section 10, 
remained a short time and moved back to 
his former home. 

In 1858, Walter and William G. Beed 
located. Walter Reed is a native of 
Devonshire, Kngland, born March 24, 
1845. He came to America in 1858, and 
soon after to Franklin county. He was 



but thirteen years old and made the best 
use of such educational advantages as the 
primitive condition of the county offered. 
He has been all his life a practical farmer, 
and is justly considered as among the 
most prominent agriculturalists of Frank- 
lin county. He was married, April 5, 
1872, to Mary L. Hacker. She died 
March 10, 1875, leaving a daughter, Mabel 
L. Beed. 

C. J. Mott came to the township in 
1859, and in company with his brother in- 
law, purchased 780 acres of land near 
Hampton. He afterward bought his part- 
ner out, and in 188-3, owned 825 acres, 
being one of the finest stock farms in the 
county. A biographical sketch of Mr. 
Mott appears in connection with those of 
his two brothers, in the history of Ingham 
township. 

J. E. Hunter, one of the settlers of 
18(50, was born in Addison Co., Vt., Jan. 
10, 1824. In 18.35, his parents removed 
to Essex Co., N. Y., where he grew to 
manhood. In 1843, he came west to 
Walworth Co., Wis., where he entered 
land and engaged in farming. In 1851, 
he crossed the Isthmus to California, 
where he was engaged in mining, and was 
quite successful. In 185.3, he returned to 
^Yisconsin and engaged in mercantile busi- 
ness, but like many others, was compelled 
to succumb during the financial crash of 
1857. He once more sought his fortune 
in the gold field of California, and in 1860, 
came to Franklin county. Soon after his 
arrival, he bought the Hampton House, 
which he ran for ten years, since which 
time he has been engaged in farmini'- and 
stock raising. In 1854, he married Ade- 






\K- 



k. 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



481 



line Wheeler. Their children are Frank 
E., Ida May, Fred and Hugh. 

Daniel Wheeler settled in Franklin 
county in 1855, taking up his residence in 
Geneva township, where he entered a 
farm,' which he partly improved, and lived 
upon until 1862, when he transferred his 
business and interests to Mott township, 
where he now resides near Hampton. He 
is proprietor of 210 acres of land, all 
under improvements. He was born in 
Rutland Co., Vt., Oct. 4, 1821. His par- 
ents located in Susquehanna Co., Penn., 
in 1827. He remained there until 1837, 
when he removed to Grant Co., Wis., and 
engaged in farming and mining until 
1855. He was married in 1854 to Julia 
Sullivan, a lady of Irish birth. Their 
children are Huldah, Mary, William and 
Etta. 

Joseph Bobst settled in Allamakee Co., 
Iowa, in 1851. He removed to Clinton Co., 
Iowa, in 1857, and came to Franklin coun- 
ty in 1862. Mr. Bobst was born in Swit 
zerland, canton of Solense, 1815. He came 
to America in 1848, and was married the 
same year to Clara Keiser. Mrs. Bobst 
was born in Alsace, France, in October, 
1826, and emigrated to this country in 
1847. Mr. and Mr.s. Bobst went first to 
Dunleith, 111., and remained until the date 
of their coming to Iowa. Mr. Bobst died 
in October, l-i79, of heart disease. Follow- 
ing are the names of their nine children — 
Catherine (Mrs. Charles Baldwin), Lucy 
(Mrs. John McNeill), Joseph, William, 
Mary (Mrs. Orin Zimmerman), Clara (Mrs. 
Alfred Row), AUie, Lillie and Charles. 

Milo Rose was born in Licking C'o., 
Ohio, July 24, 1810. His parents were 
pioneers of the Buckeye State, and he 



grew up amid all the privations and limit- 
ed privileges of the pioneers' sons. His 
education was obtained in the log school 
houses common to that section and he was 
there trained to the vocation which he has 
all his life pursued. He came to Frank 
lin county in October, 1863, and not long 
after settled on his present farm. He now 
owns 160 acres on section 24. He has 
served his township as trustee and county 
supervisor. Mr. Rose was married in 1834 
to Hannah Holcomb, a native of Connecti- 
cut, who came to Ohio when a child. 
Their children are — Celina Celma, now 
Mrs. John Beed; Timothy H. and Carrie, 
widow of Emanual Hacker. 

Henry Scott owns an excellent farm of 
120 acres, on section 35, Mott townshij). 
He was born in Wayne C'o , Ohio, Nov. 9, 
1827, and is a son of John and Sarah 
(Smalley) Scott. He attained his ma 
jority in his native county and theic 
leared the blacksmith's trade. In 1848, 
he settled in Greene Co., Wis., and pur- 
sued his trade for a livelihood. He openiMl 
a shop at Hampton in 1865, and, after 
three years' labor, decided on an agricul 
tural life and purchased his farm. He was 
married in 1851 to Sylvania Duel, a native 
of New York. Following are the names 
of their eight children — Lucy Ann, Oscnr, 
John C. F., Sarah, Clara, Eugene, Alice 
and Ernst. 

E. F. Hanks came to Mott township, 
Franklin county, in 1865. He settled, 
where he now resides, on a farm of 160 
acres on section 17, and twelve and one- 
half acres on section 1, Marion townslii]). 
He has been for the past five years one 
of the trustees of the township, and in 
political action is independent. He was 



+82 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



1)01-1) in Orleans Co., N. Y., Feb. 11, 1827. 
His parents are both natives of Connect- 
icut; tliey were respectively Rufus and 
Cynthia (Knight) Hanks. They settled in 
Crawford Co., Fenn., soon after the birth 
of their son, and there Ije resided until 
1840, when he went to Warren Co., Fenn. 
In IS54 he removed to Allamakee Co., 
Iowa, and there interested himself in 
agriculture, and worked to some extent as 
a carpenter and builder He has been 
three times married. 

Warner Marble settled on section 15, of 
.Mott township, Franklin county, in 18G7. 
He was born in Saratoga Co. N. Y., Oct. 
I 1, 1818. lie spent thirty-six years of his 
life in his native county, devoting his en- 
ergies to agriculture. He was married in 
1844 to Betsy Jane Ackley, also a native 
of Saratoga county, where she was born 
Dec. 0, 1818. In 1854 Mr. Marble re- 
moved with his family to Dane Co., \\ is., 
where he was engaged as an agricultur- 
alist until 1807, when he removed to 
Iowa. Three children — Frank, George 
and Mary, were born in the State of New 
York; one, Amanda, was born while they 
were residents of Wisconsin Mr. Marble 
died Oct. 9, 1880, in the township of Mott. 

John Nowell has been a resident of 
Franklin county since 1866, when he set- 
tled on section 36 of Mott township. Ue 
is a prominent and prosperous farmer, 
and owns 200 acres of land all under cul- 
tivation. He was born in Yorkshire, Eng- 
land, April 10, 1833. His father, John 
Nowell, died in England, and in 1851 he 
came to America with his mother. They 
resided a short time in Oneida Co., N. Y., 
and afterward came west to Marquette 
Co., Wis., where Mr. Nowell engaged in 



the business of a butcher. He made an 
expedition to Pike's Peak in 1860, and 
was absent one year. In the spring of 
1862 he enlisted in company K, 19th 
Wisconsin Volunteers, and was in the 
United States service until the spring of 
1 864, when he was honorably discharged at 
Newbern, N. C, He was married in 1862 
to Elizabeth Whitmore, a native of Eng- 
land. 1 hey have four children — Mary, 
Sarah, John and Ella. 

Lucius Loss settled on section 10, Mott 
township, in 1867, where he now owns 
160 acres of finely improved land. He 
has been a valuable citizen in his township, 
holding himself as under obligations to 
respond to the call of his fellows in 
whatever position needed. He has been 
lowhship trustee six years, and officiated 
as school director and treasurer. He was 
born in Windham Co., Vt., April 18, 
1815. Not long after his birth his parents 
moved to Saratoga Co., N. Y., where Mr. 
Loss was assistant on his father's farm, 
and had small advantages for an extended 
education. He determined to come west, 
as the east offered but limited opportuni- 
ties for a man's advancement without 
means. He removed to Dane Co., Wis., 
in 1847, and when he arrived the aggre- 
gate of his finances showed an exhibit of 
eleven dollars. He remained in Dane 
county until 1867. He was married Dec. 
19, 1842, to Mary Ann Kemp, born in 
Sunderland, Bennington Co., Vt, Jan. 19, 
1819. Of their six children, Philo L., 
Ida M., Charles C. and Frank are living 
Mr. and Mrs. Loss are members of the 
Methodist Church. 

Jacob Wire, section 36, Mott township, 
came to Franklin county in 1867, at which 



' -^U 



^ 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



483 



date he purchased 340 acres of land, to 
which he has added by purchase until he 
now owns 1130 acres, all in a most im- 
proved state of culture. To the duties 
of general agriculturalist he adds the 
labors of an extensive stock breeder. Mr. 
Wire was born in Lancaster, Penn., Oct. 
19, 1827. His parents, Samuel and Catli- 
erine (Smith) Wire, were natives of Penn- 
sylvania. Three years after his birth they 
settled in Ohio and later came to Grant 
Co., Wis., where Jacob grew to manhood, 
and spent a number of years as an agri- 
culturalist. He was married in 1853 to 
Sarah Wagner, and his household in- 
cludes four children — Ira, Vinette, Advia 
and Frank. Mr. Wire is a democrat in 
politics. 

George W. Pease was born at South 
Bend, Ind., Oct. 25, 1838. His parents 
came to Iowa not long after that event, 
and settled in Henry county, where they 
remained a few years, and then went to 
(irant Co., Wis. There George grew to 
man's estate. In December, 1861, he en- 
listed in company I, 16th Wisconsin In- 
fantry. He was wounded in the right 
knee at Pittsburg Landing, April 6, 1862, 
and was soon after transported to the hos- 
pital at Keokuk, Iowa, from which he was 
discharged in October ensuing. He re- 
enlisted in September, 1863, in company 
K, 8th Iowa Cavalry. He went into the 
ranks, but in June, 1864, he was commis- 
sioned second lieutenant. He was again 
wounded July 30, 1864, and taken prisoner 
and was taken to the stockade prison at 
Andersonville, Ga. Sept. 16 following 
his capture, in company with two others, 
he made his escape and turned his back 



forever on the king disgrace of the insane 
south. The party hid by day and traveled 
by night in the direction of the Union 
lines, picking their route, shielded by the 
friendly darkness until the last day of 
Se])tember. Starvation stared them in the 
face many times, and they were only pre- 
served from extreme suffering by the 
sympathetic negroes, who supplied them 
with food. After fifteen days of united 
toil and privation Mr. Pease's compan- 
ions took a different route. On the 3d of 
October he was gladened by. a sight of 
the Union lines, and was soon in safety 
at Atlanta. He learned a few days later 
of the re-capture of his companions. 
Soon after re-joining his regiment, he suc- 
ceeded to the command of his company 
and retained the position until the release 
of his superior officers from prison. At 
the termination of the war he was trans- 
ferred to the command of a company in 
the 136th U. S. C. I., where he continued 
in service until January, 1866, when he 
was discharged at Augusta, Ga. He re- 
turned to Wisconsin and engaged in 
mining. He came to Franklin county in 
1868 and settled on the farm he now 
owns, situated one mile east of Hampton. 
His venture was unfortunate and in 1872, 
he disposed of his interests and sought to 
retrieve his fortunes in the mines of Idaho 
and Utah. In 1881, he returned to ''amp- 
ton and bought the farm with which he 
parted nine years previous. It now in- 
cludes 278 acres, all under first-class im- 
provements, and valued at $14,000. He 
is now e.Ktensively engaged in stock rais- 
ing. He was married in 1882 to Mrs. L 
Rase. They have one child— Maggie 
Gertrude! 



^s r- 



ifT. 



^1 



« k. 



;lA 



484 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



I. B. VYheeler came to Franklin county 
in the spring of 1868, and settled on a 
farm he had purchased in 1864. He has 
now a fine farm of well improved land in- 
cluding 320 acres. Mr. Whe^ ler was born 
in Rutland Co., Vt., Oct. 26, 1836. He 
passed the first fifteen years of his life in 
his native county, and in 1851, his par- 
ents came west to Kock Co , Wis., re- 
moving later to Green county, in that 
State. Here Mr. Wheeler received the 
training of a farmer's son, and was en- 
gaged for six years as traveling salesman 
for the McCormick Reaper company. He 
was married in 1871, to Ann Brown a 
native of Grant Co., Wis. Mr. Wheeler 
spent most of two years prior to his set- 
tlement in Iowa, in the eastern States, 
trying to regain lost health, which he 
succeeded in doing for the time being. 
His schooling was very limited, which 
did not exceed three months in the year 
after he was ten years pi age. 

J B. Beck, agriculturist, is located on a 
farm two miles east of Hampton. He is 
the present township clerk of Mott town- 
ship and secretary of the school board. 
He is also secretary of the Franklin county 
Anti-Horse Thief Association, and secre- 
tary of the Agricultural Society of this 
county. He was born in Licking Co., 
Ohio, Aug. 16, 1830. His father, Benja- 
min Peck, was born in Nova Scotia, and 
his mother, Caroline (Biggs) Peck, was a 
native of Maryland. Mr. Peck acquired 
a good education in the common schools 
of the place of his birth and finished his 
studies at Granville, Ohio. In 1850, he 
became principal of the middle building on 
State street, Columbus, Ohio, which place 
he filled three years, and while there he I 



graduated from Duff's Commercial Col- 
lege. He was also principal of the schools 
at Johnstown, Alexandria and Hartford, 
Ohio. He has taught six terms since 
coming to Franklin county, making thirty- 
five terras in all. In 1863, he settled in 
Keokuk Co., Iowa, where he was elected 
county surveyor, and held the office four 
years. He became a resident on the farm 
he now owns in 1866. Mr. Peck is a re- 
publican of the radical stripe and is prom- 
inent in the local politics of his township. 
He was married in 1861 to Mary R. Moore- 
head, of Granville, Ohio. Mr. Peck has 
pushed his way in life, and, by economy 
and industry, has accumulated a fine pro- 
perty. He owns 490 acres of land valued 
at from $30 to $50 per acre, comprising 
some of the best improvements to be found 
in the county. 

Casper Wolf is an extensive land hold- 
er of Mott township. His landed estate 
in Franklin county aggregates 487 acies 
of choice land, all under fine improve- 
ments. It is located on sections 26, 14 
and 25. Mr. Wolf has been a resident 
since his purchase. He was born in Ly 
coming Co., Penn., May 14, 1842. His 
parents became settlers in Vane Co., 
Wis., in 1848. At the age of twenty, Mr, 
Wolf enlisted in his country's defence 
in 1862, in company I, 23d Wisconsin 
Infantry. He was in numerous battles 
and on May 22, 1863, he was wounded. 
His injury kept him in tbe hospital three 
months. He received honorable discharge 
.Tuly 4, 1865, at Mobile, Ala. He re 
turned to Wisconsin, and lived thereuntil 
1SC8. He was married in 1866 to Mary 
Messelheimer. They have five children — 



r 



\|9 ^ 



HISTOKY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



485 



Theodore L., Alton, Arthur, Jasper and 
Cyrus. 

J. W. Cummings and A. B. Cummings 
are associated in farming in Mott town- 
ship, where they have been located since 
1869, when their parents settled in Frank- 
lin county. J. W. Cummings, the elder 
brother, was born in Wentworth, Canada, 
August 11, 1853, In 1868 the parents 
and sons removed to Jackson Co., 
Iowa, where they resided until the date 
named as that of their settlement in 
Franklin county. J. W. Cummings has 
been, since their removal to Franklin 
county, engaged as a clerk in a drug store 
in DesMoines seven months. He was 
married Dec. 30, 1880, to Etta L. Roberts. 
A. B. Cummings was born in Wen two th 
Co., Canada, July 23, 1855. He settled 
here, as stated, and has since April, 1881, 
been connected with his brother in farm- 
ing. 

George Messelheiser came to Franklin 
county in 1867. He was a lad of eleven 
years, and f om an unsophisticated boy 
lie has grown to manhood and importance 
as a citizen and farmer of Mott township. 
He was born in Jefferson Co., Wis., Jan. 
26, 1856. During his early boyhood his 
parents removed to Dane Co., Wis. He 
is at present school treasurer. Mr. 
Messelheiser was married in 1880 to Mena 
Kugler. 

Henry Burmester,farmer,is a German by 
birth, and came to America in 1869, settling 
almost immediately in Ross township, in 
Franklin county, where he operated on a 
farm two years. At the expiration of 
that period he located in Chapin. In 
1876, he took possession of his present 
farm in Mott township including 240 



acres of land. He was married in 1862, 
to Maggie Meyer. They had two chil- 
dren — William and Annie. Mrs. Bur- 
mester died June 6, 1882. In December, 
1882, he was married to Annie Schroeder. ■ 
Mr. Brumester was born in Hanover, Ger- 
man}, Nov. 4, 1836. 

J. A. Atkinson, is a citizen of Iowa by 
birth. He was born in Dubuque county, 
Feb. 18, 1837. His parents, Archibald 
and Phillis (Adams) Atkinson, came from 
England and settled in Dubuque county 
in 1835. They remained there until 1840, 
when they went to Cook Co., 111., near 
Chicago, and finally settled in Grant Co., 
Wis. Mr. Atkinson lived there a number 
of years and for sometime was engaged in 
lead mining. In 1859 he made a trip to 
the mining regions of Idaho, where he re- 
mained six years, returning in 1865. In 
1869, he settled on section 27, in what was 
then called Washington township, where 
he is proprietor of 340 acres of land, and 
is extensively engaged as a stock farmer. 
Mr. Atkinson has held the offices of town- 
ship trustee and school director. He was 
married, in 1862, to Annie L. Lukey, a na- 
tive of England. Their five living chil- 
dren are — Jessie, Elmer, Archie, Lotta and 
Ralph. 

John McNeill, one of the largest 
stock farmers of Mott township, came 
to Franklin county in 1870 and com- 
menced his struggle with the world as a 
day laborer. His success is so phenom- 
enal as to deserve special notice. Begin 
ning with only his manhood's strength 
and steadfast determina' ion, by economy 
and unwearying industry, he has secured 
a competency for old age. In 1872 he 
purchased eighty acres oflandand has since 



&f> 



^3 



14h 



486 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



increased his estate by purchase until he 
owns an aggregate of 840 acres in Frank- 
lin county. He was married in 1872, to 
Lucy Bobst. Their four children are — 
Clara, Delia, Alexander and William. 
Mr. McNiell was born in Bath county, 
May 2, 1846. He is son of Hugh and Mar- 
garet (Hammell) McNeill, who settled in 
1 858, in Iowa Co., Wis., where Mr. McNeill 
passed his youth and first year of his man- 
hood. 

Jacob Klinefelter, became a resident of 
Mott township in 1870. He is the pro. 
prieton of a finely improved farm of 135 
acres, where he settled soon after his ad- 
vent in Franklin county. He was born in 
York Co., Penn., Dec. 30, .1827. His par- 
ents, Peter and Catherine (Wilhelm) 
Klinefelter are both natives of the Key- 
stone State. In 1831 the family removed 
to Marion Co., Ohio where his mother 
died shortly after. In 1834 his father set- 
tled in Dane Co., Wis., and there Mr. 
Klinefelter was a resident until he came 
to Iowa, as stated. In 1873, Mr. Kline- 
felt was married to Catherine Under- 
koffler, born in Waukesha Co., Wis. Their 
children are — Rosetta L., Mabel S., Amos 
J. and Arthur G. 

William Crawford was born in Upper 
Canada, Oct. 8, 1834. All his early life 
was passed there and Dec. 23, 1853, he 
was married to Elizabeth Piper. Mrs. 
Crawford was born in Canada, Oct 2, 
1825. They came to Michigan in 1865, 
and, in 1870, to Franklin Co., Iowa. Mr. 
Crawford died Feb. 27, 1881. Mrs. 
Crawford yet survives him. Following 
is the record of their children — Louisa, 
born Nov 23, 1854, was married to James 
Johnson, Feb. 25, 1874; Julia, born Jan. 



27, 1857, married Samuel Boutin, March 
14,1874; Charlotte, born July 24, 1859; 
Addie M., March 10, 1865; Mary M., 
Feb. 14, 1868; Hester A., March 12, 1872; 
and Flora, March 30, 1875. 

Fred Paullushas been a farmer of Mott 
township, since 1870. He owns a fine 
farm of .60 acres. Mr. Paullus was born 
in Germany, Sept. 10, 1836. He came to 
the United States in 1854, and made his 
first settlement in Schuylkill Co., Penn., 
going thence, a year later, to Wisconsin, 
which was his home until he came to 
Franklin county. He was married, in 
1861, to Eliza Kaus. Following are the 
names of their nine children-^Lizzie, 
Catherine, Henry, Fred, Lena, Mena, 
George, Carl and Louisa. Mr. Paullus 
has held the position of road supervisor. 

D. J Patton is one of the leading farm- 
ers of Mott township. He came to Frank- 
lin county in 1870. He soon after located 
in Ingham, remaining until 1879, at which 
date he became proprietor of his present 
farm of 308 acres, on section 3, Mott 
township. Mr. Patton is extensively en- 
gaged as a stock farmer in addition to the 
ordinary business of an agriculturist. He 
has been the incumbent of several town- 
ship offices and i^ at present trustee. He 
was born in Fayette Co., Penn., Jan. 27, 
1836. His parents, G. R. and Ruth 
(Johns) Patton, were natives of the key- 
stone State, and, in 1848, came to Green 
Co., Wis. Mr. Patton was married, in 
1855, to Sarah E. Gapen, a native of 
Pennsylvania. Their children are — 
George C, Frank L., Lena B. and Fred 
S. 

Benjamin S. Brown came ■ to Franklin 
county in 1870. He settled on section 36, 



01 

"71 



=iV 



L^ 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



489 



Mott township, where he now owns 215 
acres of land. He was born in Yorkshire, 
England, Aug. 16, 1838. At the age of 
twelve years he accompanied his parents 
to America. They first settled in LaFay- 
ette Co.. Wis. Mr. Bi-own was a resident 
of that county until 1870, with the excep- 
tion of two years which were spent in Jo 
Daviess Co., 111. He has been quite prom- 
inent as a public spirited citizen, and has 
held the offices of president of the school 
board and treasurer of the agricultural so- 
ciety. He was married, in 1862, to Mary 
Glendinning, a native of England. Mr. 
and Mrs. Brown have seven children — 
Franklin, Maggie, Mary, Fannie, Adeline, 
James and Jane. 

James M Snyder is an extensive land- 
holder of Mott and Richland townships, 
and has resided in Franklin county since 
1870, where he owns 500 acres of land, 
all under cultivation and well improved. 
Besides his agricultural and stock inter- 
ests he operates an insurance business. 
He was born in Dauphin Co., Penn., April 
14, 1843. His parents, James and Sarah 
Snyder, settled in Ogle Co., 111., in 1855, 
where they reared their children, giving 
each a good education. During the re- 
bellion Mr. Snyder enlisted in an Inde- 
pendent Cavalry company, furnishing his 
own horse and outfit; was 2d lieutenant of 
company A, Ogle County National Guards, 
Col. Brown, comramding. The services 
of the regiment were offered to the gen- 
eral government, but as the calls for troops 
were always promptly filled in northern 
Illinois, Gov. Yates refused to mus- 
ter them into active service. Mr. Snyder 
is a democrat, has held most of the im- 
portant offices in his township, and while 



secretary of the Franklin county agri- 
cultural society, rendered that organiza- 
tion important service. He was married, 
in 1867, to Nannie D. Murphy, a native of 
Ohio. They have two children — Jennie 
M. and Clinton Howard. 

William Wolf is a substantial farmer 
of Mott township. He came to Franklin 
county, in 1871, and settled on section 14, 
where he owns and manages 240 acres of 
finely improved land. He was born in 
Lycoming Co., Penn., Oct. 26, 1835. He 
accompanied his parents to Dane Co,, Wis., 
in 1849 where he was reared on his fa- 
ther's farm and trained to the vocation of 
agriculture. Mr. Wolf was married July 
26, 1862, to Mary M. Messelheiser. They 
have seven children living — Laura G., 
Ezra, Adam, Simon, Esther, Clinton and 
Olive. 

Christopher Fink has been a farmer, on 
section 21, of Mott township, since 1871, 
and now owns 160 acres. He is a native 
of Germany, born in Hanover, Nov. 17, 
1839. He came to America in 1865, and 
located in Cook Co., 111., where he engaged 
as a farmer, and railroad laborer, until he 
came to Franklin county. He was mar- 
ried in 1868 to Elizabeth Heimricks, a 
German by birth. They have four chil- 
dren — William, Emma, Clara and Joseph. 

S. A. Davis has been a resident on sec- 
tion 1, Mott township, since 1874. He 
was born in LaFayette Co., Penn., 
March 8, 1834 His parents were David 
and Mary (Woodle) Davis, who settled 
in Green Co., Wis., in 1838, where they 
were among the pioneers His mother 
died therein 1871, his father, in 1882. 
S. A Davis enlisted at Washington. D. C, 
in June, 1863, in company K, 22d Wis- 



38 



w 



M " * ^ 



J^=^ 



490 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



consin Volunteer Infantry. After he re- 
turned from the war, he went back to 
Green Co., Wis , where he remained until 
1874, and then came to Iowa. He was 
married December 25, 1866, to Cassandra 
Taylor, a native of Pennsylvania. 

William M. Wolf, settled iu Mott town- 
ship, Franklin Co., Iowa, in 1874. He is a 
native of Wurtemburg, Germany, born in 
1845. Soon after he was born his parents 
came to America and settled near Ann 
Arbor, Mich., where his mother died 
Soon after her death his father removed 
and settled in Richland Co., Wis., where 
he reared his family. In 1862, William 
M. enlisted in company M, 1st Wisconsin 
Cavalry. He served one year and was 
honorably discharged at Cape Girardeau, 
Mo. After he left the army, he returned 
to Richland Co., Wis., and from thence 
came to Franklin county. He was mar- 
ried, in 1874, to Cecelia Shockly, of 
Ohio. They have four children — Katie, 
Edith, Charles T. and Mary. 

A. K. Waters has been a resident of 
Mott township, Franklin county, since the 
year 1875. He was born Aug. 19, 1836, in 
Canada, where he passed his childhood 
and received his education. He emigrated 
to the United States, settling in Winona, 
Minn., where he first engaged in lumber- 
ing, after which he opened a flour and 
feed store, which he disposed of and re- 
turned to Canada, where he remained un- 
til coming to Iowa. He was married in 
1878 to Mrs. Mary M. Coon, widow of 
George Coon. They have one child — 
Arthur L. 

Jacob Miller h.as been a resident of 
Fiaiiklin county since 1879. He lives on 
section 11, Mott township, where he owns 



160 acres of land. He was born in Ger- 
many and came with his parents to Ameri- 
ca in 1852. His parents settled in Dane 
Co., Wis., where Jacob went into the 
army, enlisting Aug. 13, 1862, in company 
A, 23d VViscousin Volunteer Infantry. 
Mr. Vilas, afterwards colonel, was captain 
of the company. Mr. Miller was with his 
regiment in many important engagements, 
and was honorably discharge in June, 1865. 
He then returned to Dane Co., Wis., and 
engaged in farming until he came to Iowa 
Since coming to Franklin county, he has 
held several important school offices. He 
was married, in 1866, to Elizabeth Wolf. 
They have seven children — Theodore, 
Adelia, William, George, Walter, Alvin 
and Edna. 

David VVolf came to Franklin county in 
1877, and soon after settled on section 1 1, 
Mott township, where he now owns Kiu 
acres of land under a high state of culti- 
vation. He was born in Lycoming Co., 
Penn., April 14, 1848. His i)arents soon 
after his birth moved to Dane Co., Wis., 
where David grew to manhood and learned 
the trade of carriage making, at Madison. 
He was married, in 1873, to Mary Shade. 
Theyhavetwo children — Lewisand Harry. 

FIRST EVENTS. 

The first marriage in Mott townshij) was 
that of Thomas Newell and Ellen Lath- 
rop, in 1858 or 1859. 

The first birth was a child of Mr. and 
Mrs. Charles Knowls, in 1856. 

The first death was that of Mrs. Ryan, 
who was frozen to death in the winter of 
1850-7. 

The first house in Mott township was of 
logs, and was built by .lames Van Horn, 
on section 21, in the spring of 1854. 



A'i=±i 



— — » 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



491 



ORGANIC. 

The township was organized in 1879. 
The first election was held at Maple Grove 
school house. E. F. Hanks, Mr. Claypool 
and Walter Heed were the first trustees. 
The township officers in 1883 were : J. B. 
Peck, clerk ; Joseph Tyler, assessor ; John 
McNeal and Timothy Rose, justices of the 
peace ; E. F. Hanks, Walter Beed an<l 
D. .1. Patton, trustees. 

SCHOOLS. 

TIh' first school was taught at Mott's 
firove in a log cabin in the winter of 
18.57. Th^j next scliool was taught in 
1 858 by Mr. Fairbanks. A frame school 
house was erected in 18.59, on section 20, 
and served the township for school pur 
poses for twenty years. In 188.3, the town 
ship had seven school houses and an average 
attendance of 213 scholars. 

EELIGIOl'S. 

The first religious services were held in 
the log school house in 1857 or 1858, when 
a Sunday school was formed in which all 
took an active part. Rev. Thomas K. 
Hansherry was among the pioneer preach- 
er.'; in the township and county. In 1872, 
the Evangelical Lutheran denomination 
organized a church, holding service at the 
school house uiilil 1883, when they erected 
a fine church edifice on section 19. 



'i'he Evangelical Association in Mott 
township was first organized at Hamp- 
ton in 1869. Meetings were held in the 
country at the school house until 1H8I, 
when the society erected a beautiful 
church edifice, situated in the valley i I' 
Buffalo creek, in the heart of one of thf 
finest rural districts in Franklin county. 
The house stands on the southwest quart» r 
of the northwest quarter of section 2-J, 
and cost %1,600, besides work donated. 
It was dedicated Dec. 19, 1881. The de- 
sign is very attractive. The first pastoi- 
of the society, after the building of theii 
church, was Rev. O. F. Roll, who serve d 
three years, one before the church was 
finished and two afterward. In 1883, the 
church numbered thirty, with a Sundny 
school having an average attendance of 
thirty-five. The first members of this soci- 
ety were : J. A. Messelheiser, Adam Mcs- 
selheiser and wife, Casper Wolf and 
wife, William Wolf and wife, Henry 
Wolf and wife, Jacob Klinefellow and 
wife, Jacob Miller and wife, Christiaii:i 
Fink and wife, Catherine Klousia and 
Conrad Roamer and wife. At this dale, 
Rev. Caulp, was pastor in charge, livint; 
at Hampton and j)reaching once in t«o 
weeks. 




•M« 



492 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



CHAPTER XXVIII, 



OAKLAND TOWNSHIP. 



Oaklatul is the southwest corner town- 
ship in Franklin county, comprising con- 
gressional township 90, range 22. It was 
detached from Morg n township in 1867. 
Tiie Iowa river runs through it from 
northwest to southeast, passing through 
portions of sections 18, 19, 21, 22, 26, 27, 
2S, 29, 35 and 36. It has quite heavy 
ti liber on either side of its entire course 
through the township. The Burlington, 
Cedar Rapids & Northern railway runs 
from section 6, diagonally to the southeast 
part of tiie township, entering Lee town- 
ship from section 25. The soil of Oak- 
land township is of a very productive 
quality, producing all the cereals, vegeta- 
bles and fruits common to this climate 
Some of the most beautiful and produc- 
tive farms in all northern Iowa are situated 
along the Iowa valley. So lasting is the 
richness of the soil that even lands which 
have been cultivated for a quarter of a 
century, produce as bountifully as the vir- 
gin soil. Corn usually ripens a month 
earlier than on the prairies back from the 
river. 

SETTLEMENT. 

The first settlement in the township 
was made, in 1853, by Sprague, Crawford 
and Mitchell, who were trappers and 
hunters. Sprague made the first entry of 
land. 

John I. Popejoy came the next year, 
1854, entering 600 or 700 acres of land. 
In 1855, he came to remain a permanent 



resident. He was the first settler north 
of the Iowa river. In 1854, he came with 
H. H. Pierson to the grove where H. C. 
Holmes had made a pre-emption of 160 
acres. They stopped at a spring on the 
place, and soon heard some one coming, 
which proved to be two men carrying a 
gun and an ax. When meeting they were 
asked what they were doing there. Some 
sharp words followed, and the party tried 
to force Popejoy and Pierson away, but 
they did not propose to be driven away, 
and after a few minutes a bargain was 
struck by which Popejoy bought them out 
for |50. He had the finest tract of tim- 
ber land on the Iowa river, covered with 
oak and black walnut. His first entry con- 
sisted of a mile square, to which he added 
from time to time, up to 1880, when he 
possessed 2,860 acres in one body, 1,000 
in grass and the balance in timber and 
plowed land. In 1881, he built the largest 
and finest farm residence in this part of 
the State, costing $12,000. This house is 
a two-story frame structure, situated in a 
beautiful oak grove, about thirty rods 
from the east bank of the Iowa river, over- 
looking this famous valley, which in mid- 
summer presents a charming landscape. 
John I. Popejoy holds, by seniority of set- 
tlement, first rank in the pioneer element 
of Oakland township He made his first 
journey to Iowa in 1854, in quest of land 
and selected a location in Franklin countv. 



-7h 



^ . 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



493 



The year following he removed his fami- 
ly hither, and the oft-repeated but ever 
interesting tale of pioneer privations and 
struggles forms a chapter in their history. 
In this land of marvelous progress the re- 
sistless march of posterity is fast relega- 
ting the f thers, with their matchless rec- 
ords, to the past. It is the province of 
county history ta redeem their chronicles 
from oblivion. Mr. Popejoy was born in 
Fayette Co., Ohio, Feb. 10, 1824. His fa- 
ther was a merchant, and at the age of 
eight years he became an assistant in his 
store, acquiring a practical insight into all 
the details of local commerce. At a suit- 
able age he was sent to Carey's Hill Sem- 
inary, at Cincinnati, where he took a thor- 
ough course of commercial study. He en- 
gaged in traffic in merchandise of varied 
character, and also as a drover, taking 
cattle over the AUeghaiiies to eastern 
markets. In 1841, his father became se- 
curity for a friend and thereby lost his 
property. Thus, at seventeen, Mr Pope- 
joy was forced lo depend on himself. He 
determined to be fitted for emergencies 
and worked a year at shoe-making. He 
next went into a grain and provision house 
at Chillicothe, Ohio, became bookkeeper 
and retained his position until the death 
of his employer, when he returned to the 
home of his youth and began to operate 
as formerly in stock, buying and selling 
in the eastern markets. This he contin- 
ued until his settlement in Iowa. He en- 
tered 640 acres of land to which he has 
added by purchase until bis possessions 
include nearly 4,000 acres. His home- 
stead estate embraces 2,860 acres, wiih 
1,000 acres devoted to the cultivation of 
tame grass. He has from the first oper- 



ated in stock and is one of the heaviest 
shippers in Franklin county. His herd 
ranges from 250 to 500 head, and his an- 
nual shipments of hogs aggregate about 
|2,890. Mr. Popejoy has always been 
prominent in public affairs, and has repre- 
sented his district in the county board of 
supervisors sixteen years, was the first as- 
sessor in Franklin county and has been 
school treasurer for twenty years. He 
has also officiated as town clerk and trus- 
tee. He belongs to the Masonic lodge at 
Iowa Falls, and is a Universalist in belief. 
Mr. Popejoy was married, in November, 
1849, to Frances Sophia Pearson, of Ohio. 
They h ve seven children — Mary E., now 
Mrs. L. R. Fobes; Virginia E., wife of J. 
H. Gilder; Flora A.; Frances, now Mrs. 
F. A. Thayer; E. P., Ethel A. and J. H. 
Popejoy. 

In 1855, Jesse R. Dodd, G. A. Polheraas 
and Mr. Beaty settled in the township. 

Mr. Dodd first settled in what is now 
Morgan township, but soon moved to Oak- 
land Grove, named by John I. Popejoy, 
and in the autumn of that year platted the 
village of Oakland. 

G. A. Polhemas came from Illinois and 
located on the south side of the Iowa riv- 
er, where he lived until the spring of 1883, 
at which time he moved to Dakota. 

Mr. Beaty remained a short time and 
then returned to Vermont. 

James D. Brande came to the county in 
1857, settling on section 35, purchasing 
130 acres of land. 

James Brande came to Iowa in the fall 
of 1854, locating near Alden, Hardin 
county, on 130 acres of land, to secure 
which, he walked to Des Moines to make 



7<r- 



.rv* 



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494 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



the entry. Two years later he sold this 
property for depot grounds for $2,615 
cash, and came to Franklin county, locat 
ing in Oakland township. In January, 
185*7, he purchased 130 acres of land on 
secton .So, twenty-one acres of which was 
under the plow. There was also a block 
house on the place, one of the best in the 
township. Mr. Brande now owns 444 
acres of good farming land, keeps from 
fifty to eighty head of cattle, twelve or 
fifteen horses, and about 100 hogs on 
hand, and has always made a specialty of 
stock raising. Mr. Brande is a native of 
Broom Co., N. Y., born Jan. 10, 1831. 
His parents were Allen and Eunice (Wat- 
tles ) Brande, the former a native of Con- 
necticut, the latter of Rhode Island. His 
father was a merchant for a number of 
years, but later in life became a farmer. 
James was reared on a farm until twenty 
years of age, then for a time attended 
school at Schoharie, and after leaving 
school, was engaged in teaching for about 
five years. Early in 1854, he came west 
to Illinois, spending the summer at Naper- 
ville, and that fall started with his wife 
from Joliet to Hardin county, this State. 
The trip was made with an o.\-team, and, 
December LO, after traveling thirty- 
three days, they arrived at Alden. Mr. 
Brande was married, Oct. 25, 1855, to 
Jeannett Brandon, a native of Otsego 
Co., N. Y. Her parents settled in Illinois, 
in 1S34. Mr. and Mrs. Brande have been 
blessed with five children, three of whom 
are living-^Clarissa, . Rose and Allen. 
The parents are both members of the 
Baptist Church. Mr. Brande has held the 
offices of assessor, justice of the peace, 
township trustee, road supervisor and 



school director. He is a warm supporter 
of the republican party and a strong 
advocate of prohibition. 

In 1856, Levi Bigelow settled at Otis 
Grove, and the following year moved to 
Oakland. Levi Bigelow has been post 
master at Oakland Valley twenty years, 
has officiated as township clerk ten years 
as assessor one year, as justice two years, 
and, also, as school director. Since 1866, 
he has conducted a general merchandise 
business. He is a pioneer of Franklin 
coun.y, where he fixed his residence in 
1857, at Otis Grove, and the next year 
made a permanent transfer to Oakland. 
He was born at Fitzwilliam, N. H., March 
9, 1801. His parents, Thomas and Han- 
nah ( Lewis ) Bigelow, were natives of 
Massachusetts. His father combined the 
callings of farmer and shoemaker, and, at 
sixteen, the son learned the trade of har- 
ness maker and saddler. At the age of 
•twenty-three he established himself in 
business at Jefifry, Cheshire Co., N. II., 
where he remained about a year and re- 
turned to Fitzwilliam, his native town 
and lived there until his health failed and 
he was compelled to change occu])a- 
tion. In 1847, he exchanged his town 
property for a farm. In 1849, in company 
with others, he bought and loaded a ship 
for California. The sale of the vessel and 
cargo paid the expense of the voyage. 
Mr. Bigelow engaged in mining about 
three years, when he made a visit to the 
east, returning to the Golden State. He 
mined successfully a year longer and w ent 
back to the Granite State in 1854. In 
1856 he made a prospecting trip to Iowa. 
He was married in May, 1825, to Mary 
Cutler. She died at Oakland, in 1874. 



^e 



A 



i^. 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



495 



Two of her five children are living — Levi 
S., resident at Worcestor, Mass., and Eliz- 
abeth, wife of E. A. Smith, of Oakland. 
The second wife was Cordelia Wilson, of 
Otisville. Her death occurred in 1880. 
She left one son, Elliott P., then four 
years old. Mr. Bigelow has always been 
a member of the republican party. He 
was an Odd Fellow in his native State. 

E. A. Smith, a son-in-law of Mr. Bige- 
low, came to the township in 1857, and 
finally located on section 28, where he 
still lives. 

The following settled between 1865 
and 1870: C. W. Walton, N. W Hagen- 
son, Erick S. Iverson, Rev. N. Pederson, 
Claus Erickson, Frank Evans and A. O. 
Sime 

C. W'. Walton has been a resident in 
Iowa since the fall of 1864. He spent a 
year in Hardin county and then removed 
to Oakland township, where he has since 
lived. He owns a valuable farm of 130 
acres all under cultivation save a timber 
tiactof twenty acres. He was born in Oak- 
land Co., Mich., June 15, 1838. His par- 
ents went, when he was thirty months old, 
lo Steuben Co , N. Y. When he was six- 
teen years of age he went to Tioga Co., 
Penn. In October, 1861, on President 
Lincoln's call for 300,000 more, he enlisted 
in company H, 45th Pennsylvania Volun- 
teers, and served until November, 1862. 
At that date he was discharged for disa- 
bility. His weight on reaching home was 
ninety pounds, and he has never recovered 
from the effects of illness contracted in, 
the army. He was married June 30, 
1856, to Mary E. Turk of Tioga Co., 
Penn. It is believed that Mr. Walton has 
the banner family, at least as far as heard 



from, consisting of thirteen children liv- 
ing and two deceased. Following are the 
names of the living — Charles H., Lydia J., 
Sarah E., Julia A., Mary C , William W., 
Richard F., Delilah E., George T., Robert 
A., Shirley L., Charlotte L. and Alice P. 
Two daughters and one son are married. 
Mr. and Mrs. Walton are members of the 
M. E. Church. Mr. Walton has served 
his townsmen twelve years as justice, also 
as assessor, road supervisor, president, 
secretary and sub-director of tl'e school 
board. In the church society he has been 
steward, Sunday school superintendent 
and president of the grave-yard associa- 
tion. 

A. O. Sime, one of the first of the Nor- 
wegian settlers in Oakland township, was 
born in Bergen, Norway, Dec. 16, 1833. 
He was a farmer in his native country, 
where he resided until he was twenty- 
seven years old. In 1860 he came to 
America and located first in La Fayette 
Co., Wis. He passed five years there and 
in 1865 went to clear Lake, Cerro Gordo 
Co., Iowa, remaining but one year. The 
date of his arrival in Oakland was June 
10, 1867. His first purchase of land was 
a tract of eighty acres, which he has 
added to, until he now owns 240 acres in 
this township, and twenty-five acres in 
Wright county. Mr. Sime is character 
ized by the traits of thrift, economy and 
careful management, which render his 
countrymen valuable citizens, and he has, 
as the reward of his industrious energy, a 
fine home and a large farm stocked with 
forty head of cattle, thirty-five hogs and 
ten horses- He was married in Wisconsin 
Dec. 27, 1861, to Anna Christenson, born 
in Norway. live of their eight children 






'1 



496 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



are deceased. Those living are — Julianna, 
Oscar and Joseph. Mr. and Mrs. Sime are 
members of the Norwegian Lutheran 
Church. He is a republican and has served 
two terms as school director. 

N. W. Hagenson located where he now 
resides, on section 17, of Oakland town- 
ship, in 1870. His first settlement in the 
town was in 1867, on section 7. He is the 
proprietor of 180 acres of land, and keeps 
about thirty head of cattle. He was born 
in Norway, March 22- 1836, and at the age 
of twenty, fixed on America as his future 
home. He came to Chicago, and after- 
ward went to Dane Co., Wis. Five years 
later he proceeded to Yanktown, Dakota, 
where he was one of the first to establish 
a residence. He held his homestead four 
years, when the combined forces of the 
grasshopper invasion and Indian outbreak 
interfered with his hopes and plans. Per- 
sonal threatenings from the"Lo" fraternity 
caused him to absent himself from his 
holdings for five weeks. He finally went 
to Ogle Co., 111., and six months later to 
Wisconsin. He was married in that State 
in 1861, to Synneva Lampson, who died 
in the fall of 187.3, leaving seven children 
— Helena, Annie, Edward S., Albert N., 
William N., Martin Olaus and Nicholas. 
In 1877, Mr. Hagenson married Johanna 
Johnson of Oakland. They have one 
child — Synneva J. Mr. and Mrs. Hagen- 
son are members of the Norwegian Luth- 
eran Church. He is a republican in politi- 
cal faith, and has officiated in several 
township and school offices. 

Rev. N. Pedersen, pastor of the Otis 
Grove Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran 
C'hurch, was born in Denmark, Nov. 20, 
1842. In 1866, he came to the United 



State, and was engaged in mercantile busi- 
ness at Indianapolis, Ind, several years. 
In 1873, he went to Decorah, Iowa, and 
entered the Norwegian Lutheran College to 
prepare for the ministry. He studied there 
two years, one year at the German Luth 
eran Seminary, at Springfield, 111., and 
the Norwegian Lutheran Seninaryof Mad- 
ison, Wis , and entered upon the 
duties of his present pastorate, in 1877. 
The following named congregations are 
included in his charge: Otis Grove Nor- 
wegian Church; Norwegian Evangelical 
Lutheran Church, of Tipton, Iowa;Riggoger 
Norw.egian Lutheran Church, in Wright 
county; St. Peters Danish Evangelical 
Church, of Franklin county ;Richland Evan- 
gelical Lutheran Church, in Franklin coun 
ty, and "Our Saviours Danish Evangelical 
Lutheran" Church, in Hancock county. He 
preached at each place once a month. He 
married Julia Frederick Peterson at 
Indianopolis, Ind., in 1870, and they 
have six children — -Ingeborg Magdalena, 
Johanna Sophia, Peter Johannes, Walter 
Stephannes, Louisa Christiana and Ida 
Caroline. The fourth and fifth named are 
twins. 

Claus Erickson is a Norwegian by birth 
and came to America when twenty two 
years of age, locating in La Fayette Co., 
Wis. He was born June 15, 1833, and when 
he had been a resident of this county seven 
years, and entitled to its privileges afs well is 
its perils, he assumed his right to defend the 
flag which protected him, and enlisted in 
company G, 22d Wisconsin, serving three 
years. He was wounded at the battle of 
Resaca, a minnie ball hitting him in the 
shoulder. He served the remainder of 
his term in the Invalid Corps. He re- 



rF\, 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



497 



turned to the "Badger State," where he 
remained until 1868, sought a residence in 
Oakland township. He owns 133 acres of 
Kne farming land which he holds at a 
value of $3,325. His stock includes thirty 
head of cattle and thirty hogs. He was 
married in Wisconsin in 1860, to Caroline 
Edson. 'They have buried one child and 
Irave four living — Joseph L., Andrew, Isa- 
bella and Jane. Mr. and Mrs. Erickson 
are members of the Norwegian Evangel- 
ical Lutheran Church. 

Iver Iverson, accompanied by his brother 
Erik, came from Norway to America, in 
1868. His parents are still living in their 
native country. He came from Wiscon- 
sin to Iowa with his brother, and has since 
been a resident of Oakland township. He 
first purchased forty acres of land and be- 
gan farming. He lias increased his prop- 
erty to 160 acres, located on sections 20 
and 28. He is a good farmer and has 100 
acres under good cultivation, and values 
his land at $3, .500 in the aggregate. He 
owns twenty head of cattle and turns off 
thirty hogs annually. He was married, 
in 1868, to Anna Erickson, a native Nor- 
wegian. Of their seven children five are 
living — John A., Martin, Ellmen, Oliver 
and Minnie. Mr. and Mrs. Iverson are 
members of the Lutheran Church. Mr. 
Iverson was born Aug. 22, 1842, near 
Christiana, Norway. He is a republican 
in political action. 

Erik S. tverson is a substantial farmer 
of Oakland township, and is located on 
160 acres of land on section 18. His farm 
is valuable from its situation and degree 
of cultivation, Mr. Iverson being a skilled 
agriculturist from training and practice. 
He was born in Norway, near Christiana, 



Nov. 27, 1831. At twenty-two, he came 
to this country and went to Green Co., 
Wis. In 1864, he enlisted in company A, 
46th Wisconsin Infantry, and was in the 
service eight months, his term expiring 
with the close of the war. In 1868, he 
came to Franklin county and fixed his res- 
idence as stated. He has made all the 
improvements on his farm, and keeps 
thirty head of cattle and about the same 
number of hogs. He was married, in 
Wisconsin, in 1858, to Martha Erickson. 
Four of seven children born to them are 
living — Edwin, Julius, Adolph and an in- 
fant daughter, Emila Matilda. Mr. Iver- 
son is a republican in political sentiment, 
and has been school director two years. 
He and his wife are members of the Nor- 
wegian Lutheran Church. 

Frank Evans is a stock farmer in Oak- 
land township. He located on his pres- 
ent place in the spring of 1868, where he 
owns 160 acres of land in first class con- 
dition, located on section 18. He has made 
aspecialty of raising stock since 1879. He 
was born in Christiana, Norway, July 2, 
1840. His father came to America when 
he was fourteen years old, and settled in 
Green Co., Wis. Mr. Evans remained 
there eight years, when he made an over- 
land trip to Gold Hill, Nev., and engaged 
as a miner, working by the day and hold- 
ing personal interest in some claims. In 

1867, he returned to Wisconsin, and re- 
mained there a year. He has recently 
begun raising horses. Mr. Evans has been- 
twice married. His first wife, Christiana 
Peterson, to whom he was married in 

1868, died in 1870, leaving one child — Ell- 
men M. The present wife, Mrs. Mary 
J. Evans, is a sister of her predecessor, and 



39 



'9 



498 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



was married Dec. 20, 1S73. Mr. and Mrs. 
Evans belong to the Norwegian Lutheran 
Church, at Otis Grove. He is a republican 
in politics. 

HISTORICAL EVENTS. 

The first marriage in Oakland township 
was that of James Martin and Nancy Gar- 
ner, in the fall of 1856. They took a bug- 
gy and started for Hampton, but on the 
road their buggy broke down and they 
were compelled to spend the first night 
on the prairie. 

The first birth was that of James Mitch- 
ell, son of Sanford Mitchell, in 1855. 

The first death was a son of Sanford 
Mitchell, who died in 1856, and was 
buried at Oakland. Mrs. Mitchell died in 
1860, and was buried in what was after- 
ward known as Popejoy's Cemetery. 

The first election for Morgan township, 
which embraced Oakland township, was 
held at John I. Popejoy's residence, in 
1856. 

The first school was taught by Tabitha 
Wyatt, in a building erected by J. I. 
Popejoy and J. R. Dodd, west of the Iowa 
river on section -37, in 1857. Miss Wyatt 
was the daughter of C. W. Wyatt, who 
settled in Oakland, in 1856, and was only 
twelve years of age. 

At the time of the Spirit Lake massa 
ore all the settlers of the township left 
but Popejoy and Mitchell's families. 
Popejoy's house was overrun with the fu- 
gitives, who stayed from ten to fourteen 
days. 

The first preaching service was at Pope- 
joy's l\oiise, conducted by Rev. Pliiloman 
Plumraer, in 1855. There wure '-'ellio 
dists, Baptists and Congregational socie- 
ties formed prior to 1875, but in 1883, the 



Methodists were the only society in Oak- 
land township. A union Sunday school 
was formed in 1858. Popejoy and Moss 
were afnong the superintendents. 

At Oakland, there was a steam mill 
erected in 1857, by Amasa Wyatt and 
J. R. Dodd. 

Sanford Mitchell opened a blacksmith 
shop in 1856. 

A store was opened by Dodd, and was 
afterward run by Silas Pearce. 

RAILROAD. 

The Burlington, Cedar Rapids & North- 
ern railway crosses Oakland townsiiij) 
in a southeasterly direction. It was 
constructed in 1880. Carlton station was 
established on section 22. Up to 1883, 
there was no business or residences, — sim- 
ply the depot buildings and grain ware- 
house. The town was platted in ;880 by 
the Railroad and Town Lot Company. 

POSTOFFICE. 

A postoffice was established, in 1857, 
when there was not more than a dozeji 
families in the township, yet the petition 
contained the names of over 100 peo- 
ple, who were passing through the 
county from time to time, who were only 
too glad to help the pioneers secure a 
postoffice. Amasa Dodd was the first 
postmaster, and the name of the ottice 
was Oakland. In the fall of 1862, Oak- 
land Valley postoflice was established, 
with Levi Bigelo » as first postmaster. 

OAKLAND VILLA(;E. 

In January of 1857, Jesse R Dodd filed 
a plat of Oakland village, before John I. 
Popejoy, notary public. The plat embraced 
the southeast quarter of tlie northeast 
quarter of section 28, township 9'i, range 
22, and up to 1883, had not been vacated, 






'X* 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



499 



although no town, in fact, existed thereon 
except the postoffice and a few other 
buildings. 

In 1866, Mr. Bigelow built a store, keep- 
ing the postoffice and running a small 
stock of general mercnandise, adding 
thereto from time to time, as the county 
developed. He was still engaged in busi- 
ness in 188.3. 

CHURCHES. 

There was an organization of the Pres- 
byterian church in 1860, with Rev. James 
Carroll as pastor, continuing for several 
years. He was followed by Rev. Gordon. 
The church was soon changed to a Con- 
gregational society, which continued sev- 
eral years. 

In 1883, the Methodist was the only de- 
nomination having a regular society in the 
township, at which date they were still on 
the Alden circuit. 

The Baptist Church, of Oakland was or- 
ganized in the spring of 1872, with seven 
members, and B. W Stilson as their pas- 
tor ; J. D. Brandt, deacon ; John Hollis 
ter, clerk. The society held services in 
the school house at Oakland for about four 
years, when they disbanded on account of 
removals and other causes. 

The Methodist Episcopal Church of 
Oakland was the first oiganization in the 
township, and was formed about 1860 ; in 
1864, there were fifteen members. Rev. 
Jones was the first pastor. In 1866 Rev. 
R. L. Kenyon was in charge, and was suc- 
ceeded by Revs. Hamilton, Kimball, J. H. 
Todd, John Horswell, Owens, Hobbs, Wil" 
Hams, J.iraieson and Warren. In 1883, 
meetings were held at the school 
house, at which time the society num- 
bered twenty-five. Under Rev. Ham- 



ilton's preaching there was a revival in 
which fifteen persons were converted. The 
next season of refreshing was under Rev. 
Owen, during which twenty were con- 
verted. Under Rev Warren's pastorate 
in the winter of 1881-2, about fifteen were 
were converted. Under Rev. Williams' 
preaching twenty were converted, and the 
total membership of the Church was 
sixty. A new class was formed, but soon 
dissolved. The Church at Alden drew 
from this society, decreasing the member- 
ship, somewhat. 

While Rev. Hamilton was pastor at 
Oakland, the parsonage was sold and the 
proceeds appropriated towards building a 
church edifice at Alden, where the 
preacher resided in 1883, at which date 
the church membership' was about forty. 

The Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran 
Church, at Otis Grove, was organized in 
1872, with about eighteen families. Meet- 
ings were held in school houses. Rev A. 
Omlund was pastor one year; O. A. 
Sauer, five years; tlev. N. Pederson fol- 
lowed him. In 1883, there were about 
forty families belonging to the society, 
and services we e held in school houses 
The society owns a house and five acres 
of ground on section 7 as their parsonage 
property. 

CEMETERIES 

The first cemetery in Oakland townshij) 
was known as Popejoy's Cemeteiy, on 
section 27, which contained about an acre 
of land. In 1864, an association was 
formed to take charge of it. William 
Walton was its president. The township 
has Muother cemetery on section 8, con- 
taining about two acres, where about 
forty bodies were interred in 1883. 

-^i — 



r 



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t kk. 



500 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTV. 



TKKKiKir TOKXAiH). luoved from off their foundations and de- 

Tliose living in Oakland to\vnshi|t in molished; stately trees which had stood 

1S75 oaii novor t'urgc-t the fearful tornado the storms for a' century were uprooted 

wliioli swipl iliriuigh their townsliiji dur- and tossed about like slender shrubs. A 

ing the siinmuT of that year. It unroofed school house, located on section 19, in 

ii\any houses: tore down fences, and which Miss A. Popejoy was teaching, was 



jiicked up cattle and horses, carried tlicm 
to a groat distance and crushed them to 
pieces. Barns of large proportions were 



blown to pieces, she having left the build- 
ing but a short time before the storm 
came up. 



CHAPTER XXIX 



OSCEOLA TOWNSHIP. 



This is the southeasterly township in 
Franklin county, comprising congressional 
township ',10, range 19, and is bounded on 
the north by Geneva township, on the 
east by Butler county, on the south 
by Hardin county, and on the west 
by Grant township. Osceola is one of the 
most valuable agricultural townships of 
the county. It was given a seperate or- 
ganization in 1857. Its first settlement 
dates back to 1853, and was made by 
Thomas Downs and Dr. Arledge. It is a 
prairie township, except three beautiful 
groves of natural timber, wlii.'h changes 
it* otherwise monotonous prairie appear- 
ance. It is well watered by Beaver creek 
and its branches. The soil is a oark rich 
loam, which produces all the crops com- 
mon to this latitude, in the greatest 
abundance. The surface of the land is 
quite rolling for a prairie country: but it 
mav here be stated that not one of the 
•2o.040 acres of laud, contained in this 



township, ever washes, and practically 
speaking there are no waste lands in the 
entire township. The Central Railway of 
Iowa passes through Osceola from section 
;i5, running in a northwest direction, en- 
tering Geneva township from section 5. 
The station on this line of road, for this 
township, is Faulkner, situated in the 
northwest corner of section 15. Perhaps 
no section of Iowa has developed more 
rapidly than this township since 18U8, at 
which time lands were worth only from 
#7 to ^10 per acre. 

The first settlement was made by Mr. 
McCormick, Dr. Arledge and Thomas 
Downs, in 1853. 

In September, 1S54, a large amount of 
land in this portion of the State, that had 
been set apart by the General Govern- 
ment for the endowment of the State 
University, came into market, and a large 
emigration was attracted thither in conse- 
quence. Among the number were Richard 



^Il, 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN t'OLfNTY. 



501 



T. Blake, Luther Butterfield and Patrick 
McCann who left Bloom, Cook Co., 111., 
on the 5th of July of' that year. They 
had ox teams and made slow progress, 
crossing the Mississippi river at Dubuque, 
about the first of August. VVearily they 
toiled along the line of what is now the 
Iowa Division of the Illinois Central 
Railroad as far as Cedar Falls, where 
they turned southerly and brought tip at 
or near Hardin City. Butterfield had 
been to Hardin City the preceding spring 
on Ills return from California, and it was 
this fact that took their steps to that place. 
Arriving there, they could find no one 
who was willing to show them vacant 
land, for either love or money, and becom- 
ing disgusted with the selfishness of tlie 
natives nd hfearing of the two groves in 
the southeast part of Osceola township, 
they loaded up and went up to Downs' 
Grove, arriving there about the 15th of 
August Downs' family had just returned 
from tlieir absence caused by the Indian 
troubles and other families came back 
about the same time. A man named Mc 
Cormick had a cabin and a claim just 
north of Beaver creek and south 6f John 
Fahey's house. This claim Blake bought 
of McCormick and took possession forth- 
with. Eight or ten acres had been broken 
on it in 1853. McCormick, finding civili- 
zation getting too thick around him, went 
to Wall Lake, in Wright county, and from 
there still farther west or southwest 
twenty years ago at least. 

Richard T. Blake, one of the first set- 
tlers in Franklin county, came in 1854. 
McCann and Butterfield coming at the 
same time. Mr. Blake was born in Dub- 
lin county, Ireland, Feb. 20, 1826. His 



father, Thomas Blake, was in the British 
service, and Richard was born while his 
father was stationed in Dublin county. 
Richard spent most of his childhood in 
Scotland At the age of fifteen he went 
to sea, following that life until twenty- 
four, when he was married and began 
farming at Ilomewood, twenty-four miles 
south of Chicago. Soon afterwards he 
came to Franklin county to avail himself 
of cheap lands, where he engaged in 
farming and stock raising. Mr. Blake 
was married to Mrs. Sai-ah Ridgeway, at 
Homewood, 111., Oct. 8, 1850. They are 
the parents of twelve children, nil of 
whom were living in 188:! Their names 
were as follows : Louisa, Jane, Richard, 
Frank, George, John, Alice, Bessie, Kate, 
CUiarles, Sarah and Nettie, all of whom 
were born in Franklin county, except the 
two eldest datighters. In 1883, John was 
at Coe College and Alice at the Cedar 
Falls Normal School. 

Patrick McCann, one of the settlers of 
1854, entered the land upon which he 
now lives. He was the son of Thomas 
and Catherine (Lynch) McCann, of Ireland, 
where he was born in the county of Meids, 
March 17, 1825. Emigrating to America 
at the age of fifteen, he first settled in 
New York, then went south, thence to 
Illinois, remaining six years and finally 
to Iowa. He was married in 1856 to Mar- 
garet McCarle, at Cedar Falls, Iowa, who 
is also a native of Ireland. They have seven 
children living — Mary Ann, aged twenty- 
three ; Margaret, aged nineteen ; James, 
aged seventeen ; Catherine, aged fifteen ; 
Henry, aged thirteen ; Florence, aged ten; 
Elizabeth, aged eight. They were all born 
in the township. Mary Ann was married 



;nr 



^ 



^ *> 



\i\ 



502 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



« 



to William McPherson, at Ackley, Jan. 
30, 1883. They live in the township in 

the vicinity of Ackley. 

Luther iJutterfield was a man who had 
always been on the frontier. His parents 
resided in Illinois at the time of the 
Black Hawk war and he was born in that 
State. About 1849 or 1850 he went to 
California, returning home the spring of 
1854. He was eminently fitted for the 
life of a pioneer, although his health was, 
at this time, somewhat broken down by 
exposure and the hardships that he had 
endured. He was a good citizen, a good 
neighbor and an honest man. His health 
gradually became worse, and when he 
died on the 9th of January, 1857, aged 
thirty-two years, there was sincere sorrow 
and mourning in the whole settlement 
over his untimely death. 

Later in the fall of 1854, probably in 
October, Siefferman and Koppas came 
l)ack to their claims— built log cabins, and 
moved into them, and these five families — 
Downs', Buttertield's, Blake's, Sieffer- 
man's and Koppas'^comprised the entire 
population of what is now Osceola town- 
ship until the fall of 1855. To get through 
the winter of 1854-5, Blake went for corn 
to Cedar Falls and for a load of potatoes, 
to Peck's place, near New Hartford, but in 
the northern part of Grundy county. They 
got their mail at Eldora which was the 

nearest postoffice. 

In the fall of 1855, Theobald Miller, 

now one of Osceola's well-to-do citizens, 
came from Freeport, III., and located where 
he now resides, about one mile northwest 
of McCormick's Grove. Blake, who had 
meanwhile built himself another house — 
sold Miller the log shanty formerly occu- 
pied by McCormick — but when the deliv- 



ery came, Koppas came in and claimed 
the house. It really stood on the line be- 
tween the two farms, but Blake made the 
delivery all straight and forthwith Kop- 
pas sued him for the value of the house, 
and this was Osceola township's first law- 
suit. It was tried before 'Squire Leggett, 
who lived on the Andrews' place in Reeve 
township, and who the attorneys were on 
either side Blake has now forgotten, but 
he remembers distinctly that he paid his 
attorney all the money he had in the 
world which was $2.50. When the trial 
came on the plaintiff was nonsuited, as 
there was no date to the notice and all 
parties went home again, no one any the 
richer unless it might be Blake's attorney 
as the costs were never paid. Koppas sold 
out to John Fahey, who came from Ohio 
in 1858, and went back to Cedar Falls or 
that vicinity. 

SiefTerman lived on his place until 1867 
or 1868, when he sold out and went to 
Missouri. So far as is known. Miller was 
the only settler who came in 1855. 

Mrs. Sawyer, then Mrs. Butterfield, re- 
lates a circumstance where their family of 
seven had to live on corn meal grated by a 
hand grater. This destitution continued 
about four months, on account of failure 
in the crops, and their nearest market place 
being Cedar Falls, thirty-five miles away, 
the neighbors, Blake and Luther Butter- 
field, made trips and bought provisions 
for the three families. They raised noth- 
ing but corn for several years as they were 
unable to procure seed wheat to sow. 

The next settler was H. H. Marsh, who 
came from Chicago and bought 1,500 acres 
of land where Faulkner now stands, but 
not meeting with success, left. 



HISTOKY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



503 



James Henry came in and bought land 
near Ackley. He afterward sold out and 
returned to Wisconsin. 

Next was William Richardson and Mil- 
ton Pierce and their families. Richardson 
entered about 500 acres, which he after- 
ward sold. 

Peter Carlson, a native of Sweden, 
came to America in 1849, and first set- 
tled in Illinois, but in 1 855 came to Osceola 
township, and entered the homestead of 
160 acres, where he was still living in 
1883, having added to his possessions until 
ho has 400 acres of land in one body. 

James McManus came to Osceola, Frank- 
lin county, in 1857, and entered 320 acres 
of land at government price, of which the 
heirs retain the greater part. He was 
born in Ireland. He was married in 
Huntingdon, Penn., to Catherine Lough- 
ren, and had nine children, five of whom 
are dead. Those living are — Mary Ann, 
William H , James and John Thomas, and 
are esteemed and intelligent cilizens. Mr. 
McManus died Oct 24, 1861. 

.lohn Fahey, a prominent citizen of 
Oceola, settled in 1859. He is the son of 
F'rancis and Catherine (Ryan) Fahey, and 
was born in Ireland May 4, 1814. He 
came to America in 1851, and settled in 
Slarion Co., Ohio, remaining there nine 
years, and then came to Iowa in the 
s|)ring of 1854, entering land in Hardin 
county. Returning to Ohio for his fam- 
ily he removed to his present home in 
Franklin county. He was married in 
.Marion Co., Ohio, to Bridget Fahey, who 
is also a native of Ireland, in March, 
1852. They are both members of the 
Catholic Church. They hnve si.x children 
— Thomas, Kate, Mary, Julia, John and 



Ella. Mr. Fahey is regarded as an ex- 
cellent citizen, and was a member of the 
board of supervisors six years, also asses- 
sor, and is the present town trustee and 
road supervisor. His two eldest children 
are married. Kate was married to John 
Fitzgerald, who lives in the township in 
the vicinity of Ackley. 

James Whiteside also came in 1859, 
and purchased land upon which he was 
living in 1883. 

In 1866, among the few who came in 
were: Martin Cooney and S. A. French. 

Martin Cooney, son of John and Alice 
(Lahiff) Cooney, settled on section 18. 
He was born in Claire Co., Ireland, in 
1822, and grew to manhood in his native 
country. At the age of twenty-five, Mr. 
Cooney came to America and traveled 
over the United States a few years, but 
did not permanently locate at any place. 
In 1855 he came to Iowa and settled in 
Dubuque county, remaining there about 
two years. In this county he was mar- 
ried in 1861 to Ellen Welch. This union 
has been blessed with nine children — 
Kate, Hannah, John, Austin, Mary, Ellen, 
Bridget, Alice and Martin. The second 
daughter, Hannah, was united in marriage 
to Nicholas Kearney, a resident of Osceola 
township. They were married in 1878, 
and have two children — John and Nicho- 
las. Mr. Cooney is a democrat in poli- 
tics. He has been clerk of Osceola town- 
ship for two years. Mr. Cooney and his 
family are members of the Catholic 
Church. Mr. Cooney is an honest, indus- 
trious man, a good citizen and well re- 
spected by his neighbors. 

Among those who settled in the towi.- 
ship, between 1867 and 1873, were M. K. 



^ 



504 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



Donovan, Edward O'Brien, Moses Myers, 
Michael Holloran, Isaac Wagner, Michael 
Burns and John R. Trumbower. 

Michael Burns settled in Osceola town- 
ship, about the year 1868. He is the son 
of Michael and Mary (Coyne) Burns, 
and was born in Roscommon Co.,Kilmore 
parisii, Ireland, in 1821, where he spent 
his youth. In 1844, he came to Amer- 
ica and first settled in Chester Co., Penn., 
where he was engaged in farming about 
three years, then went to Niagara Co., N. 
Y., and remained about six years. He 
then came west and settled in Manitowoc 
Co., Wis., where he followed farming for 
about eleven years and afterwards removed 
to Osceola township. In 1852, Mr. Burns 
was married to Bridget Welch, at Lock- 
port, N. Y. She is a native of Ireland, 
and came to America when she was a 
child. Mr. and Mrs Burns are the par- 
ents of three children, all of whom are un- 
married and still reside at home — James, 
Emma and Mary. Mr. Burns is a demo- 
crat He and his family are members of 
the Roman Catholic Church. Mr. Burns 
relates the following incident in his life 
after crossing the ocean: After he landed 
he went to Canada and first stopped near 
Toronto for the purpose of looking up 
■ land. After doing so he was confronted 
by men who inquired of what religion he 
was. He told them that his parents were 
Roman Catholics and that he was of the 
same religion. As soon as they heard 
this they informed him that they were 
Orangemen from the north of Ireland, 
and that he had better be making himself 
scarce .ts lively as be knew how or they 
would skin him alive or burn him to the 
god. He asked them if a man had not the 



right to choose his own religion and think 
as he pleased. They replied, "If you do 
not think and do as we do, you had better 
leave." And Mr. Burns did leave He 
then went to New York where he was 
much better pleased, and where he could 
think and act independently. 

James Treanor is the present assessor 
of Osceola township. He came in 1869, 
and resided on section 17. He is a son of 
Thomas and Mary (Treanor) Treanor, and 
a native of Leod county, Ireland, born 
May 17, 1850. When he was two years 
of age, the family emigrated to America, 
and settled in Dubuque Co., Iowa, where 
James received his education and re- 
mained until coming to Franklin county. 
He is a single man, and has seven sisters 
and brothers, living — Margaret, Ann, 
Bridget, James, John, Bernard, Mary and 
Rosa. His brother John married Maggie 
Kearney, in 1876. Mr. Treanor and 
family are Catholics. In politics, James 
is a democrat. He was town clerk one 
term, and is the present assessor. He is 
regarded as an excellent citizen, and held 
in high esteem. 

M. K. Donovan came first to Franklin 
county in 1867, purchasing the northeast 
quarter of section 10, Osceola township, 
where the family lived until 1882, when 
they met with the misfortune of having 
their home burned to the ground. Mr. 
Donovan has since built a fine resi- 
dence on section 11, and has one of the 
finest farms in the township. He had 
formerly been engaged in lumbering in 
the Wisconsin pineries,. but his present 
vocation is farming. He was born in 
lower Canada, near Quebec, in October, 
1838, and at the age of seventeen, removed 



V|>5- 



^pr 



t^ 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



507 



to Fond du Lac Co . Wis,, where he was 
engaged in the pineries for ten years. He 
was married, in 1865, to Margaret Mc- 
ginley, also a native of Canada, who re- 
moved to Wisconsin at the age of sixteen. 
They purchased a farm near Ripon, 
Wis., where they farmed three years, 
then removed to Osceola township where 
they have since resided. They have had 
ten children, seven of whom are now liv- 
ing — Michael D., Mary C, Margaret E., 
Bernard S., Edward J., Louis Patrick and 
Elizabeth A. Mr. Donovan and family 
belong to the Catholic Church ; and in 
politics he is a staunch democrat. He 
has been justice of the peace several 
years, and has served several years as 
president of the school board. 

Edward O'Brien came in 1868 to Franklin 
Co., Iowa, bought land and located in 
Marion township where he farmed until 
1872, atwhich time he settled in Osceola 
township. He was born in New York 
city, in 1842, and was the son of Edward 
and Margaret (Kelly) O'Brien. When he 
was one year qf age, he came with his 
parents to Wisconsin, and settled in 
Ozaukee county. Here he spent his child- 
hood and youth until he was twenty years 
of age, when he went to Hartford, Conn., 
and soon after to Meriden, same State, 
where he remained six years, then re- 
turned to Wisconsin, and,in 1868, came to 
Iowa. In 1870, he was married to Rose 
Halpln. By this union there are four 
children — Julia A. M., Rose Ann, Mary E. 
and Edmond W. They have lost two 
children by death. The parents are mem- 
bers of the Roman Catholic Church. 
Mr. O'Brien is a democrat, and has held 
several local offices. 



Moses Myers located on section 16, in 
1869. He was the son of John and Bar- 
bara (Negley) Myers, and was born Jan. 
31, 1814, in York Co., Penn., where he 
spent his boyhood. At the age of twenty- 
one he went to Canada, where he re- 
mained about four years, then went to 
Ohio in 1838 and remained fifteen years 
in Clarke, Montgomery and Darke coun- 
ties. He then removed to Ogle Co., 111., 
in 1853, finally coming to Iowa in 1869, 
where he has since made his home. He 
was married in Canada, in 1837, to Mary 
Martin, who was born and reared in Lan- 
caster Co., Penn. His wife died in Osceo- 
la, July 18, 1869. They had nine children, 
seven of whom are living — John, Amos, 
Sarah, Mary, Moses, Samuel and Joseph. 
Henry and Abraham are dead. He has 
held the office of road supervisor for sev- 
eral terms. He was again married Sept. 
11, 1870, to Mrs. Isabelle Diamond, who 
was born in Ireland and is about fifty 
years of age. 

Michael Holloran was born in Mayo 
Co., Ireland, in 1837. He moved to York- 
shire, England, in 1850, and there worked 
on a farm five years, and then joined the 
militia, serving one year in the British 
army in the Crimean war, Charles Napier 
commanding general. He sailed from one 
port to another and, finally, on the 10th of 
March, 1857, he landed at New York, 
where he learned the plumber and gas 
fitter's trade on Staten Island, under 
Thomas McNight. From there he moved 
to Belvidere, Boone Co., 111. Here he 
learned the stone cutter and mason's 
trade, and soon after removed to Scotland 
Co., Mo., where he remained a year, 
thence back to DeKalb Co., 111., where he 



40 



r 



J'. 



s±. 



508 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



farmed until 18Y0, at which time he came 
to Franklin county, settling on section 30, 
Osceola township, where he owns 400 
acres of land. He was married to Ann 
Carroll in 1859. By this union there are 
eleven children : Mary, Kate, Martin J., 
Julia, Frank P., Annie Maggie, John 
W., Michael Edward, Thomas Joseph, and 
Robert Henry. Mary was married to 
Thomas Fahey in 1880. Mr. Holloran is 
a democrat in politics and a member of 
the Catholic Church. 

Isaiah Wagner, living on section 9, first 
came to Franklin county in 1868, and pur- 
chased land, but returned to Illinois where 
he remained about one month, then return- 
ing to Iowa he located on his present farm. 
He follows farming, and is one of the solid, 
reliable men of the county. He is the 
son of Henry and Elizabeth Wagner, and 
-was born in Ogle Co., 111., in 1839, where 
lie spent his childhood, and was educated. 
When twenty-three years of age he en- 
listed in the 34th Illinois Volunteers, com- 
pany H, and served three years, being 
in most of the principal battles in the 
south. After receiving his discharge he 
returned to Illinois, remained eight years, 
and then came and purchased land in 
Franklin county. He was married to 
Sarah Jacobs, of Ogle Co., 111., in 1867. 
They are the parents of seven children; 
the eldest, Enos, died when eleven months 
old, the remaining are — Hattie, George, 
Bessie, John, Hezekiah, and Franklin Clay. 
Mr. Wagner is a republican in politics, 
and has held offices of trust in the county, 
and, as a citizen, is held in high regard. 

John R. Trumbower came to Franklin 
Co., Iowa., in IR^S, and bought land in 
Geneva and Osceola townships to the 



amount of 220 acres. He has always made 
farming his occupation, and thus, having 
given his whole energies to it, has made 
it a success. He is an intelligent and pro- 
gressive farmer. He now lives in Ackley, 
Hardin Co., Iowa, but still owns land in 
Osceola township. He was born in Mont- 
gomery Co., Penn., Feb. 25, 1838, and 
was married Dec 16, 1862, to Amelia Butz, 
who was born in Pennsylvania. Mr. and 
Mrs. Trumbower are the parents of seven 
children — Jacob, Sarah, Minnie, Emma, 
John, Milton and Cora Eva. The young- 
est and John were born in Iowa, and the 
others in Illinois. Mr. Trumbower is a 
good citizen, and among the most enter- 
prising men in the community. 

Daniel Meyer is the possessor of a fine 
farm of eighty acres on section 1. He is 
a farmer, and the son of Jacob and Cathe- 
rine (Koppas) Meyer, of Bavaria, Ger- 
many, where he was born April 29, 1838. 
When he was fourteen years old, his par- 
ents came to the United States, going 
first to Stephenson Co., 111., where they 
lived ten years, then conjing to Iowa in 
18'73. He was married in Osceola town- 
ship to Mary Miller, in 1870, by whom he 
has six children — Jacob, William, Eliza- 
beth, Frank, George and John. 

Thomas McCarron located on section 
4, in I he year 1877. His occupation is 
farming. He was born in the parish of 
Old Saints, Ireland, July 8, 1817. He came 
to the United States in 1833, and lived in 
Lancaster Co., Penn., until 1846 He was 
married in 1843, to Nancy Wood, of 
American birth, whose death occurred 
Nov. 29, 1864. Ten children had been 
born to them, all of whom are living — 
I Margaret, Mary, Thomas, Sarah, William, 



-f\J- 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



509 



Ellen, John, Marjule, Nancy J. and 
Elizabeth. They lived twenty-three 
years in Dubuque Co., Iowa, then moved 
to Etna township, Hardin county, from 
thence to Geneva township, and finally to 
their present home in Osceola township, 
Franklin county. Ellen was married to 
William Graw, and they are the parents 
of three children. Sarah was united in 
marriage to Benjamin Turner; they 
have one child. 

FIRST EVENTS. 

The first birth in Osceola township was 
Bennie J. Butterfield, born Dec. 8, 1854 ; 
he died, Oct. 13, 1859. 

The first marriage was Samuel Burke 
and Jane Herman, in June, 1850. 

The first death in the township was 
Luther L. Butterfield, Jan. 9, 1857. He 
was buried on the farm, a half mile north 
of where Ackley afterwards stood. 

ORGA,NIC. 

Osceola township assumed its present 
limits in 1870, but was organized in 1857. 
The first records show that Thomas Cast- 
low was appointed clerk in place of B. 
Witheral, who resigned in 1859. The 
trustees that year were J. Koppas and 
R. T. Blake. In 188:i, the township otti- 
cers were as follows: James Burns, clerk; 
John Fahey, William Miller and E. Weik, 
trustees . 

SCHOOLS. 

The first school taught in Osceola town- 
ship was in ihe winter of 1857-8, in what 
is known as the Whiteside district, by 
Mrs. Luther Butterfield, now Mrs. Horace 
Sawyer. It was held in a log building 
which in 1883 was still standing on the 
Whiteside farm. The average attendance 
was twenty-one. The first school house 



builtby public funds, was in 1864. There 
were eight fine frame school buildings in 
the township in 1883, at which date the 
township had an average enrollment of 
309 scholars. 

RELIGIOUS. 

The first religious services held in the 
township were at the house of William 
Richardson, by Father Connell, a Metho- 
dist minister, who preached for the pion- 
eers in 1858, and by whose hand the good 
seeds were first sown in the township. He 
also held meetings at the house Mrs. But- 
terfield, becoming much endeared to all 
the settlement, who would listen with 
eagerness to his teachings regarding the 
word of life. Since the more mature 
development of the country, the religious 
element has centered mainly at Ackley, 
where nearly all the denominations are 
represented. 

FAULKNER. 

This village is a station on the Central 
of Iowa, located on section 15. It was 
named afterastockholder of this company. 
The place was platted by Truman Pattee, 
about 1870. 

The first grain buyers of the place were 
Brown & Austin, who were succeeded by 
Pattee Bros, and Lush, Carton & Co. 

The first store was started by McLaiii 
& son, owned in 1883 by C. E. Butler. At 
this date there was one store, one saloon, 
one warehouse and one blacksmith shop. 

A postoffice was established in 1871. 
Mr. Dows was the first to act as postmaster. 
In 1883 E. F. Whitney was the postmas- 
ter. 

CEMETBKIES. 

The first place of burial in Osceola 
township was just north of where Ackley 



A'^ 



5 10 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



now stands, at which point a public ceme- 
tery was laid outin 1862. Prior to this the 
few who had died in the township were 
laid away by their friends in some quiet 
resting place near the home of their rela- 
tives. The first to thus rest from life's 
labors was Mr. Luther Butterfield. 

The next regular cehietery was platted 
in 186.3, two and a half miles north of 
Ackley, called Franklin Street Cemetery. 
The first one buried in these grounds was 
Mrs. Ingham, a daughter of William 
Richardson, one of the pioneers of the 
township. 

KILLED BY LIGHTNING. 

During the month of May, 1872, during 
a fearful thunder storm, Patrick Cassady 
and a man named Hayes, who was sleep- 



ing with him, were instantly killed by 
lightning. Mrs. Cassady and the little 
children were sleeping in one bed and 
Mr. Cassady and his friend Hayes in an- 
other in the same room, when there came 
a terrible thunder bolt which frightened 
Mrs. Cassady, and she remarked to her 
husband that lightning must have struck 
very near the house. No one answered 
and she spoke again, but receiving no 
reply supposed the men to be asleep; but 
in an instant one of her little children 
raised up and screamed, "Mamma, the other 
bed is on fire!" Mrs. Cassady arose and 
found her husband, together with Mr. 
Hayes, silent in death, the lightning hav- 
ing done its terrible work. The family 
still live in the place where the accident 
happened. 



CHAPTER XXX. 



REEVE TOWNSHIP. 





•^1 



Reeve township has the honor of being 
the first settled in Franklin county. Here 
Mayne erected his trading hut, and Judge 
Reeve, from whom it was named, made his 
permanent home. He was a captain in the 
32d Iowa Infantry, and died in the ser- 
vice at Columbus, Tenn., in 1863. The 
village of Maysville was laid out in 1856, 
on section 27, and at once became compe- 
tition with Hampton for the county seat. 
The contest lasted through a series of 
years, and was not regarded as being set- 
tled until the tax was voted in 1865 for 
the court house, which was built at Hamp- 



ton. Maysville was formerly a town of 
some importance, but when the town of 
Geneva, on the Central of Iowa railroad, 
was located, most of the business was taken 
there, it being only three miles to the east. 
This old town, however, in 1875, had one of 
the finest school houses in Franklin 
county. Reeve township was one of the 
three original townships of the county, 
being organized in 1855. In 1880, Frank- 
lin county being sub-divided into con- 
gressional townships. Reeve comprised 
township 91, range 20, and was bounded 
by Mott on the north, by Geneva on the 



^ 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



511 



east, Grant and Hamilton on the south 
and west ; the northwest corner of its ter- 
ritory being the geographical center of 
the county. 

Mayne's Grove, the largest body of 
timber in Franklin county, covers six 
sections of the townshijs. Mayne's creek 
and its branches water the township, and 
give drainage to the land, thus making it 
one of the best townships in the county. 
The soil, in common with that of the 
whole county, is of a most excellent 
qunlity, of dark, rich loam, which pro- 
duces every crop suited to this latitude in 
abundance. On the creek bottoms the 
soil is inclined to be sandy. 

SETTLEMENT. 

In the autumn of 1852, James B. Reeve, 
Adison Phelps and Mr. Moore came from 
the Iowa river, looking at the country. 
When they reached what was afterward 
known as Mayne's grove, they found 
Mayne, together with his wife and child, 
looking for a place to camp. The prty 
camped together that night, and all de- 
cided to locate there. Mayne squatted 
on section 23, and built a log house 16x16 
feet, covedng it with shaker and flooring 
it with puncheon. For a time they used 
a beaver skin stretched over a wash tub 
for a table. Mr. Reeve and Mr. Pheljis 
boarded at Mayne's that winter, and en- 
gaged in hunting and trapping, and get- 
ting out logs for a cabin which they in- 
tended to build in the spring. When 
spring came, Mr. Reeve bought oxen and 
joined teams with Mayne, and did some 
breaking on each of their places, on which 
they planted sod corn, from which they 
realized a good crop. Mayne was a pio- 
neer in the broadest sense of the word, 



and seemed to delight in the hardships of 
frontier life. He was a hunter and trap- 
per and was best pleased when seated 
around his own camp fire, roasting meat 
or fish upon a stick, and relating incidents 
of pioneer life; and it is said, he became 
stoop-shouldered by sitting in one certain 
position relating these incidents. He 
was over six feet in height, dark skinned 
and a very strong man. Before his sod 
corn had ripened he sold his claim to G. 
D. Sturms and made another on section 
28, where he remained about a year, and 
then removed to Hardin county. Phelps 
remained during the winter, became home- 
sick and left his claim, which was soon 
taken by Leander C. Reeve, a brother of 
James B. Leander came in 1854, and re- 
mained until 1862, when he sold to Mr. 
Carter. In addition to those already men- 
tioned, the following were about all who 
came in during 1854: S. Garner, Isaac 
Miller, C. M. Leggett, John G. Mitchell, 
H.J. Mitchell, Hymon Mitchell, William 
May, J. Springer, Dr. S. R. Mitchell, 
Jacob Rice and a Mr. Webster. 

H. J. Mitchell was born in St. Lawrence 
Co., N. Y., in 18.3.3. When fourteen years 
of age he left home and went to Sheboy- 
gan Co., Wis., and traveled over different 
parts of the State until the fall of 1854, 
when he came to Franklin county and 
settled in Reeve township, where he was 
married to Octavia Smfth. She was born 
in St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., Nov. 26, 18.38, 
and has the honor of teaching the first 
school in Franklin county. Here Mr. 
Mitchell engaged in farming, but, in 1860, 
he went to Colorado and engaged in min- 
ing, but in a few months returned to his 
home, since which time he has been en- 



.V 



e «.- 



512 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



gaged in tilling the soil. His father was 
a native of Vermont. He died in this 
county, in 1869. The mother was a native 
of Ireland. She died here in 1866. They 
were the parents of five children, H. J. 
being the fourth. He and his wife are 
members of the M. E. Church, at Maysville. 
He is a republican in politics, and has 
held several local offices. He is a good 
citizen, held in high esteem by all his 
neighbors. By his marriage there have 
been born to him four children — Charles 
R., (deceased), Clara J., (deceased), Clar- 
ence L. and H. Jay. 

Samuel P. Mulkins was born in Dela- 
ware Co., Ind., June 28, 1849. He is a 
son of one of the old settlers of this town- 
ship. He remained in Reeve township 
until the spring of 1864, when he left 
home and worked for John I. Popejoy for 
two years, after which time he went to the 
southern part of the State, where he was 
married to Matilda Chestnut, who was 
born in Clay Co., Kj.. in March 1851. 
They went from there to Missouri, where 
he engaged in farming, remaining until 
the fall of 1878, when he returned to 
Reeve township, Franklin county. Mr. 
and Mrs. Mulkins have five children — 
Jacob F., Samuel E., Mary C, John H. 
and Maggie E. A. Mr. Mulkins and his 
wife are members of the Methodist 
Church. 

Among those who came to Reeve town- 
ship in 1855 were : F. M. Springer, Levi 
Jones, Isaac Mulkins, J. S. Mulkins, Solo- 
man Staley, W. Conway, Benjamin But- 
terfield, James Soyer, Martin Soyer, 
James Morris, James Rucker, James 
Johnston, L. Shroyer, Henry Shroyer, W. 



J. Shroyer, Nathaniel J. Shroyer, Amos 
Roberts, Erastus Baker, William Free- 
born, A. Jones, F. A. Denton, William 
Higans and men named Whiteside and 
Fortner. 

Francis M. Springer was a native of 
what is now Jasper Co., 111., born July 9, 
1826. He is one of twins. His par- 
ents were David and Sally ( Waddell ) 
Springer. The father was born in 
Dutchess Co., JST. Y., Nov. 17, 1797 ; the 
mother is a native of Jasper Co., 111., born 
Nov. 14, 1811. They moved to Galena in 
the fall of 1832, where they died of 
cholera within twelve hours of each other. 
They left a family of five children. When 
Francis M. Springer was fifteen years of 
age, he came to Iowa, stopping two years 
in Linn county, then six years in Buchan- 
an county, after which he returned to 
Galena, and then moved to Shulsburg, 
Wis., where he was married to Maria E. 
Green, Dec. 13, 1854. She was born in 
Jo Daviess Co., 111., Aug. 14, 1836. In 
the following spring he came to Franklin 
Co., Iowa, and settled at Maysville and 
helped survey the town site of that place. 
Here he remained till the fall of 1856, 
when, with his family, he returned to Jo 
Daviess county, but soon came back by ox 
team, camping out at night. They set- 
tled permanently in Reeve township, his 
present home. He is a staunch republi- 
can and has frequently been honored by 
local offices. They have four children — 
Elenora C. J., born Sept. 29, 1855, John 
G., Jan. 24, 1858, Albert N., Sept. 18, 
1860, (deceased Aug. 6, 1881,) Steven A. 
Aug. 29, 1864, and Bernard, Feb. 18, 
1875. Mr. Springer was present at the 
first wedding in Franklin county. 



■7^ 



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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



513 



V/ I - 



Levi Jones, an old settler of the town- 
ship, was born in West Virginia, in 1808. 
His parents were Benjamin and Elizabeth 
(Bell) Jones, who were also natives of 
West Virginia, where the father died. Af- 
ter the father's death, the mother emi- 
grated with her family to Delaware Co., 
Ind., where she afterward died. They 
had a family of fourteen children, the 
subject of this sketch being the fifth child. 
He was married, in Virginia, in_1829, to 
Jane Snider, born in West Vrginia, in 
1806. In 1838, in company with his 
mother's family, he went to Indiana, and 
there engaged in blacksmithing, which he 
followed until he came to Franklin county 
in 1854, where he engaged in farming and 
blacksmithing. In politics he is a repub- 
lican, and was a member of the first board 
of supervisors. Mr. and Mrs. Jones are 
members of the Methodist Church at Ge- 
neva. His education was received in a 
log school house with holes bored in the 
slabs, in which were inserted pegs for legs. 
Mr. and Mrs. Jones have had ten children, 
seven of whom are living — Athalia, Al- 
pheus, Thomas W., J. F., Martin B., Eliz- 
abeth and Benjamin. 

T. W. Jones, son of Levi Jones, came 
to the county in 1854. He was born in 
West Virginia, March 5, 1837. When 
one year old his parents moved to Indi- 
ana, where he grew to manhood and re- 
ceived a common school education. He 
was married April 11, 1865, to Mary J. 
St. Clair, born in New York, April 28, 
1887. They have eight children, seven of 
whom were living in 1883 — Wentworth 
C, Jay F., Martin A., Roy W., Bertrand, 
Vinna E. and Hugli L. Mrs. Jones is a 
member of the Baptist Church at Hamp- 



ton. In politics Mr. Jones is a republi- 
can and has held local offices. 

W. B. Jones, another son of the pio- 
neer, Levi Jones, came with his parents to 
Franklin county in 1854. He was born in 
Delaware Co., Ind., Sept., 16, 1841. He 
grew to manhood in Franklin county, re- 
ceiving a common .school education. In 
August, 1861, he enlisted in company I, 
9th Iowa Infantry, serving until July, 

1865, when he was discharged. He re- 
ceived a gunshot wound in the leg at the 
battle of Kenesaw Mountain, and was 
also wounded in the head at the battle of 
Pea Ridge. He was married May 16, 

1866, to Martha A. Butterfield, who was 
born in Vermilion Co., 111., Sept. 11, 1847. 
They have one child — Martin L. Mr. Jones 
is a staunch republican in politics and was 
sheriff of Franklin county for two terms. 
He is a member of the I. O. O. F. society 
at Geneva, and of the Hampton Masonic 
lodge. 

John Rumzey Reeve, son of Judge 
James B. Reeve, was born in Ashtabula 
Co., Ohio, Sept. 15, 1849, and was three 
years of age when his parents moved to 
Iowa He grew to manhood and received 
a common school education in Franklin 
county. He was married Dec. 24, 1871, 
to Ella Hudson, who was born in Dodge 
Co., Wis., Sept. 6, 1853. Her father, Amos 
B. Hudson, was a native of Vermont, and 
her mother, Laura (Green) Hudson, was 
born in Oswego, N. Y. Mr. and Mrs. 
Reeve are the parents of two children 
— Daisy and Indie. 

Isaac C. Mulkins, one of the old settlers 
of Reeve township, came to Buchanan 
Co., Iowa, in the spring of 1855, remai]]- 
ing one year, when he came to Franklin 



't 



J^l 



514 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



county and located on the farm now owned 
by Thomas Fox. He erected a log house 
in which he spent the first winter without 
any chinking between the logs. He had 
the ground for a floor on which the fire 
was built, having neither stove nor fire- 
place, and over which they cooked and 
kept warm. At this time deer were so 
plentiful that droves of them were often 
seen, some numbering as high as twenty- 
five. Mr. Mulkins was born in Henry Co., 
Ohio, in 1817. When a boy he went to Indi- 
ana, where he was reared, and was mar- 
ried to Lucinda Thornberg, who died Dec. 
25, 1852. By this marriage there were 
seven children. He was again married in 
1853. By this marriage there were eight 
children. He was a member of the M. E. 
Church. He enlisted in company H, .32d 
Iowa Volunteers, in December, 1863, and 
died in Red River, Ark., April 9, 1864. 
His widow married Mr. H. Perry, of But- 
ler county, who died in the township, 
April, 1883. Mrs. Perry is still a resident 
of the township, and lives with her father, 
Levi .lones, an old resident of the county. 

J. S. Mulkins, a twin son of Isaac C. 
Mulkins, one of the old pioneers of Reeve 
township, was born in Delaware Co., Ind., 
June 28, 1849, and came to Franklin county 
with his parents when a mere lad, and 
where he has since lived, with the excep- 
tion of five years spent in Missouri. He 
was married in Franklin county March 31, 
1870, to Maggie Creighton, born in Ohio, 
in August, 1847. They have had five chil- 
dren — Irvin A.,Esta J. (deceased), Charles 
S., Marvin C. (deceased), and David G. 

Benjamin Butterfield, one of the pio- 
neers of Franklin county, was born in 
Washington Co., N. Y., June 11, 1795. 



His father died when he was three years 
of age, after which he went to live with an 
uncle, where he remained until he became 
of age. When twenty-three years of age 
he was married to Martha Morrison, a na- 
tive of Washington county, and there 
followed farming. He removed to Ohio, 
remaining two years, from thence to Park 
Co., Ind., where he spent three years, 
when he went to Vermilion Co., 111., where 
his wife died. They had three children. 
He subsequently married Elizabeth Scott, 
a native of Kentucky, born July 28, 1800. 
In 1831, he went to Cook Co., 111., and was 
at Fort Dearborn at the time of the Black 
Hawk war. He afterwards kept hotel 
twenty-five miles south of Chicago, twen- 
ty-one years. In 1855, he came to Franklin 
county and settled on section 29, Reeve 
township, where he lived until his death, 
April 28, 1878. His wife is still living, 
with four children. Mr. Butterfield was 
formerly a whig, but of late years was a 
republican. He was the first justice of the 
peace elected in Cook county. Mr.s. But- 
terfield has been a member of the Presby- 
terian Church for many years. 

John S. Butterfield, son of Benjamin 
Butterfield, one of the pioneers of the 
county, was born Feb. 14, 1835. He came 
with his father's family to Franklin county, 
and Jan. ], 1856, was married to Mary J. 
Jones, of Geneva township, who was born 
in Indiana in 1841. They have had six 
children, five of whom are living — Benja- 
min E., Robert S., Nettie J., Clara A., and 
Albert P. His wife died Oct. 25, 1870. 
He is a member of the I. O. O. F. society. 
He is a radical republican, and has been a 
member of the board of township trustees. 



^'* 



IK 



k. 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



SIT 



Lewis Shroyer came to Franklin county 
in the spring of 1855, and first stopped at 
Maysville, wliere he worl^ed at carpenter 
work two years, that being his trade, 
wlien he went to Mayne's creek, and run 
a saw mill eight years, after which he ob- 
tained an interest in it. In the spring of 
1865, he moved to the farm where he still 
lives. He was born in West Virginia in 
1832. His parents were natives of the 
same State, the father born in 1807, the 
mother in 1810 and were married in 1830. 
In 1838, they emigrated to Delaware Co., 
Ind., where the father died in 1876, the 
mother in 1849. Lewis grew to manhood 
in that county, receiving his education in 
the log school house of that day, and fol- 
lowed farming and carpentering. He was 
married in the fall of 1856. to Joan .Tones, 
born in Virginia in 1834. They have four 
children — D. W., Clara J., Martin L. and 
Victor E. 

.James J. Johnston, a native of Ireland, 
came to America at the age of sixteen, in 
company with a cousin, going first to Cau- 
.ida. He then spent three years in New 
Vork, took a trip to New Orleans, and in 
1855 went to Washington Co., Iowa. In 
the fall of 1855 he came to Franklin county 
and located on section 2, Reeve township, 
where he has since resided. He was born 
in 1823 in Ireland, where his parents re- 
mained until their death. James was mar- 
ried Aug. 31, 1854, to Elizabeth Bradsute, 
born in Green Co, Ohio, Oct. 8, 1829. 
They have had seven children — John E., 
David F., Ralph W., James H., Charles F., 
George A. and Jennie E. Mr. and Mrs. 
Johnston are members of the Congrega- 
tional Church at Hampton. He is a re- 
publican in politics and his neighbors have, 



at different times, honored him with local 
oflBces. In speaking of pioneer days, Mr. 
Johnston gives the following: When I 
came to Iowa, in the spring of 1855, there 
was not a mile of railroad west of Du- 
buque, and when we wanted flour we 
usually had to go to Cedar Falls, a three 
days journey, and when we raised anything 
to sell it had to be taken to that place_ 
We also had to dress our own pork and 
haul it to Cedar Falls or Waterloo. I sold 
pork, the year before the war, at that town, 
for |2 per hundred and my wheat for 
ihirty-three and one-third cents perbushel. 
These are facts, which perhaps my grand- 
children will hardly believe, unless I here 
record it in history. 

During the next decade, among those 
who made settlement in the township 
were: John Imlay, J. M. Soper, Albert 
Pickering, Amos Shephard, George W. 
Wilton, Amos B. Hudson, Garrett Luke, 
Isaac Way, Philip Kratz, Mrs. Susan Cole, 
John Meyer, O. D. Andrews, A. D. St. 
Clair and Warren S. Towle. 

J. M. Soper is an old settler of Reeve 
township. He is one of the leading farm- 
ers in the county, and for many years has 
been engaged in buying and selling stock, 
which he still follows, and in which he is 
very successful. He was born in Franklin 
Co., Vt., in 1815, and is a son of Joseph 
and Elicta ( Mansfield ) Soper. His father 
was a captain in the war of 1812, and his 
grandfather a soldier in the war of the 
Revolution. When J. M. Soper was six 
years of age, his parents removed to 
Franklin Co., N. Y., where he spent his 
boyhood and received a liberal education. 
The country being new and heavily tim- 
bered, he worked hard at clearing land 

"a =i= 



ePv* 






518 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



and making potash and pearlash. He was 
married in 1836 to Angeline Gray, born 
in the State of New York in 1819. In 
1851, he moved to Lake Co., 111., where he 
remained two years, thence to Buchanan 
Co., Iowa, and in 1856, came to Franklin 
county, where he now lives. His wife 
died in September, 1869, leaving four chil- 
dren — George W., Wallace W., Lavina 
and Albert M. He was again married, in 
1870, to Abagail Smith, a native of New 
York,born in 182V and died in 1880. He was 
again married in 1881 to Rowena E. Mer 
ritt, who was born in Ohio, in 1844 Mr. 
Soper's farm consists of 236 acres, for 
which he paid |10 per acre. This land 
was entered by Mr. Mayne. In politics Mr. 
Soper is an independent. He has held vari- 
ous local offices in Franklin county, and 
stands high in the estimation of his neigh- 
bors. 

Philip Kratz was born in Germany, in 
1825. His parents emigrated to Wauke- 
sha Co., Wis., while he was a small boy. 
The father died, in 1861, aged sixty-three; 
the mother, in 1881, aged seventy. The 
father was twice married, and had, in all, 
eleven children, Philip being the youngest 
by the first marriage. His education was 
limited,bul he has profited by observation. 
In the fall of 1853 he came to Iowa to 
to look at land. At that time cars were 
only running as far as Janesville, Wis. 
He, therefore, walked most of the distance 
to Franklin county, where he entered 
land, then walked to Des Moines, where 
he worked during the winter. In the 
spring he returned to Franklin, but on 
reaching there found the settlers rteeiiig 
from the Indians. He turned and went 
with them to near Cedar Falls, where 



they made a fort. From thence he 
went to Cedar Falls, where he worked 
on a mill race until the excitement 
was over, when he returned to the county 
and entered more land. He then removed 
to Wisconsin, but, in the summer of 1855, 
he again returned, in company with 
John Meyer, and added to his land. On 
March 12, 1856,he was married in Buchan- 
an county, to Louisa Reed, who was born 
in Germany, in 1833. He then came and 
built a log house and returned for his 
wife, arriving in Reeve township. May 6, 
1856. He is an industrious, go-ahead man. 
He cast his first vote for Buchanan, since 
which time he has been a sturdy republi- 
can, and has held offices of trust in his 
township. Mrs. Kratz is a member of the 
German Baptist Church. They have five 
children-Paulina A., Valentine J., Philip 
E., Mary J., (deceased), and Lemuel. 

Bennett Cole was born, in 1818, in 
Onondaga Co., N. Y., where he was mar- 
ried, in 1837, to Susan Phillips, born in 
the same county in 1810. In 1853 they 
moved to LaFayette Co., Wis , remain- 
ing until 1857, and from there to Frank- 
lin county, first settling in Geneva town- 
ship, where they remained until 1870, 
when he purchased his farm in Reeve 
township, where he died, Sept. 10, 1882. 
His wife still survives him. He was an 
estimable citizen, had received a good 
common school education and was an in- 
dustrious, hard working man. They had 
five children, only three of whom are 
living — Martha C, Benton, who now car- 
ries on the farm, and Frank A., living in 
Kansas. 

John Meyer came to Franklin county, 
June 1858, locating on section 32. He 



a k- 



-^ 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



519 



was born in Bavaria, Germany, in 1832. 
His parents, George and Barbara A. 
(NN'estfall) Meyer, were also natives of 
Bavaria. In 1848 they emigrated to Wau- 
kesha Co., Wis., where the father died in 
1859, aged sixty-live, the mother in May 
1882, aged seventy-five. They had a 
family of eight children. The subject of 
the sketch being the third. He received 
a common school education, and learned 
the carpenter trade in Wisconsin, which 
he has followed in Franklin county. He 
was married Oct., 4, 1854, to Catherine 
Orwilea, a native of Prussia, born in 1834. 
Her parents, Jacob and Elizabeth Or*ilea, 
were also of Prussia. In 1844, they emi- 
grated to Waukesha Co., Wis. Her 
mother died in 1846, but her father still 
survives. Mr. and Mrs. Meyer are mem- 
bers of the Pleasant Ridge M. E. Church. 
They have had seven children — John, 
Henry M., (deceased), Barbara A., Mary 
E., William, George W. and Charles F. 

E. Caldwell was born in New Hamp- 
shire, Feb. 14, 1820. When he was but 
two years old, his parents moved to the 
State of New York. His father was by 
trade a blacksmith, and of him he learned 
his trade. He remained at home until 
twenty-two years of age, when he went to 
work for himself, at Ogdensburg, after 
which he worked at different places until 
1848, when he removed to Elkhorn, Wis., 
where he worked at his trade a year. In 
1858 he came to Maysville, Franklin 
county, and opened a blacksmith shop. 
He followed this occupation until Aug. 
14, 1862, when he enlisted in company H, 
32d Iowa, serving until July 22, 1863, when 
he was discharged at Columbus, Ky., 
by reason of injuries received in the ser- 



vice, from the effects of which he now 
draws a pension. After his discharge he 
came back to Franklin county and again 
followed his trade for a time and then 
went to Illinois, afterw rd to Wright Co , 
Iowa. He was married in September, 1845, 
to Mary A. Mitchell, a native of New 
York, by whom he had three children — 
Jane, William and Sarah. His wife died 
in February, 1855, and he was again mar- 
ried, the following year, to Malinda F. 
Brace, who was born in Pennsylvania, in 
1820. In politics Mr. Caldwell is a staunch 
republican. 

John Imlay was born in New Jersey, 
in 1823. When an infant his parents moved 
to Washington Co., Penn., remaining un- 
til 1835, when they went to Muskingum 
Co., Ohio, where John grew to manhood, 
receiving a limited education and learning 
the carpenters trade, which he followed 
until the fall of 1860, when he came to 
Franklin county, locating on section 15, 
in Reeve township, where he now lives. 
He was married Sept. 6, 1856, to Mary Con- 
nor, born in Virginia, April 24, 1832. 
Mrs. Imlay is a member of the M. E. 
Church at Maysville. 

O. D. Andrews was the fourth son of 
Benjamin and Polly (Douglass) Andrews, 
who were natives of Connecticut, and who 
at an early day moved to Ohio, the mother 
dying there; the father died in Stephen- 
son Co., 111. O. D. Andrews was born in 
1816, in Grange Co., Ohio. He was reared 
on a farm and received a common school 
education. His parents had seven chil- 
dren. In 1841 O. D. Andrews was joined 
in marriage to Mary Briggs, a native of 
Vermont, by whom he had seven children. 
Mrs. Andrews died in Stephenson Co., 



"'^ » 






-^— 4l 



520 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



111. He was again married, in Stephen- 
son county, to Elizabeth Morris, a native 
of Kentucky. In 1861,hecame to Frank- 
lin Co., Iowa, and located in Reeve town- 
ship, where, on the 7th of May, 1869, his 
second wife died, and on March 12, 1870, 
he married Mrs. Lana C. (Pierce) Lander- 
son, a native of Chemung Co., N. Y., born 
in 1831, and who had two children by the 
former marriage. Her parents were both 
natives of New York, where the mother 
died, and the father married again, hav- 
ing twelve children by the first marriage, 
and six by the second. Mr. and Mrs. O. 

D. Andrews are both members of the M. 

E. Church at Geneva, and are estimable 
people. Mr. Andrews has been a resident 
of Reeve township for about twenty-two 
years and has been a valuable citizen, and 
is held in high esteem by all who know 
him. 

Albert Pickering was born in Richmond, 
Cheshire Co., N. H., in 1814, of which 
county and State his parents were also 
natives. He grew to manhood in that 
county, and received his education in the 
common schools, his early life being spent 
on the farm. In 1842 he went to Jo Da- 
viess Co., 111., and engaged in farming, 
and also in the mercantile business In 
1850 he went to California where he 
worked in the mines, and also kept a pro- 
vision store. He remained here until 1853, 
when he returned to Jo Daviess Co., 111., 
and in 1861 he came to Franklin county, 
and settled on section 36 in Lee township, 
where he lived two years, when he re- 
moved to Reeve township, afterwards 
engaging in the mercantile business in 
Hampton. Mr Pickering has been twice 
elected to the office of sheriff, and has 



held several township offices. He is inde- 
pendent in politics, and votes for the one 
he believes to be the best man. He is 
now living in Reeve township In 1834 
he married Laura Fowler, a native of New 
York. They have had four children, one 
only living at this time. 

A. D. St. Clair settled on section 
10, Reeve township, Franklin Co., Iowa, 
in 1863, He was born in Erie Co., N. Y., 
in 1839. His father was a native of Ver- 
mont, his mother of Massachusetts. When 
he was six years of age his parents moved 
to McHenry Co., 111., where he received a 
good education, devoting the remainder 
of his time to teaching and farming. He 
went to Michigan in 1872, where he mar- 
ried Flerence J. Jackway, a native of 
Berrien Co., Mich., born in 1851. Mr. and 
Mrs. St. Clair are members of the First 
Baptist Church, of Hampton. They have 
three children — Winnie C, Edson D. and 
Frank E. Mr. St. Clair is a staunch re- 
publican, takes a deep interest in politics, 
and is at present chairman of the board 
of county supervisors, and has held other 
local offices with credit. He is regarded 
as an honorable citizen, and held in high 
esteem by all who know him. 

Mrs. Lydie A. Mulford is the widow of 
Thomas Mulford, who was born in Cosh- 
octon Co., Ohio, in 1829, where he grew 
to manhood and was married in 1845 to 
Lydia Crofts, the subject of this sketch, 
who was born in Pennsylvania in 1829. 
When nine years of age her jjarents moved 
to Ohio, where she was married. In 1848 
they removed to Dubuque county, where 
her husband worked at his trade of 
cooper. He enlisted in 1861 in the 1st 
Iowa Cavalry, serving until October, 1863, 



A 



« — tk. 



j^ 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



521 



when he died at Little Rock, Ark. In the 
fall of 1863, Mrs. Mulford came with her 
family to Franklin county, where she still 
lives. She has six children — Washington 
W., C. Elmira, George S , Marcus M., 
Nathan and William T. 

George W. Wilton, postmaster at Mays- 
ville, was born in Canada, in 1843. When 
a young man he went to Michigan, and 
in 1864, came to Franklin county, arriving 
on the 9th of May. Here he engaged in 
farming until 1866, when he went to Ne- 
braska until 1869, but returned to Frank- 
lin county in 1873. He soon, however, 
again left and went to Michigan, and in 
1877 came back to Franklin county and is 
now engaged in mercantile business at 
Maysville and is postmaster at that place. 
He was married March 25, 1865, to Eliza- 
beth Jones, a daughter of an old settler of 
the county. She was born in 1845. 
They have five children — Silas L., Nettie 
J., Pearly J., Arthur W. and'GeorgeE. 
Mr. Wilton is a member of the I. O. O. F. 
at Geneva. He is a republican in politics, 
and has held the office of justice of the 
peace. 

Warren S. Towle came to Franklin 
county with his parents in 1865, and set- 
tled on section 3, in Reeve township, 
where his mother is still living, his father 
having died Nov. 24, 1881. W. S. Towle 
was born in Somerset Co , Maine, in 1842. 
In 1858 he and his parents moved to 
Dane Co., Wis., remaining there until 
1866, when they came to Iowa. He was 
married July 28, 1867, to Annie Iloole, 
born in Ohio in 1844. They were married 
in Livingston Co., Mo. Mr. Towle hns 
lived in Hampton sixteen years engaged 
at carpenter work They have one child 



— Joseph W. Mr. Towle is a republican 
and has held several local offices. His 
wife is a member of the Baptist Church. 
Among other settlers, of 1866, were 
John C. Jones, Jacob Kurtz and David 
Van kirk. 

John C. Jones, by occupation a con- 
tractor and house builder, is the son of an 
old settler of Franklin county, and was 
born in West Virginia, July 30, 1835. 
They moved to Indiana, and from thence 
to Reeve township. John C. enlisted in 
company E, 12th Iowa, in October, 1861, 
serving until July 26, 1865. He was promot- 
ed to the captaincy in the militia service, 
afterwards commissioned 1st lieutenant in 
the 88th regular United States colored 
troops. He p irticipated in many of the 
prominent battles of the war, including 
Jackson and Vicksburg. On receiving 
his discharge,, he returned to his home, 
where he remained one year, then went to 
southern Nebraska and Kansas, prosecu- 
ting his business. He was married to Mary 
J. Creighton,Nov. 16, 1856, born in Shelby 
Co., Ohio, Jan. 20, 1839. Seven children 
children have been born to them, five of 
whom are now living — William R., Mar- 
garet A., Christena R., Schuyler C. and 
Hattie A. He has held offices of trust, 
and is a republican in politics. 

Jacob Kurtz came to Franklin county 
in 1866, locating on section 25, where he 
still resides. He is the second son of four- 
teen children, and was born in Wurtem- 
buig, Germany, in 1838. His parents 
were natives of Germany, where they 
died. He emigrated to this country when 
fourteen years of age, stopping a few 
months in Cleveland, Ohio, then going to 
Crawford county, where he remained 



r 



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hL, 



5-22 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



eight years. In 1861 he went to Indiana, 
and remained until coming to Reeve town- 
ship. He was married Sept. 24, 1878, 
to Mrs. Jennie (Anderson) Sanderson, born 
in Stephenson Co., 111., March .3, 185-?. By 
her first marriage she had one child — 
Minnie L. ; by the present marriage three 
children — Charles O., James VV. and Ma- 
bel A. Previous to coming to the town- 
ship, Mr. Kurtz was a democrat, but now 
votes the republican ticket. 

David H. Vankirk is the present town- 
ship clerk of Reeve. His parents came 
to Franklin county in 1866, where he has 
since resided He is the eldest son of 
William Vankirk, and was born in Ohio 
in 1854. He was married in 1877 to Cath- 
erine Way, born in Wisconsin in 18.56. 
She is the daughter of a prominent citi- 
zen of the township, and is a member of 
the Wesleyan Methodist Church. Mr. 
Vankirk takes an active interest in politics 
and is a republican. He has acquired a good 
liberal education, and has followed teach- 
ing nine years. They have three children 
— Rosa M., Leonard M. and Leona. 

Among the number who came in be- 
tween 1866 and 1876 were: W. B. Tim- 
erman, M. D. Latham, Robert Bird, W. 
S Nobles, H. Z. Tucker, C. B. Green, 
Amos B. Hudson, Garrett VV. Luke, John 
G. Hicks, Theodore Thomas, Isaac T. 
Way, J. M. Goble, G. H. Hyndman, 
Thorn i» Fox, Henry J. Millard, James M. 
Bailey, James Hunt and John Vincent. 

W. B. Timerman, in the fall of 1872, 
came to Franklin county and purchased 
the farm where he now lives. He i> of 
German descent, and his great grand- 
father's, on both his father's and mother's 
side, were soldiers of the Revolutionary 



war. W. B. Timerman, the subject of 
this sketch, was born in Herkimer Co., 
N. Y., 1833, and was the son of Adam and 
Eve A. (Smith) Timerman, natives of that 
county. The family removed to Jeffer- 
son Co., N. Y., and engaged in farm- 
ing. Mr. Timerman was married in 
January, 1866, to Elizabeth Graham, then 
of Franklin Co., Iowa. Her father, John 
Graham, a native of Ireland and her mother 
Sophia (Miller) Graham, of French and 
German extraction, were born and reared 
in New York city. They were among 
the pioneers of Jefferson Co., N. Y. Mr. 
and Mrs. Timerman are members of the 
Wesleyan Methodist Church. He is a 
steward and class leader. They have four 
children — Melvin R., Percy G., Alida E. 
and Mary B. Mr. Timerman is a good 
republican and takes great interest in pol- 
itics. 

Amos Shepherd purchased and moved 
to his present home in 1873 He was born 
in Belmont Co., Ohio, Jan. 1, 1817, where 
he grew to manhood, had good school ad- 
vantages and followed teaching several 
years. He was married, in his native 
county, in 1840, to Isabel Moore, born in 
Ohio, in 1815. In 1853, he moved his 
family to Cumberland Co , 111., and, in 

1862, to Marion Co., Iowa. The follow- 
ing year he came to Franklin county, tak- 
ing a homestead of seventy-one acres upon 
which he lived for some time, then re- 
moved to Maysville, and from there to his 
present home. His wife died April 3, 

1863. By this marriage he had seven chil- 
dren — Leander C, Levica C , Mary B., 
Anne E., David A., James W. and Thayer 
F. He was again married, March 16, 
1865, to Mrs. Elizabeth Sparling. She 



-/l«- 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



523 



was born in Indiana Co., Penn., in 1826, 
Mr. and Mrs. Shepherd are members of 
the Methodist Episcopal Church at Mays 
ville. Mr. Shepherd is a republican and 
has held the office of justice of the peace 
about fifteen years. 

H. Z. Tucker was born in the town of 
Stafford, Orange Co., Vt., in 1837. When 
thirteen years of age, his parents came to 
Jo Daviess Co., Ill , where H. Z. grew up, 
and was educated in the common schools. 
He enlisted, May 24, 1861, in company E, 
15th Illinois Infantry, and served till 
1864. He was a brave soldier and took 
part with his regiment in the battle of 
Sliiloh and several other engagements. 
When he received his discharge he re- 
turned to Jo Daviess county, and on the 
25th of October, 1864, was married to Jen 
nie Townsend, born in the same county, 
in 1843. Here he engaged in farming un- 
til 1876, when he came to Franklin coun- 
ty, and located on section 36, Reeve town- 
ship, where he still resides. They have 
one child — George A. Mrs. Tucker is a 
member of the Baptist Church. Mr. 
Tucker is a member of the Masonic frater- 
nity, is a republican in politics and has 
held several local offices both here, and in 
Jo Daviess county, prior to his coming to 
Iowa. 

Milton D. Latham was the fourth of a 
family of six children, and came to Frank- 
lin county in 1874, locating on section 26, 
in Reeve township, where he now resides. 
His farm consists of eighty-five acres, un- 
der good cultivation He was born in Jo 
Daviess Co., 111., in 1849, where he grew 
to manhood, receiving a common school 
education, and was married,' in 1874, to 
Emily Buss, born in England, in 18.52. 



They are members of the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church at Geneva, and have three 
children — Carrie, Edith and Jessie. His 
father was born in Vermont, his mother 
in Ohio. They were pioneer settlers of 
Jo Daviess Co., 111., where they both 
died. The parents of Mrs. Latham were 
born in England, where the mother died 
in 1868. The father then emigrated to 
Stephenson Co., 111., where he is still liv- 
ing, having had a family of eight children. 

Robert L. Bird removed to Reeve town- 
ship, on section 21, in 1874. He was born 
in Fulton Co., 111., and when a small child 
his parents moved to Lee, thence to Mad- 
ison and then to Butler, Iowa. His par- 
ents were natives of Ohio, and came to 
Iowa in 1855. The father now lives in 
Madison county; the mother died at But- 
ler Centre, Butler county. He enlisted at 
Butler Centre, Oct., 1, 1861, in company 
E, 12th Iowa Infantry, serving until 
January, 1865. He took part in many of 
the battles of the war. He was disabled 
in the army, from the effects of which he 
now draws a pension After being dis- 
charged he returned to Butler county, 
where he was married, June 10, 1866, to 
Nancy J. Oxford, born in Indiana in 1848. 
They have six children — Mabel R., Flor- 
ence M., Grace, Laura B., David L. and 
Dora J. Mrs. Bird is a member of the 
Wesleyan Methodist Church. Mr. Bird 
is a staunch republican and has held lo- 
cal offices. The parents of Mrs. Bird are 
old settlers of Butler county, where the 
mother still lives, the father having died 
there Jan. 1, 1881. 

William S. Nobles was born in Meigs 
Co., Ohio, in 1853; was reared upon a 
farm, attended a common district school, 






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t^ 



524 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



and also the public school at Middleport 
two years. In 1875 he came to Franklin 
Co., Iowa, and entered the employ of E. 
L. Clock. After remaining in his employ 
for two years he married Sept. 27, 1877, 
Ella M. Clock, born in Warren, Jo 
Daviess Co., Ill , in 1856. After this he 
engaged in farming on shares until the 
fall of 1881, when he purchased the farm 
in Reeve. township, where he now resides. 
He and his wife are members of the M. 
E. Church at Maysville. They have one 
child— Fannie A. 

C. B. Green was born in St. Lawrence 
Co., N. Y., in 1835. When twelve years 
of age his parents emigrated to Dodge 
Co., Wis,, where he grew to manhood and 
received a good education. In 1867 he 
came to Franklin county and located on 
section 33, in Reeve township, where he 
has since lived with the exception of two 
years spent in Kansas. He was married 
in 1860 to Mary D. French, born in New 
York in 1842. They have seven children 
— Nettie L., Richard C, Ulysses, Jennie 
M., Mabel, Bessie and Guy V. (twins). 
Mr. and Mrs. Green are members of the 
M. E. Church at Maysville. Adam C. and 
Thankful (Ayers, Cook) Green, parents 
of C. B., were natives of St. Lawrence, 
N. Y., moved to Wisconsin, then to Frank- 
lin county, thence to Kansas, where the 
father died in 1878, having been a faith- 
ful minister of the gospel in the M. E. 
Church. He died in the triumphs of a 
living faith and has gone to his reward. 
The mother is still living in Kansas. 

Amos B. Hudson was born in Vermont, 
in 1829. He went to Wisconsin and set- 
tled in Dodge county, where he followed 
teaching, and on the outbreak of the re- 



bellion, enlisted as a private in 'he Ist 
Wisconsin Cavalry, and was promoted to 
sergeant, lieutenant and captain, and 
served till the close of the war. He is a 
self-made man, and has succeeded well. 
He came to Iowa in 1867, and took up his 
residence in Reeve township, engaging in 
teaching and farming. At the general 
election of 1868, he was elected sheriff of 
the county, which office he held several 
terms. He removed to Kansas in 1878, 
where he is now living. He married 
Laura Green, a native of Oswego, N. Y., 
born in 1832, by whom he had a family of 
six children. He is a member of the 
Masonic fraternity, also of the I. O. O. F. 
Garrett W. Luke was born in Albany 
Co., N. Y., May 22, 1842. When he was 
about twelve years of age, his parents 
moved to Boone Co., 111., and resided 
there five years. They then moved to Jo 
Daviess county, where young Luke en- 
listed, August, 1862, in company K, 96th 
Illinois Infantry, serving till the war 
closed in 1865. He took part with his 
regiment in twenty-seven battles and 
skirmishes including Chiokamauga, Look- 
out Mountain, Mission Ridge, Frank- 
lin, and was with Sherman as far as 
Atlanta, and at Nashville, at the surren- 
der of Hood. On being discharged, he 
returned to Jo Daviess county, and in 
January, 1868, was married to Harriet F. 
Turner, born in Jo Daviess county, 
August, 1842. The next June, the young 
couple came to Franklin Co., Iowa, and ■ 
settled on section 26, Reeve township, 
where they still reside. Six children have 
been born to them — Harry E., George F., 
Cora J , Edwin, Effie and Alice. Mr. 
Luke is a staunch republican, and is a 



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^It^ 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



529 



member of the township board of trus- 
tees. 

John G. Hicks came to Franklin county 
in 1868, and purchased the farm where he 
now resides, on section 13, Reeve town- 
ship. He was born in Cornwall, England, 
Aug. 15, 1839, and when ten years of age, 
emigrated witli his parents to Canada, 
where the family remained two years, and 
then removed to Illinois, and settled in Jo 
Daviess county, where the father still 
lives, the mother having died there May 
1, 1866. Here John G. Hicks spent his 
young days, being educated in the com- 
mon schools. In December, 1863, he en- 
listed in company F, I7th Illinois Cavalry, 
and served till Dec. 26, 1865, being mus- 
tered out of the service at Fort Leaven- 
worth, Kansas. While at home on a fur- 
lough, he was married, April 10, 1864, to 
Josephine Carpenter, a native of Wash- 
ington Co., N. Y., born Oct. 1, 1840. 
They have three children— Edwin A, 
born April 5, 1869, Cornetta, born June 
-'0, 1873, and Marvin, born Dec. 9, 1881. 
Mr Hicks is a member of the I. O. O. F. 

Theodore Thomas, a native of Ogle Co , 
111., was born Oct. 2, 1844. He is the son 
of Elias and Susan (Rice) Thomas, natives 
of Washington Co., Md.; the father born 
Jan 27, 1813, the mother in 1817. They 
were married in Ogle county, in 1837, 
where the molher still lives, the father 
having died Jan. 3, 1881. They had a 
family of six children, Theodore being 
the fourth. He enlisted July 1, 1862, in 
company B, 92d Illinois, serving till July 
7, 1865. He took part with his regiment 
in thirty-two battles, among which were 
Stone river, Chickamauga and Mission 
Hidge, and was with Sherman on his 



march to the sea. On receiving his dis- 
charge he returned to Ogle Co., 111., where 
he was married, March 21, 1867, to Eliza- 
beth Wagoner, also of Ogle county, born 
May 5, 1844. Four children were born to 
them— Olin W., Elias W., Edna E. and 
Theodore L. Mr. Thomas is a member 
of the Masonic lodge at Geneva, and is a 
republican in politics. He came to Frank- 
lin county in the spring of 1868 and set- 
tled first in Osceola township, remaining 
there uniil 1876, when he removed to 
Reeve township. 

Isaac T. Way, although not one of the 
oldest settlers, is one of the prominent 
men of the township. He was born in 
Randolph Co., Ind., April 28, 1820, but 
reared in Wayne county. His early life 
was spent on the farm, but he acquired an 
excellent education,and afterwards learned 
the mason's and bricklayer's trade, which 
he has followed at different times. He was 
married in Indiana in 1839, to Catherine 
Amburn, a native of Virginia, born in 
September, 1818. In 1852, he went with 
his family to JoDaviess Co., 111., engaging 
in farming. His wife died there in Feb- 
ruary, 1854. By this marriage he had six 
children — Isaac C, William H., (deceased), 
Lucy A., Angeline, Or.ange T, (deceased), 
Mary E. and Charles O. He was again 
married, Dec. a8, 1854, to Jane Brown, 
born in Ohio in 1823, by whom he had 
three children — Catherine J., Sarah A. and 
John L. In 1869, Mr. Way came with 
his family to Iowa and settled on section 
29, Reeve township, where he still lives. 
Mr. and Mrs. Way are members of the 
Wesleyan Methodist Church. In politics 
he was formerly an abolitionist, taking an 
active part in the interests of that party. 



42 



r 



A 



530 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



afterwards a free soiler, but at present a 
staunch republican, and is a member of 
the present board of township trustees and 
a justice of the peace. During the war he 
was a strong Union man. Two of his sons 
were in the service, the oldest being 
severely wounded. The second one, Wil- 
liam H., died of pncumoniain the hospital 
at Little Rock, Ark. Mr. Way is a worthy 
citizen and is held in high esteem. 

J. M. Goble settled in Geneva township, 
Franklin county, in 18Y1, and in the 
spring of 1872, settled in Reeve township 
on section 36, where he now resides and 
makes farming his occupation. He was 
born in Perry township, Shelby Co., Ohio, 
in 1833. He was educated at the common 
school, and was the third child of a family 
of lifteen. His parents, now deceased, 
were natives of Ohio. He followed brick- 
making in the summer, and went to 
sqhool in winter until 1855, when he went 
to JoDaviess Co., 111. In 1857, he married 
Diadema Warne, born in Southwood, 
Canada West, in 1838. Her father was a 
native of Digby, Nova Scotia; her mother 
of Canada. They are both dead. Mr. 
and Mrs. Goble have three children — 
Laura B., John L. and Lucy R. 

,Tohn H. Adams came to this county in 
1871, and located on section 12, Reeve 
township. He was born in England in 
1838, and when six years old emigrated to 
Jo Daviess Co., 111., where his mother was 
still living in 1883; the father died in that 
county in 1853. John H. grew to man- 
hood there and received a common school 
education. In his youth and early man- 
hood he worked at lead mining, in Illinois 
and Wisconsin. In the spring of 1864 he 
enlisted in company C, 140th Illinois Infant- 



ry for six months, after which he re-en- 
listed in the 7th Illinois Cavalry, serving 
until the war closed. He was married in 
Jo Daviess county, Nov. 27, 1867, to Ma- 
tilda Tressider, who was born in South 
Carolina, in 1848. In 1809 they went to 
Iowa Co , Wis., and remained until they 
came to Iowa in 1871. They have three 
children — Bertha, Mary and R. Henry. 
Mr. Adams and wife are both members of 
the Methodist Church and Mr. Adams is 
a prominent man in the I. O. O. F. lodge. 
G. C. Hyndman, iu 1872, came to Frank- 
lin county, and located on section 4, Reeve 
township, where he now has a good farm. 
He was born in (Janada in 1838. His par- 
ents were natives of. Ireland. He re- 
mained in Canada until nineteen years of 
age, when he removed to Illinois, remain- 
ing for a time in each of the counties of 
Ogle, Stephenson and Boone. He then 
moved to Iowa. He was married at Free- 
port, 111., June 15, 1865, to Carrie A. 
Shout, a native of Pennsylvania, born in 
1848. Her parents were also natives of 
Pennsylvania. They have four children — 
Dixon G., Aurie S., Clyde J. and John A. 
Mrs. Hyndman is of German descent. 

Thomas Fox is a resident on section 9. 
His farm consists of 113 acres in a good 
state of cultivation. He was born near 
London, England, March 21, 185i, and 
grew to manhood in Newton. His educa- 
tion was limited having to labor to main- 
tain himself. When eighteen he emi- 
grated to the United States, stopping in 
La Fayette Co., Wis., seven years, when 
he came to Franklin county, and rented 
land in Reeve township for a time, when 
he bought a farm on section 20, where he 
lived three year.-i, then sold and purchased 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



531 



his present home. He was married Jan. 
17, 1876, to Mary Muxlow, a native of La 
Fayette Co.jWis.jborn April 21 1856. They 
have two children — George M., born Nov. 
7, 1876, and William H., born Aug. 28, 
1879. Mr. Fox is a republican in politics, 
and has held offices of trust. 

Henry J. Millard has been in Reeve 
township since 1873. He was born in 
Madison Co., N. Y., in 1833. His parents 
emigrated to Jefferson Co., Wis., when 
he was ten years of age. He remained 
there until manhood, and had good educa- 
tional advantages. In 1858 he went to 
Winnebago Co., 111., and remained until 
he came to Franklin county in 1870. He 
first settled in Osceola, remaining there 
three years. He was married in Richland 
Co., Wis., in 1855, to Martha J. Beeraer, 
a native of New Jai-sey, born in 1837. 
They are the parents of six children — 
William H., Mary E., Alice J., Frank E., 
James Y. and Clarence E. They are 
members of the M. E. Church at Mays- 
ville. 

James M. Bailey was born in Onondaga 
Co., N. Y., May 12, 1843, and was the 
fifth of six children. He was the son of 
John A. and Elsie Bailey, natives of New 
York, where they were married in 1848, 
and emigrated to Wisconsin, settling in 
Rock county, and engaging in farming. 
In 1871, they removed to McHenry Co., 
111., where they are now living. James is 
the possessor of a good education, and has 
chosen the vocation of farming. He was 
marrried Dec 24, 1863, to Hannah E. 
Beemer, born in Ohio, Aug. 17, 1840. 
They have three children — Mary E., Wil- 
liam A., and James E. In 1871 they re- 
moved to Winnebago City, 111., where 



they remained until 1873, when they 
came to Franklin county, and settled in 
Grant township, remaining one year, when 
they chose the farm where they now live, 
on section 33, in Reeve township. Mr. 
Bailey has held local offices, and is a repub- 
lican in politics. The parents of Mrs. 
Bailey, were natives of New Jersey, 
where they married. They removed to 
Ohio, thence to Wisconsin, and from there 
to Illinois, where the mother died in 1875, 
aged fifty-six years. The father died in 
Reeve township, May 4, 1881, aged seven- 
ty-nine years. 

James Hunt, a resident on section 35, 
Reeve township, was born in Lincolnshire, 
England, in 1830, where his parents, John 
and Phn?be (Stark) Hunt, were born and 
died; the mother dying April 5, 1880, 
aged seventy-nine years ; the father Aug. 
12, 1882, aged eighty -two years. His 
school advantages were very limited, but 
by reading and observation, he has ac- 
quired a good practical education. He 
emigrated to Rochester, N. Y., in 1851, 
where he remained one year, then removed 
to Jo Daviess Co., 111., but not being sat- 
isfied, he moved to LaFayette Co., Wis., 
making it his home until the spring of 
1875, when he came to Franklin county, 
and bought a farm on section 5, Ross 
township, which he retained until 1883, 
when he sold out, and purchased his pres- 
ent home. He was married in 1858, in 
Wisconsin, to Caroline Redfeavn, a native 
of Ohio, born in 1841. They have eleven 
children — Mary J., Elizabeth A., Lucy L., 
Sarah A., James W., Francis R., deceased 
Feb. 20, 1882, aged thirteen years and fif- 
teen day ; Effie C, Mattie E., deceased 
Sept. 10, 1873, aged sixteen monhs; 






-*il2= 



-s>\J- 



532 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 






Phfpbe E., Ilattie O. and Josie Dell. Mr. 
IIiiui a republican in politics, and bag 
lield tlie office of justice of the peace. He 
is also a member of the I. O. O. F. 

John Vincent came to bis present home 
in Reeve township, in isTS. He was for- 
merly a merchant, but is now engaged in 
farming. He was born and reared in Jo 
Daviess Co., 111., where be received a 
good common school education. He is a 
son of Henry and Sarah (Mitchell) Vin- 
cent, natives of Cornwall, England, who 
emigrated to the United States, in 183.3, 
and were among the pioneers of Jo Da- 
viess county, where they made their home 
until their death, the father dying in 1851, 
the mother in 1864. They reared a fam- 
ily of eleven children, John being the 
tenth. He enlisted, in 1862, in company 
A, 96th Illinois, serving three years. At 
the battle of Lookout Mountain he re- 
ceived a gun-shot wound, the ball enter- 
ing near the right eye and ranging down- 
ward, came out just back of the ear. From 
the effects of this wound he is on the pen- 
sion list. He served as color-sergeant. 
On receiving his discharge he returned to 
Jo Daviess county, remaining until 1S15, 
when he came to Iowa. Mr. Vincent lias 
been three times married. He first mar- 
ried Augusta Lant;don, Dee. 24, 1864, born 
in 1841. By this union there was one 
child, which died in its tinst year, the 
mother dying Jan. .1, 1866. His second 
wife, Adelaide Miller, to whom he was 
married on March 27, 1868, was born in 
Jo Daviess Co., 111., July 4, 1855. They 
had two children — Alfred H. and Charles 
J. His wife died July 22, 1882. Mr. Vin- 
cent was again married, Dec. 24, 1882, to 
Lillian Lamore, born in Hampton, 111., in 



1861. Mr. and Mrs. Vincent are members 
of the Methodist Episcopal Church at 
Maysville. 

J. M. Stout came to the township in 
1881, and purchased a farm on section 15, 
of Reeve township. He was born in Meigs 
Co., Ohio, in 1847, where he grew to man- 
hood, receiving a common school educa- 
tion. His parents were natives of Ohio. 
The father died in 1874, aged fifty -seven; 
the mother was still living in Ohio, in 1883. 
They had four children, and the subject of 
this sketch was the third child. He en- 
listed in company D, 140th Ohio National 
Guards, and served 100 days. He was 
married, in Meigs county, in I87t3, to Mrs. 
Florence A. (Nobles) Plummer, born in 
Meigs county, in 1847. She had one child 
by her first marriage — Winfield S. Mr. 
and Mrs. Stout are members of the Metho- 
dist Church. Mr. Stout is a great reader 
and possessed of much intelligence. His 
wife is highly esteemed by all who have 
made her acquaintance. 

Among the early settlers of the town- 
ship was E. L. Clock, who settled on sec- 
tion 27. Mr. Clock is a well-to-do farmer 
and a man who is well known and highly 
esteemed throughout the county. He has 
from time to time held many of the local 
(itfices of his township. 

OHGANIC. 

Reeve township was organized in 1855 
and the first election held at the log school 
house on section 23, October, 1855. C. 
M. Leggett was elected as the first justice 
of the peace and John S. Mitchell as 
clerk. 

ITEMS OF INTEREST. 

The first marriage in Reeve township 
was that of Alex. Arledge and Julia 
Springer. 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



533 



The first birth was early in the spring 
of 1854, a son of Daniel Farmer, who af- 
terward removed to Butler county . The 
next birth, occurring but a few days later, 
was a son of Mr. and Mrs. Sturras, who, in 
1883, were living in Kansas. 

The first death in the township was a 
child of Mr. Grouts, who died in the 
spring of 1854. A little later in the sea- 
son Mr. Webb, a settler of the township, 
who had been at work in Hardin county, 
died. His remains were brought to Reeve 
township for burial. 

The first cemetery was located on the 
northwest corner of section 23, and was 
called Mayne's Grove cemetery. The first 
burial in this cemetery was the wife of Dr. 
Arledge, in 1854. 

The first store in the township was 
started by T. H. Baker, who kept his 
goods in a log house a mile east of Mays- 
ville. He afterward went to the army 
and died in the service. 

Solomon Brazzelton kept the next store, 
which was opened in 1855. He sold to 
Sparling & Brown. Sparling afterward 
entered the army and was killed. Brown 
moved to Independence in 1858. William 
Boyles ran the store for awhile and then 
suspended. E. L. Clock was the next to 
engage in trade. 

In 1883, there were two stores in the 
township — one kept by 'Squire Dunn and 
the other by Charles Kreisler. 

The first blacksmith shop was run by 
L. Jones, on section 23, in 1856. This 
shop was afterward removed to Maysville. 

The second blacksmith shop was started, 
in the spring of 1856, by Levi Jones and 
Richard Horner, who built a shop 20x20 
feet, and continued for two years. In 



1883, there was only one shop in the 
township, owned by T. H. Baker and op- 
erated by E. Caldwell, at Maysville. 

KILLING A BUFFALO. 

In 1864, a buffalo was seen near John 
J. Mitchell's farm, whereupon a party of 
seven men, consisting of Solomon Staley, 
Humphrey Talhelm, H.J. Mitchell, James 
Springer, W. J. Shroyer, L. Shroyer and 
Dr. Addis, gave chase, following him into 
Hardin county and killing him at a point 
between Iowa Falls and Ackley. The party 
had a very interesting as well as exciting 
time in the final capture of the wild ani- 
mal, which had got "too far from home," 
as one of the party expressed it in relating 
the circumstances. After he was first seen, 
the party saddled their horses and pro- 
vided themselves with such weapons as 
they could obtain, and started in quick 
pursuit. They chased the animal until 
they lost sight of it ; but being over- 
heated, it sought a prairie pond and when 
found was asleep in the mud. The ani- 
mal at once showed fight, and Mr. Spring- 
er followed him for over a mile in a circle, 
when the buffalo crossed the track of an 
ox team with a boy in charge. The lad 
becoming frightened climbed into a tree. 
The enraged buffalo made a dive at the 
oxen, when a volley of rifle balls and shot 
were fired from a distance of sixty yards, 
which killed it. The party dressed the 
animal and Mitchell and Staley took the 
carcass to Iowa Falls and sold it to the 
hotels, the proprietors being eager to ob- 
tain it, although the meat was not good as 
the animal had been heated. This was 
the last buffalo seen in this section of 
Iowa. 



w 



534 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



SCHOOLS. 

The first school was taught by the pres- 
ent wife of H. J. Mitchell in 1855. This 
was also the first school iii Franklin 
county. The second school was taught 
by William Boyles. During the spring 
of 1855, a log school house was built by 
subscription on section 2 i, the neighbor- 
hood turning out to put it up. This house 
was used for school purposes for about 
three years. It was afterwards lorn down 
and moved to Maysville for a blacksmith 
shop. In 1883, there were nine school 
houses and 288 scholars in Reeve town- 
ship, showing the people here to be fully 
up to the times in educational matters. 

KELIGIOUS. 

The first religious services were held at 
the house of Mr. Fairchild, where Mr. 
Shephard afterward lived, by Job B. 
Garner, who had just come to the town- 
shij) and was anxious to get a claim but 
was short of means to purchase. Mr. 
Reeve had' an interest in a claim, and 
although not a church member, upon find- 
ing out that Garner was a minister, he 
arranged it so that he had the claim, 
with the understanding that he was to 
pay for it in preaching. A meeting was 
held in the summer of 1853, which nearly 
every one in the township attended. 

The Protestant Methodists held their 
first meetings, in 1855, at private houses; 
but later, in the same year, used the log 
school house for a meeting place. Rev. 
Grill organized a class about this date. 
The Springer and Arledge families com- 
prised the greater part of this class, which 
was in operation about one year. 

The Methodist Episcopal denomination 
held their first meeting, in the spring of 



1855, by Rev. Stewart, in a log school 
house on section 2.3. The following were 
among t'"e first members: Levi and Jane 
.Jones, the Faulker family, Isaac Mulkins 
and wife, Henry Shroyer and wife, Wil- 
liam Johnson and wife. The first class 
chose for their leader Levi Jones, who 
has held the position to the present time, 
1883. At one time this society numbered 
sixty-five. The following named are the 
different pastors who have preached on 
this charge, in about the order in which 
they served: Rev. Stewart, one year; 
Rev. J. H. Burley, two years; Rev .^Free- 
man, one year; Rev. Hesstwood, two years; 
Rev. Glassner, Rev. Connell, Rev. James 
Hankins, Rev. Niskerbarker, Rev. Cooley, 
Rev. Charles Jones, Rev. Miller, J. J. Sit- 
tler. Rev. Bargett, Rev. Crinklow, Rev. 
Cooley, Jacob Haymond and Rev. Sproul. 

The Wesleyan Methodist Church of 
Mayne's Grove was organized through the 
labors of J. A. Grill, who held a tabernacle 
meeting in the grove, and on the 11th of 
September, 1876, a class was organized 
consisting of the following members: 
JosiahH. Bond, Mary E. Bond, Jane Van 
kirk, Jennie Bond, Caroline Collins, J. R. 
Miller, Henry House and I. T. Way. The 
first orticers of the society were: Mary E. 
Bond, class leader; I. T. Way, steward; C. 
M.Leggett, clerk; Rev. John Calderwood, 
pastor, who served for two years. The 
next pastor was Rev. Grennell, who served 
two y^ars and was followed by David 
Menka. The pastor in 1883 was B. F. 
Roe. From the time of its organization, 
1876, until 1883, the society steadily in- 
creased to a membership of fifty-six. A 
union Sabbath school was maintained 
during warm weather. The church ofii- 



7« 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



535 



cers in 1883 were: W. B. Timerman, 

class leader; W. H. Chamberlain and J. 
H. Bond, stewards; I. T. Way, clerk. 

MAYSVILLE POSTOFFICK. 

Maysville was the first town platted in 
the county. A postoffice was established 



here in 1857, with Edward Sparling as the 
first postmaster, who held the office in his 
store. The next postmaster was E. L. 
Clock, who held the office for many years, 
and was finally succeeded by Mr. Kreisler. 
In 1883, the office was held by 'Squire 
Dunn. 



ihL^ 






CHAPTER XXXI. 



ROSS TOWNSHIP. 



Rosa township was a part of Clinton 
until 1870, when a petition was presented 
to the supervisor for a division, which 
resulted in creating a new township, com- 
prising all of township 93, range 20, except 
sections 3, 4, 9, 10 and a portion of 5 and 8, 
which included the town of Sheffield. The 
boundary, after this division, was Clinton 
township and Cerro Gordo county on the 
north. West Fork on the east, Ingham on 
the south and Richland on the west. It 
was named in honor of A. S. Ross, the 
oldest living settler. This township con- 
tains some of the best cultivated farms in 
the county. The land is a beautiful roll- 
ing prairie, watered by the West Fork of 
the Cedar river, which passes through the 
northeastern part of its territory, making 
its exit from section 12, by Bailey's creek, 
which courses through the township from 
the northwest corner to section 13, where 
it enters West Fork township, and by Buf- 
falo creekwhich passes througli sections 19, 
30 and 31, and touches the extreme south- 
west corner of section 32, at a point where 



it enters Mott township. The monotony 
of the prairie landscape is broken some- 
what by occasional natural groves on 
either side of the three principal streams 
mentioned. The soil is of a rich loam of 
the most productive quality, which insures 
the best of crojis The Central Railway 
of Iowa runs through the township, from 
north to south, with a station at the town 
of Chapin, on sections 28 and 29. 

EARLY SETTLEMENT. 

Abner S. Ross came to Franklin county 
in the spring of 1857, and settled on sec- 
tion 31 of what was afterward Ross town- 
ship. The only house in the township 
was the one he Iniilt in which about twenty 
men and women lived during the winter 
of 1857-8. The Spirit Lake massacre was 
in the spring of 1857, and all the settlers 
left this vicinity except a family named 
Tharp, who afterward removed to Kansas. 
Messrs Mann, Goheen, E D. Wright and 
Lyman Bailey came about the same date 
with Ross. 



t 



536 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



Abner S. Ross was born in Butler Co., 
Ohio, May 24, 1815. His father, Elijah 
Ross, was a native of New Jersey, and his 
mother, Phcebe (Miller) Ross, of Connect- 
icut. This couple, after their marriage, 
removed to Ohio, when Cincinnati was an 
unpretentious village, and purchased a 
farm, where now the most populous por- 
tion of that city stands. But Mr. Ross 
was taken sick, and removed into Butler 
county, twenty-six miles from Cincinnati. 
The family consisted of twelve children, 
who all reached maturity. The father 
was a carpenter and farmer, and died at 
the age of seventy-two. Abner S. Ross, 
the subject of this sketch, remained in 
Butler county till he was twenty years of 
age, at which time he removed to Spring- 
ville,Ind., and being a blacksmith by trade, 
he followed that business in Springville 
and vicinity for sixteen years, then sold 
out and removed to Poweshiek Co., Iowa, 
where he ran a blacksmith shop and farm 
for four years. In the spring of 1857, he 
removed to Franklin county and started 
the town of Chapin. Mr. Ross was elected 
the third sheriff of Franklin county, 
when the salary was only fifteen dollars 
a year. He was the first school director 
of Chapin, and was treasurer for several 
years. In 1863 he was appointed deputy 
United States marshal, and assisted in 
raising recruits for the army. He served 
ill this capacity for one year, having under 
his supervision the counties of Franklin, 
Wright and Humboldt. When he came 
to this county, he opened the first black- 
smith shop in the township, and assisted 
in building the saw mill at Old Chapin, 
and acted as head sawyer for four years. 
He opened a farm in Marion township. 



and in 1875 removed to section 28, where 
he was living in 1883. In September, 
1835, Mr. Ross was married to Esther A. 
Rose, who died Feb. 8, 1853, leaving four 
children — Milton H., Fletcher R., James 
M. and Sarah E. His second wife was Ruth 
Clement, whom he married in July, 1853. 
She died in 1871 at Old Chapin, and in the 
spring of 1872, he married Miss F. M. 
Hathaway, of Adams, Mass. By this 
union there were two sons — Charles A. 
and John Henry. Mr. Ross has been a 
member of the Masonic fraternity for 
about forty-five years. 

E. D. Wright, an early settler of the 
township, was born in Erie Co., N. Y., 
Feb. 28, 1818. His parents were from 
Vermont and settled in New York soon 
after the war of 1812. They moved to 
Ontario Co., N. Y., and from there to Me- 
dina Co., Ohio, in 1835, E D.Wright came 
to Iowa, and located first in Jones county. 
He went from Ohio in 1850 by the over- 
land route to California, and engaged 
there in mining for one year, coming back 
by way of Panama, but in 1852 he re- 
turned to California, and remained there 
four years. In 1857, he came to Franklin 
county, and located south of Tharp's Grove, 
in what is now Marion township, and has 
ever since been a resident of this county. 
Mr. Wright married Mary Davis, in 
Ohio, Sept. 23, 1845. She bore him 
five children — Clarissa, Amos, Mitchell, 
Estella and Mary. Mrs. Wright taught 
the first school at Chapin, in what is now 
the town of Ross. She died June 14, 
1882, at the village of Chapin where Mr. 
Wright now lives. He has been school 
director and road supervisor, and when 




^' 



^^a^n^r^ ^c/hri^-^-in^J, 



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7^^2^ ^ 



^-T^.^-^-K^^^"-^'^^^'^^^^^^^^ 



4^ 



k. 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



541 



the war broke out he enlisted in company 
H, 32d Iowa, but was rejected. 

S. E. Baker came with his parenti; 
to Iowa in 1856, and located in 1858 on 
section 9, where he lived until 1872, and 
then sold out and moved to Jasper Co., 
Iowa, but returned to Franklin county, in 
1880, when he purchased his present home 
on section 25. He was born in Chautau- 
qua Co., N. Y., in 183-1. When five years 
old, his parents moved to Michigan, stay- 
ing one year, then to Indiana, remaining 
seven years, 'hen to Illinois, where they 
lived nine years, and from there to Iowa, 
which is now their home. He is the son of 
Almon and .Julia A. Baker, both preach- 
ing in the United Brethren Church over 
thirty years. He has been favored with 
a good education, completing at Pendle- 
ton Seminary, 111. He enlisted in the 
•32d Iowa Volunteer Infantry, company 
II, in 1864, remaining until mustered out, 
and was in several engagements, but came 
out unhurt. He was married, Jan. 1, 
1800, to Miss C. A. Miller, a native of 
Ohio They have four children — Eldora 
Ann, wife of Calvin West of Wisconsin, 
Samuel Almon, Saloma T. and William 
Kdson. 

W. H. McMillen is one of the most 
jironiinent and wealthy farmers and stock 
laisers in Franklin county. He is now a 
member of the board of county super- 
visors, and was one of the first settlers in 
what is now Ross township, having moved 
here with his step-father, John Ashman, 
in 1858, coming here from Saratoga 
Springs, Saratoga Co., N. Y., where he 
was born in the fall of 1851. He is about 
thirty-two years of age. His father, Wil- 
liam McMillen, was of Scotch descent, and 



died when his son, W. H., was a small boy. 
His mother soon after became the wife of 
■John Ashman, a prominent and highly 
cultured gentleman of Saratoga Springs. 
The family came to Iowa in 1858 and set- 
tled at Old Chapin. The subject of the 
present sketch was reared on the farm, 
attending the common schoolsof the town, 
but received his principal instructions 
from his cultured step-father, and being 
an apt scholar he made rapid advance- 
ment, so that at the age of thirteen, the 
county superintendent having examined 
him with other members of the school, pro- 
nounced him one of the best scholars in 
the school, and offered to give him a cer- 
tificate to teach in any of the common 
schools of the county. This was quite a 
compliment to a boy of thirteen, coming 
as it did from a thorough scholar and edu- 
cator. He, however, continued his studies 
under the direction of his step-father until 
two years later, when his step-father died^ 
leaving the subject of this sketch, at the 
age of fifteen years, and a brother two 
years older, to look after the property left 
their mother by Mr. Ashman; and from 
that time on he did the work of a man, 
looking after his mother's property with 
as much interest as he now does his own. 
Having reached his majority he com- 
menced the battle of life for himself. For 
three years he rented and worked his 
mother's farm on shares, and in 1875 he 
bought his present farm of 320 acres, just 
south of the thriving village of Chapin, in 
Ross township. His land, which he 
bought at thirteen dollars per acre, is now 
valued at fifty dollars an acre. His farm 
is a high state of cultivation, well fenced, 
with the fi^nest farm buildings in thetown- 



43 



'9 

r 



Jl 



!k 



542 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



-^ 



ship, if not in the county, and decorated 
with all kinds of evergreens, having 
something over 3000 in all. He has in all 
720 acres of land, part of it located in 
Richland township. He is also very ex- 
tensively engaged in stock raising, having 
at this time about 200 head of horned 
stock, about fifty fine horses (four of them 
imported), 200 hogs, and does an extensive 
business in fattening, and shipping stock 
to the eastern market. Mr. McMillen is 
a self-made man^ having begun life with 
no other capital than good health, a good 
deal of common sense and a determina- 
tion to succeed, and he has not been 
disappointed. He has been success- 
ful in all his pecuniary affairs and is to 
day not only the richest but one of the 
most influential citizens of this locality. 
He is a strong republican in politics and 
although he has never sought office, yet he 
has had many of the local oflices forced 
upon him and is at present one of the 
supervisors of the county. He is a mem- 
of the I. O. O. F. at Hampton. His 
grandfather was a captain in the war of 
1812, and died seven years ago at a very 
advanced age. His mother is of French 
descent and is related closely to the noted 
Grinnell family. Mr. McMillen was 
married in 18'74, to Lila W. Black- 
stone, of Wisconsin, a native of Canada. 
They are the parents of four children 
— Harry, Frank, Willie Carroll, and 
Chauncey. 

M. D. Gibbs, a settler of 1862, was 
born in Chemung Co., N. Y., May 25, 1851. 
His parents, Benoni and Sarah (Kimball) 
Gibbs, were natives of New York, where 
his father was a farmer. When only 
eight years of age, M. D. Gibbs, like the 



lamented Garfield, drove two seasons on 
the Erie canal. In 1862, the fainily re- 
moved to Franklin Co., Iowa, and M. D. 
has since been a resident of Ross town- 
ship. Mr. Gibbs still enjoys single bless- 
edness, and his mother and sister are 
living with him on section 6. He has a 
farm of 160 acres in the town of Genesee, 
Cerro Gordo county. He has twenty-five 
head of cattle, eight horses and seventy- 
five hogs. His land is valued at #25 per 
acre. Mr. Gibbs has held the offices of 
school director, constable, justice of the 
peace and road supervisor. Politically 
he fraternizes with the republican party. 
W. D. F. Randolph, one of the early 
settlers of Ross township, is a carriage 
painter by trade, and also gives a good 
deal of attention to practical farming. He 
was born Nov. 25, is:i7, at Piscatacjue, 
N. J. His father's name was Furman 
F. Randolph, the mother's maiden name, 
Mary Drake, both natives of New Jersey, 
the Randolphs settling in Middlesex 
county as early as 1680. The grandfather 
on his mother's side was a captain in the 
war of the Revolution. W. D. F. Ran- 
dolph came west at the age of nineteen, 
but after spending some time in Chicago 
and southern Illinois, he returned home 
where he then learned his trade of car- 
riage painting. In 1862, he came to 
Franklin county, and has since resided in 
the town of Ross, and carries on his trade 
and runs his farm. On the 10th of No- 
vember, 1855, he married Maria Colyer, 
of New Jersey. They have one son, W. 
H. F. Randolph, who is now in Fargo, 
Dakota. Mr. Randolph has held the offices 
of secretary of the school hoard, director, 
township trustee, and for ten years has 



a »- 



zf}^ 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



543 



been clerk of elections. He was also as- 
sessor one term. He is a straight republi- 
can, and votes that ticket every time he 
gets a chance. 

Simon Johnson settled on liis present 
farm in 1862. For thirty-three years of 
his life he has been a blacksmith, but at 
present is engaged in farming. He has a 
fine farm of 307 acres of valuable land, 
and a commodious house, built in 1882. 
He has held the offices of trustee, road 
supervisor and school director. In politics 
he is a republican, and has been a member 
of the Masonic lodge at Hampton thirteen 
years. He was born in Norway, in 1822; 
emigrated to Wisconsin in 1853, where he 
spent one year, then went to Cedar Falls, 
Iowa, and from thence to Butler county, 
where he remained until he came to Frank- 
lin county. He was married, in 1850, to 
Genie Berson, also a native of Norway. 
They have three children — Julia S., the 
wife of P. J. Olson, of Moline, 111.; Marti- 
mus B. and Hibert A. 

William Ellis, one of the early settlers 
of Ross township, was born in Yorkshire, 
England, in 1822, and came to America in 
1831 with his parents. They settled in 
Detroit, Mich., where William grew to 
manhood on his father's farm. His par- 
ents being poor, he was compelled to neg- 
lect his education and give his attention 
and time to clearing off the heavy timber 
and securing a home for the family, and 
when this laudable purpose was achieved, 
it was too late to make up in educa- 
tion the years lost in youth. His parents 
died on the old homestead in Michigan, 
after toiling there for more than thirty 
years. The son, of whom we now write, 
continued to live on the old farm until 



1854, when he came to Iowa, settling first 
in Clayton county, but, in 1863, he came to 
Franklin county and settled on tie farm 
in Ross township, where he still resides. 
He has a good farm of 160 acres, with 
100 head of cattle, sixty hogs and ten 
horses, and his farm is one among the very 
best ones in Ross township. He was 
married in 1848 to Mary Dinnin, who 
was born in Ireland. By this union 
they have four children — William Jr., 
Elizabeth, Francis and Jessie. 

G. W. Crawford come to Iowa in 1862. 
He was born in Fulton Co., Penn., Feb. 
17,1838. His parents, J. V. and Melin- 
da (McGee) Crawford, were natives of 
Pennsylvania. The father was a black- 
smith. The son, G. W. Crawford, learned 
the milling trade and worked at this busi- 
ness in Pennsylvania until 1859, then 
moved to Illinois and for one year lived 
near Mt. Carroll. In 1860 he went to 
Pike's Peak in search of gold, spending 
one short summer, then returned to Illi- 
nois, and after a year's sojourn there he 
removed to Cedar Falls, Iowa, where he 
worked at the cooper's trade until 1865, at 
which date he came to Franklin county. 
He had made a tour of prospect here in 
1864 and purchased 160 acres of land on 
section 20, Ross township, which he still 
owns. The farm is well improved with a 
fine dwelling house and other buildings. 
Mr. Crawford values his land at fifty dollars 
per acre. He keeps from twenty to thirty 
head of cattle, ten horses and about 120 hogs, 
and believes stock to be a better investment 
than gold hunting at Pike's Peak. Mr. 
Crawford formed a partnership for the pur- 
pose of dealing in merchandise and grain 
with W. W. Richards, at Chapin, and the 



r 



*4^- 



■^ — *t^ 



544 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



firm continued np to tlie death of .\[r. 
Ricliai'ds, since vvhicli time Mi' Crawford 
has conducted the lumber and coal trade, 
having closed out the grain and merchan- 
dise business. In 1862 he married Celia 
E. Willis, of Kankakee Co., 111., whose 
native State is New York. They have 
had nine children, eight of whom are liv- 
ing — Charles A., Edward V., George W , 
Sidney H., Garfield, Annie M., Gertrude 
and Florence. Mr. Crawford has held the 
office of trustee for three years, and school 
director five years. In politics, he is an 
old line republican, and is a good farmer. 
J. G. Zimmerman, one of the leading 
farmers or Ross town.ship, is a native of 
Pennsylvania, and was born in Union 
Co., Aug. 23, 1817. His parents. Chris- 
tian and Sarah (Graybill) Zimmerman, 
were both born in Union Co., Penn. The 
father was a carpenter and farmer. At 
the age of seventeen J. G. learned the 
trade of shoemaker, at Richfield, Junif la 
Co., Penn., and worked at tliat vocation 
for ten years. His health began to fail, 
and he then embarked in the general mer- 
chandise liusiness at Richfield. In 1852 
he removed to Iowa, and bought land in 
Clayton county. Mr. Zimmerman erected 
the first building in the town of Luana. 
After remaining there two years he sold 
his property and returned to Pennsylva- 
nia, where he resided one year He then 
returned to Iowa, and located at Spring- 
field, Clayton county, and engaged in 
mercantile business, until 1865, from which 
date he has been a resident of Franklin 
county. He located on section 16, Ross 
township, and first bought eighty acres, 
which he began to improve, and now has 
one of the best farms in the township. 



comprising .365 acres, 320 of which are 
under cultivation. He has fifty head (,f 
cattle, eleven horses and mules, and raises 
about fifty hogs annually. In 1878 Mr. 
Zimmerman erected his present house, 
which is large and commodious. He has 
also a fine orchard containing about 250 
trees in bearing condition. He values his 
land at $30 per acre. The subject of this 
sketch has been mariied twice. His first 
wife was Catherine Schafer, whom he 
married Nov. 2, 1840. She bore him five 
ciiildren, only one of whom survives — 
Sarah A. Mrs. Zimmerman died and Mr. 
Zimmerman subsequently married Maria 
E. Rigel, who was born in Union Co., 
Penn., in 1830. They have had ten chil- 
dren — Orrin C, Adoniram J., David A., 
Ja e E., deceased), Mary C, Cynthia D., 
Leila M., Jacob F., George G. and Char- 
lotte L. Mr. and Mrs. Zimmerman are 
members of the Lutheran Church. Mr. 
Zimmerman has held theoflices of trustee, 
school director and road supervisor. He 
has been a member of the Masonic fra- 
ternity for twenty-eight years, and assisted 
in the organization of the first Masonic 
lodge in Clayton county. He is also an 
Odd Fellow. 

There was but little settlement made in 
the territory now comprising Ross town- 
ship until about 1869, when the township 
settled very rapidly, the greater part of 
those coming since that time being resi 
dents in 1883, and owningchoice, well cul- 
tivated farms Among those who made set- 
tlement between 1869 and 1880 were: 
George Goppinger, J. C. Witthoft, A T. 
Little, E. K. Frost, S. A. Gibbs, William 
Eddy, S. P. Weaver, E. M. Knight, J. E. 
Crawford, M. Bird, Abner S. Ross, Henry 



« A^ 



it. 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



545 



Gerfen, George Schollein, W.R. Yelland, 
Jacob Heuberger, E. F. Morris and W. F. 
Marks. 

George Goppinger is a farmer and. one 
who has made farming a success in Ross 
township. He was born in Bavaria, Dec. 
31, 1855. He is the son of Joseph and 
Frances (Keiber) Goppinger. In 1868 he 
came to the United States and settled in 
Manitowoc Co., Wis , and in 1869 came to 
Franklin county. He labored on the rail- 
road in Iowa and Minnesota two seasons, 
and then began to improve his farm. He 
now has 200 acres of choice land which is 
valued at $30 per acre. He has thirty- 
seven head of cattle, fifty hogs and nine 
horses, and is now laying a good basis for 
future profits in stock. Mr. Goppinger 
married Ellen M. Ormi-od, of Rush, 111. 
They were married at Warren, 111, and 
have one child — Lizzie. In politics Mr. 
Goppinger is a republican. 

J. C. Witthoft is a native of Hanover, 
Germany, -and was born in the village of 
Tellmer, near the city of Lumburg, 
July 7, 1835. When sixteen years of 
age he began serving an apprentice- 
ship at the carpenter's trade, and worked 
at the same until his emigration to 
this country in 1866. He first settled 
in Houston Co., Minn., and worked at his 
trade in that county until the spring of 
1870, when he came to Franklin county, 
renting a farm in Ross township, which 
he cultivated for four years. He then 
rented another farm which at the end of 
two years he purchased and still owns. 
Mr. Witthoft is an energetic farmer, and 
by industry, economy and push he lias ac- 
cumulated a fine property. lie now 
owns 280 acres of good land on sections 21 



"^ 



and 22, two hundred acres of which are 
under cultiv„tion. He values 'his land at 
HO per acre. ^Mr. Witthoft devotes con- 
siderable attention to stock-raising, in 
which he is meeting with good success. He 
has 120 cattle, about eighty hogs and four- 
teen horses, a good basis for future pros- 
perity. His farm has the advantage of an ex- 
cellent location, and is one of the best farms 
in Ross township, if not in the county. In 
1861 Mr. Witthoft married Catherine 
Kruckenberg, born in Germany at the 
same place her husband was born. They 
have had five children, four of whom are 
still living — George, Mary, Caroline and 
Emma. The parents are both members 
of the Lutheran Church. Mr. Witthoft 
is a republican in politics. 

A. T. Little, son of Abijah and Sarah 
Little, in 1859, came to Iowa by team, 
taking six weeks to make the entire trip, 
having his wife and four children with 
him. They first settled on section 28, 
West Fork township, Franklin county, 
the family being the fourth to locate in 
this townshij). They lived there until 
1870, when Mr. Little bought the farm of 
320 acres in Ross township, which he still 
owns. He was born in Ashtabula Co., 
Ohio, in 1830, where he grew up on a 
farm and received a common school edu- 
cation. His father was a native of New 
York, being of Irish and Scotch blood, his 
mother a native of Massachusetts, of 
English descent. When he was eighteen 
years of age his father died, his mother 
having died a year before, and he com 
menced to earn his own living. He 
worked for others three years, then bought 
a farm and cultivated the soil, in Ohio, 
until 1859, when he came to this county 



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546 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY, 



his iirst residence in West Fork township 
being a v'ery humble little log liouse. 
He was town clerk in West Fork for 'a 
number of years, trustee of the school for 
many years, director for twenty years, 
justice of the peace for fourteen years, and 
in fact has held all the town offices. In 
politics he is a republican. He has been 
a member of the I O. O. F. at Hampton 
for twelve years. He was married in 1851 
to Harriet Gillett, born in New York. They 
have had eleven children — Charles G., 
who was killed at the age of twelve by 
the discharge of a gun in the hand of 
another boy; Linter A., who now lives in 
this town; Sumner B., in California; Ver- 
non E., Orinda, wife of A. J. Cannon; 
Amand, Charles S., Emma S., Adrian A., 
Frankie, who died wheji a child, and 
Hattie. 

E. K. Frost was born in Oneida Co., 
N. Y., Dec. 19, 1811. He is a son of 
Ansil Frost, a native of Connecticut, and 
of Laura (Kimball) Frost, a native of 
New York. Ten years after his birth his 
parents moved to Ontario Co., N. Y., 
where he grew to manhood. His educa- 
tional advantages were very limited, but 
he early determined to have an education, 
and commenced a systematic course of 
study at home. During those years of 
boyhood he studied surveying, and at the 
age of twenty-one he had entirely mas- 
tered the subject. He began teaching at 
nineteen, and followed this for a number 
of years, and was a successful teacher. 
In 1844, after meeting with misfortunes, 
he determined to come west, and soon 
after settled in Walworth Co., Wis., ar- 
riving there with only three dollars and 
seventy-five cents. During the first five 



years he was engaged in farming, often 
undergoing many hardships. At the end of 
that time he was elected clerk of the county 
board, and during his stay in that county he 
was constantly engaged in the county poli- 
tics. He was originally a democrat, but on 
its organization he joined ihe republican 
party, being the first in his county to 
advocate its principles While in Wis- 
consin he always took a great interest in 
educational affairs, and succeeded in 1850 
after a hard fight of two years, in getting 
a graded school at Elkhorn, the first one 
west of Lake Michigan. In 1871, he 
came to Franklin county, and settled in 
Ross township, where he has ever since re- 
sided. He is one of the most successful 
small fruit growers of the county. In 1838 
he married Fanny Tubbs, a native of Oneida 
Co., N. Y. They have had three children 
— Charles, Francis M., who enlisted in 
company A, 10th Wisconsin Infantry, in 
1861, and died at Bowling Green, Ky., 
April 6, 1862, and Viola, wife of G. W. 
Bass, of Kansas City, Mo. 

S. A. (-iibbs is a native of New York, 
born in Chemung county, on the 6th of 
February, 1815. His father was a car- 
penter, and S. A. learned the same trade 
with a brother when he was twenty-one. 
He resided in the State of New York 
until 1860, then removed to Green Lake 
Co., Wis., where he lived one year, then 
moved to Winona Co., Minn. In 1871 he 
came to Franklin county, and has since 
resided on section 6, Ross township. He 
owns ninety-five acres of land, all of 
which is under cultivation, except five 
acres of timber. In 1844 Mr. Gibbs mar- 
ried Isabelle Wright, of Chemung Co., 
N. Y. They have had seven children, four 



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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



547 



of ^whom are living — Martha, the wife of 
George Durr, of Cerro Gordo county; 
Mary Jane, Thomas and Addie May, the 
wife of Joe Smith, of Ross township. 
Mrs. Gibbs is a communicant in the Bap- 
tist Church. Mr. Gibbs has held the office 
of road supervisor. In politics he is 
a staunch democrat. 

William Eddy, proprietor of the Union 
House, in Chapin, was born in Manches- 
ter, Vt., Jan. 19, 1819. His father, James 
Eddy, was born in Adams, Mass., and his 
niothe', Delia (Carter) Eddy, was born in 
Hartford, Conn. When William was a 
child, his parents removed to Berkshire 
Co., Mass., and remained there until he 
was twenty years of age when the family 
went to Medina Co., Ohio In 18G2, Wil- 
liam enlisted in company B, 42d Ohio In- 
fantry, commanded by Garfield. He 
served eighteen months and was then dis- 
charged on account of disability. He re- 
turned to Ohio and ' engaged in hotel 
business until 1868, when he removed to 
Elddia, Iowa. In 1872 he came to Cha- 
]iiii, and opened the first hotel in the place. 
There were only two houses in Chapin 
when became. His first hotel was a small 
shanty which soon became too small for 
his increasing business, and he then built 
a larger house. In 1883 he made another 
addition. Mr. Eddy married Venita Shaw, 
of Medina Co., Ohio, in 1858. Thej have 
had four children, two of whom are living 
— Delia, who married W. W. Richards, 
who opened the first store in Chapin and 
died here in 1881; and Lepha, the wife of 
S. O. Gridley, now living in Ross town- 
ship. 

S P. Weaver was born in Princeton, 
111., in 1845. There he grew to manhood, 



being brought up on a farm and receiving 
a common school education. At the age 
of eighteen he went into a store as clerk, 
remaining there a part of three years, the 
rest of the time being spent at school in 
Dover. In 1863 he enlisted in the 139th 
Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He served 
for about six months and was then honor- 
ably discharged. He then returned to Illi- 
nois and spent about one year and a half 
in Chicago, as clerk in a dry goods store 
In 1867, he removed to Brookings, Towa, 
and went into business for himself, deal- 
ing in lumber, grain and agricultural im- 
plements. He continued in this business 
for three years, then went to Missouri and 
thence to Chicago, and finally, in 1872, he 
came to Chapin and engaged in business. 
He commenced business there with a part- 
ner, not having at the time a dollar, hav- 
ing lost all previous to this venture. But 
the firm was very successful, and built 
the first elevator in the county, in 1875. 
In 1880, Mr, Weaver bought out his part- 
ner and has been carrying on the business 
alone with equally good success. He was 
justice of the peace and is a member of the 
Masonic lodge at Hampton. He is a dem- 
ocrat in politics. He was married in 
1875 to Ella Beilby, of Hampton. They 
have two daughters — Louisa and Fannie. 
He was treasurer of the Methodist Episco- 
pal Society, and was instrumental in the 
building of the present church, having ad- 
vanced the money to erect it. He has 
erected several stores and dwellings that 
have been a great improvement to the 
town and county. 

E. M. Knight was born in Clinton Co., 
N. Y., Feb. 6, 1838. His pareuts were 
Elijah and Jane Knight, his mother's 



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548 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



maiden name being Blow. They were 
both born in Clinton Co., N. Y. His 
grandfather was a soldier in the Revolu- 
tionary war, while his father served in 
the war of 1812. E. M. Knight learned 
the trade of blacksmith in 1856, at Gover- 
neur, N. J., working at it two years, 
then farming four years in his native 
county. He then opened a shop of his 
own and ran it three years, being one 
year in the employ of the Government. 
In 1865 lie removed to Iowa, working at 
his trade in Monona until 1872, when he 
came to C'liapin and opened the first 
blacksmith shop in the place. Mr. Knight 
bought the first lot sold in the town and 
planted the first tree. He married Jennie 
Horribin at Monona, Iowa, July 26, 1866. 
They have three children — Lulu, Carrie 
and Willie, the first child born in the 
village of Chapin. Mr. and Mrs. Knight 
are members of the Congregational 
Church. He has served as constable two 
terms, and is a member of Shettield lodge, 
I. 0.0. F. 

J. E. Crawford is the proprietor of the 
Chapin Mill. He was born in New Hamp- 
shire, April 80, 18.S9. His father's name 
was James Crawford, his mother's maiden 
name, M. C. Bellows. They were both 
natives of New Hampshire, and moved to 
Dubuque, Iowa, in 1840, where the father 
died in 1845. The son, James E., re- 
mained in Dubuque until 1861, when he 
enlisted as a private in company L, 2d 
Iowa Cavalry, and served four years and 
forty days. He was in the battles of Cor- 
inth, Tupelo, Nashville, Franklin and 
numberless other minor engagements. In 
August, 1862, he was taken prisoner and 
hi'ld thirteen days. He was wounded at 



Colleyville, a minnie ball passing entirely 
through his body arid penetrating the 
knee of the man behind him. In 1864 he 
re-enlisted and was mustered out of the 
service at Selma, Ala., Aug. 5, 1865. 
He entered the service as a private in 
1861, was elected sergeant in 1862, was 
promoted to first lieutenant in 1864, at 
Memphis, and made captain at Deca ur, 
Ala., the same year. After the war was 
over he lived at Dubuque, Iowa, until 
1873, at which date he came to Franklin 
county, residing on a farm in West Fork 
until 1882, and then commenced the mill- 
ing business at Chapin, in which he is 
still engaged. In 1866 he married Maria 
Hecks, of York State. They have five 
children — Arthur, Ella, Mabel, Mary and 
Baby. He was school director in West 
Fork, and in politics is a staunch repub- 
lican. 

Isaac and Hannah Bird came from Eng- 
land and settled in Canada West, near 
Toronto. They had a son, Matthew Bird, 
who is the subject of this sketch and who 
first saw the light in Canada, Nov. 5, 1840. 
In 1866 the family removed to Dodge Co., 
Wis., where Matthew lived until 1874, 
when he came to Franklin Co., Iowa, and 
located on section 13, Ross township. He 
has 160 acres of prime land, 105 acres of 
which are under plow. There are seven 
acres of trees and the balance meadow 
land Mr. Bird values his land at $40 an 
acre. He keeps twenty head of cattle, 
fifty hogs and five horses. He has been 
married twice ; the first time, in 1866, to 
Sarah M. Bird in Canada. In 1871 she died, 
leaving two children — Charles A. and 
Mary Emily. In 1874 Mr. Bird married 
Catherine Devlin of Dodge Co., Wis. He 



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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



553 



has been secretary of the school board two 
terms ; trustee, five years ; sub-director, 
five years, and road supervisor, two years. 
He is an old line democrat, and never 
fails to vote that ticket when the polls are 
open. 

S. O. Gridley has been a resident of 
Franklin county since 1875, locating first 
in Chapin, where, in company with his 
brother-in-law, W. W. Richards, he en- 
gaged in mercantile business, having the 
first store and being the first postmaster in 
the town. He retained his interest in the 
business three years, then sold and bought 
the farm where he now lives. His atten- 
tion is chiefly given to stock, that being 
more profitable than the raising of grain. 
He was among the first to import Holstein 
cattle into Franklin county, which he did 
at great expense. He was born in Medina 
Co., Ohio, in 1849, wiiere he received a 
good education. He is the son of Orrin 
and Lydia Gridley, who were of English 
descent, and natives of New York. He 
remained with his parents until of age, 
wlien he took charge of one of his father's 
fni-ms. In ISVO, he married Lepha Eddy, 
.•il.-o a native of Ohio. In 1874 he re- 
in >vcd to Page Co., Iowa, purchased a farm 
.iiiii put in a large crop, but suffered a 
severe loss from the grasshoppers. He 
then rented his farm and came to Franklin 
county, where they have since lived. 'I'liey 
have three children — Novella, Eddy !>. 
and Orrin E. They are members of the 
M. E. Church, and for two years Mr. Grid- 
ley has been superintendent of the union 
Sunday school. He "is a republican. 

Henry Gerfen was born in Westphalia, 
Prussia, Oct. 20, 1842. In 1864 he emi- 
grated to St. Louis, Mo , and engaged in 



labor until 1874, then moved to Wiscon- 
sin. In 1876 he came to Franklin county. 
After working for different farmers for a 
time, he bought land on section 24, Ross 
township, where he now has a fine home. 
He has thirty-five acres under cultivation, 
and values his farm at $25 an acre. In 
the fall of 1875 Mr. Gerfen married Car- 
oline Steinhan, in Dane Co., Wis. They 
have three children — Annie, Mary and 
Matilda. Mr. Gerfen and wife are mem- 
bers of the Lutheran Church. He is a 
democrat in politics. 

George Schollein, of SchoUein Brothers, 
was born in Westmoreland Co., Penn., in 
1p39. His father, Matthias, was a tailor, 
and in 1854 he and his son George came to 
Iowa and settled in Dubuque county. 
George spent two years on a farm, receiv- 
ing a common school education. At the 
age of seventeen he commenced to learn 
the carpenter trade, which he followed in 
Dubuque county until 1874, when he went 
to Dubuque city and clerked in his broth- 
er's store for one year. In 1876 he came 
to Chapin and commenced his present 
business of general merchandise, in which 
he is doing well. In 1862 he went into 
the army in the 21st Iowa Volunteer In- 
fantry, company F, serving for twenty 
months, as musician. He was in the siege 
of Vicksburg, and battles of Jackson and 
Hartsville, Mo. He was discharged be- 
cause of disabilities. He has been justice 
of the peace for some time, and a member 
of the school board. In politics he is a 
democrat. He was married in 1861 t<> 
Mary Ann Simpson, a native of Pennsyl- 
vania. They have had seven children — 
Emma J., Anna M., Minnie E., James M., 



44 




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554 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



Charlotte Blanche, Mary A. and Emanuel 
Washington. 

W. R. Yelland, born in Chelsea, Mass., 
in 1838, is a son of William H. and Mary 
Ann Yelland. When seven years of age, 
he, with his parents, moved to Illinois, 
and settled in Jo Daviess county, near the 
county seat. There he grew up to man- 
hood on his father's farm, receiving a lib- 
eral common school education. He con- 
tinued to live with his father until he was 
twenty-five years of age, when he rented a 
farm adjoining his father's farm, on which 
he lived for one year. He then went to 
Wisconsin to take charge of his father- 
in law's extensive stock farm, and re 
mained there until 18'77, when he came 
to Iowa, and settled in Koss township. 
He bought 160 acres of land, on section 
6, where he now lives, having a well 
improved farm, well stocked, and with 
good buildings. The land is worth $30 per 
acre. Mr. Yelland is at present a member 
of the school board in his own town. He 
is also a member of the I. O. O. F., and 
one of the trustees of his lodge at this time. 
He was married in November, 1873, to 
Saiah G. Oliver, a native of LaFayette 
Co., Wis. They are the parents of five 
children — Oliver, Jessie, Myra, Florence 
and an inf int. On the farm there is a 
very fine orchard of choice trees. At the 
time the writer was present there was an 
old log house on the place, known as the 
pioneer postoffice, in a fair state of pres- 
ervation. 

W. T. Adams settled in Ross township, 
in 1878, purchasing the farm of 240 acres 
which he now owns. He has a fine farm, 
has put up good buildings and made valu- 
able improvements. He was born in 



Montgomery, Wood Co., Ohio, Aug. 31, 
1838. There he lived with his parents 
until he was sixteen years of age, being 
reared on a farm and receiving a limited 
education. In 1854 he removed with his 
parents to La Fayette Co., Wis. In 1862 
he entered the army, enlisting in company 
E, 96th Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and 
was soon promoted to orderly of his com- 
pany. He served in the army of the Cum- 
berland with his regiment, which partici- 
pated in all the important battles of that 
department. In April, 1864, he was hon- 
orably discharged on account of disability 
received while in the line of service. He 
then returned to Wisconsin and bought a 
farm in Monticello, La Fayette county. 
Mr. Adams was married Dec. 25, 1804, to 
Clara M Blaukstone, of Monticello, Wis., 
born in Hamilton, Canada, June 13, 1842. 
They have four children — George W., 
John Q., Charles B. and Clara Josephine, 
ail of whom were born in Monticello, 
Wis. Mr. Adams continued to farm in 
Wisconsin till the spring of 1878, when 
he sold out and came to Iowa. Since 
coming to Ross township he has been 
township clerk two terms. He is a mem- 
ber of Anchor Lodge, No. 101, A. F. & 
A. M., at Hampton, and a member of the 
Congregational Church, at Chapin. Mr. 
Adams has been active in local politics, 
having filled different township offices, 
and for three years previous to his com- 
ing to Ross township, he was a member 
of the board of supervisors of La Fayette 
Co., Wis. 

Jacob Heuberger is a native of Canton, 
Aargau, Switzerland, and came to Amer- 
ica in 1872, and located first at Scale's 
Mound, 111. His father's name was Henry 



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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



555 



Heuberger, and his mother's maiden name 
was Miry LJuckle; the parents are still 
living in Switzerland. In 1875 Jacob 
Heuberger visited liis parents in Switzer- 
land, and -on his return to his adopted 
country, he worked at wagon making at 
Scale's Mound and Apple River until 
1 879, he having learned the trade of wagon 
maker at the age of sixteen in his native 
land. In 1879 he came to Chapin >ind 
started his wagon shop here. He is mas- 
ter of his trade and has a good business. 
He owns 160 acres of land in the town- 
ship of Ross. He is a member of the 
Masonic lodge at Hampton. 

E. F. Moris is a native of Austria. His 
father being a blacksmith, he leained tlie 
same trade and has worked at it since bo\'- 
hood. In the spring of 1869 he came to 
America to seek a home under freedom's 
sun. He followed his trade in St. l.ouis 
and other places on the Mississippi until 
1879, when lie came to Chapin, Iowa, 
and after working for E. M Knight for a 
time, opened a shop of his own, which he 
has conducted successfully ever since. 
Mr. Moris is an excellent workman, and 
blacksmithing with him is a success. He 
is the owner of a good house which he 
built, and also lias three town lots. 

W. F. Marks, of 'the firm of Marks & 
Procter, was born in LaFayette Co., Wis., 
in 1854. He was brought up in town, re- 
ceiving a good, liberal education, gradu- 
ating at Kastinan's Commercial College, in 
1875. After graduating, he returned to 
Wisconsin ns clerk in a store, reniaiiiiiig 
there till the fall of 1S79, when he came 
to Hampton, Iowa, and went into a store 
as clerk, where he remained until 1SS2, 
at which time he formed a partnership 



with Mr. Procter, and came to Chapin and 
engaged in the general merchandise busi- 
ness, which is proving a successful enter 
prise. He was married in 1882 to Eva 
Stonebraker, of Hampton, Iowa. 

W. H. Harris, station agent and post- 
master at Chapin, was born in Warren 
Co., Ind., in 1844. When he was eleven 
years of age his parents moved to Monte- 
zuma, Iowa, and about this time his father 
died. His mother died when he was four- 
teen years of age, so that from this period 
onward he made ^ his own way in the 
world. At the age of sixteen in company 
with others he made a trip across the 
plains to California, which took about 
four months. Here he remained but a 
short time. On the 19th of May, 1861, 
he went aboard a vessel before the mast 
at San Francisco as a sailor, the objective 
point being Boston. He followed the life 
of a sailor for about six years, the last 
year owning and conducting a small boat 
on Humboldt bay. He then returned by 
way of the Isthmus of Panama and New 
York, and after spending one year in In- 
diana, he came back to Montezuma, Iowa, 
where he had formerly resided, and there 
followed farming for eight years, or until 
1876. In that year he was appointed sta- 
tion agent at Ewart, on the C. I. railroad, 
and the year after came to Hampton, 
Iowa, as telegraph operator, which posi- 
tion he tilled for one year and was then 
sent to Faulkner, on the C. I. railro d, 
where he remained only a few weeks, 
when he was made station agent at Cha- 
pin and has been there ever since. In 
June, 1881, he was appointed postmaster. 
He is a member of the A. F. & A. M., at 
Hampton, and a member of the Chapter. 



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556 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



IFc was marriefl in lb7U to Miss A, A. 
(4ieys()ii, a native of the State of Indiana. 
Tliey have five children — Theodore, Nora, 
Alma, Wilfred and Leslie. In jiolitics 
'Sir. Harris has been a life-long republican. 

FIRST. EVENTS. 

A saw mill was built by A. S. Ross, 
II. II. Grinnell and R. P. Knight, in 1858, 
and operated four years by Mr. Ross and 
six years longer by others, when it was 
removed by Grinnell. 

The first death was that of Mr Neff, a 
settler who came before Ro.ss, but who left 
for a time on account of the Indian scare, 
afterwards returning and dying here. He 
was buried on the hill in the bounds of 
the road, and in grading years afterward 
his coffin was struck by the road scrapers, 
taken up and placed in the cemetery. 

The first marriage was R. T. Knight 
and Jane Guinn. 

The tirst birth was Florence Robinson, 
daughter of Dudley Robinson, who came 
in 1857. 

The first postoffice was kept at the 
house of A. S. Ross, on section 31. 

The first election was held at Shober 
Grove, in 1858. 
The first blacksmith shop was opened 
, by A. S. Ross, in 1858.- 

The first religious services were held in 
a barn on William P. Avery's place, Mr. 
Avery being the pioneer minister of tliis 
section of Franklin county. 
SCHOOLS. 
The first school in the township was 
taught by Mrs. Wright, in the fall of 1857, 
in a small log cabin near where Mr. 
Shafer's house afterwards stood; she also 
taught three terms in a barn belongiiig to 
S. M Lovering. The first school house 



proper was built in lsiil,aii(l dcfitroyed 
by fire in 1877. In 188.3 there were seven 
school district in the township and nine 
schools — three in Chapin and six outside 
the village, all under a township district 
At this date there were 250 scholars in 
the township. The school house in Cha- 
pin was a large two story frame house, 
built in 1878, and arranged for three 
departments. 

ORGANir. 

The first ele ction held in what is now 
Ross township, took place Oct. 14, 1879, 
whea the following officers were elected: 
rrustees,N.Rhutassel,M.Bird and ll.Stott; 
justices of the peace, M. Gibbs and W. W. 
Richards; constables, E. C. Cook and 
Thomas Gibbs; clerk, Wra. Glendenning; 
assessor, James Carroll The officers for 1883 
were: W. H. McMillen, M. Bird and 
Wm. Ellis, Jr., trustees; W. T Adams, 
clerk; James M. Carroll, assessor; George 
Schollien, justice of the peace; George 
Blackstone, constable. 

RELIGIOUS. 

At a very early day a Methodist Epis- 
copal class was formed in Ross township, 
wliich was in the Rockwell charge up to 
1883. Services were held at school 
houses until May, 1883, when a frame 
church was dedicated by Rev. Crippin, of 
Mison City, assisted by the pastor, Rev. 
Will, who lived at Rockwell. 

CHAPIN VILLAGE. 

The old town of Chapin was located on 
section 36, Richland, and section 31, 
Ross township. It was jilatted Dec. 6, 
1S58, by Rev. J. B. Grinnell. It was 
named in honor of Mrs. Grinnell, Chapin 
being her maiden name, in consideration 
of a church bell which she donated to the 



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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



55 7 



Cougregational society. But little was 
ever done in way of business at this town, 
but upon the building of the railway 
through the county, a station was made 
two miles east of this site on sections 33 
and 34, Ross township, and George Beed, 
of Hampton, platted what is sometimes 
called New Chapin, July 29, 1872, Obadiah 
Smith doing the surveying. The Central 
Railway of Iowa was completed ihrough 
this point in 1870, when the place com- 
menced to grow. The first one to engage 
in Vjusiness was William Avery and NV. 
W. Richards, who formed a partnership 
and run a general stock. Avery soon sold 
out his interest to Mr. Crawford. Mr. 
Richards died in a few months and the 
business was closed up. The next to 
engage in trade was SohoUein Bros., who 
carried a small line of hardware together 
with a general stock. Mr. Harper was 
first to open an exclusive hardware store. 
S. B. Weaver was the pioneer grain 
dealer at Chapin. He built a large eleva- 
tor in 1870-71, which he was still running 
in 1883. 



William Eddie built and operated the 
first hotel, called the Union House. 

E. M. Knight was the first blacksmith 
in the village. 

The first station agent was W. W. 
Richards, who died and was succeeded by 
W. H. Harris, who was agent in 1883. 

S. B. Weaver opened the first drug store 
in Chapin, and was the only one represent- 
ing this branch of trade in 1883. 

The postofficewas established when the 
railroad was finished, and the station 
agent has always held the office, keeping 
it in the depot. 

In August, 1883, the business of the 
place was represented as follows: Dry 
goods, Marks & Procter and Schollein 
Bros.;hardware,Schollein Bro and Harper; 
drugs. S B. Weaver; meat market, Amos 
Wright; hotels, Union House, kept by 
Wm. Eddie, and Chapin House, kept by 
Ed. Richards; blacksmiths, E. M. Knight 
and Frank Morris; physicians, Drs. J. S. 
Hurd and Cooper; wagon shop, J. Ifeu- 
berger; grain and lumber. Weaver and 
Crawford. 



CHAPTER XXXII 



RICHLAND TOWNSHIP. 



Richland is one of the northern town- 
ships in the county, the second from the 
western boundary and comprises congress- 
ional township 93, range 21 west. It is 
south of Cerro Gordo county, west of 
Ross township, north of Marion and east 



of Wisner townships and contains upwards 
of 23,000 acres of choice prairie lands 
which are watered by two branches of 
Buffalo creek, which form a confluence on 
the eastern border of the township, on 
section 24. The only native timber is 



^vr 



JV< 



^ 



558 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



in the extreme northeast and southeast 
corners of the townsliip. The surface of 
the land is quite undulating and composed 
of a soil well worthy the name it was 
given — "Richland;" it derived this name, 
however, directly from Richland Co., Ohio, 
from whence some of the early residents 
of the township emigrated. Its early 
history is identical with Clinton township, 
which is on the east, but separated by a 
portion of Ross which formerly was all 
known as Clinton. 

SETTLEMENT. 

The first settlement in this township 
was made by William Tharp and family, 
on the southeast quarter of section 36, in 

1854. Tharp remained until 1857, when 
he removed to Kansas. Shobe located on 
the northwest quarter of section 1, in 

1855, remaining until 1868, when he re- 
moved to Hampton. 

In 1857.1. W. Avery came from New 
England and purchased land on section 
25, and lived in the township until 1876, 
when he moved to Kansas City, Mo. 

H. H. Grinnell, a second cousin of J. 
B. Grinnell, came the same year, from 
Saratoga Co., N. Y , and settled on section 
.36, where he remained until the time of 
his death, in 1873. 

John Ashman settled on the same sec- 
tion about this date. He died in 1867. 

John D. Leland also came in 1857, and 
remained until 1861, when he returned to 
his former home in New York, and later 
to Joliet, 111., where he was superin- 
tendent of the States prison. 

During 1868 the following located in 
the township: S. M. Lovering on section 
36, where he resided until 1865, then re- 



moved to Iowa Fulls, at which place he 
died in 1883. 

T. C. Riddle located on section 36, and 
later moved into Ross township, where he 
died in 1879. 

A. G. McMillen came the same year 

Rev. William P. Avery who had visited 
the county before, settled that year on 
section 36. 

A. G. McMillen was born in Saratoga 
Co., New York, July 23, 1850. In 1852 
his father died, six years later the mother 
and her family came to Franklin county, 
and settled in Richland township. Here 
young McMillen grew to manhood, re- 
ceiving a good common school education 
In 1876, he settled on his present farm of 
280 acres, which he has occupied and cul- 
tivated ever since. In politics Mr. Mc- 
Millen is a republican. He has held the 
office of township trustee. On the 22d 
day of December, 1872, he was married to 
Anna S. Seney, from which union they 
have three children living — Maud, Au- 
gusta and John. Mrs. McMillen died 
Jan. 10, 1882. 

Rev. William P. Avery was born in 
New London Co., Conn., Oct. 2, 1816. He 
is a son of John and Clarina (Ayer) 
Avery. His early education was received 
at the public schools, entering college at 
the age of nineteen, and graduating from 
Amherst College in 1839. He then spent 
three years at the Theological Seminary, 
at East Windsor, Conn., now located at 
Hartford. He then entered the ministry 
as a missionary to Rhode Island, remain 
ing there one year, at which time he went 
to Essex Co , N. Y., and was ordained in 
1846, but on account of failing eye-sight, 
he was compelled, three years after, to 



-^f^ 



^1 



»l^ 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



559 



give up the ministry. After a rest of 
three years, he accepted a pastorate near 
his former house, but after five years of 
labor, he was once more compelled to give 
up tlie work, and, in 1858, he came to 
Franklin county and settled in Richland 
township, where he now resides. Mr. 
Avery, soon after his arrival, organized 
the Congregational Church of Chapin, 
and was pastor until 1875, and at Hamp- 
ton until 18V2, when his eye-sight failed 
completely, since which time he has lived 
a retired life. In 1844 he married Olive 
Huntington, who was a native of Con- 
necticut. They have two children — Wil- 
liam and Elizabeth H. 

Among the few who came to this town- 
ship for settlement during the next few 
years was George W. Hemming, who 
located on section 2, in 1861. 

The passage of the county herd law 
had more to do with the ne.xt rapid set- 
tlement of this township than any other 
one thing, enabling poor men to settle 
without the expense of fencing. 

Among the number who came to the 
township for settlement between 1861 and 
1 870 were: William Moyle and P. R. 
Engebretson. 

William Moyle came to his pres- 
ent home in Richland township, in 
1868, where he possesses a fine farm of 
180 acres, under excellent cultivation and 
well stocked. He had formerly been a 
miller He was born in Cornwall, Entr. 
laud, in 1834, emigrating with his parents 
in 1845, and locating in Grant Co., Wis , 
where he remained until 1858. He then 
removed to California, where he followed 
mining. Returning to Wisconsin, he re- 
mained a short time and then went to 



Colorado, where he spent one year, and 
again returned to Wisconsin, but decided 
to locate in Franklin county and moved 
there in 1868. He was married in 1804, 
to Elizabeth Rapson, and has two chil- 
dren — Willie T. and Maggie J. He is 
republican in politics and has held offices 
of trust. He is also a member of the 
Masonic fraternity at Hampton 

P. R. Engebretson was born in Norway, 
Dec. 8, 1853. Be is the son of Ole and An- 
gret (Peterson) Engebretson. In 1858 he 
came to America with his parents and 
settled in Butler Co , Iowa. Five years 
later they removed to Black Hawk county, 
and in 1869, they came to Franklin county 
and settled in Richland township, where 
they still reside. In 1881, the subject of 
this sketch settled on his present farm of 
160 acres. In 1879 he married Minnie 
Jacobson. They have one child, Albert. 

Between the years 1870 and 18so among 
those who settled were : Charles and 
Robert Seney, William G. Singer, Andrew 
Anderson, Henry J. Abrams, A. C. An- 
derson, C. A Church, N. B. McClintock, 
J. J. Thomp.son, David Vought, Henry J. 
Abrams and D. A. Church. 

Robert Seney was born in Durham, 
Canada, May 22, 1826. His early life was 
spent on his father's farm. He received 
a common school education. In 1850 he 
was married to Jane Wilson, a native of 
Canada. In 1862 he came to Iowa, locat- 
ing in Clayton county, where he engaged 
in farming. In 1864 he had nearly all of 
his effects destroyed by fire. In 1871 he 
removed to Franklin county and settled 
on section 2.'i, Richland township, where 
he owns a fine farm of 280 acres, all under 
cultivation. Mr. Seney has ever taken an 



7^ 



A 



560 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



active part in politics, and has held 
several local offices. Mr. and Mrs. Seney's 
living children are — John, Charlotte, Free- 
man, Sidney, Robert, George, Henry E. 
and Jennie. 

Charles Seney, a son of Robert and 
Jane (Wilson) Seney, was born in Canada, 
Sept. 17, 1854. He came to Iowa with 
his parents, settling with them first in Clay- 
ton county, coming to Franklin county 
in 1871. In June, 1877, he settled on sec- 
tion 27, and since that time by hard work, 
energy and economy, he has succeeded in 
making for himself and family a tine 
home. He now owns 800 acres of land in 
Franklin county, nearly all of which is 
improved. On the 20th of June, 1878, he 
married Mary Rowe. They have one child 
— Anna Zulema. 

William J. Singer was born in Oxford 
Co., Canada, Jan. 2.S, 1847. Soon after 
his birth his parents went into Niagara 
Co., N. Y. In 1854, William returned to 
Canada, but came back to the United 
States in 1856, and in 1864 enlisted in 
company H, l79th New York Infantry, 
serving until honorably discharged at 
Union, N. Y., at the close of the war. 
Soon after, he came west, spending a few 
years in Michigan and coming to Frank- 
lin county in 1873. Upon his arrival here 
he engaged in herding for a period of 
seven years ; since that time he has been 
running the Chapin nursery. In 1871 he 
married Jeanette Weaver. By this union 
they have five children — Henry W., Id i 
E., Percy B., Wesley G. and E. W. 

Andrew Anderson was born in Scotland, 
Dec. 27, 1821. When old enough he 
began learning the carpenter trade, and in 
1849 he came to America. The first 



winter he remained at Milwaukee, Wis., 
and in 1850 he came to Iowa and 
located on a farm in Clayton county. He 
soon however returned to his trade and 
engaged in carpenter work for four years 
in McGregor. He then went to Fayette 
Co., Iowa, and engaged in farming. In 
January, 1876, became to Franklin county 
and settled on section 11, Richland town- 
ship. He now owns 160 acres of well 
improved land here, ajid also owns the 
old homestead in Fayette county. He 
married his first wife in his native land. 
She came with him to Milwaukee, where 
they had a son born in December, 1849. 
His first wife died in Milwaukee in the 
summer of 1871. He married, in 1876, 
Jessie Drummond, a native of Iowa. His 
children are — Andrew, Eliza, George C, 
Thomas M. and Nellie F. 

Henry J. Abrams was born in Renssel- 
aer Co., N. Y , on the 26th day of Febru- 
ary, 1811. His parents are Andrew and 
Jane ( Youmans) Abrams, both natives of 
New York. In 1824 his parents moved 
to Onondaga Co., N. Y. In 1825 Henry 
J. Abrams began learning the tailor rade, 
which he followed while in New York. 
In 1857 he removed to Lee Co., 111., and 
engaged in farming until 1878, when he 
settled in Richland township, Franklin 
county. Mr. Abrams is at this writing 
justice of the peace. In 1831 he married 
Rachel Ray, who was born in Onondaga 
Co., N. Y, July 4, 1811. They have 
eight children — Henry D., Laura, Esther, 
Ann, James D., Seth W., Anson S. and 
Amos E. 

A. C. Anderson was born in Dane Co , 
Wis., Jan. 22, 1852. In 1855 his parents 
came to Iowa and settled in Butler eounly. 



Vi: 



— •a 




m 



t^.k'^UJ^ 



J " » ■ 



^lil. 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



563 



where they still live. A. C. Anderson 
was there brought up on the farm, and, in 
I8Y8, settled in Richland township, where 
he now owns 200 acres of land which is 
well improved. In 1878 he was married 
to Isabelle Jacobson,by which union they 
liave one child. 

C. A. Church came to Franklin county 
in 1877, and settled in Richland township. 
He was born in Warren Co., Penn , 
March 16, 1846, and is a son of D. W. 
mid Hannah M. ( Courson ) Church, both 
natives of that State. In 1864 his par- 
ents came west to Clayton Co., Iowa, 
where they remained u til 1883, and are 
now living in Datota. He married; Dec. 
15, 1868, Miranda Coon, a native of Illi- 
nois. Their children are — Ella N., Anna 
B., Carrie M., William G., Charles W. 
and Lillie Belle. 

N. B. McClintock came from Pennsyl- 
vania with his parents to Clinton Co., 
Iowa, in 1851. He was the son of Francis 
and Susan (Baird) McClintock, born in 
BeaverCo., Penn., July 9, 1850, and came 
into Iowa when he was an infant. As he 
grew up he was educated in the common 
sea )ols and afterwards at Cornell College, 
j\lt Vernon, Iowa. He followed school 
tiMiliing in Clinton county for about nine 
years. In 1878 he came to Franklin 
county and has since been engaged in farm- 
ing and teaching. He was married in 
1-76 to Elizabeth Pray, a native of Du 
Page Co., 111., but reared in Iowa. They 
have two children — Francis M. and Alice 
L. 

I. I. Tliompsoii was born in St. Joseph 
Co., Mich., Dec. 6, 1842. He is the son 
of Giles and Electa Tiiompson. In 1864 
he enlisted in company G, 19th Michigan 



Infantry, and fought in the battle of Re- 
saca, Ga., also at Atlanta. At Resaca he 
was wounded, May 15, 1864, in the right 
side, which kept him in the hospital for 
three months, hence he is now drawing a 
pension. He was lionorably discharged 
at Louisville, Ky., on the 20th of July, 
1835. Soon after the war became to lowa^ 
locating first in Black Hawk county, af- 
terward in Chickasaw county, and, in 
1873, he came to Franklin county, settling 
on section 4, Richland township. Since 
his arrival he has taken an active interest 
in local politics and at present is one of 
the township trustees. In 1866 he mar- 
ried Belle Nichols, a native of New York. 
They have had six children, two of whom 
are living — Cliarles and Florence. 

David Vought came to Franklin coun- 
ty in 1878, and settled where he was still 
living in 1883, the owner of 240 acres of 
land. He was born in Stephenson Co., 
III., March 5, 1847. His parents were 
Godfrey and Lucy (Wilson) Vought Da- 
vid's early life was spent in his native 
county, where he received a good educa- 
tion at the common schools. May 20, 
1875, he married Alice HoUingsworth, a 
native of Illinois. They have three chil- 
dren — Nellie, Ophelia and Lucy. 

David Austin Church came with his 
parents to Clayton Co., Iowa, in 1864. He 
was born in Warren Co., Penn., Dec. 14, 
1855. His parents were D. W. and Han- 
nah (Courson) Church. D. A. Church 
was brought up on a farm and received a 
good education. In 1879 he came to 
Richland township and now owns 160 
acres of good land. He was married in 
1881 to Alpha Oathout, the daughter of S. 
II. and Eliza (Abbott) Oathout, of Madi- 

"45 "^ 



r 



J, 



-*>> 



564 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



son Co., N. Y. They have two children 
— David Austin and William Hart. 

FIRST EVENTS. 

The first white child born in Richland 
township was Fannie Leland, born in 
1857. 

The first death was Fannie Leland, in 
the fall of 1858. She was buried on sec- 
tion 36. 

The first religious services were held in 
the summer of 1857 by Rev. Wilcox, who 
came once in two weeks from Iowa Falls, 
holding five o'clock services at the school 
house at Old Chapin. In the spring of 
1858 Rev. Wm. P. Avery came from Con- 
necticut and soon thereafter began preach- 
ing regularly. Services were held for a 
time in a small shanty built for that pur- 
pose, and also in a building used for a 
barn in the winter and for school and 
church purposes in the summer season. 
Tlie barn belonged to Mr. Leland. 

The first marriage was that of John 
Skill and a Miss Scott, some time in 1858 
or 1859. 

ORGANIC. 

Richland township was originally em- 
braced in the territory known as Wash- 
ington township. In 1859 it was in that 
known as Clinton, and in 1872 that town, 
ship was sub-divided and township 93, 
range 21, was set off and called Richland. 

RELIGIOUS. 

The Congregational society was organ- 
ized in November, 1858, at the house of 
Rev. William P. Avery. Among the first 
members to this society were: William P. 
Avery and wife, John W. Avery and wife, 
John D. Leland and wife, Mrs. A. S. Ross, 
S. M. Lovering and wife and two daugh- 
ters. Rev. William P. Avery acted as 



pastor until 1875. No house of worship 
was ever erected at Old Chapin, but ser- 
vices were held regularly. In 1883 the 
society held their services at Chapin sta- 
tion. A good Sunday school has been 
held since the church was organized. 

The Baptist Church was formed in 
1864 by Rev. T. H. Judson, who was soon 
after succeeded by Rev. L. N. Call. 
Among the first members were: Laura 
L. Grinnell, Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Cannam 
and Mr. and Mrs. Lyman Harned. The 
society was discontinued in 1878. 

The Methodists formed a class about 
1870, which was maintained in 1883, hold- 
ing service at the school house on section 
36. 

Shobe's Grove union Sunday school 
was organized in 1873. Among those 
who have acted as superintendents are 
Alma McKenzie and I. I. Thompson. 

SCHOOLS. 

The first school was taught in 1857, in 
a log house on land owned by J. B. Grin- 
nell, known as the Tharp place, now 
owned by William Rowe. The school 
was taught by Mrs. E. D. Wright. In 
1883, there were si.Y frame school houses 
in Richland township, built at a cost of 
$850 each. At this date there were 158 
persons of school age in Richland town- 
ship. 

POSTOFFICES. 

A postottice was established at Old 
Chapin in 1860, with H. H. Grinnell as 
postmaster. He held the position for 
five years and was succeeded by A. S. 
Ross, who lived in Ross township. The 
oftice was removed to New Chapin in 
1873. 






~-^ 



l\^ 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



565 



CEMKTEET. 

The only cemetery laid out or used in 
Richland or Ross township is situated on 
section 36, of Richland, and contains 
about two acres. The first body interred 
here was that of old Mr. Neff. 

OLD VILLAGE OF CHAPIN. 

In 1858 J. B. Grinnell laid out a village 
bearing the name of Chapin, after his 
wife's maiden name. This place was 
platted on section 36, of Richland town- 
ship, and section 31, of Ross township. A 



combined church and school house was 
built, which was the best in the county at 
that time. It was afterward moved over 
into Ross township, and finally, in 1877, 
burned. A new one was erected on the 
same site. 

H. C. Clock engaged in trade here for 
a time, and sold to John Green, who was 
succeeded by William W. Richards, who 
removed the store to New Chapin in 1871. 
Since ihe platting of the new town no 
business has been transacted at the old 
town. 



CHAPTER XXXI. 1 1. 



SCOTT TOWNSHIP. 



This is one of the four townships on the 
west side of Franklin county, and is 
bounded on the north by Wisner town- 
ship, on the east by Marion, on the south 
by Morgan and on the west by Wright 
county, and comprises congressional town-' 
ship 92, range 22 west. 

The surface of the land in this town- 
ship is gently undulating, nearly the en- 
tire area being tillable prairie land of the 
most productive quality. There are no 
natural groves or streams of any consider- 
able size ; yet the towiisliip is well drained, 
and here and there are to be seen beautiful 
artificial groves which, in 1883, had already 
assumed the appearance of forest trees. 

In 18S? Ssjtt was comparatively a new 
township, but little developed, wi'h large 
tracts of choice lands held by speculators. 
The broad prairies of this township, at 



liiis date, afforded fine, free pasturage for 
cattle and horses. 

SETTLEMENT. 

The first settlement was effected by 
Mr. Malin in 1860 . He remained two 
years and was followed by John Martin, 
who run the Cobb farm, upon which Malin 
had lived for a short time, when H. H 
Davis came, remaining only one year, and 
was succeeded by William Wright, who 
bought the farm. Among others who soon 
followed as settlers were Mr. Dalrimple, 
Mr. Puffer, Jacob Lewis and R. U. Meeker. 
Mr. Demaris came in 1876, and Peter 
Hanson and A. C Peterson about the 
same date . 

Henry Palmer came to Scott township 
in 1879 and took charge of the Cobb 
farm. He was a native of Canada West, 
born June 20, 1838. He grew to manhood 



^' 



f 






-" — »t>. 



566 



HTSTORT OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



in liis native country, and in 1853 came to 
Iowa and lived in different parts of this 
State, Wisconsin and Illinois, engaged 
most of the time in lumbering in Wiscon- 
sin. He has held several local othces since 
coming to Scott township. He was joined 
in marriage in 1869 to Mary Buss 
They have four children living — Mary, 
Johnnie, William and Elizabeth. 

Jacob P. Johnson came to Franklin Co , 
Iowa, in 1879, and settled on section 22, 
Scott township. He was born in Den- 
mark, June 18, 185-t, and came to America 
with his parents in 1857, settling in Waus- 
hara Co., Wis. They remained there 
nine years, and then moved into Green 
Lake county, same State, and the year 
after they came to Grundy Co., Iowa. 
Jacob P. Johnson is at present town clerk 
and secretary of the school board. Oct. 
22, 1881, he married Inger K. Nelson, of 
Cedar Falls, Iowa. 

J. A. Green came to Franklin county, 
in March, 1876, and first settled in Reeve 
township and engaged in farming. In 
the spring of 1882 he settled on section 6, 
Scott township, where he now owns 108 
acres. He was born in Wood Co., Ohio, 
on the 10th of April, 1854. His early life 
was spent on the farm in his native 
county. He was married on Feb. 2.3, 
1879, to Clara J. Shroyer, a native of 
Iowa. They have two children — Lloyd 
M. and Earnest Ray. 

E. B. Hill, by trade a carpenter, was 
born in Franklin Co., Vt., Feb. 2 7, 1844. 
He is the son of David R.and Sarah(White) 
Hill, both natives of Vermont. When an 
infant his parents went to Franklin Co., 
N. Y., where he grew to manhood and 
learned his trade. In 1869 he emigrated 



to Maysville, Fraiiklii. Co., Iowa, and in 
1871 moved to Hampton, working at his 
trade. In September, 1882, he took 
charge of the station at Alexander and 
opened a general store, and Nov. 13, 1882, 
was appointed postmaster at Alexander. 
In 1866 he was married U) Mary Jane 
Garlick, a native of Nevv York. They 
have three children — Minnie M., Lottie 
H. and Fred. B. 

ORGANIC. 

Prior to 1878 Scott was a part of Mor- 
gan township, but that year it was set o£f, 
and the first election held, October 8, at 
the house of R. N. Meeker, when the fol- 
lowing oflicers were elected: John D. 
Demaris, J J. Sliker and N. Freeze, trus- 
tees; Jacob Smith, assessor; Wm. D Mee- 
ker, clerk; Wni. D. Meeker and John D. 
Demaris, justices; Wm.Hill and J.J. Sliker, 
constables. The oflicers for 1883 were: N. 
C. Peterson, J. C. Hilland, Fred. Schreck, 
trustees; Jacob Johnson, clerk; R. S. 
Andrews, assessor; Peter Hanson and 
George A. Carr, constables. 

EVENTS OF INTEREST. 

The first marriage of resident s in the town- 
siiip was that of David Keyes and Min- 
nie Schreck, who were married in Novem- 
ber, 1878. 'J'lieir marriage took place at 
Hampton. 

The earliest birth was a son of Wm. 
Wright, liorn some time in 1866. 

The first deaths known were two chil- 
dren, who were killed by lightning at the 
house of J. D. Demaris. Their bodies 
were buried on section 7, but afterward 
removed to Sheffield. 

SCHOOLS. 

In 1883 Scott township had three school 
houses valued at $2,500. The total enroll 



"vis 



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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



567 



merit of pupils was fifty. The first school 
house built in the township was erected in 

1880, on the northwest corner of section 
28, costing $600. 

RELIGIOUS. 

The Danish Lutheran Society was or- 
ganized in MarionJ,ownship, in 1878, but 
many of the settlers of what was after- 
ward Scott were members of the Church. 
The first services held by the society in 
Scott township, were held at the house of 
.Jacob P. Johnson, on section 22, in the 
winter of 1881, when a sermon was 
preached by Rev. J. Jensou, of Cedar 
Falls. Among the first members of the 
sTjiety ill Sjolt tjw.iship were: Paul 
Erickson and wife, Jacob P. Johnson, 
John Larson and wife, J. C. Peterson, N. 
P. Johnson and wife. In 1883 services 
were held but once a month, part of the 
time in Scott and part of the time in Ma- 
rion township. At that date Rev. F. M. 
Christensen was pastor. 

RAILROAD. 

A branch of the Central Railroad of 
Iowa runs through the township in a 
diagonal course from section 24, north- 
west to section 6. This line is known as 
the Belmond Branch, running from Hamp- 
ton to Belmond. The track was laid in 

1881, and a station established on section 
5, called Alexander. E. B. Hill was the 
first agent, J. W. Johnson officiating in 
1883. 



POSTOFPICB. 

A postoffice was established at Alexan- 
der, in December, 1882. E. B. Hill w.ts 
the postmaster and was still holding the 
position in 1883. 

ALE.XANDER. 

This is a station on the Belmond 
Branch of the Central Railway of Iowa, 
fifteen miles northwest of Hampton, on 
section 5. The station was established 
upon the completion of the road in 1881. 
But little was done m the way of improve- 
ment until the following year, when a 
general merchandise store was opened. 
July 27, 1883, Fred Wilks purchased forty 
acres of laud on the north side of the 
track and surveyed it off into lots. Mr. 
Cameron, of Belmond, surveyed the plat. 
Preparations were being made to erect a 
grain elevator and other business houses. 

The Cobb Farm, as it was always 
known, in Scott township, was entered by 
Mr. Cobb, in 1859, at which time the tract 
contained 5,040 acres. Cobb improved 
the farm and rented it for a time and 
finally sold it. Wm. Wright, who owned 
it in 1860, built a house upon it. The 
next owner was Henry Corwith, then T. 
B. Scott, who bought it in 1872 and still 
owned it in 1883. The whole farm at 
this date contained 5,600 acres, of which 
500 were under cultivation. In 1882 a 
barn was built on the place, 40x60 feet. 
Upon the farm were 300 head of cattle 
and fifty horses. It was then managed 
by Henry Palmer. 



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568 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



CHAPTER X XXI V 



WEST FORK TOWNSHIP. 



This is the northeast township in Frank- 
lin county, comprising congressional town- 
ship 93, range 19, and therefore contains 
thirty-si.x square miles. The West Fork 
of the Cedar river traverses the township, 
entering on section 7, coursing diagonally 
across the township, leaves from section 
35. This stream is skirted by a good sup 
ply of timber which lends beauty to the 
appearance of the township. The soil is 
a dark, rich loam, inclined in places to be 
sandy. The township contain.^ some very 
tine farms, which are adapted to stock, 
and which are supplied with many fine 
grades. 

EARLY SETTLEMENT. 

Henry Meyer was the first settler in the 
township. He came from Wisconsin in 
1855. R. N. Lockwood came the follow- 
ing April, entering the northeast quarter 
of section 1. Solomon Robinson also 
located in 1856, on the southeast quarter 
of section 1, where he lived until 1880. 
He was formerly from Vermont ; his par- 
ents came in 1857 and kept house for him 
and Mr. Lockwood. 

Frederick Meyer was one of the first 
settlers on the West Fork. He was born 
in Madison Co., 111., Jan. 21, 18.38. His 
parents, Henry and Sophia (Baumgard 
ner) Meyer, were natives of Switzer- 
land, and were among the early settlers of 



Illinois. When Frederick was eleven 
years of age the family removed to Sauk 
Co., Wis., and in the fall of 1856, settled 
in Franklin county. In 1859 Frederick 
went by overland route to California, be- 
ing six months on the road. He engaged 
in raining until 1863, when he went by 
way of Panama to New York city and 
there enlisted as a private in company C, 
20th New York Infantry. He served 
until February, 1866, the regiment being 
detailed for duty at City Point and Rich- 
mond, Va. After his discharge in New 
York city, he returned to Franklin county 
and has since resided here. He owned 
eighty acres of land on section 33, West 
Fork, which he sold in 1876 and removed 
to his present location on section 12, in 
Ross township. He has 240 acres of the 
finest land in the county, which he values 
at |30 per acre. In 1880 he built his fine 
residence and now has one of the most 
comfortable homes in the township. Mr. 
Meyer has been twice married, the first 
time to Martha Bushyager, May 10, 1867. 
She died in 1873, leaving two children — 
Frederick and Martha. On the 23d of 
August, 1874, Mr. Meyer married Eliza 
Chambers, daughter of B. S. Chambers, 
of Ingham township. Two children were 
born to them — Maud and Alta May. Mr. 
and Mrs. Meyer are members of the M. 



HISTOKF OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



569 



E. Church of West Fork. He has been 
school director and road supervisor, and 
is a democrat in politics. 

Leonard N. Lockwoodis one of the first 
settlers in the township of West Fork, 
and among the earliest residents in the 
county of Franklin. He comes of a pio- 
neer race, his parents having been among 
I lie lirst inhabitants of Saratoga Co., N. 
y . His maternal grandmother was living 
in Pennsylvania at the period of the In- 
<!iari disturbances, and was driven from 
llie State by the redskins, about the time 
of the massacre at Wyoming. His father, 
James Lockwood, was from Duchess Co., 
N. Y., and his mother, Eunice (Carr) 
Lockwood, was born in Rhode Island, 
where her parents fled for refuge Leonard 
N.. was born at Wilton, Saratoga Co., N. 
Y, Nov. 29, 1830. He there attained to 
man's estate, obtaining such education as 
the common schools afforded. He spent 
some months in teaching, and in 1855 
yielded to the reported promise of the 
great West. He accompanied an uncle to 
Wisconsin, made a brief stay at Geneva 
I^ake, and from there in company with 
.■mother uncle who resided at the Lake, 
made a prospecting tour across the State 
ilia buggy. From La Crosse they passed 
into Minnesota, and thence by way of 
Osceola, Iowa, to McGregor, where he 
took river passage to Dubuque, his uncle 
returning home to Geneva. Mr. Lock- 
wood there engaged with a surveying 
corps and passed the summer in the St. 
V\K']\ \alUy, Wis. He returned in De- 
cember by way of St. Paul and Diibuijue, 
to Geneva, where he spent ilie winter. In 
]\[arch, 1856, he went to Dubuque to seek 
iiiforma'ion respecting the feasibility of 



settling in Iowa. Franklin county seemed 
to offer special advantages, and he pro- 
ceeded to make a tour of investigation. 
He made the acquaintance of Solomon 
Robinson at Iowa Falls, and they entered 
upon their search together. On their 
route to Franklin county, they fell in with 
John O. Crapser, and the three prosecuted 
their purpose in company. They viewed 
the territory now included in West Fork, 
and made their selections. Mr. Lockwood 
fixed upon the northeast quarter of sec- 
tion 1, township 93, range 19, and, in 
company with Crapser and Robinson, 
went to Fort Dodge and made entries of 
their claims in the land office. He bought 
fifteen acres of timbered land in partner- 
ship with Mr. Robinson, at Allen's Grove, 
and some cattle, and began breaking the 
prairie. They were obliged to go to 
Cedar Falls for a plow and wait until one 
could be manufactured. They broke, 
that season, about thirty acres of land. 
Meanwhile they lived in a tent eight feet 
square, which sheltered them until fall. 
During the following winter they got out 
logs and in the spring of 1857 built a 
house. The site of this was on Robinson's 
claim, with whom Mr. Lockwood lived 
until his marriage. He taught school in 
Walworth Co., Wis., in the winter of 
1857-8, returning to his farm in the spring. 
He planted his crops and secured a school, 
which he taught two terms. He also 
taught singing school at the lower grove 
on Coldwater creek, near the present site 
of Greene, and at Marble Rock. The 
crops were an utter failure that year from 
the wet season, and Mr. Lockwood har- 
vested four bushels of wheat from fifty 
bushels of seed. The stringency of the 



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570 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



times involved much suffering, and he di- 
vided his earnings as teacher with his 
friend Robinson, as a contribution to the 
support of the family. Mr. Lockwood 
pushed the improvements on his place, 
and now claims the best stock farm in 
West Fork township. He has 360 acres 
all inclosed and under the best improve- 
ments. The farm is stocked with sixty head 
of cattle, twenty-six milch cows, 100 sheep 
and thirty hogs. His home, built originally 
in 1 865, has been enlarged and modernized, 
and in 1871 he erected a barn which with 
the additions made in 1852 make 50x64 feet 
on the ground. Mr. Lockwood values his 
farm at thirty dollars per acre. He was 
married Nov. 13, 1865, to Serena E. 
Landes, of Butler county. Her parents 
came from Indiana, and were pioneers of 
the last named county. William E., 
Martha J., Clarence H. and Elsie L. are 
the children of the household. The fam- 
ily attend the Baptist Church at Cold- 
water. Their parents were members of 
the first Baptist organization in the town. 
Mr. Lockwood has always been a repub- 
lican, and has officiated in all the local 
positions of trust of any importance. He 
is a fine type of the solid element that has 
given Iowa her prominence, and is reap- 
ing the reward of energy and well di- 
rected effort. 

J. O.'Crapser came with Lockwood and 
Robinson, the three being the only set- 
tlers north of the West Fork of the Cedar 
river in the township. He broke forty 
acres and put up a log house, 18x24 feet, 
which cost him $300 in gold. The house 
was used for nine years as bis residence, 
and in 1883 was being used as a postoffice 
by John H. Lockwood, just over the But- 



ler county line. Mr. Crapser was born 
Aug. 18, 1830, in Duchess Co., N. Y. His 
parents, William and Catherine (Ostrom) 
Crapser, were natives of the same county, 
and there reared their children. John 
attended the common schools in his youth 
and finished his education at the academy 
in the village of Westchester, which he 
attended three years. He went to Can- 
ada at the age of eighteen, going thence 
to the city of New York, where he was 
occupied in draying two years. In 1851 
he went to California, making the route 
by way of Panama. In the Golden State 
he engaged in mining and teaming. Re- 
turning in 1854 to the Empire State, he 
passed the next two years in Greene 
county. He came to Iowa in April, 1856, 
and, after prospecting in various direc- 
tions, fixed on Franklin county as his 
point of destination. He first entered 
the county in company with Solomon 
Robinson and L. N. Lockwood, and with 
them went on foot to Ft. Dodge and 
entered his claim at the land office. Mr. 
Crapser opened and improved the farm 
lying north of his original claim, where 
he resided ten years. He now occupies 
his first estate, comprising 204 acres on 
the northwest quarter of section 2. He 
has always been distinguished by his in- 
terest in the advancement and prosperity 
of his town and county. He caused the 
division into school districts and built the 
first school house in the township. Ho 
was first road supervisor and laid out the 
first highways. He has been a member of 
the county board of supervisors, and held 
various town offices. He was married 
May 3, 1854, to Christiana L. Lee, of 
Brazier, St. Lawrence Co., N. Y. Follow- 



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4 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



573 



ing is the record of their children — Vic- 
tor E., born Feb. 2, 1855, in Greene Co., 
N. Y.; Julian H., Sept. 19, 1856, was the 
first child born; in West Fork township; 
Clarence E., June 28, 1863, and Myron L., 
Aug 31, 1866. Mr. Crapser is one of the 
most prosperous farmers in West Fork. 
For the past fifteen^years he has made a 
specialty of raising sheep, and his flock 
contains 500 at the present time. 

L. T. Little came in 1856 and located in 
tlie southeast part of the township, but in 
1883 was living near ( hapin. 

Richard Belt, the first blacksmith in the 
township, came that year and opened a 
shop on section 35. 

The next settlers arrived two or three 
years later. Among the number were 
Lyman Hunt, who remained until his 
death in 1875 ; William Hartwell, James 
E. Bailey, T. E. 15. Hudson, Volney 
Kellogg and William [Squires. 

James Ray arrived March 27, 1859. He 
bought eighty acres of land of Richard 
Belt in what is known as Allen's Grove. 
His nearest market was Independence. In 
1860 he took his produce to Ced^r Falls, 
camping while on the journey, which con- 
sumed about nine days in the round trip. 
Hi-: landed possessions now include 480 
acres, all under cultivation except eighty 
acres which are timber. His stock includes 
sixty cattle, seventy hogs and sixteen 
horses. Mr. Ray was born in Sterlingshire, 
Scotland, Aug. 15, 1823. When seventeen 
years of age he was apprenticed to learn 
the trade of engineer, but, not liking the 
business, he ran away at the end of six 
months. He sailed from Glasgow for the 
United States when twenty-five years of 
age, and proceeded from New York to 



Cleveland, Ohio, going a few weeks later 
to Detroit and Chicago. He went from 
the latter place to La Porte Co., Ind., 
and engaged with a farmer, in whose em- 
ploy he remained eight years and sixteen 
days. His Scotch thrift and frugality had 
made his savings aggregate $2,200, and 
he bought bis employer's farm. In 1859 
he sold out and came to Iowa. He was 
married Christmas, 1852, to Margaret 
Meehan, of La Porte Co., Ind. Six of 
their nine children are living — John, 
James B., Joseph, Margaret, Mary Ann 
and Dora L. Mr. Ray has been an active 
and efficient township officer, havingserved 
nine years on the board of trustees, asso- 
ciated during the entire time with Henry 
Bushyager. He has also held other offi- 
cial positions. He is a Presbyterian in 
religious belief, and Mrs. Ray is a Roman 
Catholic. Mr. Ray is a republican, and is 
known for his public spirit and interest 
in the welfare of the community where 
he lives. 

T. E. B. Hudson, stock farmer and 
agriculturist of West Fork, was born near 
Rockford, Winnebago Co., 111., Sept. 19, 
1842. His parents settled there the year 
of his birth and were pioneers. They 
were from Erie Co., N. Y. His father 
was a farmer and bred his son to the same 
calling. At twenty he made practical 
response to his country's call for help in 
her hour of peril, by enrolling in com- 
pany C, 74th Illinois Infantry, and he 
passed through three years of the severest 
service in the war. He was in the battles 
of Stone River, Murfrecsboro, Winches- 
ter, Tullahoma, Mission Ridge and the 
engagements of the Atlanta campaign. 
At Adairsville he received a gun shot 



46 



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^^ S 1^ 



«=4_ 



574 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



wound in the left arm, which permanently 
disabled his arm and placed him on the 
pension list. He was absent from his 
regiment four months, transferred mean- 
while to the command of General Thomas. 
After rejoining his company, he partici- 
pated in the battles of Nashville and 
Franklin, Tenn., and received honor- 
able discharge in June, 1865. He re- 
turned to Illinois and engaged in farming 
until he removed to Franklin Co., Iowa. 
His prospecting journey was made in 1865, 
and two years later he settled permanent- 
ly at West Fork. He first purchased 160 
acres of prairie land and ten acres of 
timber. His farm comprises at present 
250 acres, which he holds at |30 per acre. 
He built one of the best barns in the 
township in 1879. It is 40x50 feet and 
cost $1,200. He is quite largely engaged 
in raising stock, and holds a herd of forty 
to sixty head of cattle and fifty hogs. 
His land is all under cultivation and very 
productive. Mr. Hudson was married 
Jan. 1, 1868, to Abigail Kellogg, whose 
parents became residents of Franklin 
county about the time Mr. Hudson settled 
have. The children of Mr. and Mrs. 
Hudson — Edwin, Jessie, Carl and Ruth, 
are aged respectively fourteeen, thirteen, 
eleven and two years of age. Mr. Hud- 
son has always taken the interest of a 
n-ood citizen in his town's welfare. He is 
a republican in his political views and has 
held the position of town clerk several 
terms, also justice, assessor, school direc- 
tor and treasurer. He is at present secre- 
tary of the school board. Mrs. Hudson 
is a member of the M. E. Church. 

During 1 860 among others who came 
were : Thomas Hal!, Iliram Morehouse, 



George Howard, James Burch, Loomis 
Benjamin, James Chambers and Mr. Kel- 
logg. 

George Howard removed to New York, 
and James Burch remained five years and 
then went to Clarksville and from there to 
Kansas. 

Thomas Hall, a pioneer farmer of 
Franklin county, came to West Fork, then 
Ingham township, in 1860. He located 
on section 3, where he still lives. A part 
of his residence was the first school house 
built in the township. Mr. Hall is a 
Canadian by birth and was born May 30, 
1806, at Caledonia, Ottawa. He was the 
first white child born at Caledonia Springs. 
His father, Joshua Hall, was born in Ver- 
mont, and his mother, Clarissa (Mitchell) 
Hall, was a native of Massachusetts. The 
family removed about 1816, near Niagara 
Falls, and two years later the mother died, 
when the senior Hall returned to the 
Dominion with his household, settling at 
London, province of Ontario, where they 
lived thirteen years. They next went to 
St. Clair Co., Mich., where Thomas Ha'l 
lived nine years, going thence to Winne- 
bago Co., 111. He was a farmer there 
un il I860. He was married, Aug. 29, 
1829, to Charlotte Morehouse, at London, 
Canada. She was born in Vermont. Her 
parents settled in Iowa about 1860. Her 
mother, Clarissa Morehouse, died in 1866, 
and her death was the first in the town- 
ship of West Fork. Mr. and Mrs. Hall 
have had ten children, five of whom are 
living — Philo, Alonzo J., John W., Clar- 
rissa, ( Mrs. William Hartwell ), and Mary 
M., wife of Lon Sumner. Mr. Hall has 
held the offices of trustee, road supervi- 
sor and school director. He was a demo 



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.k 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



575 



crat previous to the war, but is now iden- 
tified with the republican party. 

The township did not settle rapidly 
until after 1860, when the Germans coiu- 
inenoed settling. 

Among others who came in during 
I860 were Ransom Knapp, who after- 
ward removed to Hampton, Joseph G. 
Bushyagerand William Jenkins. 

Joseph G. Bushyager is a son of Henry 
Bushyager, a pioneer settler of Iowa. 
The latter was a native of Pennsylvania, 
and worked as a carpenter at Pittsburg. 
He removed to Dubuque, Iowa, in 1856, 
and there pursued his trade two years 
then went to Bremer Co., Iow:i, and 
worked two years at his trade. He came 
to Franklin county and bought eighty 
acres of land on section 18, West Fork 
township. He resided here until his 
death, Dec. 22, 1881. He was one of the 
first trustees of Ingham township, then 
including West Fork, and afterward was 
a member of the board of supervisors. 
Joseph and his father performed the 
domestic duties of their household dur- 
ing the first two years of their residence 
in Franklin county, after which Joseph's 
sister assumed charge. In December^ 
1S63, Mr. Joseph Bushyager enlisted in 
company H, 3-2d Iowa Infantry, and was 
in the service eighteen months, paiticij)a- 
ting in all the battles in which his regi- 
ment was engaged He became ill and 
received honorable discharge from the 
service in the spring of 1865, and re- 
turned to West Fork. He is now a pros- 
perous farmer, owns 345 acres of land in 
Franklin county, his homestead including 
105 acres, valued at |35 per acre. The 
farm is all under the plow and shows an 



advanced state of improvement. He 
owns thirty head of cattle and ten horses. 
In April, 1807, Mr. Bushyager was mar- 
ried to Mary E. Leidig, whose parents 
came from Pennsylvania in 1855, and 
located in Jackson Co., Iowa, thence to 
Clinton township, Franklin county, in 
1863 Mr. and Mrs. Bushyager have had 
nine children, eight of whom are living — 
Genettie Belle, George and Henry (twins), 
Mary Elizabeth, Lucia Lorena, Matilda 
Jane, Joseph Alvin and Zillah Jane. The 
parents are members of the West Fork 
Class of the M. E. Church. Mr. Bushya- 
ger is a democrat in politics and has acted 
as school director. He was born at Pitts- 
burg, Penn., Aug. 30, 1842. Mr. Bush- 
yager's mother died at Pittsburg, Penn., 
in 1850. 

William Jenkins came with his father's 
family to Frankin Co., Iowa, in 1860. He 
now lives on section 7, West Fork town- 
ship, where he owns eighty acres of land, 
valued at 125 per acre. He was a resident 
of section 18 until 1870, when he came to 
his present home. He was one of the 
pioneers of West Fork. He was born in 
Linn Co, Iowa, in 1849, and was among 
the first white children born in that 
county. His father, James Jenkins, was 
one of the first settlers in West Fork, and 
is now living with one of his sons. The 
father is now eighty years of age, and still 
enjoys excellent health. William resided 
in Linn county until 1860, when he came to 
Franklin county. Mr. Jenkins married 
.\Iary C. Knesel, of Ross township. They 
have four children — Elmer W., Softie, 
Albert and Blanche. Mrs. Jenkins is a 
member of the M. E. Church. Mr. Jen- 






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^2 



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576 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



kins lias held the officesof school director, 
constable and road supervisor. 

Levi Culver came from Missouri to 
Franklin Co., Iowa, in 1800. He was 
born in Guernsey Co., Ohio, Sept. 3, ]828. 
His parents, Philip and Elizabeth (Drake) 
Culver, were from western Virginia, and 
settled in Ohio, in 1803. His father was a 
soldier in the war of 1812. In 1833 the 
family removed from Ohio to Illinois, and 
the father was the first man to strike a 
blow with hammer on the site of Rockford. 
After remaining there five years, the 
father, with his family, moved to Missouri, 
from there to Illinois, then to Wisconsin, 
thence to Winneshiek and Linn counties, 
Iowa. From there he moved to Hancock 
Co., Mo., and finally to Illinois, where he 
died in 1863. Levi Culver came into 
Jones Co., Iowa, in 1852, from Dodge Co., 
Wis. After remaining there five years 
he returned to Wisconsin, then came to 
Linn Co., Iowa. He remained in Linn 
county one year, and then moved to 
Grundy Co., Mo,, where he lived until 
18G0, when he came to Franklin county. 
In July, 1862, he enlisted in company II, 
32d Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and was in 
many of the severest battles of the re- 
bellion. At Island No 10, while on 
picket duty, he was taken prisoner by tlie 
rebels, and was held as a prisoner one 
year and ten months. For one year of 
this time he suffered the liorrors of Ander- 
sonville prison. He was finally exchanged 
and joined his regiment at Franklin, and 
was in the battle there and also at Nash- 
ville, Tenn. He was with his regiment in 
all its campaigns and skirmishes, and was 
honorably discharged in 1865. Since the 
war he has made his home on section 8, 



where he owns eighty acres of land which 
he bought in 18/2. He is now a member 
of Mulligan Post of the G. A. R. at Shef- 
field. Mr. Culver was married in August 
1855 to Elizabeth Mann, of Winnebago, 
111. They have had eleven children, nine 
iif whom are living — Bethany, Lucinda A., 
Mary E., Clara L., John W., Arthur O., 
Carrie E. and Waford Garfield. 

John Hartman located on his present 
farm, which he purchased from his father, 
in 1869. He began life without means, 
but by hard work and strict economy he 
has accumula ed a fine property. His 
farm contains 177 acres, with fine improve- 
ments and one of the best barns in the 
township He is the son of Jacob and 
Catherine (Heindle) Hartman, who were 
natives of Yort Co., Penn., which was 
also his birth place. He was born May 
20, 1843. He lived with his parents until 
he was seventeen, when he went to Ogle 
Co., 111., and worked on a farm until 1861, 
when he came to Franklin Co., Iowa, 
whither his parents had ])receded him. 
He returned to Illinois, remaining until 
1863, when he came and purchased his 
present home. Jan. 1, 1867, he was mar- 
ried to May M. Kaeder, a native of Indi- 
ana, but then a resident of Floyd county. 
They have no children of their own but 
have adopted two boys, the sons of a 
widow. He is a democrat in politics, and 
has been road supervisor one year. 

Among the settlers of a later date were 
the following named : William Garber, 
John Knesel, William Thornbery, Gar- 
ritt Van Riper, Joseph Slade, Samuel 
Esslinger, Emanuel Esslinger, Edward 
Esslinger, Henry Nolte, Frank Avery, 
William Krukrow, William H. Kiefer, A. 



^ 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



bin 



VV. UfFord, Ernst Marks, C. D. John, E. J. 
John and L. Horstman. 

William Garber has been a resident of 
Franklin county since 1865. He was born 
in Madison, Perry Co., Penn., Nov. 22, 
1823. His parents, George A. and Sabina 
(Stambaugh) Garber, were natives of the 
same State. Mr. Garber removed to Ogle 
Co , 111., when thirty years old, and bought 
eighty acres of land in the town of Mon- 
roe and engaged in farming until the re- 
bellion of the southern States. He en- 
listed in August, 1862, in company F, 
74th Illinois Infantry, and served three 
years. He was in action at Perryville 
and Stone River, and was taken prisoner. 
He was "in durance vile" at Richmond 
twenty-nine days, when he was paroled 
and sent to Annapolis, Md. He was ex- 
changed the ne.vt spring and rejoined his 
regiment in Tennessee. He was ordered 
on detailed duty with the garrison at 
Fort Rosecrans until the spring of 1864, 
when he went to his regiment at Atlanta, 
Ga. He was under tire at Nashville and 
Franklin, General Thomas commanding. 
He received his discharge in June, 1865, 
and joined his family in Franklin county, 
where they had removed in the fall of 
1863. Mr. Garber's farm contains nii^ety- 
five acres of land under advanced im- 
provement, and his place shows every evi- 
dence of industrious thrift. He was mar- 
ried Feb. 26, 1846, to Sarah A. Baltocer, 
of Perry Co., Penn Four only of seven 
children are living — John W., William 
B., Sarah J. (wife of William Kiefer) and 
Julia. Mr. Garber has acted in the po- 
sitions of township clerk, school director 
and road supervisor. Mrs. Garber is a 
member of the M. E. Church. 



John Knesel, one of the enterprising 
farmers of Ross township, came to Frank- 
lin Co., Iowa, in 1866, and for one year 
lived on the Horton place and then came 
to his present farm. He first bought 
eighty acres of land, to which he added 
as occasion offered, and he is now the 
owner of 220 acres, of which 160 acres 
are under the plow. He values his land 
at $40 per acre. Mr. Knesel is a self- 
made man in every sense of the word, 
having started in life with no capital but 
good health, biains, muscle and a deter- 
mination to succeed, and by strict econo- 
my he has become the owner of a tine 
property, and is now in a position to en- 
joy the fruits of his labor. John Knesel 
is the son of John George and Mary Maria 
Lorena (Meyer) Knesel, and was born in 
Lancaster Co., Penn., Nov. 19, 1822. His 
parents were born in Germany; were mar- 
ried in Philadelphia and settled in Penn- 
sylvania in 1816. His father was a shoe- 
maker, and at the time of his marriage his 
worldly possessions could have been tied 
up in a small handkerchief. About 1832 
the family moved to Columbiana, Co., Ohio, 
and John lived on a farm there until 
1849, then went to Logan Co., 111., where" 
he remained four years, when he removed 
to Clinton Co., Iowa, and engaged in 
farming until his removal to Franklin 
county. When he arrived here he had 
only $50 which he invested in a cow, and 
she died in a short time. The crops that 
year were an entire failure in Iowa, and 
for six weeks Mr. Knesel and family sub- 
sisted on nothing but boiled turnips. Mr. 
Knesel bought his land on credit, and 
nearly paid for the first eighty acres with 
the crop of one season. He has been one 



J- 



578 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



of the most successful farmers of Ross 
township. On the 28th of October, 1848, 
he married Susan Phillips, who was born 
in Columbiana county. Her grandfather 
was in the Revolutionary war, and her 
parents were early settlers in Ohio. They 
have had twelve children, of whom nine 
are living— Lorena A., wife of William 
Shinn, of Ohio ; Mary C, the wife of W. 
H. Jenkins, of West Fork ; Jacob L., 
now in Nebraska ; James S., living at 
West Fork ; John G. ; Albert W. ; Sarah 
E., wife of Ira Jenkins; Abraham and 
Charles A. Mr. and Mrs. Knesel are mem- 
bers of the Christian Church. 

J. S. Knesel is a son of John Knesel, a 
pioneer settler of Franklin county. He 
is a native of Iowa, and was born in Clin- 
ton Co., April 27, 18.f6. Mr. Knesel, Sr., 
settled in this county in 1866, and engaged 
in farming. He bred his son to the pur- 
suit of agriculture, who remained as his 
father's assistant until 1878. Atthatdate 
he jjurchased a farm on section 6, W^est 
Folk township, which he has since occu- 
pied. His farmed includes 120 acres of 
first class land, all under improvement, 
and worth $25 an acre. Mr. Knesel is 
still a young man, and with his habits of 
industry, and the careful judgment he 
displays, he has a future of prosperity be- 
fore him. He was married Dec. 25, 1878, 
to Mary Smothers, a daugher of one of 
the pioneers of Floyd Co., Iowa. She was 
born in that county. They have one child 
— Alinon Herbert. Mr. Knesel has al- 
ways acted with the republican party. 

William Thornberry came to Franklin 
county in 1867, and purchased his pres- 
ent farm in West Fork township. He is 
the son of Richard and Agnes Thornberry, 



born in Tennessee, in 1805. His parents 
left the south on account of slavery and 
removed to Indiana. William remained 
at home until he was twenty years of age, 
and received only a limited education. 
He was married to Elizabeth Young, who 
died in 1855. This union was blessed 
two children, one of whom is living — 
Sarah, wife of Isaac Hurst, now residing 
in Kansas. In 1856 Mr. Tho iiberiy was 
again married to Margaret Conrod, a na 
tive of Kentucky. Two children have 
been born to them, of whom one Is living 
— Margaret, now teaching. Mr. Thorn 
berry was formerly a democrat, but since 
the war has voted with the republican 
party. For over forty years he has been 
a member of the United Brethren Church. 
Garreit Van Riper, an early settler of 
West Fork, was born in Yates Co., N. Y., 
March 22, 1835. His father was a car- 
penter, and lost his life while raising a 
barn when his son was fourteen years old. 
Mr. Van Riper subsequently moved to St. 
Joseph Co., Ind., where he enlisted, Aug. 
27, 1861!, in company K, 87th Indiana In 
fantry. His term expired in Januaiy, 1863, 
and he re-enlisted in the 38th Indiana. 
At the battle of Perryville he had his 
ankle broken, and is now in receipt of a 
pension in consequence. His second term 
expired in 1864, and he again enrolled as a 
soldier of the Union, and remained until 
the war ceased. He was mustered out in 
June, 1865, and went to Illinois, residing 
eighteen months in Stephenson county. 
His house there was destroyed by fire, 
and a child perished in the flames. The 
building and contents were entirely de- 
stroyed. In January, 1867, he came to 
Franklin county, and has since resided 



At 






liiU 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



579 



in West Fork township. On arrival, 
his financial assets showed a total of 
ten cents. He has, by energetic persever- 
ance, accumulated a substantial property. 
Mr. Van Riper, married Elizabeth Wood, 
at Edwardsburg, Mich., in February 
1858. Her parents were pioneers in In- 
diana. Eight of her eleven children are 
living — Emma J., Ermina M., William H., 
James N., Bertha A., Mary E., Sarah L. 
and George A. Mr. Van Riper has served 
as constable, and is now school director. 
He has been road supervisor for the 
past twelve years. 

Joseph Slade is regarded as one of the 
enterprising farmers of West Fork. He 
was born in Hampshire, England, May 21, 
1840. While a babe his mother died. An 
aunt living in Dorsetshire took him, with 
whom he lived until he was sixteen, when 
he emigrated to America to seek his 
fortune. He went to Winnebago, 111., 
where he learned the blacksmith trade. 
He enlisted in company C, 67th Illinois 
Infantry, and after serving four months 
was taken sick and discharged on account 
of disability. After his return he was pros- 
trated eight months, and has never fully 
recovered from the effects of his illness. 
He came to Franklin county in 1867, loca- 
ting on section 5, West Fork, where he 
first bought forty acres. He had the first 
blacksmith shop in the township, which 
for years was the only one within a 
radius of six or seven miles, and had all 
the work he could attend to. He began 
lift' with nothing but an invincible deter- 
mination to succeed, and, as a result, is the 
possessor of of 300 acres of farming land, 
and ten acres of timber. He has a jjro- 
duclive orchard, with fine groves, which 



were started in 1868, making the place 
pleasant and attractive. He is also largely 
engaged in stock raising. In October, 
1882 he formed a partnership, under the 
firm name of Hocking & Slade, and en- 
gaged in general merchandising in Shef- 
field, which is proving successful. He was 
married Oct. 31, 1863, to Rosa Burns, of 
Winnebago, 111., whose parents emigrated 
from Massachusetts to Illinois, in 1857. 
Mr and Mrs. Slade are the parents of ten 
children — Melinda, wife of Irvin Scott, 
Thomas J., Minnie L., Charles H., Nellie, 
Nettie, Freddie, Lucy, Georgia and Ches- 
ter Leroy. Politically, he is !i republican. 
He has held the office of secretary of the 
township school board, and is now treas- 
urer. He ha.s been a director for a number 
of years. 

Samuel Esslinger has been a resident of 
Franklin county since 1869. He came 
with his brother, Emanuel, and after liv- 
ing one year near Hampton removed to 
his present location. He owns 105 acres 
of land, having on it a never-failing spring 
of water which greatly increases its value 
as a stock farm. He has seventeen head 
of cattle and fifty hogs. He was born on 
his father's farm five miles from Milwau- 
kee, Oct. 12, 1842. His parents were 
among the first settlers of Milwaukee 
county. Samuel enlisted in the war of the 
rebellion, Aug. 20, 1862, enrolling in com- 
pany K, 33d Wisconsin Infantry. He 
fought beside his brother, Emanuel, and 
was in the engagements at Vicksburg, 
Corinth, Nashville, Franklin, Spanish Fort, 
and all the skirmishes and campaigns in 
which his regiment took part. On one 
occasion while in action a piece of shell 
passed between him and his brother. One 



VMff- 



^1^ 



w 



u 



<>. 



580 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



or both must have been killed had they 
been in close rank. At Spanish Fort he 
was in advance and the first man on the 
fortifications. He rushed up alone to 
about twenty rebels and demanded their 
surrender. Under the belief that he was 
supported by his comrades they obeyed, 
realizing when too late that they had 
been captured by a single man. After his 
discharge he returned to his former home, 
and three months later went to Geneseo, 
111., where he remained until he came to 
this county. He and his brother came 
tlirough with a team, and arrived March 
19, 1869. Mr. Esslinger was married to 
Theodosia Riggins, of Franklin county, 
Jan. -Jo, 1872. She was born in the Key- 
stone State, and with her parents was 
among the pioneers of Winnebago Co., 
111. Mr. and Mrs. Riggins are yet living 
in this county. Mr. and Mrs. Esslinger 
have si.\ children — Ellsworth E., Homer 
D., Judson D., Preston, Bernice, Amanda 
and Emma Ida. Mr. Esslinger is a re- 
publican in politics, and is now road 
supervisor, and has acted as constable two 

years. He is a member of the Evangeli- 
cal Church. 

Emanuel Esslinger was born in Penn- 
sylvania, Dec. 24, 11^*36. His father, 
George Esslinger, was born in Germany, 
and emigrated to Pennsylvania when 
young. The family went to a farm in the 
vicinity of Buffalo, N. Y., in 183", and 
soon after made another move to Mil- 
waukee, Wis., where they lived on a farm 
about five miles southwest of the city. 
Mr. Esslinger enlisted Aug. 22, 1862, in 
company K, 33d Wisconsin Infantry. 
He was in ihe service three years, and 
passed through some of the severest 



campaigns of the war. His regiment was 
in the engagement at Coldwater, Miss., 
and was part of the division ordered to 
reinforce General Grant at Vicksburg. 
The rebel General Forest cut off their 
supplies while they were on the march, 
and for nine days the command subsisted 
on the scantiest fare, many of the soldiers 
yielding to exhaustion. They fell back 
through Moscow where they lay several 
weeks. A large number died from cholera, 
the results of overeating after starvation. 
The division went back to Memphis, and 
from there by boat to Vicksburg. They 
took part in the thirty-seven days siege 
and capture of Vicksburg, and were in 
action at Jackson, Miss., and afterwards 
in the Meridian Expedition. The regi- 
ment was sent to Natchez and on the Red 
River expedition, where the men were 
detailed to guard transports. The White 
River expedition pursuing Price to War- 
rensburg. Mo., was their next severe 
service, followed by an order to proceed 
to St. Louis with prisoners of war. They 
were under fire at Nashville, Franklin, 
Spanish Fort and Mobile. The regiment 
was mustered out at Vicksburg and re- 
turned to Madison, Wis., where it dis- 
banded. Mr. Esslinger returned to Mil- 
waukee, and soon after went to Geneseo, 
111., remaining there until the spring of 
1869, when he came to Franklin county. 
He lived near Hampton a year, and then 
settled on section 9, West Fork township. 
He has a fine farm of 110 acres which he 
improved from the prairie, has built a 
substantial house and surrounded it with 
trees, and also has a prospective oichard. 
On the 12th of April, 1866, Mr. Esslinger 
was married at Geneseo, 111., to Caroline 



^• 



•r 



J^l 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



581 



Schiiok. Her parents settled-- in Henry 
Co., 111., when the nearest markets were 
Galena and Rockford. Their children 
are — Ada, Edward, George, Millie, Hayes, 
Clyde and Katie. Mrs. Esslinger and 
Ada are members of the Evangelical 
Church. 

Edward Esslinger, one of the most 
enterprising farmers of West Fork town- 
ship, was born in Berks Co., Penn., Nov. 
13, 1832. His father was a carpenter and 
moved to the State of New York. Two 
years later he went to Chicago, where he 
worked at his trade, and finally settled at 
Milwaukee. He was master builder on 
the first tavern erected on Walker's Point. 
Mr. Esslinger can remember when there 
was but a single dry goods store in the 
city of Milwaukee. He sold wood in that 
market at three shillings per cord, and at 
a later period, disposed of the same 
quantity for seven dollars. He went to 
Rioine to learn the cooper's trade, and 
while there enlisted in the Union army. 
Ho was enrolled, in 1862, in company 
F, -Sd Wisconsin Infantry, and served 
through the war. He went back to the 
Bulger State, where he resided until the 
spring of 1869, when he came to Franklin 
county, and the ensuing winter located 
where he now resides. Himself and two 
brothers bought a half of section 9 and 
divided it among themselves. Mr. Esslin- 
ger has 10.5 acres, whose aggregate value 
he rates at $2,625. He devotes much at- 
tention to stock-raising, and owns twenty- 
two head of cattle, twenty-eight hogs 
and twelve horses He was married 

Feb. 26, 1857, to Elizabeth, daughter 
of Christian Kiefer, an early settler of 
Milwaukee. Mr and Mrs. Esslinger have 



had twelve children, eleven are living, as 
follows — Adaline, Lilly, Amelia, Edward 
E., John, Julia, Minnie, Cora, Frank, 
Reuben and Richard, Mr. Esslinger has 
been township trustee eight years and 
school director two terms. He and his 
wife are members of the Evangelical 
Church. 

Henry Nolte was born in Germany, 
July 20, 18.36. He borrowed his passage 
money to come to America, and used his 
first earnings to refund it. He labored as 
a farmer's assistant in Dane Co., Wis., 
and by practicing the closest economy 
succeeded in accumulating a small sum of 
money, which he invested in land. He 
transferred his interests to Franklin 
county, in 1870, and by the exercise of his 
inherited traits of thrift and industry, he 
has acquired a fine property. He owns 
200 acres of land, stocked with forty-four 
head of cattle and about thirty-five hogs. 
His land is worth $25 per acre. Mr. 
Nolte was married in I860 to Caroline 
Korfmaker. Mrs. Nolte's parents came 
from Germany and were pioneers in Wis- 
consin. Mr. and Mrs. Nolte are the 
parents of nine children, only four of 
whom are living — Augusta, Henry, Rosa 
and George. The father and mother are 
members of the Evangelical Church. Mr. 
Nolte is a republican in politics, and has 
filled the positions of road supervisor and 
school director. 

E. Riggins is one of the active and 
prosperous farmers of the township. He 
has 100 acres of valuable land on section 
2, where he located in the sjiring of 1871. 
He was born in 1823 in Cumberland Co., 
N. J., where he attained his majority and 
was educated. He then went to Pennsyl- 



47 






:±=A±,. 



582 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



vania, where he learned the miller's trade 
and followed it fifteen years. He emi- 
grated to Winnebago Co., 111., in 1857, 
which he made his home until com- 
ing to Iowa. He has a nuiiiber of head of 
cattle, but give.s his attention chiefly to 
hogs, turning off a large number yearly. 
He was married in 1841 to Lucy Ann Yohn, 
of Pennsylvania. They have fourteen 
children ten of whom are living — Lo- 
renzo, Payton B., Sherwood, Pulaski, Ed- 
mund, Lewis, Beulah, Theodosia, Julia and 
Nancy. They are members of the Meth- 
odist Episcopal Church. He is a good 
citizen. 

Frank Avery is the proprietor of eighty 
acres of valuable land in West Fork 
township, where he located in 1870. The 
place is all under cultivation, and is one 
of the most productive in the township. 
Mr. Avery was born in Hill, Grafton Co., 
N. H., on the 25th day of October, 1823. 
His parents, Ebenezer and Polly (Brad- 
bury) Avery, were also natives of the old 
Granite State and were farmers, rearing 
llieir children to that calling and giving 
tiiem such educational advantages as the 
district schools afforded. When twenty- 
one years of age Mr. Avery set out to 
carve 'out his own fortune. He labored as 
a farm hand until he accumulated a small 
sum of money and bought a farm in Mer- 
rimac county, in his native State, where he 
remained until October, 1870. He and 
Eunice Smith were married July 14, 1851. 
She was born in New Hampshire, as were 
her parents. Mr. and Mrs. Avery have 
three sons and two daughters — (-iilbert, 
Albert, Arabello, Mary and John. Mr. 
Avery is a democrat in political sentiment 



William Krukrow, in 1870, bought his 
present farm of 260 acres, in West Fork 
township, upon which he has a fine resi- 
dence and all necessary outbuildings, all 
of which speak of thrift and good man- 
agement. He was born in Prussia, in 
18.32, and emigrated to the United States 
in 1862, first settling in Prairie du Chien, 
Wis., where he worked by the month un- 
til he came to Franklin county. He is a 
member of the German Lutheran Church, 
and is a thorough republican in politics. 
He was married to Mary Bunder in 1856. 
They have four children — Frank, William, 
Henry and Lewis. Frank was married 
Sept. 14, 1882. He purchased 130 acres 
of land, on section 32, where he now lives. 

Gottlieb Kugler came to Franklin 
county on a prospecting tour in 1869, and 
the following year removed here with his 
family. He purchased 160 acres of land 
on section 4, West Fork, and in the first 
year broke up sixteen acres, and the 
next year put twenty-two acres more under 
the plow. In 1870 lie built a house while 
his sons were engaged in breaking land. 
In 1876 he began to set out fruit trees, 
and now has a bearing orchard which 
produces all the fruitneeded by the family. 
He has forty head of cattle, nine of them 
beingmilch cows; he also keeps thirty hogs. 
His land is all cultivated, with thirty-five 
acres of meadow. He was born May 26, 
1832, in Wurtemburg, Germany. In 1848 
he came to America and at once learned 
cigar making at Philadelphia, thus occupy- 
ing one year. He went to Milwaukee in 
1849, and not securing work at his trade, he 
learned the business of a cooper, at which 
he worked until he came to Franklin 
county. His shop was located six miles 



¥ 



Jk. 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



583 



^' 



from Milwaukee on the Janesville plank 
roail. He married Harriet Esslinger at 
Milwaukee inI853. Her parents emigrated 
from Germany to Pennsylvania, removing 
thence to Wisconsin. 'J"en of eleven 
children born to Mr. and Mrs. Kugler are 
living— George, Rudolph, Albert, Arthur, 
Walter, Tillie (wife of Adam Messhiser), 
Rosa, Julia, Loreno and Hermine, wife 
of George Messelidser. Mr. Kugler lias 
served three years as road supervisor, four 
as trustee, one term as school director, 
and is now chairman of the school board. 
Mrs. Kugler is a member of the Lutheran 
Evangelical Church. 

William H. Kiefer is at present consta- 
ble of West Fork township. He is a 
prominent citizen and farmer. He id pio- 
prietor of 160 acres of land known as 
Highland Grove farm, which he holds at 
$4,000. Eiglity-tive acres are under the 
plow and the remainder in meadow land 
and pasture. The place is stocked with 
twenty-five head of cattle and a number 
of sheep ; it also furnishes thirty-five hogs, 
annually for market. Tne house, built in 
1871, is surrounded by a tine grove. Mr. 
Kiefer was born in Milwaukee, April 4, 
1858. His parents. Christian and Eliza- 
beth (Leonhardt) Kiefer, sett led here in 
1847, his father having the position of 
weighmaster at an elevator. In 1864 the 
family went to Prairie Du Cbien, Wis., 
where the father was employed in the 
same capacity, and also was in the grocery 
and provision business one year. In 1871 
the family settled in West Fork township, 
the parents residing with the son. Mr. 
Kiefer was married June 5, 1881, to 
Sarah, daughter of S. A. Garber. They 
have one child^Chester Kiefer. Mr. and 



]VIrs. Kiefer are members qf the M. E. 
Church. Mr. Kiefer has always voted the 
republican ticket, and been active in pro- 
moting the welfare of his township. 
George Kiefer, a brother, enlisted at Mil- 
waukee in a Cavalry regiment," served 
through the war and was severely 
wounded. 

A. W. Ufford settled in Franklin county 
in the fall of 1871. He owns 100 acres of 
improved land on section 3, West Fork 
township, which he values at |25 per 
acre. He resides at this writing on the 
farm of R. C. Mathews. He is a practi- 
cal farmer and devotes much attention to 
stock raising. He owns sixty head of 
cattle and is engaged in the manufacture 
of butter. His herd includes twenty-five 
milch cows. He was born Aug. 8, 1836, 
in Oneida Co., N. Y. His parents Charles 
and Polly ( Warner) Ufford, were natives 
of the Empire State, where they belonged 
to the farming element and reared their 
son to the same vocation. He obtained a 
fair education at the district schools, and 
at nineteen, went to Illinois, where he 
worked as a farm hand until the war of 
the rebellion. He enlisted at Rockford, 
111., in company A, 74th Illinois Infantry, 
and served three years. He was under 
fire at Stone River, and soon after his 
company was detailed to act in the Pio- 
neer Corps. He was afterward transferred 
.to the First U. S. Engineers, where 
he completed his term of enlistment. 
The regiment was chiefly employed in 
getting out lumber to be rafted to the 
Tennessee river, for use in building bar- 
racks, fortifications, etc. Mr. LTflford was 
discharged in 1805, and again engaged in 
farming in Winnebago Co., 111. Two 



•F 



*. 



584 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



|3 



years later he removed to Tayette Co., 
Iowa. He resided there three year.s, sold 
his property and settled in Franklin 
county. He was married June 11, 1S61, 
in Winnebago county, to Caroline Smith. 
Their family comprises six children — 
Franklin A., Alfred H. and Albert H. 
( twins ), Ella May, Polly Ann and Charles 
Gilbert. 

Charles Nolte settled in Franklin county 
in 1873. He is a Uerman by birth, and 
came to America in 1861, when his father 
located in Dane Co., Wis. Mr. Nolte was 
born Oct. 20, 1851, and has resided in 
West Fork since coming to the county. 
His farm of 140 acres is situated on sec- 
tions 17 and :29. He holds his real estate 
at $3,500 in the aggregate, and owns 
twenty-two head of cattle and thirty- 
seven hogs. He is a careful manager and 
is rapidly putting his place under improve- 
ments of the most valuable character. 
He was married in 1878 to Rosa Faerber, 
a native of -Illinois, and then resident in 
Adair Co., Iowa. Their three children 
are Clarence, Lydia and an infant. The 
parents are members of the Evangelical 
Church. Mr. Nolte is a republican. 

Ernst Marks was born in Prussia in De- 
cember, 1828. His father died and left a 
family of six children. In 1854 he emi- 
grated to America^and settled in Dane 
Co., Wis. He enlisted, in 1862, in com- 
pany B, 17th Wisconsin Infantry. At the 
siege of Vicksbnrg he was wounded by a 
shell, in his left arm, and lying on the 
battle field all night without receiving at- 
tention caused the loss of his arm. He 
was four months in the hospital and now 
draws a pension. He came to Franklin 



county in 1873 and now owns a fine tract 
of land in West Fork township. It in- 
cludes 142 acres and is valued at |!20 per 
acre. He was married in 1869 to Mrs. 
Elizabeth Hoops, a widow with two sons 
— Henry and Herman. Mr. and Mrs. 
Marks are members of the German Meth- 
odist Church. Mr. Marks has always been 
a republican, and is now road supervisor. 
C. D. .lohn owns a farm of ninety-eight 
acres on section 4, on which he has re- 
sided since 1875, at which date he came 
to West Fork. His farm is a valuable one 
and is believed to contain extensive beds 
of coal. When sinking a shaft for a well, 
indications jiroved the presence of a coal 
formation which was pronounced by ex- 
perienced miners to be of first class quality 
Mr. John contemplates future prospecting. 
He was born in Northumberland Co , 
Penn., Sept. 23, 1841. Ten years later 
his parents removed to Winnebago Co., 
111., where on the advent of civil war, Mr. 
John enlisted in the 8th Illinois Cav- 
alry, serving three months, after which he 
was discharged for disability. He enlisted 
again in August, 1862, enrolling in com- 
pany F, 74th Illinois Infantry, where he 
was in service three years. He was in 
action at Perryvilie, Chattanooga, Mission 
Ridge, Nashville, Franklin, etc. At At- 
lanta he was promoted to second sergeant. 
On his discharge he returned to Illinois 
where he lived until his removal to Frank- 
lin county. Mr. John was married 
Aug. 5, 1871, to Elizabeth McGregor of 
Winnebago Co., 111. Their children are 
— Grace, Marian, Rhoda and Nellie. The 
parents are members of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church. Mr. John has acted 
three terms as justice of the peace and 



~* -f^U — — 



V 



_f> K> 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



585 



as school director. He is a republican in 
political faith. 

E. J. John made a trip to Franklin 
county in 1865 and found the county so 
little improved and settled that he re- 
traced his steps. He was born in Schuyl- 
kill Co., Penn., Oct. 5, 1848. His parents 
removed to Winnebago Co., 111., when he 
was one year old, and he remained there 
until 1873 At that date he went to Kan- 
sas. Four years later he settled in West 
F'ork township. He owns 120 acres of 
land on which he has made the best im- 
provements. He was married in Septem- 
ber, 187'2, to Sarah McKinstry, a native of 
Pennsylvania. They have three children 
— Patience, Hortense and Walter. Mr. 
and Mrs. John are members of the M. E. 
C-hurch. He has held the offices of school 
director and road supervisor and is a re- 
publican in political faith. 

L. Horstman settled in Franklin county 
in 1876. His farm of ninety acres is 
located on section 18, of West Fork 
township, and is worth about $3,000. It 
is in a productive condition, and Mr. 
Horstman is by degrees making arrange- 
ments to engage in stock farming. He has 
thirteen head of cattle, twenty hogs and 
five horses. He was married Dec 4, 
1873, to Matilda Pogemiller, of Dane 
Co., Wis. They have four children — 
William, Sophia, Theodore and John. 
They have lost one child. Mr. Horstman 
was born July 25, 1849, and is a native of 
Prussia. He came to America in 1867 
and settled in Dane Co., Wis., which was 
his home until he came to Franklin Co., 
Iowa. He is a democrat in political 
belief and action. 



E. T. Davis emigrated to Franklin 
county in 1876. He bought eighty acies 
of raw prairie which he has so improved 
that he now has a most desirable home. 
He was born in Green Co , Wis., Feb. 
9, 1852. He is the son of D. M. and 
Charlotte A. (South) Davis, both natives 
of Pennsylvania, who removed to Green 
county at a very early date. E. T.'s 
grandfather moved to Wisconsin in 1834 
with his family, consisting of twelve sons 
and two daughters. The death of one of 
the sons was the first death to occur in 
Green county, and an uncle resided in 
Wisconsin so early in its history that for 
two years he did not see a white man, his 
only neighbors being Indians. The sub- 
ject of the sketch resided with his parents 
on a farm, until he came to Iowa. In 
October, 1874, he married Belle, daughter 
of John A. and Judith (Luce) Brown, who 
were also early settlers of Green Co., 
Wis. In politics he is a republi- 
can. They are the parents of two chil- 
dren — Dallas E. and Elsie. 

William Farnsworth was born in New 
Jersey in 1802. His father, Edmoiid 
Farnsworth, was a farmer in Chester 
county, where the family resided until 
William was eighteen years old and then 
removed to Cattaraugus Co., N. Y. From 
there William removed to Illinois and 
was among the first settlers of Du Page 
county. In 1868 he removed to Owa- 
tonna, Minn., and in 1872 came to Frank- 
lin county. He has 135 acres of land on 
section 6, West Fork, which is valued at 
|25 per acre. Mr. Farnsworth was mar- 
ried to Angeline King in 1826. She died 
in Illinois, leaving eight sons and three 
daughters. In 1863 Mr. Farnsworth 



^IV 



4^—^ 



-« $ 



i£ 



586 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



married Amanda Hewlon, of Illinois. 
Mr. Farnswortli had four sons in the 
Union Army during the civil war. 

The following settled in the township 
prior to I 875, of whom little is known: 
George Higby, Lorenzo Johnson, D. 
Loomis and L. Groves, all of whom set- 
tled on section 16; also George Stickney, 
who came from Illinois and located on 
section 23. 

ORGANIC. 

West Fork was detached from Ingham 
township in 1868, and the first election 
was held at the house of Simon Selix, 
Nov. 13, 1868, when forty-two votes 
were cast for the various officers, as fol- 
lows: Trustees, James E. Bailey, James 
Ray and W. H. Bowton; clerk, Thomas 
Hudson; assessor, Lewis Sumner; con- 
stables, J. W. Hall and G. H Horton. In 
1883 these offices were filled by David 
Miner, Ed Esslinger and G. Kugler as 
trustees; P. B. Riggin, clerk; T. E. B. 
Hudson, assessor. 

FIRST THINGS. 

The first marriage in the township was 
that of Alonzo Hall and Lucy Lill, in 1862. 
The ceremony was performed by Rev. 
Loomis Benjamin. 

The first birth was Julian H., son of 
John 0. Crapser, born Sept. 19, 1856. 

The first deaths, which are fearful to 
recall even at this late day, were those of 
Mr. Hogan and his children. 

P0.ST0rFICE.S. 

The first postoffice in the townshijj was 
called Ingham and was located on the 
norlhwest quarter of section 16. L. T. 
John was the first postmaster. About the 
same date, in 1857 or 1858, L. N. Lock- 
wood petitioned for a postoffice to be on 



or near section 2, of what is now West 
Fork township. The petitition was grant- 
ed, and the office called Coldwater, and 
James M. Chambers appointed postmaster. 
After several years this office was moved 
just across the line into Butler county. 
In 1879 Ingham postoffice was abandoned, 
and the one at Sheffield took its place. In 
1883 there was no postoffice within the 
township, the Coldwater office being just 
in the edge of Butler county, and accom- 
modated the inhabitants, who lived nearer 
this than to Sheffield. 

CIirRCIIES. 

The first sermon preached was in about 
1860, by Rev. Loomis Benjamin, who set- 
tled on the Slade farm. The services 
were held at J. O. Crapser's house, on 
section 2. There were about a dozen in 
attendance. Mr. Benjamin held meetings 
regularly at his house. 

In 1883 the only organized religions so- 
ciety in the township was the Coldwater 
Baptist Church, organized in October, 
1879, at the house of John Lockwood, 
over the Butler county line. A. R. But- 
ton, of- Osage, presided at the first mert- 
ing. The following were a greater part 
of the charter membership : L. N. Lock- 
wood, Emaline Lockwood, John H. and 
Maria Lockwood, Andrew J. and Sarah 
Lockwood, Edwin A. Lockwood, Emily 
A. Lockwood, Lizzie C. Lockwood, Dora 
E. Lockwood, Ida M. Lockwood and Solo- 
mon Robinson. In 1883 the Church mem- 
bership was twenty-three. Ida M. Lock- 
wood was the first Church clerk, but re- 
signed, and Andrew J. Lockwood suc- 
ceeded. Rev. A. R. Button was the first 
pastor. At a meeting, Aug. 27, 1881, it 
was voted to build a church edifice by 



-e'lr 



r 



4'^— ^ 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



587 



subscription, on the southeast quarter of 
section 1— the land being donated by Mr. 
L. N. Lockwood. The building cost 
$1,200. The Church was incorporated in 
February, )882, at which time John H. 
Lockwood, Edwin Lockwood and Andrew 
J. Lockwood were appointed trustees. 
The first services in this church were held 
in July, 1882. Rev. Button resigned and 
Rev. J. F. Bryant took charge, preacliing 
every Sunday. 

'I"he German Baptist society were build 
in^ a fine church edifice on section 5, in 
1883. 

There was a class formed at an early 
day, in the western part of the township, 
by the Methodist Episcopal people, but no 
regular Church organization was per- 
fected. 

SCHOOLS. 

The first school house built in this town- 
ship was on section 2. It was built by 
Mr. Crapser in about 1861, and in 1883 it 
was used by Thomas Hall as a residence. 
The first term of school in this building 
was taight by Louis Parker. In 1883 
there were nine school houses in the town- 
ship. 



CEMETERIES. 

The first cemetery in the township was 
located near James Ray's, which was little 
used. In 1883 there were two cemeteries 
— one near Hall's school house, and the 
other near James Ray's. The former has 
about a dozen graves, and the latter nearly 
a hundred. 

BURNED TO DEATH. 

The first deaths in the township were 
fearful. A man named Hogan, who lived 
on the farm now owned by James Ray, 
about 1855, was living in a log house in 
the grove. He had been sick for some 
time, and was stricken with paralysis. 
His wife ran to the nearest neghbor's, 
David Allen's, more than a mile 
away. During her absence the two 
children were near the open fireplace, and 
theirelothing caught fire, which communi- 
cated to the bed on which Mr. Hogan lay, 
unconscious. On the return of Mrs. Ho- 
gan, the house was in flames, and the two 
children were fatally burned. The father 
lived but a few days. They were buried 
at Janesville, Butler county. 



CHAPTER XXXV 



WISNER TOWNSHIP. 






I'his is the northwest corner township in 
Fiiiiiklin county, and is bounded on the 
north by Cerro Gordo county, on the easi 
by Richland township, on the south l)y 
Scott township, and on the wesi by 
Wright county. It comprises township 



93, range 22. The surface of the town- 
ship is a slightly rolling prairie, with oc- 
casionally a slough, but the greater por- 
tion is good farming land, which is being 
rapidly converted into beautiful stock 
farms. Corn is the i)riiicipal crop raised. 



5Tv 



Me 



588 



HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



In 1883 Wisner, and Scott just to the 
south, were styled the prairie townships 
of Franklin county, as they then contained 
larger tracts of wild land than any others 
in the county. These vast prairies were 
then utilized for grazing purposes more 
especially. However, at this date, settlers 
were flocking in and commencing to im- 
prove the choice lands within its borders. 

The best house in Wisner at this time 
was that of Charles Westaby, on the south- 
west quarter of section 33. It was a two 
story frame building, 22x26 feet square. 

SETTLEMENT. 

The earliest settler was G. W. Myers, 
who located on section 35, in November, 
1877, at which time he built the first 
house in the township. He did not move 
there, however, until the following spring. 

J. W. Powell also settled in the spring 
of 1878, on section 12, where he still re- 
mained in 1883. 

Next came J. C. Shermer, settling on 
section 25. Following him came Joseph 
Jenson, who remained two years and 
moved to Wright county. 

Charles Westaby, who settled in Reeve 
township in 1876, removed to Wisner in 
1883, having owned a large iract of land 
there for some time. He is the son of 
John and Mary Westaby, who, in 1883, 
were living in Lincolnshire, England, 
where he was born Feb. 15, 1853. Charles 
was reared on a farm in his native country. 
In 1872 he came to America, and settled 
in Jo Daviess Co., 111., and there engaged 
in farming until 1876, when he came to 
Franklin Co., Iowa. He was married Jan. 
26, 1877, to M^ry Hanson. Mr. Westaby 
has a fine farm consisting of 780 acres, 
500 of which are under cultivation. This 



land is situated as follows: 220 acres on 
section 5, Scott township, and the re- 
mainder on sections 20, 32 and 33 of Wis- 
ner township. During the summer of 
1883 he was buildingthe finest farm house 
in the township. It was a two story frame 
building which was to cost $1,800. His 
farm was also provided with a barn 50x50 
feet which cost $1,000. Mr. Westaby, 
who at this date was only thirty-three 
years of age, was as well surrounded as 
any man in Franklin' county. He is a 
thorough going farmer of the pure Eng- 
lish type, and bears the respect and es- 
teem of the entire county. 

ORGANIC. 

Wisner was set off from Richland in 
1882, and the first regular election held at 
the house of G. W. Myers, in October, 

1881, when the following officers were 
elected: J. W. Powell, John C. Shermer 
and Louis Ford, trustees; G. W Myers, 
clerk; James Smith, assessor. 

In 1883 the ofiicerswere: J.W.Powell, 
J. C. Shermer and Fred Carter, trustees; 
but the latter named did not qualify, and 
Edward Coiirtney was appointed to fill the 
vacancy; G. W. Myers, clerk, and Enos 
Wonders, assessor. 

FIRST EVENTS. 

The first birth in Wisner township was 
a pair of twins to J. W. Powell and wife, 
in 1880. 

The first death also occurred in 1880 — 

that of a son of G. W. Myers and wife, 
who died in the autumn of that year. 

SCHOOLS. 

The first school house built in the town- 
ship was erected on section 11, in August, 

1882, and the first term of school taught 
in the winter of 1882-3 by Clarence Rich- 
ards. This was the only school house in 
the township in 1883. 



-H- 



HISTORY 



OP 



Cerro Gordo County, 



lO^W^. 



l^ 



CHAPTER I 



THE CHANGE. 



AS the changes of less than half a cen- 
tury are contemplated, one can scarce- 
ly realize or comprehend that the wonder- 
ful results of Time's marvel-working hand 
are the achievements of a period so brief 
as to be within the remembrance, almost, 
of the present generation. 

Let us turn back, as it were, the leaves of 
'I'ime's great book to but a third of a centu- 
ry ago, and the stranger would have gazed 
iijion a landscape of great beauty, selected 
by the Sioux and Dakotahs as their camp- 
ing ground, with that singular apprecia- 
tion of the beautiful which nature made 
an instinct in the savage. These vast, 
rolling prairies were as green then as 
now ; the prairie flowers bloomed as 
thickly and diffused their fragrance as 
bountifully We are in the haunt of the 
red man, with scarcely a trace of civiliza 
tion. But what a contrast ! Then all 
was as nature had formed it, with its 



variegated hues of vegetation ; in winter 
a dreary snow-mantled desert; in summer 
a perfect paradise of flowers. Now all 
traces of the primitive are obliterated ; 
in place of the tall prairie grass and tan- 
gled underbrush, one beholds the rich 
waving fields of golden grain. In place 
of the dusky warrior's rude cabins, are 
the substantial and often elegant dwell- 
ings of the thrifty farmers, and the iron 
horse, swifter than the nimble deer, treads 
the pathway so recently the trail of the 
red man. Then the sickle of fire annu- 
ally cut away the wild herbage and drove 
to its death the stag ; now it nourishes on 
its broad bosom thousands of tons of the 
staple products of the great Hawkeye 
State. Then the storm drove the elk and 
bison to their hiding place; now the blast 
drives the herd of the husbandman to 
comfortable shelter. The transformation 
is complete. 



48 



-^ 



jy 



« ia. 



.^ » 



590 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



CHAPTER 11. 



LOCATION, TOPOGRAPHY AND GEOLOGY. 



Cerro Gordo county is situated in the 
second tier of counties from the northern 
line of the State, and is the fiftli west 
from the Mississippi river. It is twenty- 
four miles square and contains an area of 
368,640 acres. Like most portions of 
northern Iowa, it has a very pleasing 
diversity of surface, particularly in the 
eastern portion, produced by the valleys 
of the numerous creeks and streams, by 
which the county is well watered and 
drained, while the prairies which form 
the greater portion of the area of the 
county, are not devoid of a good degree of 
diversity, occasioned by their undula- 
tions. The prairies, except in the south- 
west, where a number of extensive marshes 
are found, are generally high, rolling and 
diy, though never being sufficiently 
broken or abrupt to render them unsuita- 
ble for pleasant and profitable cultiva- 
tion. 

Nearly every portion of the county is 
well watered by clear and rapidly flowing 
streams, generally supported by springs. 
All water courses in this part of the State 
flow more rapidly than in the west and 
southwest portions, affording better and 
more abundant water power for machin- 
ery. The eastern part of the county has 
larger and more numerous streams of run- 
ning water than the west. 

Shell Rock river flows from northwest 
to southeast through Falls, the northeast 



corner township, watering portions of two 
other townships. It is a rapid stream, 
flowing through extensive beds <ii lime- 
stone, and presenting many superior mill 
privileges, but few of which are as yet 
improved. This stream has its source in 
Minnesota and is a tributary to the Cedar 
river. 

Lime creek, sometimes called Lime 
river, is a tributary of the Shell Rock, 
and is the most important stream in Cerro 
Gordo county. It enters from Hancock 
county, about four miles south of the 
northwest corner of Cerro Gordo, and 
thence flows in a northwesterly course 
some six or eight miles, touching the 
south line of Worth county. Thence 
its course is in a southeast direction, 
through Lincoln, Lime Creek, Mason 
and Portland townships, leaving the coun- 
ty near the middle of the east line. It 
thus meanders through five different town 
ships, affording the county at least thirty 
miles of water course, exclusive of its 
tributaries. This stream also flows through 
and over beds lof limestone nearly its 
entire length in this county- It has many 
tributaries, one of the most important 
being known as Willow creek, which has 
its rise in the western part of the county, 
one branch of it being the outlet of C lear 
Lake. These streams abundantly water 
all the north half of the county. 






'f 



A?=^ 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



591 



fn the southern part of the county are 
the streams known as Coldwater creek, 
Beaver Dam creek, the West Fork of the 
Cedar river, and their many tributaries. 

It may be hardly necessary to refer to 
an element so common throughout all 
parts of Iowa as water, yet it is well to 
state tiiat the purest and best is easily 
obtained everywhere by digging from ten 
to thirty feet, and in many localities liv- 
ing springs are found bursting from the 
banks of the streams and along the 
rivers. 

As to lakes,Cerro Gordo has one of which 
all Iowa is proud. Clear Lake, the Sara- 
toga of the west, is one of the largest and 
. most beautiful in Iowa. It is situated in 
township 'J6 north, of range 2-2 west, is 
about six miles long, east and west, by an 
average of two mile.s wide, the widest place 
being nearly three miles. The water in 
depth is from ten to twenty-five feet, and 
abounds in various kinds of fish, including 
pike, pickerel, bass, buflfalo and other 
varieties. This is a great resort for pleas- 
ure seekers of all kinds, and much used 
for religious, temperance, musical and 
other gatherings. On the south side and 
east end of the lake are large bodies of 
timber, amounting in the aggregate to 
several thousand acres. The bottom of 
Clear Lake is pebbly and the water pure 
and clear as the name indicates. A line 
of rocks, or boulders, extend around the 
borders, protecting the banks from wash- 
ing, as the waves often beat against them 
with great force. At the east end of the 
lake there is an outlet leading into Wil- 
low, and thence into Lime creek. This 
outlet has been turned into good account 
by the erection of a flouring mill for 



which it furnishes an excellent mill power, 
the supply of water being constant and 
easily controlled. Clear Lake is the only 
lake of any size in the county. Grimes, 
the southwest corner township, contains 
several small ones, none of which have 
names. 

The northern portion of the countj is 
abundantly supplied with the various 
kinds of timber common to this portion of 
the State, consisting principally of burr, 
red and black oak, walnut, butter nu', 
hickory, poplar, linn, hackberry, soft maple 
and white and red elm. The most exten- 
sive bodies are found along the Shell 
Rock river. Lime creek and surrounding 
Clear Lake, and e.xtending northward into 
Worth county. Owen's Grove in the east, 
and Linn Grove in the south, furnish a 
good supply for fuel and other purposes 
to the .settlers around them. The south- 
west portion of the county has little or no 
good timber, but nature has abundantly 
supplied it with fuel in the extensive peat 
marshes which are among the best and 
most valuable in the State, if properly 
utilized. It is estimated that there are 
over fifteen thousand acres of native tim- 
ber in the county, which will afford, if 
properly preserved, a supply for all pur- 
poses for which native timber is used, for 
all time to come. 

Like most portions of Iowa, the chief 
source of wealth for the future, as well as 
the sure support of the present inhabitants 
of Cerro Gordo county, consists in its rich 
fertile soil. 

(GEOLOGICAL FOKMATION. 

In geological formation Cerro Gordo 
county belongs to the Devonian age. The 
drift deposit being comparatively thin. 



1' 



•iv 



\' 



592 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



especially in tlie uasluru porliuns, most of 
the creeks and streams have eroded their 
valleys through it so that their waters 
flow upon the exposed strata, along a large 
portion of their courses. In the western 
part of the county is found stratified rocks 
plentifully exposed, cropping out along the 
streams, and forming in places high bluffs 
of solid limestone, which, being covered 
with a thick growth of timber, and fringed 
with cedar, form an object of attraction, 
at once grand and picturesque. In various 
portions of the county, and especially 
south of Clear Lake, are extensive marshes 
yielding a supply of peat which has been 
pronounced of superior quality by the 
State Geologist of Iowa. As yet these 
peat fields have been scarcely disturbed, 
but it is possible that at some day in the 
future they may prove very valuable. 

There is a plentiful supply of stone, 
much of which is of excellent quality for 
building purposes. The greater part of 
the stone at every exposure is excellent 



material for the manufacture of lime, and 
all suitable for common building purposes. 
The magnesian strata being more uni- 
formly bedded, of dense and uniform tex- 
ture, is admirable material for dressed 
stoue, for bridge piers or other heavy 
masonry. Some of the common limestone 
near Mason City is thinly and uniformly 
bedded, and having a light gray color, 
makes a tine appearance in the business 
houses which have been constructed of it 
at that place. Many of the rocks are 
highly fossiliferous, and show the outlines 
of various kinds of shells, and being of 
the sub-carboniferous, or kind which 
belongs below the coal measures, no dis- 
covery of coal can be expected in this 
region. 

On the banks of the lakes and streams 
an abundance of sand can be obtained, 
while clay suitable for the manufacture of 
brick is found in sufficient quantities to 
meet all future requirements, though it is 
nowhere so abundant as in the southern 
part of the State. 



CHAPTER III 



EARLY SETTLEMENT. 



■^^ 



To the readers of local ^history, the 
chapter relating to the early settlement of 
a country is of general interest, especially 
is this the case with pioneers themselves, 
those who have witnessed the changes 
that have been made, who have seen a 
trackless prairie transformed into a beau- 
tiful country, and filled with an enterpris- 



ing, happy people. He reads here slowly 
and critically, every word recalling mem- 
ories of the past, which for a generation 
have been buried among a host of recol- 
lections, which now arise before him like 
a dream. The old associations, the deeds, 
the trials and battles against hunger and 
cold, while the settlers were few and f.ar 



&l'y ' 



^ 

p 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



593 



between ; and the wolves howled about 
the little log cibin, sending a chill to his 
heart; and the wind driving the sifting 
snow through the crevices — all now rise 
vividly before him. Often it is with 
pleasure he can recall these recollections, 
viewing with satisfaction the thought that 
he lived to see a wealthy land, dotted with 
school houses and churches, villages and 
cities. 

But again, it will be with sadness that 
the past is recalled, and thoughts will 
spring up of the dark and painful side of 
early days. How a wife, whose virtues, 
bravery and simplicity will always be re- 
membered, or a child pratling in inno- 
cence, being called from earth to the 
eternal home, laid away under the cruel 
sod, in solemn quietude, by the rough but 
tender hands of hardy pioneers. Time 
had partially allayed the sting, but the 
wound is now uncovered by the allusion 
to days gone by, and the cases are not a 
few, when a tear of bitter sadness will 
course down the cheek, in honor of the 
memory of those who have departed. 

Notwithstanding, however, the many 
disadvantage's and even sorrows attend- 
ant upon the first steps of civilization, 
and the adversities to be encountered, the 
pioneers led a happy life. The absence 
of the aristocratic and domineering power, 
which to-day is so apparent, must have been 
a source of comfort and satisfaction. Merit 
alone insured equality, and this could not 
be suppressed by traditions. The brother- 
hood of man was illustrated in a sincere 
and practictl way, and hospitality was not 
considered so much of a Christian trait as 
a duty to humanity. 



EARLY SETTLEMENT. 
By H. a. Parker. 

The first settlement in Cerro Gordo 
county was made by Joseph Hewitt and 
Jarvis Dickirson, who came from Clayton 
county, in the summer of 1851, for the 
purpose of hunting, to capt.ure buffalo 
calves and elk, which were known to exist 
here in great numbers at that time. They 
first camped on the southeast shore of 
Clear Lake, in July, 1851, after experi- 
encing many iiardships and labors in 
crossing streams, swollen to unusual pro- 
portions by the rains, which deluged the 
country that season. Little thinking that 
this wild place was henceforth to be 
their home, and eventually the place of 
their burial, they proceeded to construct 
such cabins as their immediate wants, and 
necessities of pioneers demand. To these 
cabins, as evening approached each day, 
they brought bountiful supplies of buffalo 
meat, elk, venison, and other game, as 
well as fish from the lake to supply their 
wants. Here, fifty miles distant from any 
white neighbor, cut off from retreat to the 
settlements by the high waters and al- 
most bottomless sloughs they had to cro^s 
in their journey, they were compelled to 
make preparations to pass the winter 
and endure such hardships as only 
the first settlers experience, privations 
unknown to the poorest inhabitants of 
to-day, too numerous to be mentioned in 
detail, and, if mentioned, unpleasant to 
<]well upon. 

When the spring of 1852 came, Mr. 
Hewitt and Mr. Dickirson decided to re- 
main and permanently locate. Accord- 
ingly they took claims of timber and prairie 
belonging to the government lands which 



V 



J- 



594 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



liad not yet been surveyed. Little farm- 
ing, however, was done for several years, 
and the grain for their animals, as well as 
Hour for bread, was brought in wagons 
for many miles — often from Jones, Dela- 
ware and Clayton counties, while gro- 
ceries and clothing came principally from 
Dubuque, ISO miles distant. 

•A little after this, either in the fall of 
1851, or spring of 1852, Elijah Wiltfong 
settled on the Shell Rock, at Shell Rock 
Falls, in the northeastern part of the 
county, and made a claim to the water 
power and timber land adjacent. 

The next to follow his lead were two 
brothers, David and Edwin Wright, who 
located on the banks of Lime creek, about 
three miles northwest of the present site 
of -Mason City, in 1852. There they took 
claims and made some improvements. 
They, too, were accustomed to pioneer 
life, and with the rifle supplied many 
wants which otherwise would have been 
severely felt. John B. Long and John 
Biford came from Winnebago Co., 111., in 
June, 1S58, and made e.xtensive claims on 
Lime creek, in the vicinity of what is now 
Mason City. Their claims comprised 
most of the timber lands, and some of the 
finest prairie in this vicinit}'. To the large 
body of timber on Lime creek near this 
place, Mr. Long gave the name of Ma- 
sonic Grove, in honor of the order of 
Freemasons, of which he was supposed to 
be a member, and the early settlement of 
the vicinity, was for several years known 
as Masonic Grove. 

In the summer of 18^3, Anson C. Owen 
located a claim in a fine grove about six 
miles southeast of Masonic Grove, and the 
grove immediately took the name of 



Owen's Grove. Subsequently a civil town- 
ship was named in honor of him, and his 
name from that time to the present, has 
been as familiar as household words to 
every old settler. In the summer of 1853, 
Robert O. Sirrine and James S. Sirrine, 
settled and took claims on the east shore 
of Clear Lake, while Michael Callaman 
located on the south side. That spring 
the county was surveyed into townships 
by John T. Everett and a Mr. Anderson, 
government surveyors. 

In the latter part of the same season the 
county was sub-divided into sections and 
quarter sections, and the following yeai' 
a town was laid out on part of the present 
site of Mason City by John B. Long, 
George Brentner and Joseph Hewitt, each 
proprietor and owner of a one-third in- 
terest, although the land on which it was 
laid out yet belonged to the Government. 
The town was christened "Shiboleth." 
Subsequently Joseph Hewitt sold out his 
share in the plat. 

In October of that year John McMillen, 
accompanied by James Jenkinson, arrived 
and put up the body of the first log cabin 
on the town plat. Mr. McMillen returned 
to Winnebago Co., 111., l-o wihter, leaving 
our young friend Jenkinson to pass the 
winter as best he could, alone in camp. 
A few stones now mark the spot where he 
established his winter quarters on the 
bank of Lime creek, in the timber near a 
spring half a mile northeas'..-of Shibolelh 
To James Jenkinson belongs the honor of 
being the first permanent settler in the 
immediate vicinity of our city. What 
hardships he endured that eventful winter 
of 1853-4, now on the verge of starva- 
tion, and now almost miraculously i c- 



A 



iht. 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



595 



lieved by timely aid at the hands of a 
visiting Indian, who shared with him his 
venison while enjoying the comforts of 
his cabin, we will not now enumerate. 
He came out alive in the spring of 1854, 
wlien he was relieved by the return of J. 

L. MoMillen and others, bringing ample 
supplies of provisions and material to 
replenish his somewhat tattered wardrobe. 

'I'hat spring added quite a number of 
inhabitants to the few already here. 
Ainong these was Jarvis J. Rogers, who, 
with his family, located twelve or thirteen 
miles southeast of Masonic Grove, and 
eight miles southwest of Owen's Grove, in 
a small body of timber to which the name 
of Linn Grove was given, on account of a 
cluster of linn or basswood trees at its 
western extremity. Here he made his 
claim and erected his small cabin, and 
with the help of his family, although in 
very poor health, commenced to improve 
the land and culitvate the soil. 

At this time every thing looked reason- 
ably prosperous and promising to the set- 
tlers. Hope that a constant stream of 
emigration, gradually increasing, would 
flow into the county, animated the hearts 
of the sturdy pioneers. They had planted 
and sowed, expecting their coming crop 
would carry them through the next winter, 
and they should not need for bread or 
grain. But suddenly an unforseen calamity 
comes upon them. The news of an Indian 
r.iid ; that a band of Sioux warriors are 
at liand, ready to murder the inhabitants, 
is spread among thnm, and they are thrown 
in a state of consternation resulting in a 
general stampede for prolcctioii to llie 
older settlements on the Cedar river. This 
hasty retreat of the settlers took place on 



the 4th of July, and for some time after- 
wards the county was depopulated, only 
the soldier who was sent to repel the In 
dians daring to return to Clear Lake. 

The trouble originated in an old feud 
between the Winnebagoes and Sioux 
Indians. A band of the former, to whose 
tribe Capt.Joseph Hewett (Nock-a-Shooka) 
had formerly been a trader, were wont to 
visit their old haunts at Clear Lake and 
camp in the timber near Hewitt's cabin. 
To theWinnebagoes encampment,one eve- 
ning, cante 1 wo Sioux pretending friend- 
ship. These the Winnebagoes entertained 
kindly through the night, although well 
aware that mischief and treachery were 
at work. 

Toshanaga, a Winnebago brave, (The 
Little Otter) communicated his suspi 
cions to Capt. Hewett, who bade him to be 
quiet, telling him that the two Sioux 
seemed well disposed. Toshanaga's son, 
Patchoka, a boy of fifteen, rode Hewitt's 
horse to look for the cows, following the 
road the Sioux had taken down the shore 
towards R. O. Sirrine's house. He had 
been gone but a few minutes when the 
report of a gun in that direction convinced 
Toshanaga that the boy was murdered, 
and soon the horse came galloping back 
riderless. Hewitt found drops of blood 
and a small piece of a bone on the horse's 
back. He and Toshanaga hurried down 
the road and found the headless body of 
Patchoka in the road. Giving him a 
hasty burial the Winnebagoes left the 
settlement, and messengers were sent to 
all the settlers of the county to make 
their escape. Thus originated the Irasty 
flight of all the inhabitants, on July 4, 
1854, so disastrous to their prosperity, 



® 
=i.|^ 



A 



^l> 



596 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY, 



depriving them of the little crops they 
liad put in for the winter's use, and bring- 
ing other discomfitures so keenly felt by 

all. 

Slowly and sadly they returned to their 
homes, after weeks of absence, to find 
them robbed of all that could be made 
useful by a lawless crew of soldiers and 
roughs, who had visited them during the 
absence of their proprietors. Notwith- 
standing all this, most of them determined 
to remain and hold their lands, which 
would come into market on the following 
September. 

Many had been compelled to use the 
funds hild by for the land sale during 
tlicir absence. This with some was a 
serious matter, but they all repaired to 
Des Moines to attend the land sale, which 
opened Sept 4, \^r>A. They were reg- 
ularly organized into settlers clubs for 
ihe ]iurposo of protecting each other in 
securing llieir claims, and especially 
against spetndators who might appearand 
bid on their lands. 

The officers of the land office gave them 
their full 8ymi)athy and aid, advising them 
to settle all <lisputes among themselves, 
then to appoint men to bid on their lands 
as agreed among themselves, and if any 
speculator interfered or offered to bid 
against them, tile Des Moines river was 
near and they knew what to do with them. 

After securing their lands they returned 
to enter more heartily upon the work be- 
fore them. Yet they were not free from 
difficulties, for the stampede in July had 
used up much of what was now needed, 
and their money had been expended in 
purchasing their lauds, while some had 



no funds to secure their lands, and had to 
borrow for that purpose. 

That year a goodly number was added to 
the settlers already here. To Shell Rock 
Falls came Richard Moore and H.I. Smith, 
with his mother and other members of 
the family; also Richard Morris, Mah- 
lon Urown and Robert Campbell. 
George L. Bunoe and C'hauncy Lugard 
settled on the Shell Rock a few miles below 
the Falls. Jacob Van Curen located in 
Lime Creek township, on section 20. 
Wellington Benton settled three miles 
north of Mason C^ity. In August, Henry 
Martin came and settled on land north of 
Mason City, where he still lives. James 
G. Keebc and others came to Masonic 
Grove, while several others came to the 
vicinity of Shiboleth, which was pur- 
chased by John B. Long, who changed 
the name to Masonville in honor of a son 
of his named Mason, who died a short 
time previous to his leaving Illinois. 

Either soon after this, or early the next 
year, a postoffice was established, and as 
there was already an office in the State 
called Masonville, both the postoffice and 
the name of the town was changed to 
Mason City. The following winter, 1854-5, 
is said to have been unusually mild, a 
very fortunate circumstance forttie inhab- 
itants in their condition at that time. 

The next spring and summer of 1855 
were seasons of pros|)erity and rapid 
growth of the settlements. Early in the 
spring Cerro Gordo was attached to Floyd 
county for judicial purposes, and treated 
as one of the civil townships. Accord- 
ingly an order was issued by John M. 
Hunt, judge of Floyd county, for an elec- 
tion to be held at Mason City on the first 



Vi: 



r 




4 




^^- ^^^ 




/?. 



^^/-yD^z 



jfj*- 



'.hL 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



599 



Monday of April, 1855, for the election of 
two justices of the peace, two constables, 
three township trustees, one assessor and 
one township clerk. 

The records of that day, though very 
imperfect, show the fact that George L. 
Bunce and John L. McMillen were elected 
justices of the peace in and for Cerro 
Gordo county. 

It is presumed that other officers were 
elected at the same time, although the 
records fail to mention the fact. 

Among those who came to Mason City 
tliat season we may name J. S. Church, N. 
M Adams and family, Silas Card, J. W. 
Card, E. Randall, Thomas Drummond, A. 
H. Miller, F. J. Turiiure, S. Zuver and 
many others. Alonzo Willson also settled 
at Owen's Grove, and William Abbott 
purchased land there. C W. Tenney 
came in May, 1855, and located near the 
present site of Plymouth. 

At Clear Lake, Marcus Tuttle, James 
Turner, Joseph Wood, H. G. Parker and 
others purchased property and settled. 

At Shell Rock Falls, A. J. Glover pur- 
chased the water power, erected a log 
store and prepared to build a mill. 

Thomas Perrett, John G. Kortee and 
otiiers also came to the Falls. 

Ira Williams built a house on the prai- 
rie one mile west. 

E. Randall and his brother came to 
Mason City and built a saw mill, the first 
in the county, from which sawed lumber 
was obtained for floors, which up to this 
time had been hewed from split logs. 

Several persons had already settled on 
the Shell Rock, three miles above the Falls, 
where Plymouth now stands. Among 
them was John Morgan and .John Meyers. 



The first Monday of August, 1855, was 
designated by the judge of Floyd county 
as the time for the election to be held at 
Mason City, to organize the county. At 
this election John B. Long was chosen 
judge; Henry Martin, clerk of the district 
court; C. B. Raymond, attorney; Henry 
Van Patter, treasurer and recorder; David 
Wright, school fund commissioner; I. W. 
Card, county surveyor; N. W. Stackhouse, 
sheriff, and James Dickirson, coroner. 
With this board of officers, Cerro Gordo 
county began her organized and official 
career, and began to assume among the 
counties a separate and distinct form of 
government. 

On the 14th of the following November, 
C. W. Scott was appointed clerk of the 
district court in place of Henry Martin, 
resigned. Subsequently the judge divided 
the county into four civil townships or 
precincts: Lake, which took in a tier and 
a half of townships on the west side of 
the county; Canaan embraced the territory 
adjacent to and north of Mason City; Falls, 
in the northeastern part of the county; 
and Owen, which had for its capitol 
Owen's Grove, and embraced all the terri- 
tory souti of Canaan and Falls townships. 

These townships were organized at an 
election held April 1, 1856, in each, at 
which time two county officers were also 
elected: Thomas Drummond, school fund 
commissioner, and A. G. Parker, drainage 
commissioner. 

The first officers of Lake township were: 
Marcus Tuttle and H. G. Parker, justices 
of the peace; Peter P. Wood and Hiram 
H. Stiles, constables, and James Turner, 
clerk. 



49 



9 






k. 



600 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



Of Canaan township the first officers 
were: Elisha Randall and Solomon Zuver, 
justices of the peace, and J. C. Gregory, 
constable. 

Owen township had the following for 
its first officers: Alonzo Willson, justice 
of the peace, and Charles Strong, consta- 
ble. 

Having named the first officers chosen in 
their respective townships, as far as they 
can be found out, it is proper that men- 
tion should be made of some incidents 
during the winter of 1855-6; a winter re- 
membered by the early settlers as a most 
severe and rigorous one. 

The 22d day of December, 1855, opened 
clear and mild; the sun was bright, and 
the weather seemed like the beginning of 
a thaw; men went to their work without 
coats or mittens, as if spring were upon 
us with its balmy air. But oh! even now, 
after an interval of over twenty-five years, 
we can not think of that and the fatal 
night without a shudder. That awful 
night, which bewildered, chilled and pros- 
trated three stalwart men, beguiled by 
the mildness of the morning. Andrew J. 
Abbott and Charles Weeks, new settlers 
at Owen's Grove, had started for Linn 
(Jrove, eightmilesdistant,forwood. They 
drove ox teams and on their way home 
they met the storm — furious, keen and 
freezing — a blinding storm. Their cattle 
refused to face it, and bewildered, the 
men wandered away until, prostrated by 
fatigue and chilled by the blast, they laid 
down upon a snowy sepulchre, their bodies 
being found by the neighbors after the 
storm and taken home for burial. 

Mr. Abbott's young wife, Mrs. Lamora 
C, daughter of A. S. Marsh, was about 



that time on her way from New England 
to her new home at Owen's Grove. Im- 
agine her grief when arriving at Dubuque, 
where she first heard the sad news of her 
bereavement. 

The same time that Abbott and Weeks 
were lost, John Van Aiken, while on his 
way to Lime Creek, near the lone rock 
in what is now Grant township, being 
unable to face the storm, unhitched his 
horses and undertook to ride to the settle- 
ment. The storm drove him furiously 
forward, and no one knew for a month 
where he hdd been compelled to lie down 
and die. At last Richard Cassady, of 
Clear Lake, while hunting elk, discovered 
wolves gnawing his body, near East 
Grove, two miles east of Clear Lake. He 
was brought to Joseph Heart's house, and 
John McMillen, coroner pro tern, held an 
inquest over him at that place. Hut want 
of space forbids that further mention 
should be made of the sufferings and hard- 
ships of that winter, or the one that fol- 
lowed it, when Alexander Long, on his 
way from Forest City to the lesidence of 
W. P. Rosecrans, perished in the south- 
western part of this county. This was 
in December, 1856. ♦ 

In the spring of 1856 the saw mill, which 
Elisha Randall had built the previous 
year, was carried out by the ice and high 
water, the loss of which being a public 
calamity the citizens assisted him to re- 
build. That season Edwin Nichols and 
Oscar Stevens erected a steam saw mill at 
Clear Lake, from which large quantities 
of lumber were turned out to be used in 
the construction of frame buildings, 
many of which were at tliat time being 



'^\K 



^ 



ik 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



601 



put up in the new town of Clear Lake vil- 
lage, on the northeast shore of Clear Lake. 
During the summer of 1856, a survey 
was made as far west as Clear Lake, from 
McGregor, on the Mississippi river, for a 
railroad. It was called the McGregor, St. 
Peter & Missouri Railroad. The people 
believed the road would be speedily con- 
structed; many of them took stock, and as 
payment, put in farms, which they eventu- 
ally lost, while the road remained unbuilt 
and the company became bankrupt. Not 
until November, 1869, did the iron horse 
find his way into our county; but it is 
needless to mention to-day the wonderful 
.things which every one can behold. Our 
ears are greeted with the steam whistle of 
the locomotive, which dashes along over 
our prairies, bringing our daily mails and 
depositing the necessities of life at our 
very doors. Our telegraphs dropping in- 
telligence with lightning pulsations, and 
words of eloquence hot from the lips that 
utter them; our churches with spires 
pointing upward; our school houses with 
our system of schools; all contrasts so 



strikingly with the condition presented 
by onr county twenty-five years ago, that 
he who knew it then can hardly realize 
that the same skies are over his head and 
the same soil beneath his feet. 

And now, after this very broken history, 
I drop the thread, feeling that nearly 
every subject, which should have been 
fully dwelt upon, has been unnoticed. 

Indeed, as one attempts to grasp the 
whole and reduce it to a few pages, it 
widens and expands, growing in impor- 
tance and magnitude. Though yet com- 
paratively new, a complete history of our 
county, its growth from the beginning, a 
mention of its worthy heroes, living and 
dead, would fill a volume. Very exact 
and patient of research must he be who 
can do justice to all, and fully perpetuate 
the memory of every event, even for the 
brief period which has transpired since 
the first settlement of the county in 1851. 

In the histories of the various townships 
the settlement will be found to have been 
carried to a much later day than is possible 
in this chapter. 



CHAPTER IV. 



CREATION AND ORGANIZATION OF THE COUNTY. 



*^* 



The third General Assembly, which con- 
vened at Iowa City on the 2d of Decem- 
ber, 1850, and adjourned Feb. 5, 1851, 
devoted a good deal of time to the crea- 
tion of new counties. About fifty counties 
were set off at that time in the north and 
northwestern part of Iowa, Cerro Gordo 



being among that number. Its boundaries 
were minutely defined and an organization 
was authorized as soon as the proper time 
should arrive. Who suggested the name 
of the county is unknown. The name un- 
doubtedly came from the battle of Cerro 
Gordo in the Mexican War. 



•r 



* — ^ - 



■^ *Vr 



602 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNrV. 



A- 

1 I o 



EarlvMii the s|)riiigor 1855, 1 lie territory 
ii'iw comprising Cerro Gordo couuly was 
attached to Floyd county, for judicial 
purposes. At that time the laws of the 
State provided that any unorganized 
county could petition the county judge of 
the most convenient organized county, and 
be attached thereto as a civil tOHrnship. 
This is what the citizens of Cerro Gordo 
county did, and became one of Floyd 
county's civil townships. Accordingly, 
an order was issued by John M Hunt, 
judge of Floyd county, for an election to 
be held at the house of John L. McMillen, 
which stood within the present incorpo- 
rate limits of Mason City, on the first 
Monday in April, 185.5. This was^ for 
township officers — two justices of the 
peace, two constables, three township 
trustees, one assessor and one township 
clerk. Whether this election was ever 
held or not is a question upon which the 
old settlers are divided, and there is no 
means of positively settling it. One ver- 
sion is that George L. Bunce and John L. 
McMillen were elected justices of the 
peace at this time. 

A short time after the township organi- 
zation had been effected, a petition for the 
organization of the county of Cerro Gordo 
was prepared and presented to the judge 
of Floyd county. This petition was 
granted, and an order was issued for the 
election of county officers and the perm - 
nent organization of the county on the Ttli 
of August, 1855. 

As soon as it was known that the peti- 
tion was granted, a convention was called 
for the nomination of county officers. 
John B. Long was then a very prominent 
man among the settlers of the county. 



and was one of tlie most active workers 
for a county organization. John L. Mc- 
Millen was also a prominent worker The 
convention was called by these two men. 
It was held at the log cabin of J. L. Mc- 
Millen, in the summer of 1855. Candi- 
dates were nominated regardless of their 
political creeds. So far as issues were 
concerned, if there were any, they were 
due entirely to local predjudice. 

On the 7th of August, 1855, the polls 
were opened, and the first regular election 
in Cerro Gordo county was held. The 
only voting place in tlie county was at the 
log cabin of John McMillen, on the present 
site of Mason City. About all of the 
voters in the county were in attendance, 
but everything passed off quietly, and it 
was pretty much one-sided. Henry Mai'- 
tin was one of the clerks of the election, 
and Robert Campbell, Henry Van Potter 
and David Wright were the judges of 
election. John B. Long, being a promi- 
nent man, had, by the convention, been 
accorded the highest county office — that 
of county judge. He received forty-nine 
votes and Silas Card one. For clerk of 
court, Henry Martin received forty-eight 
votes and Elisha Randall two. C. B Ray- 
mond was elected prosecuting attorney 
by a majority of twenty-four, receiving 
thirty-three votes to nine cast for Elisha 
Randall. Henry Van Potter was elected 
treasurer and recorder, without opposition, 
receiving fifty-two voles. For school fund 
commissicmer there were two candidates, 
David Wright and Richard Morris. The 
former was elected, receiving forty-four 
votes to the latter'snine. I. W. Card was 
elected surveyor by a majority of eleven 
over J. B. Randall. For sheriff N. W. 



r 



Jt, 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



603 



Stackhouse was elected. The vote stood: 
Stackhouse thirty -one; J. L. Stewart seven- 
teen; J. Y. -Curen two. James Dickirson, 
the first settler in the county, was elected 
coroner, receiving fifty-two votes. Alan- 
son Be'ebe also received one vote for 
coroner. Nearly all of the parties elected 
were democrats. Heni-y Martin was one 
of the exceptions, he being a whig. 

The following is a list of the fifty-four 
voters at the election in August, 1855 : 

Noah Cummins, James Dickirson, 
James Wriglit, C. B. Raymond, Elijah 
Wiltfong, Thomas Casady, George L. 
Bunce, McCuUum Russell, Henry Wilt- 
fong, W. R. Willson, Aaron Peabody, 
Calvin Scott, Peter Clymer, Wm Gilbert, 
Charles Lutz, Mahlon Brown, Richard 
Casady, J. P. Myers, John Russell, George 
W. Clymer, Eliphalet Allen, Richard 
Mon-is, Silas Card, Chauncy Lugard, 
Thomas Bears, James L. Stewart, J. R. 
Byford, J J. Barker, C. W. Scott, Sebina 
Day, Wm. Reynolds, J. B. Long, Joseph 
Hewitt, J. L. McMillen, Andrew Butler- 
field, Anson C. Owen, J G. Beebe, David 
Wright, Robert Campbell, Alanson Beebe, 
James Jenkinson, Elisha Randall, Joseph 
Wood, Henry Martin, VVellington Benton, 
Stephen Wright, D. W. Miner, Henry 
Van Patter, N. W. Stackhouse, A. A. 
Burton, Leonard Van Patter, Ale.xander 
Long. 

Some time after the organization of the 
county, much trouble was experienced 
from the collection of taxes, levied on 
lands which had not yet become taxable. 
Since that time the governmental wheels 
of the county have ground steadily and 
surely, without impediment or interrup- 
tion. The county has been fortunate in 



having had capable and efficient officers, 
and public interests have always been 
well cared for. 

THE COUNTY SEAT. 

Shortly after the organization of the 
couniy, Hon. Samuel Murdock, judge of 
the district court, appointed three com- 
missioners to locate the county seat of 
Cerro Gordo county. These commis- 
sioners were from I-'loyd county, and were 
in sympathy with John B. Long, and the 
other county officers, who were outspoken 
in their choice of Mason City as the 
county seat. Shortly after the election in 
August, 1855, the commissioners met and . 
after viewing a number of the available 
sites, decided upon Mason City as the 
future county seat of Cerro Gordo county, 
and ended their labors by driving the 
county seat stake on the square where 
now stands the public school building of 
Mason City. This made some dissatisfac 
tion among the settlers in the western 
part of the county, who had hoped and 
worked to have the county seat located at 
some point near Clear Lake. Accordingly 
they set to work to undo what the com- 
missioners had done. But for some time 
their efforts were futile. 

When the sixth General Assembly con- 
vened at Iowa City, in December, 185(3, 
there were on hand, Thomas Drummond, 
Marcus Tuttle, Silas Card and I. W. 
Card, with a petition from their citizens 
of Cerro Gordo county, asking the ap- 
pointment of three new commissioners to 
re-locate the county seat of Cerro Gordo 
county. They were successful in their 
efforts, and before the close of the ses- 
sion of the General Assembly, Stephen H. 
Henderson, of Mitchell county ; James 



r 



2iJ. 



^l^ 



U04 



IIISTUKY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



Taggert, of Benton county, and George 
McCoy, were appointed commissioners to 
re-locate the county seat. 

Tliey met April 29, 1857, at Clear Lake 
and'were sworn by I. W. Card, justice of 
the peace . After investigation, they made 
the following report to the county judge, 
of Cerro Gordo county : 

" The uudersigned, a majority of the com- 
missioners appointed to select and locate the 
seal of justice for this county, report that on 
the 29lh of April, 1857, they met at the village 
of Clear L'lke. in said county, having first taken 
and subscribed to the oath, they then proceeded 
to further discharge their duties, and after hav- 
ing visited and examined each locality in said 
county, that would, in their opinion, be in any 
'.vay suitable for a seat of justice, they have 
upon mature consideration concluded that the 
lulure, as well as present interests of said coun- 
ty, would be most promoted with the selection 
of the following described tract of land, viz : 
Commencing at a point 40 feet south of a point 
5 chains east of the northwest corner of the 
norihe ist quarter of section 18. township 96, 
range 21 ; thence south 4^ chains ; thence east 
4i chains ; thence north 4i chains, thence west 
4J chains to the place of beginning. We have 
named the said selection, Livonia. The com- 
missioners therefore adjudge, determine and 
hereby constitute said Livonia, henceforth the 
seat of justice of said county of Cerro Gordo. 
And the above described selection and desorip. 
lion of land shall be the site and locality for 
the erection of the necessary county buildings. 

In witness, whereof, they have set their hands, 
this 30th day of April, 1857. 

Stephen Henderson, ) 
[ SIGNED . ] James Taggert, [ Com . 

George McCoy, ) 

As will be seen, the town of Livonia 
was located on section 18, of what now 
constitutes Lake township. During the 
summer of 1857, a courthouse was erected 
upon the new site, and late in the fall 
some of the county records were moved 



from Mason City to the new county seat, 
but the county officials were loth to go. 
C. H. Huntley, treasurer and recorder, 
and E. D. Huntley, clerk of the court, 
both moved their records and offices to 
the new court house, and spent most of 
the winter of 1857-8 at Livonia. 

On the 1st of February, 1858, the county 
court convened at Mason Oity, with J. S. 
Church, county judge, presiding. It at 
once adjourned to meet at Livonia, tlie 
new county seat, where it again con- 
vened, and began the transaction of busi- 
ness. At this term of court A. B. Miller 
presented a petition numerously signed ly 
the citizens, asking the court to grant an 
election to beheld in April, 1858, to sub- 
mit to the legal voters of the county the 
following question : "Shall the county 
seat of Cerro Gordo county be removed 
from Livonia to Mason City?" 'J'he pe- 
tition being signed by over one-half of the 
citizens of the county, the county judge 
granted it, and issued an order for the 
election to be held on the first Monday in 
April, 1858. 

After a hotly contested campaign, the 
election day came. It was one of the 
most bitter elections that has taken place 
in the history of the county, but the Li- 
vonia people were badly beaten, the vote 
standing: Mason City, 155; Livonia, 48. 
Thus Mason City received a majority of 
107, and was declared the county seat. To 
the chagrin of Livonia, the county records 
were moved back to Mason City, where 
they have since remained, and to-day 
nothing marks the former site of the 
once promising Livonia, except perhaps a 
few decayed corner lot stakes, recalling to 
mind the greatness of former years, and 
thoughts of what might have been. 



llL 



HISTOKY OF CERRO GORDO COUKTY. 



605 



CHAPTER V 



COUNTY GOVERNMENr AND OFFICIAL MATTERS. 



THE COUNTY COURT. 

Tlie records do not give an account of 
the first term of the county court, but, as 
known, it convened, with Judge J. B. Long 
on the bench, and flenry Martin, clerk. 
As no business presented itself, the court 
adjourned. The judge's Tiiinute book A, 
is the earliest record of court proceedings. 
The first item states that a warrant was 
issued to A. P. Luse & Co., for $458.25, 
on the 29th of December, 1855. This was 
in payment for county books, seals, and 
other necessary material for the use of the 
county officials. J. B. Long was county 
judge at this time, and drew his salary, 
amounting to $15.30. C. W. Scott, clerk 
of court, also drew 'his salary, which 
amounted to the same sum. 

Under the date of August 8, 1856, it is 
stated that James Dickirson, the county 
coroner, received the sum of $6 for hold- 
ing an inquest over the body of John Van- 
Aiken, who froze to death in 1855. A 
warrant was also issued to J. L. McMillen, 
in the sum of $4 in consideration of his 
having been "a Jewry" on the same. 

On the 16th of August, 1856, Judge 
IjOiig drew an order in favor of himself, 
to the amount of 4!32.30 in payment of his 
salary. J. S. Church received a warrant in 
the same sum in ]iayment of his salary a.- j 
treasurer and recorder. N. W. Stack- 
liouse received $3 for services in serv- 
ing and obtaining a jury to set and try 



the case of John Van Aiken, who froze to 
death. Warrant eighteen, for $2.50 was 
issued in favor of C. C. Church, to pay 
him for carrying the chain on the 
county road from Mason City to Owen's 
Grove. 

Among others who received warrants 
about the same time were : Mark Dex- 
ter, $8.75 for making table for recorder ; 
James Simpson, services as deputy sur- 
veyor, |6 ; H. A. Stiles, for assessing 
Lake township, $43 ; John Belt, ser- 
vices as justice of the peace in case of 
People vs. T. Burris, $9.65 ; N. W. Stack- ■ 
house, salary as sheriff, $50.95 ; William 
Kerns, assessing Canaan township, $45.50; 
A. H. Lunger, for making coffin for Van 
Aiken, and one to J. C. Bonar. 

The first regular term of county court, 
as shown by the judge's record, convened 
on the 1st of September, 1856, with J B. 
Long as county judge, and E. D. Himtley 
as clerk. On that date a petition was 
presented from the citizens of Clear Lake 
asking for the vacation of that village. 
Twelve days later the judge ordered its 
vacation in accordance with the petition. 

The second term of court coiivened 
Oct. 6, 1856, but as no business appeared, 
it adjourned at once. 

'J'he first case to come before the county 
court was entitled John N. Bell vs. George 
W. Henderson, a petition for habeas 
corpus. The attorneys are stated as being 



^^ 



Li- 



606 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



"Harwood and Paun Broker" (Poindexter). 
The court decided that from a technicality 
it had no jurisdiction over the case. 
This was Sept. 18, 1858. 

Even at this early date in the hi.story 
of the county, action was taken to secure 
a railroad through Cerro Gordo county, 
and on the 25th of September, 1856, 
Judge Long issued a proclamation for an 
election to be held Oct. 27, 1856, for the 
purpose of voting on t'le question of the 
county's taking $130,000 stock in the Mc- 
Gregor, St. Peter & Missouri Railroad. 

At this time the county was divided 
into three townships, Canaan, Lake and 
Owens. The vote in these townships was 
unanimous for the purchase of the stock ; 
Canaan casting forty-five votes ; Lake, 
thirty-nine votes and Owens, six votes. 
The total vote was ninety. This is the 
only election in the history of the county 
in which the vote of the county was unani- 
mous. The board of canvassers at this 
election was composed of J. B. Long, 
Elisha Randall and S. Zewer. 

In November, 1856, J. S. Church suc- 
ceeded J. B. Long as county judge. He 
was a much better penman than Long and 
the records greatly improved when his 
administration began. 

On the iVthof December, 1856, Judge 
Church re-divided Cerro Gordo county 
into townships, increasing the number 
from three to four. These were named : 
Mason, Falls, Lake and Owen. 

These townships embraced territory as 
follows : 

Mason comprised congressional town- 
ships 96 and 97, range 20, and the east 
half of townships 96 and 97, range 21. 
This territory is now embraced in the 



civil townships of Mason, Lime Creek and 
the east half of Lincoln and Lake. 

Lake comprised the territory of town- 
ships 94, 95, 96 and 97,.range"22, and the 
west half of townships 94, 95, 96 and 97, 
range 21. To-day the territory named 
makes up the civil townships of Grant, 
Clear Lake, Union, Grimes, and the west 
half of Pleasant Valley, Mount Vernon, 
Lake and Lincoln. 

Falls comprised congressional township 
97, range 19, and the north half of town- 
ship 96, range 19. This now comprises 
the territory of Falls and the north half 
Portland. 

Owens embraced congressional town- 
ships 94 and 95, and the south half of 96, 
range 19 ; townships 94 and 95, range 20, 
and the east half of townships 94 and 95, 
range 21. 

The places for holding the first election 
in the different townships were fixed as 
follows : Owen township, at the residence 
of A. C. Owen ; Mason township, at Mc- 
Millen's hall ; Lake, at the residence of 
R. O. Sirrine ; Falls, at the residence of 
A. J. Glover. 

In July, 1857, a warrant was issued to 
John Porter, afterwards district judge, in 
the amount of f 100, for forty days' ser- 
vices in assessin g the .county. 

At the October election, in 1857, the 
question was submitted to the voters of 
whether the salaries of the county ofticers 
should be increased to f-300 It carried 
by a large majority. 

On the 1st of February, 1858, court con- 
vened at Mason City, but immediately ad- 
journed to Livonia. 

By order of Judge Church, in February, 
185S, the general form of the townships 




C?^T iffisw-'-"' ^^^'^i.^p^^ ' 




. (^^ {j/l^e:^ 



±^ 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



609 



of Cerro Gordo was much changed, but 
in number and name they remained the 
same as at the previous division. At the 
March term in 1859 the form was again 
much changed. 

In January, 1860, George Vermilya suc- 
ceeded J. S. Church as county judge. 

BOARD OF SUPERVISORS. 

In 1859 an act was passed by the Gen 
eral Assembly, which changed the form 
of local government in the various coun- 
ties throughout the State. By it a body 
termed the board of supervisors was 
created to supercede the old system of 
county court, and was vested with nearly 
all the authority formerly held by that 
body. The board consisted of one super- 
visor from each organized township, mak- 
ing six members in all, as the county was 
divided into six townships. 

The board of supei visors convened at 
Mason City, Jan. 7, 1^6], in the office of 
the clerk of court, who, by virtue of his 
office, was clerk of the board. On motion 
of A. C. Owen, Elisha Randall was elected 
cliairman for the ensuing year. The 
board then proceeded to draw lots for the 
long .ind short terms of service, which re- 
sulted as follows: E. Randall, two years, 
.Alison; J. J. Rogers, two years, Geneseo; 
A. C. Owen, one year, Owen; John M. 
Hunt, one year; John Gardner, one year. 
Lake; C. W. Tenney, Falls. 

H. B. Gray was sworn in as clerk of the 
board. Chairman Randall appointed 
committees as follows : Roads and bridges, 
J. J. Rogers, John M. Hunt and A. C. 
Owen; county buildings, John M. Hunt, 
A C. Owen and J.J. Rogers. The board 
was in session for five days. At this time 
the county officers were situated in the 



stone store of Jarvis S. Church, in Mason 
City. By an act of the board, the county 
officers were authorized to rent that por- 
tion of the building needed for $200 per 
year. 

One of the most important acts of this 
session of the board, was to secure the 
legal services of W. P. Hepburn, in set- 
tling the vexed question of Cerro Gordo 
county swamp land scrip, with the 
United States land office at Washington, 
D. C. They made a contract with Mr. 
Hepburn, which read as follows: " The 
county board of supervisors and W. P. 
Hepburn, authorizing said Hepburn to pro- 
ceed to Washington, and there to use all 
dilligence, to bring about a speedy adjust- 
ment of the swamp land interest of said 
county, for which services said county is 
to pay the sum of $200, in hand paid and 
the balance of $1,000. When the county 
shall receive the said swamp lands or 
this equivalent in scrip or cash." Mr. 
Hepburn then entered into the bonds to 
the amount of $200 for the faithful per- 
formance of his duty, which was signed 
by D. E. Coon and C. H. Huntley. 

That these " County Fathers" had the 
best interests of the county at stake, may 
be inferred from the following resolutions 
passed by them in January, 1861: 

Resolved, That we will not grant any 
petition for the erection of any bridge, any 
public building of any kind or description, 
nor for the performance of any act, over 
which this board has jurisdiction, asking 
for an appropriation of more than $300, 
unless the said petition be duly signed by 
at least a majority of the legal voters of 
the county." 



VI S- 



50 



V 



A 



O^k. 



610 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



The first county printing done in the 
county was by order of the board, also, who 
contracted with the Oerro Gordo county 
Republican to publish the proceedings for 
fifty cents per 1,000 "ems." But a little 
later in the year they accepted an offer 
from the editor of said paper J. H. Ayls- 
worth to do all the printing connected 
wi h the county supervisors and that of 
county clerk, including blanks for the 
latter, for one year at $250. 

The spirit of patriotism was beginning 
to mature — a body of Home Guards had 
been organized, known as the Cerro 
Gordo County Guards, Capt. G. A. Fuller 
commanding. And during the June ses- 
sion of the board of supervisor, a bill was 
presented by C. W. Tenny, asking for an 
appropriation of $100 from the county 
treasury, with which to purchase two 
tenor drums, one bass drum and two fifes, 
the same to be kept and cared for by 
the county clerk, and to held as the prop- 
erty of said county. The board made the 
appropriation. 

The board convened at its second annual 
meeting, Jan. 6, 1862, at the oflice of the 
derk of court, and organized by the elec- 
tion of E. Randall to the chair for the 
ensuing year. At this time the board 
consisted of the following gentlemen: E. 
Randall, Mason; J. J. Rogers, Geneseo; 
Gabriel Pence, Lincoln; David Butts, Falls; 
Edgar Osborn, Owen; E. A. Tuttle, Lake. 

The supervisors in the August session, 
in 1862, the beginning of the dark days 
of the rebellion, issued the following reso- 
lution regarding a county bounty to be 
given to volunteers who should enlist in 
the United States service: 



WnEREASthe present condition of our country 
demands the immediate and decisive cooperation 
of every individual and every corporation for 
the purpose of sustaining our government and 
preventing its final overthrow And, whereas, 
the most efHcienl means of suppressing the re- 
bellion is a vigorous and uncompromising prose- 
cution of the war. And, whereas, humanity and 
Justice demands that those of us who are mag- 
nanimously and patriotically offering theirservi- 
ces to our common country in this the darkest 
and most perilous hour, should be encouraged and 
sustained in their noble enterprise. Therefore, 
be it enacted by the board of supervisors of 
Cerro Gordo Co., Iowa, that the sum of $100 be, 
and the same is hereby appropri ited out of the 
county funds, to each volunteer, who has or 
may enlist into the United States service, under 
the late call of the President for 600,000 men— 
which said volunteers must be bona fide resi- 
dents of Cerro Gordo county. SnA that the 
sum of $400 be paid to the wife of each volun- 
teer every month, and also $100 per month for 
each child of such volunteer each mouth, which 
are under the age of fifteen j-ears. 

As kerosene oil has become such a cheap 
article in these days it may be of interest 
to note its cost in the earlier days of this 
county. In the proceedings of the board 
of supervisors in session December, 1 862, 
the following record is found: 

"On the 28th day of December, 1862, 
H. B. Gray, clerk of the board of supervi- 
sors, bought one gallon of kerosene oil 
for the use of the county at $1. A war- 
rant is hereby issued for the same." 

The third anuual meeting began on the 
5th of January, 186.3. The board organized 
by the election of J. J. Rogers ai' chair- 
man. A vote of thanks was tendered to 
E. Randall for the candid, impartial and 
gentlemanly mar.ner in which he had 
acted as presiding ofticer during the pre- 
vious year. The members present at this 
meeting were: J. J. Rogers, Geneseo; 



•^' 



•va. 



-_.k 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



611 



Edgar Oshorn, Owen; Elon A. Tuttle, 
Lake; Gabriel Pence and Wm. Totten, 
Lincoln; David Butts, Falls; E. D. Hunt- 
ley, Mason. 

On the 4th of January, 1804, the boaid 
of supervisors convened in its fourth an 
nual session, at the office of the clerk of 
court in Mason City. J. J. Rogers was 
re-elected as chairman. H. G. Parker 
qualified as clerk of the board. The fol- 
lowing is a list of the members present : 
J. J. Rogers, Geneseo ; Gabriel Pence, 
Lincoln ; E. D. Huntley, Mason ; Theron 
Palmetcr, Lake; George O. Morse, Falls; 
S. M. Richardson, Owen. 

On the President's call for 300,000 more 
soldiers, December, 1864, the board of su- 
pervisors of Cerro Gordo county saw that 
a draft would follow unless some measure 
was adopted to obtain more recruits to 
make up their quota of men, hence they 
passed this resolution : "Resolved that a 
bounty of $500, be paid to a sufficient 
number of volunteers to fill the quota of 
this county under the present call for 
300,000 men, and that the said volunteers, 
when mustered into service, shall receive 
the above sums in warrants upon a special 
fund to be created for that purpose, said 
warrants to be paid in one and two yeais, 
with interest at eight per cent." 

The board at this time consisted of six 
members, and the vote upon the passage 
of the above resolution was as follows : 
Yeas — S. M. Richardson, T. Palmeter, 
J. J. Rogers, George O. Morse, William 
Totten. Nay — George W Henderson. 
The records contain a copy of Mr. Hen- 
derson's protest in regard to this matter, 
which shows that it was not because he 
was not in sympathy with, and loyal to 



the government, but because be deemed it 
too a great a tax to impose upon the people, 
who were then heavily burdened. The 
board appointed from their number 
Theron Palmeter, S. M. Richardson and 
(leorge W. Henderson, as a committee to 
co-operate in securing the county's full 
quota, under the call. 

The fifth annual session of the board 
commenced Jan. 2, 1865. The meet- 
ing was called to order by J. J. Rogers, 
and S. M. Richardson was elected chair- 
man for 1865. The members present 
were : J. J. Rogers, Geneseo; S. M. Rich- 
ardson and Alonzo Willson, Owen; T. Pal- 
meter, Lake ; George O. Morse, Falls ; 
George W. Henderson, Mason; William 
F. Totten, Lincoln. 

During this year the townships of Clear 
Lake and Portland were set off and or- 
dered organized. 

At the session on the 20th of December, 

1865, the board appropriated $150 from 
the county funds, to aid in the railway 
survey of the Central Railroad of Iowa. 

The year's work of 1866 was inaugu- 
rated by the board's meeting Jan. 1, 

1866. George VV. Henderson was elected 
temporary chairman, and W. C. Stanbery 
was chosen as chairman for the ensuing 
year. The following composed the board 
at this time : James Goodwin, Lake. 
George W. Henderson, Mason; R. Morris, 
Falls; W. C. Stanbery and W. B. Stillson, 
Owen; W. F. Totten and Gabriel P6nce, 
Lincoln; J. J. Rogers, Geneseo. 

On Jan. 7, 1867, the board of super- 
visors convened for its seventh annual 
session. James Goodwin was unanimously 
elected chairman for the ensuing year. 
The following were the members of the 



►1^ 



^2 



oil 



TITS rORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



board JurLiig the year ; J. H. Valentine, 
Mason; Daniel Dougherty, Genesee; Wil- 
liam B. Stilson, Owen; Squire Humphrey, 
Lincoln; James Goodwin, Lake; R. 
Morris, Falls. 

The eighth annual session of the board 
began with the meeting on Jan. 6, 1868. 
Organization was eifected by the election 
of J. H. Valentine, of Mason, as chairman 
for the ensuing year. The representa- 
tives of the townships this year were the 
following: James Goodwin, Lake; J. H. 
Valentine, Mason; Thomas Perritt, 
Falls; Daniel Dougherty, Geneseo; 
Squire Humphrey, Lincoln; 13. W. Up- 
dike, Owen; H. G. Gregory, Portland; 
Oscar Stevens, Clear Lake. Oscar Stevens 
and H. G. Gregory, being membeis elected 
from the new townships of Clear Lake 
and Portland, drew lots for the long and 
short terms, resulting in Stevens drawing 
the short term, and Gregory the long. 

In June, 1868, the board appropriated 
$300 to aid in the completion of the Cen- 
tral Railway of Iowa survey. 

During this year the board called a 
special election for the purpose of sub- 
mitting the question of deeding the swamp 
lands to the McGregor & Sioux City 
Railroad Company. The proviso was 
thatsaid company should build their road 
through the county within a specified time, 
and locate stations at certain places ther(- 
in. The people voted the grant on these con- 
ditit)ns: The donation consisted of 30, 153 
acres of swamp lands belonging to the 
county, but which was in litigation with 
the county and the American Emigrant 
Company, who claimed title to these 
lands by virtue of some old contract be- 
tween that company and the United 



States Government. By reason of this 
the citizens of Cerro Gordo county did not 
value them highly. But the Railroad 
Company agreed to take said lands and 
guarantee them against all expense con- 
nected with the imperfect title — so vir- 
tually they simply gave the company a 
ijuit-claim deed for said lands. The 
recorder's description of these lands was 
very long. There and was $15.50 worth of 
United States revenue stamps attached 
thereto. 

At the January session the board ap- 
pointed the county auditor, C. B. Senior, 
and George W. Henderson, as a committee 
lo visit other counties and investigate the 
plan of working poor farms and poor 
houses. 

On the 4ih of January, 1869, the board 
convened to inaugurate their year's work. 
James Goodwin was elec ed chairman for 
the year. The following were the mem- 
bers: James Goodwin, Lake; H. G. Greg- 
oiy, Portland; Thomas Perrett, Falls; E. 
.M. Brown, Owen; Oscar Stevens, Clear 
Lake; B. T. Hartshorn, Mason; Daniel 
Dougherty, Geneseo; Joseph Chartier, 
Lincoln. 

Under the jurisdiction of this board 
(irant township was set off and ordered 
organized. 

The tenth annual meeting commenced 
on Jan. 3, 1870. An organization was 
effected by the election of James Goodwin^ 
of Lake township, as chairman. The board 
was composed of the following gentlemen : 
James Goodwin, Lake; Oscar Stevens, 
Clear Lake; Thomas Law, Sr., Lincoln; 
M. Dexter, Grant; Thomas Perrett, Falls; 
L. W. Reed, Portland; A. R Slilsmi. 



CJl'l- 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



613 



Owens; B. F. Hartshorn, Mason; D. 
Dougherty, Genesee. 

In 1871 the system of county govern- 
ment throughout Iowa was changed. The 
board of supervisors, instead of consisting 
of one member from each township, was 
to be composed of three members, elected 
by the county at large. 

BOARD OF SUPERVISORS SINCE 1871. 

As nothing of special interest has trans- 
pired, the time of the board being occu- 
pied with routine business, the list of 
members from 1871 to 1883. inclusive, will 
suffice. They drew lots one, two. and three 
years. 

1871 — Thomas Perrett, chairman; James 
Goodwin and H. G. Parker. 

1872 — Thomas Perrett, chairman; W. 
W. Knapp and James Goodwin. 

1873 — James Goodwin, chairman; 
Thomas Perrett and W. W. Knapp. 

1874 — W. W. Kiiapp, chairman; Thom- 
as Perrett and C. B. Seabury. 

1875 — Thomas Perrett, chairman; C. B. 
Seabury and George L. Herrick. 

1876 — C B. Seabury, chairman; George 
L. Herrick and Thomas Perrett. 

1877 — George L. Herrick, chairman; 
Thomas Perrett and H. J. Willis. 

1878^Thomas Perrett, chairman; H. J. 
Willis and Francis McMullen. 

1879 — H. J. Willis, chairman; Francis 
McMullen and J. B. Dakin. 

1880. — Francis McMullen, chairman; J. 
B. Dakin and H. J. Willis. 

1881 — J. B. Dakin, chairman; H. J. 
Willis and Albert Bruce. 

1882— H. J. Willis, chairman; J. B. 
Dakin and Albert Bruce. 

1883 — Albert Bruce, cliairman; J. B. 
Dakin and H. J. Willis. 



POPULATION. 

In 1851 the territory which now com- 
prises Cerro Gordo county contained two 
souls. For several years afterward the 
settlement was very slow. The first 
entries of land were made in 1854. In 
1856 and 1857 all of the choice govern- 
ment land in the county was taken up. 
During the latter part of the decade be- 
tween 1850 and 1860 there was quite an 
immigration to this region. Land was 
run up in price to a maximum which was 
not again reached for fifteen years there- 
after. When the war broke out every- 
thing stood still; business was paralized, 
money scarce, and land could be bought 
foralmost nothing. There were no arrivals, 
and the very bone and sinew of this 
region was drawn into the service. The 
war closed, and everything began to look 
brighter. Emigration set in and the 
county filled up rapidly. Railroads 
brought eastern markets to easy access, 
and within a few years Cerro Gordo 
county discarded her frontier garb and 
became one of the banner counties of the 
great Hawkeye State. 

In this connection are presented statis- 
tics compiled from various census reports, 
which will showby comparison the growth 
of the county. 

In 1856 the population of Cerro Gordo 
county was 632; in 1859, 855; in I860, 940; 
in 1863, 1,007; in 1865, 1,311; in 1867, 
1,988; in 1870,4,722; in 1875, 6,685, and in 
1880, 11,461. 

In 1860 the population was 940. Of 
this number, eighty-one were of foreign 
birth and 859 of American birth. There 
was not a colored man or woman in the 
county. 






i^ 



614 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



In 1867 Cerro Gordo county had a 
population of 1,988; 1,000 males and 988 
females. Of these, 444 were voters; 292 
were militia men; eight were unnaturalized 
foreigners. There were 326 dwelling 
houses in the county. 

In 1870 the county had a population of 
4,722; of this number 3,767 were natives 
and 955 foreign born. There were four 
colored persons in the county. 

In 1875 Cerro Gordo county had a popu- 
lation of 6,685. Of this number 1,913 
were born in Iowa: 3,693 in other States, 
and 1,079 in foreign countries; seventeen 
of the number were colored. Of the 
white population, 3,507 were males and 
3,161 females. There were 1,335 dwell- 
ing houses in the county, and 1,344 fami- 
lies. 

In 1880 — the date of the last census — 
the county had a population of 11,461; of 
which 1,964 were of foreign birth, and 
9,497 of native birth; twenty-three were 
colored. This number were divided 
among the townships and cities of the 
county as follows: 

Bath 411 

Clear Lake township, including village 1, 536 

Clear Lake City 1,095 

Dougherty 454 

Fill's t,112 

Geneseo ; 773 

Grant 37O 

Lake rm 

Lime Creek 7OO 

Lincoln 553 

Mason township, including city 3.077 

Mason City 2.510 

Mount Vernon 266 

Owen 451 

Pleasant Valley 319 

Poriland 629 

Union 212 



FIRST INSTRUMENTS KECOBDED. 

The first warranty deed placed upon 
record in Cerro Gordo county, was dated 
Sept. 22, 1855. It was a conveyance from 
W. T. Ford to B. S. Fellows, of the north- 
east quarter of the southeast quarter of 
section 34, township 97, range 20, lying 
on the north and east side of Lime creek. 
The consideration was $500. The deed 
was acknowledged before John L. Mc- 
Millen, a justice of the peace. 

The first mortgage placed upon record 
was dated Dec. 10, 1855. It was from B. 
S. Pearson, of Rockford, 111., to Charles 
H. Spafford, and related to a tract of land 
on section 36, township 96, range 21. 

MATRIMONIAL. 

It has often been said that, "it is not 
well for man to be alone;" and so, in 
going back to the creation, we find the 
economy of nature completed and fulfilled 
in Adam being granted a helpmeet in the 
person of Eve. The marriage relation is 
therefore the natural state'of man, as i' 
carries out the grand first principles of our 
creation. It has received the sanction and 
benediction of the highest authoiily in 
Heaven and earth; it is the most solemn 
relation in which a being may be placed, 
and as such should be sacredly protected 
"What God has joined together let no 
man put asunder." In various lands the 
marriage rite is solemnized in diiferent 
ways and different cermonies peculiar to 
each country. In all, the acts of the con- 
tracting parties must be understood by 
each, and by the commimity in which they 
live, as being a mutual agreement to hold 
the relations toward one another as man 
and wife. In this State a license has 
always been required. 



A 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



615 



The first marriage that appears on the 
record booksof this county was solemnized 
on the 20th of November. 1855; more 
than twenty-seven years ago. The parties 
were l^eorge Frederic and Urvilda Camp- 
bell. The marriage cerraony was per- 
formed by Rev. Thomas Tenny, by virtue 
of a license issued on the ^ame day under 
tlie official seal of the clerk of the connty. 
It was the first marriage solemnized in the 
county subsequent to its organization. 
After the ceremony was over the bride- 
groom presented Rev. Tenny with a gold 
eagle as a fee for officiating. The mar- 
riage took place in Falls township, on sec- 
tion 16. 

There are many amusing anecdotes con- 
nected with some of the earlier weddings, 
most of which find their proper places in 
the various township histories — how the 
rustic, blushing bride left the kitchen, un- 
buckled her apron, and throwing on her 
sunbonnet, climbed into the lumber wagon 
and sta ted off with "John," who had his 
pants in his boots and overalls on, for 
tlioir wedding tour, to hunt up the "squire" 
and get "jined." An incident is called to 
mind which is unlocated and cannot prop- 
erly be placed in any of the townships. 
It is said on one occasion, way back in the 
fifties, a country couple made their way to 
one of the little villages in the county, in 
quest of some one who was authorized to 
tie the hymeneal knot. They went to a 
young store-keeper, who, in the way of a 
joke, referred them to the postmaster, 
stating that the government authorized 
him to officiate on such occasions. When 
the postma^UT was seen, lio disclaimeil 
any knowledge of such authority, and said 
that he had only been in the government 



employ for a short time and was not yet 
"quite up to snufl:'." But if the merchant 
said he could, he supposed it was so. Ac- 
cordingly, the couple were ranged up in 
front of the postmaster, who, in the most 
approved style, impressed them with the 
solemnity of the occasion, warned them 
to "let no man put asunder what he had 
joined," and in closing "pronounced them 
Mr. and Mrs., etc., according to the postal 
laws of the United States. And you may 
go in peace. (Only $1 apiece, please)." 

It would doubtless be of interest to 
many to give the record of marriages for 
the first ten years of the county's exist- 
ince, but they are too numerous ; there- 
fore, only the first three years are given, 
as taken from the record in the office of 
the clerk of court. 

Henry Allen and Margaret Long, by 
John B. Long, county judge, on Jan. 3, 
1856. 

Allen Gouiikee and Elizabeth Jane Has- 
kins, by John B. Loug, county judge, on 
Jan. 31, 1856. 

William Kearns and Hannah M. Gibbs, 
by Robert Clark, justice of the peace, on 
Feb. 27, 1856. 

Patrick Hayes and Eliza M. Gardner, 
by John B. Long, county judge, on .March 
23,1826. 

William Reynolds and Sarah Trusdal, 
by Judge John B. Long, on the 8th of 
June, 1856. 

Ebenezer Cockerton and Esther Wilt- 
fong, by C. L. Bunce, Esq., on May 7, 
1856. 

Enoch Wiltfong and Julian Hunt, by 
Rev. 'i'homas Tenney, on the Slst of 
August, 1856. 






'i>\\ 



A 



616 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



Simeon Van Patter and Lucina Thomp- 
son, by Elisha Randall, justice of the 
peace, on Sept. 16, 1856. 

Robert Clark and Rebecca Brentner, by 
Solomon Zuver, justice of the peace, on 
Nov. 16, 1856. 

Thomas Andrews and Rachel A. Long, 
by Solomon Zuver, justice of the peace, on 
Nov. 16, 1856. 

George W. Henderson and Martha Ann 
Randall, by J. S. Church, county judge, 
on the 18th of December, 1856. 

The following are the names of those 
who were married during 1857 and 1858, 
without going into particulars as to dates: 

Jarvis S. Church and Sabra L. Van 
Patter. 

George W. Swanger and Mahala Crura, 
by Charles W. Tenney. 

John Garrard Kortee and Wilhelmina 
Sohmitt. 

Nelson E. Fletcher and Emma Morris. 

Mitchell Jackson and Sylvia Jane Reece. 

William Reddington and Augusta A. 
Brown. 

William A. J. Sutton and Temperance 
Decker. 

John Blowers and Sarah Belt. 

Ira L. Williams and Ann C. Wariser 
(Mrs. Blak). 

John Claus and C. A. Campbell. 

Nathan M. Jeffords and Mary A. Wil- 
liams. 

George R. Griffith and Susan G. Thomp- 
kins. 

Silas Noyes and Miss F. M. Thmpkins. 

Ethan Ames and Louis.i Alio way. 

Elias Pattee and Mary Bannett. 

E. Rounds and Jane Walton. • 

John Whitenill and Mary P. Tucker. 

C. C. Doolittle and Melisa Coon. 



Truman H. Judson and Emma M. Mead. 
The names and titles of those who per- 
formed the marriage ceremonies during 

1858 and 1859, in the cases mentioned, 
are as follows: Judge J. S. Church, Revs. 
J. S. Saxby, W. P. Holbrook and D. B. 
Mead ; Justices of the Peace, Charles 
Tenney, T. S. Palmer, G. L. Bunce, T. B. 
Willson and H. G, iParker. 

During the last few years of the records 
of marriages, we notice the names of 
many, both ladies and gentlemen, who are 
sons and daughters of the parties men- 
tioned in the foregoing, and who have 
themselves taken partners to their joys 
and sorrows. Thus a new generation has 
come to the front. 

The following table shows the number 
of marriages contracted from the year 

1859 to 1882, inclusive : 



1855 


1 


1856 


11 


1857 

1858 


9 

9 


1859 


9 


I860 


11 


1861 


11 


1863 

1883 


13 

8 


1864 


9 


1865 


14 


1866 


23 


1867 


33 


1868 


23 



1869. 
1870. 
1871. 

1873 
1873. 
1874. 
1875. 



.26 
.42 
.58 
57 
.60 
.54 
.95 



13 1876 81 



1877 

1878. 

1879. 

1880. 

1881 

1883. 



..80 
.107 
.103 
..87 
.106 
.130 



Toto.l 1,257 

VITAL STATISTICS. 

The record books of births and deaths 
in the hands of the clerk of court, com- 
mence in July, 1880, so that previous to 
that nothing can be learned concerning it. 

The first birth recorded is that of a 
daughter of Eugene C. and Josephine 
Braiiard. From July 19, 1880, to June 
9 1881, there were 236 births; June 9, 
1881, to Jnne 9, 1882, there were 188; and 



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HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



617 



from June 9, 188ii, to June 0, 1883, there 
were 209 births. 

The "death record commences at the 
same time, July, 1880, and has since been 
kept up, giving the name and nationality 
of the deceased, and cause of death. Up 
to June 9, 1881, inclusive of the time from 
July, 1880, there were 103 deaths recorded, 
and from that time until June 9, 1882, 
there had been 63 deaths ; from June 9, 
1882, to June 9, 1883, the date of the last 
entry, there had been 46 deaths, making 
in all, from July, 1880, until June 9, 1^83, 
inclusive, 212 deaths recorded. 

CIVIL SUB-DIVISIONS. 

Prior to the organization of Oerro Gordo 
county the territory now comprising it 
was formed into one township, and was 
treated as a civil sul»-division of Floyd 
county. 

When the county was oiganized in Au- 
gust, 185.'), it was divided by the county 
judge of Floyd county into three civil 
townships named : Canaan, Lake and 
Owen. The records do not designate the 
Icrritory embraced by these townshi])s 
nsiiectix uly. 



On the lYth of December, 1856, Judge 
J. S. Church divided the county into four 
civil townships, naming them Mason, 
Falls, Lake and Owen. 

In 1865 the townships of Clear Lake 
and Portland were set off and ordered 
organized. 

In 1869 Grant township was set apart 
and organization was authorized. 

Various changes have taken place since 
that time in the boundaries of the town- 
ships, until to-day Cerro Gordo county 
has sixteen civil townships, which embrace 
territory respectively as follows : 

Falls embraces township 97, range 19 ; 
Lime Creek, township 97, range 20 ; Lin- 
coln, township 97, range 31 ; Grant, town- 
ship 97, range 22 ; Portland, township 96, 
range 19 ; Mason, township 96, range 20 ; 
Lake, township 96, range 21 ; Clear Lake, 
township 96, range 22 ; Owen, township 
95, range 19 ; Bath, township 95, range 
20 ; Mount Vernon, township 95, range 
21; Union, township 95, range 22; Dough- 
erty, township 94, range 19; Geneseo, 
township 94, range 20 ; Pleasant Valley, 
township 94, range 21, and Grimes, town- 
ship 94, range 22. 



T 




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618 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



CHAPTER VI. 



INDIAN TROUBLES. 



Bv M P. Boseerana. 



The first white men known to have been 
at Clear Lake, were a man named Billings 
and Rufus Clark, who were here in the 
spring of 1849, hunting young buffalo and 
elk calves; while here they captured a 
young buffalo and marked it and then let 
it go. Billings and Clark were compelled 
to leave on account of the hostility of the 
Indians. Two years later, this same buf- 
falo was killed by Joseph Hewitt and 
James Dickirson. The latter named gen- 
tlemen were the first settlers of the county. 
They came here from Clayton Co., Iowa, 
in the spring of 1851, making claims and 
putting up log cabins on section 24, in 
township 96, range •J.'i. They staid here 
two years alone, no other settlers coming 
until two years later, 1853, when David 
and Edward Wright came and took claims 
on Lime creek, about ten miles away. 
Robert and James Sirrine came in the fall 
of 185.3 and made claims. In the spring 
of 1854, Mr. Senior came with his family 
and made a claim, where he still lives. That 
being the year of the Indian troubles, no 
more families came that year, but two 
families of Winnebago Indians came in 
the winter of 1853-4, and camped near 
Hewitt's cabin. 

Hewett had been a government trader 
with the Winnebagoes, and was well ac- 
quainted with the leaders of that tribe. 



and also with their language; this was the 
cause of the Winnebagoes camping near 
him. The Sioux and Winnebagoes were 
mortal enemies, and the former being the 
more powerful and warlike, the latter were 
in great fear, and depended in a great 
measure on the whites for protection. In 
the month of June, 185 1, seven Sioux In 
dians came to Hewett's and staid over 
night. They first came to the camp of 
the Winnebagoes, but professed to be 
greatly afraid of them, so they desired 
Hewett to keep them. They acted quite 
friendly towards the Winnebagoes, smoked 
with them and made 'hem presents of 
tobacco and pipes. These Indians went 
away the following day, and the second 
day after their visit, two others of the 
same tribe came and stopped over night; 
they also seemed friendly, but the Winne- 
bagoes were in great fear of them and dare 
not visit their camp. The main body of 
the Sioux were then encamped on Lime 
creek, about twelve miles from the 
lake, numbering about 500. Hewett 
locked the two Sioux in his house that 
night in order to quiet the fears of the 
Winnebagoes. After breakfast the next 
morning they went to the Winnebagoes, 
and bid them farewell in a kind, friendly 
manner, jiretending they were about to 
leave their camp; instead of doing so, liow 



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HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



619 



ever, they moved to tlie lake shore and 
sat down, where they remained about two 
hours. They then arose and went to the 
house of R. O. Sirrine, about half a mile 
up the lake shore, and there ground their 
knives and loaded their guns, remaining 
in that locality until the middle of the af- 
ternoon. During this time the Winneba- 
goes had sent a boy, of about sixteen years 
of age, to the prairie to look for their 
horses. The boy, on his way, passed by 
Mr. Sirrine's house, and as soon as he had 
passed, the two Indians ran east with their 
guns, and were lost o view. The boy on 
returning with the horses passed by Sir- 
rine's house, but had proceeded but a short 
distance farther, when the report of a 
gun was heard, and the boy fell from his 
horse. Mrs. Sirrine remarked that she 
was certain that the Sioux had shot him, 
which proved to be the fact; they being 
concealed in the brush near the road. The 
horses ran home immediately; one of them 
covered with blood. Hewett and one of 
the Winnebagoes, the other being absent 
at the time, ran up the road, in the direc- 
tion from which the horses came, until 
they came to the boy lying in the road; 
they found the Sioux had cut off his head 
and carried it off with them. The boy 
was a fine shrewd Indian, could speak 
English and was quite intelligent. The 
alarm was given and the headless body 
was buried immediately. At that time 
there were three families, at that place, 
where Mason City now stands, but they 
soon left after the murder of this boy. 
The only settlers at the Lake were Hew- 
itt and Dickirson together with the two 
Sirrines. Callonan had not moved his 
family out, but was breaking prairie on 



his claim. Hewitt and Dickirson each 
had a hired man; these, with the two 
Wrights, before referred to, were all the 
white men in the county at that time, 
June, 1854. After burying the boy, Hewitt 
and Dickirson put the two families of 
Winnebagoes into Hewitt's wagon, Dick- 
irson's man and team having gone to 
Dyersville, a distance of 150 miles, for 
provisions. They then put on the cover, 
and fastened it down, and sent them 
away under the charge of Hewitt's hired 
man, who took them to the place where 
Marble Rock now stands, a distance of 
thirty-five miles. The young man in charge 
there met Diekirson's team, which turned 
back and took them to Clarksville, eight 
miles further on, where a man was en- 
gaged to take them to Cedar Falls, and 
from there to Davenport, where they took 
passage on a boat going up the river, and 
finally reached their own county on the 
Wisconsin side. Dickirson had, at this 
time, removed to the prairie about one 
mile from the lake shore and two miles 
from Hewett's, and about the same from 
Sirrines; Callonan's claim was about one 
mile from Hewett's in an opposite direc- 
tion. All except Dickirson lived in the 
timber, and their dwellings could be 
easily approached by the savages without 
fear of discovery. To guard against a 
contingency of this kind, and that they 
might unite their strength, the few fami- 
lies gathered at Diekirson's on the prai- 
r4e, his house commanding quite a view 
of the surrounding country^ without an 
intervening object. They were all much 
excited, being alone as they were in the 
wilderness, far removed from friends and 
civilization, with no hope of succor and in 



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620 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 






tlie iieigliboiliood of a band of hostile 
Indians, numbering 500, wlio had already 
tasted blood enough to excite their hellish 
passions, and with this the settler might 
well be alarmed. Here were mothers with 
small children, weak, harmless and in- 
offensive, tiiat were liable to have tlieir 
brains dashed out by the merciless blows 
of the Indian tomahawk, while the fathers' 
an<l their few white friends without fam- 
ilies, stood ready to sell their lives if need 
be in defence of all they held near and 
deal" to them. Such was the condition of 
the few settlers who were assembled at the 
cabin of James Dickirson, at Clear Lake, 
in the month of June, 1854. The Indians 
still hung around, but were not visible for 
some four days, but scouts reported every 
morning that they had discovered fresh 
tracks of their ponies made in the night 
previous, as they had been hovering 
around the settlement for mischief or 
plunder. On the fourth day after the 
murder of the boy, about thirty Indians 
made their appearance eighty rods north- 
east of Dickirson's house. They were 
mounted and rode back and forth, brand- 
ishing their guns over their heads in a 
most threatening manner; their guns were 
scoured up very brightly and glittered in 
the sunlight. They kept this up for nearly 
half a day. Hewett at this time had gone 
to his claim to take care of his stock. 
When he returned, he watched their |mo- 
tions a while with much fear, being so 
well acquainted with' their customs. After 
noting their actions he told the rest to 
stay where they were, and he would go 
alone to them and see what they wanted; 
he being able to talk the Winnebago 
language, and most of that spoke by the 



Sioux, too. He told his friends that if he 
was killed they must defend themselves 
as best they could, and that it was uncer- 
tain whether he returned to them alive. 
Thus this brave man set forth, as all feared, 
to meet death at the hands of those re- 
lentless savages; but the maxim that for- 
lune favors the brave was realized in this 
case. After leaving the cabin he walked 
boldly toward them, they awaiting his 
coming, sullenly and silently. When he 
came up to them he Itoldly asked them 
what they wanted, and what they were 
hanging about there forV 

They answered that the whites hail ihc 
Winnebagoes concealed ; that they were 
after them ; that tliey were bound to have 
them dead or alive, and demanded of him 
that they be given up. This Hewitt 
denied — he told them the ^^ innebagoes 
had left within an hour after the boy was 
murdered. This they would not believe. 
He then told them that if they would 
stack their guns upon the prairie, they 
might come to the house and search for 
them until they were satisfied. This they 
agreed to do, provided the whites would 
leave their guns at the house and come 
out and meet them half way. To this 
Mr. Hewitt agreed. They then i^^acked 
their guns, came about half way and 
stopped. Hewitt returned to the house 
and told his friends t*^ e agreement he had 
made, in compliance with which they 
stacked their guiw and went out to ineetthe 
Indians. They then came up to the house 
together and made search until they were 
co'nvinced that the Winnebagoes were not 
there. They then laughed and made sport 
of the whites, and showed them how 
nicely they had fooled them and how 



-^r 



« lt_ 



HISTORY OF CERRO C40RD0 COUNTY. 



621 



tliey liad tliem at their mercy. They 
raised their blankets and each Indian 
showed a six shooter loaded and ready for 
an engagement ; and .after tormenting 
them a while, they went away apparently 
well satisfied, saying they wanted noth- 
ing of the whites, still the whiles did not 
place much reliance on their pretended 
friendship, and felt far from secure, as 
they were quite at their mercy, and knew 
well the savage nature of the Sioux 
Indians. The next morning about 
]0 o'clock, there came 100 mounted 
men to their relief, coming froin a 
distance of about 100 miles, having 
heard the alarm from the two Winneba- 
goes and their escort. When they came 
in sight of the cabin and saw the guard, 
they thought them to be Indians and that 
the cabins were in their possession. The 
people in the cabin, not expecting relief, 
supposed them to be Indians. But the 
settlers soon sent out a scout who found 
them out and they stayed until the next 
afternoon, doing nothing. They brought 
with them no provisions and Hewitt and 
Dickirson fed them until their supply of 
food was exhausted. Dickirson then pro- 
posed to them that they load up their 
families and move toward the settlements, 
which plan was carried out. The captain 
of the company, desiring to appear very 
brave, said he did not believe there was an 
Indian within 500 miles, and tliat the 
scare was all unfounded. 

Dickirson told him that he could show 
all the Indians he desired to see within an 
hour. The Captain repeated that if he 
could he would soon clear them out, so 
eflfectuall}', that the whites would have no 
more trouble from them. As soon as the 



team had started, Dickirson, to gratify the 
ambition of the brave Captain, took him 
along the trail about eight miles to a 
point on Lime creek and pointed out to 
them a camp of over 500 Indians. The 
Captain approached to within three-quar- 
ters of a mile of their camp, stopped and 
viewed them with wonder and surprise — 
observing small clouds in the sky, he re- 
marked that it looked like rain, and as it 
would be late before they could reach the 
camp, they had better take up their line 
of march for another place. In vain 
Dickirson desired him to pass on into the 
Indians camp and have a talk with the 
savages. He replied that, much as he 
would like to do so that he Imd no time 
then, and that they must be returning, 
which they did in all haste, and did not 
stop until they had reached the teams at 
or near where Mason City is now located, 
where they passed the night. The next 
day they all went to Marble Rock, when 
Dickirson and Hewitt decided to go no 
further. Their brave defenders left them 
there never to meet again. After a time 
they returned with their families to the 
Lake. 

The wives of the pioneers — Mrs. James 
and Robert Sirrine, Dickirson, and Calla- 
nan — are sleeping quietly in the cemetery 
which is located on the land taken up by 
Dickirson. 

Dickirson saw no more Indians about 
Clear Lake until 1856, when eleven Sioux 
came to his house and were im|iudent and 
saucy. They commenced chasing and 
throwing at his fowls. He asked them \o 
desist, but they paid but little attention to 
what he said. He picked up a stone, and 
when they saw he intended to throw at 



"%;= 



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2<J 



9 *- 



.-« » 



:K 



022 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



them they paused and looked at him for a 
time, his wife telling him not to throw at 
them. They then came to the house and 
seated themselves on the wood pile. There 
was a small grindstone on a bench outside 
the house ; one of the Indians picked up 
the stone and started off with it, trying 
to break it. Dickirsori told him not to 
break it, when he picked it up and started 
off with it. Dickirson followed him and 
told him to bring it back The Indian 
paid no heed to what he said, but walked 
on. Dickirson then picked up a stone of 
four or five pounds weight, following him 
several rods from the house. Ills wife 
begged him to throw down the stone and 
return, lest the Indian might kill him. 
He finally threw down the stone and 
caught hold of the grindstone and jerked 
it away from the Indian ; but in doing so 
he threw the Indian down. He then 
walked toward the house with his grind- 
stone. The rest of the Indians were sit- 
ting on the wood pile with their gun-^ in 
their hands. The Indian who had taken 
the stone was armed with a big walking 
stick, and as Dickirson walked toward the 
house, he arose and followed after him, 
and struck at him just touching his hat. 
Dickirson turned quickly around struck 
him with the grindstone, over the head, 
knocking him down He then walked 
on toward the house, which was about ten 
rods away. As the Indian did not get up, 
a portion of the tribe by the wood pile 
went to him and assisted him to rise, lead- 
ing him toward the house covered with 
blood. They then went to Dickirson and 
wanted him to pay the Indian something. 
They finally demanded *100, or a good 
horse (they prized all kinds of horses at 



that sum). Dickirson refused to give them 
anything. They then formed a circle 
around him, cocked their guns, and told 
him if he did not pay him they would kill 
him; he still refused, and called to his 
hired man to bring him his double-bar- 
relled rifle ; his wife all the time begging 
him to pay them and thus save their lives. 
She would not let them have his gun, but 
having five or six dollars she came out and 
gave it to them. After finding they 
could not scare him, they went off. Mar- 
cus Tuttle who had then moved there, 
returned soon after, and they both went 
to Mason City, rallied about twenty men, 
and followed the Indians to their camp. 
They were then encamped at a point 
across Lime creek, at a place called Brush 
Point. They numbered about fifty ; they 
had just came in from a morning hunt, 
bringing in an elk and two deer. The 
whites took from them their game, some 
dried meat, and the money given them by 
Mrs. Dickirson. This so frightened the 
Indians that they packed up and left the 
country, never returning. This ended 
the Indian troubles at Clear Lake, save a 
few bad scares, one or which was as fol- 
lows : In the fall of 1857, about fifty 
Indians encamped on the public square, at 
Clear Lake, and engaged in a war dance, 
and it was rumored that this detachment 
were going to Shell Rock river, and were 
there to be joined by others, and on 
their return having thus cut off the retreat 
of the whites, were to murder and scalp 
them all. Dickirson soon quelled their 
fears and no more was heard of them. 

The two Wright families, before referred 
to, left the county and never returned. 
Mr. Hewitt lived to a ffood old age and 



'r 



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A^ — - 



Lk. 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



623 



was finally buried on the spot where he 
first made his claim. For many years he 
was employed by the government as a 
mail carrier. This was when the county 
was new, roads poor, streams unbridged, 
prairies to cross, often formany miles with- 
out a house to be seen, yet he braved all 
these difficulties. He was always on the line 
of duty and ^ave complete satisfaction to 
the United States Governmentand people. 
He was a strictly honest man, kind 
hearted and of very strong friendship. 
He would rob himself to help others. 
Having lived on the frontier most of his 
life, he ignored fashions and reserve, and 
received you fearlessly, frankly and 
kindly. He was a man of sterling com- 
mon sense, and a worthy representative of 
Iowa's early pioneers. Mr. Hewitt's com- 
panion, Mr. Dickirson, who passed 
through the thrilling scenes we have nar- 
rated, now lives at Britt, in Hancock 
county, an honest and intelligent man. 
Although somewhat in years, time has 
dealt kindly with him and he still walks 
erect and boldly and possesses the spirit 
of independence that would not let the 
savages rob him of his property. 

Michael Callanan and James Sirrine still 
occupy the homes first made by them in 
what was a dreary wilderness; they too 
are fast growing old, but still remember 
well the first time they ever saw this 
beautiful sheet of water. 

.Tames Dickirson was born in Missouri, 
Arpil 29, 1820, and lived there until a man 
yro\\ 11, when he removed to Galena, 111., 
and engaLjcd in lead mining. In 1R.'!4 hr 
came to Jackson Co., Iowa, and shortly 
after removed to Clayton county, but still 
later his choice of frontier life caused 



him, in company with Capt. Hewitt, to 
locate in Cerro Gordo county, which at 
that date was with Floyd county- The two 
families, Dickirson's and Hewitt's, first 
pitched their tents on the shores of Clear 
Lake, July 14, 1851, and commenced mak- 
ing for themselves homes. At that time 
there was not a single white man west of 
the Cedar river, and north of the present 
line of the Illinois Central Railroad. Mr. 
Dickirson still lives in this section of Iowa 
— residing at Britt, but owning property 
at Clear Lake. He looks out over a land 
of wealth and improvement, with all 
the advantages of civilization and com- 
fort. What a vast change ! He points 
out places where he killed buffalo and elk 
but a short time ago, where now stand 
waving wheat fields, and fine bearing 
orchards, and the sound of the church 
bell, together with the merry laugh 
of hundreds of school children, bespeak 
of a more advanced civilzation. 

From the earliest history of this county 
the Sioux and Winnebago Indians were at 
war and deadly enemies, murdering each 
other wherever found, and each tribe 
claiming this country as their hunting 
grounds. Many years ago the government 
sought to stop their wars, and drew an im- 
aginary line from the mouth of the Wis- 
consin river directly west across the ter- 
ritory of Iowa, and prohibited the Sioux 
from coming within twenty miles of it 
from the north, or the Winnebagoes from 
the south, thus making a strip of territory 
forty miles wide of neutral ground be- 
tween them, and Clear Lake in the centre. 

Before coming to Clear Lake, Capt. 
Hewitt had for many years been a promi- 
nent Indian trader, and was well known 



?k- 



624 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



among them. Speaking their language, 
and being well acquainted with their 
habits, he was a great favorite among 
them. Learning of his location at Clear 
Lake, several families of the Winnebagoes 
followed him to the lake in the winter of 
1853-4. The Sioux, who lived farther 
north in Minnesota, learning that some 
Winnebagoes had come upon the neu- 
tral grounds, determined to exterminate 



them. About 500 of them came down 
during the summer of 1854, and for some 
time feigned to be very friendly with the 
whites and Winnebagoeg,eating and smok- 
ing the peace-pipe with them. A prom- 
inent Winnebago brave named To-shan- 
e-ga (Otter in their language) suspicioned 
their intentions, and wanted the white 
settlers to use their influence with the 
Sioux to protect them. 



CHAPTER VII 



JUDICIAL. 



In this chapter it is designed to trace 
the various changes of judicial districts 
affecting Cerro Gordo county, and present 
sketches of the various presiding officers 
who have administered justice to the 
people. 

DISTRICT COURT. 

When Cerro Gordo county was organ- 
ized in 1855, it became a part of the tenth 
judicial district, which was created about 
the same time. The district was then 
composed of the counties of Cerro Gordo, 
Allamakee, Chickasaw, Clayton, Fayette, 
Floyd, Howard, Mitchell, Winneshiek and 
Worth. These counties, with the excep- 
tion of Cerro Gordo and Worth, and the 
addition of Bremer and Butler, became 
the tenth judicial district in 1858. Samuel 
Murdock was the first judge of the tenth 
district. He was elected April '2, 1855, 
and commissioned May 3, 1855. 

The first term of the district court held 
in Cerro Gordo county, was in June, ]85'7, 



and was presided over by Hon. Samuel 
Murdock, judge of the tenth judicial dis- 
trict. There were present, besides the 
judge, N. W. Stackhouse, sheriff, and E. 
D. Huntley, clerk of court. 

The first petit jury was composed of 
the following named: J. M. Hunt, Chancey 
Lugard, .James H. Tucker, Joseph Wood, 
McCullom Russel, Alfred Taylor, Elisha 
Randall, .James Sirrine, Wellington Ben- 
ton, .John Blake, James G. Beebe and N. 
A. Ivnoff. 

The first case upon the docket was that 
of Silas Card and Jacob Van Curen vs. 
John B.Long, county judge, for malfea- 
sance in office. The case had been tried 
before the district court of Floyd county, 
and John B. Long had been suspended 
from performing the duties of his office, 
as county judge. The case was continued, 
however, coming before the district court 
of Cerro Gordo county, as stated above. 
On the first day of the term this case came 



<^ 



'JLU 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



625 



up for hearing, and a jury being demanded, 
Uie jurors named took tlieir places. The 
parties appeared by their attorneys, and 
after hearing the proofs and allegations, 
arguments of counsel, and charge of the 
conrt, the jury retired to consider their 
verdict. After a short absence the jury 
returned to inform the court of theii' 
inability to agree. The court then or- 
dered the case continued, and also ordered 
that defendant be reinstated in his otiice 
as county judge and that the order sus- 
pending said p rty be annulled. At the 
same term of court, John Porter was reg- 
ularly admitted to practice as an attorney 
and counsellor at law in all district courts 
of the State. 

George Brentner, a native of Byrne, 
was the first person naturalized in Cerro 
Gordo county. He received his papers by 
nnthority of Judge jMurdock. 

The first divorce was granted at this 

term of court. The bonds of matrimony 

which had existed between Frederick Hills 

•and his wife, Catharine Hills, were 

severed. 

The first State case was entitled the 
Stale of Iowa vs. William Coffman. The 
attorneys were A. B. Tuttle, of Clear 
Lake, and G. G. and R. G. Reiniger, of 
Charles City. The records do not disclose 
the particulars. 

Hon. Samuel Murdock was born near 
Pittsburg, Penn., March 17, 1817. When 
eleven years old his father moved to Ohio, 
settling on a farm near Cleveland. There 
the son remained several years, aiding his 
father three-fourths of each year, attend- 
ing a district school the rest of the time, 
and completing his studies under a teacher 
with a few terms at an accademy in Cleve- 



land. He taught school at different places 
in Ohio, when he went to Kalamazoo 
Co., Mich., in 18.38, taught there one 
season, returned to Ohio and continued 
teaching, and in 1841, emigrated to Iowa. 
In the autumn of that year, he is found 
in the law office of Hon. Gilman Folsoom, 
Iowa City, where he remained until he 
was admitted to the bar in the spring of 
1843. He immediately removed to Gar- 
navillo, Clayton county, and began prac- 
tice,' being the first lawyer in the couTity. 
In March, 1876, he removed to Elkader, 
Clayton county, where he still lives. Mr. 
Murdock is a man of education and re- 
finement, and has the reputation through- 
out the State of being an able lawyer and 
a sound jurist. 

Under the constitution adopted in 1857, 
Cerro Gordo county became a part of the 
eleventh judicial district, which was 
composed of the counties of Boone, Cerro 
Gordo, Franklin, Hamilton, Hancock, Har- 
din, Marshall, Story, Webster, Winne- 
bago, Worth and Wright. 

John Porter was elected judge of this 
district in October, 1858, and re-elected 
in 1862. He resigned before the expira- 
tion of his second term, and was suc- 
ceeded by D. D. Chase, of Hamilton 
county. Judge Chase, however, never held 
a term of court in Cerro Gordo county, as 
another change was made in the districts 
before he took the bench, which threw 
this county out of his district. William 
P. Hepburn and D. D. Chase were dis- 
trict attorneys while John Porter was 
judge. Judge Porter is treated in the 
Bar chapter. 

On the 4th of July, 1864, the twelfth ju- 
dicial district was created, and Cerro 



^-. 



iv 



1^ 



»k 



626 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



Gordo county was made, and still remains, 
a part of that district. The district then 
embraced the counties of Bremer, Butler, 
Cerro Gordo, Floyd, Hancock, Mitchell, 
Winnebago and Worth. The counties 
composing it remained connected with 
their former districts, the tenth and elev- 
enth, for the purpose of holding court un- 
til Jan. 1, 1865. On the 8th of November, 
1864, William B. Fairfield, of Floyd 
county, was elected district judge and 
John E. Burke, of Waverly, district attor- 
ney. Judge Fairfield was re-elected in 
1868, and I. W. Card, of Mason City, was 
elected district attorney. In 18V0, Judge 
Fairfield resigned, and George W. Rud- 
dick, of Waverly, was elected to fill the 
vacancy. 

Hon. William B. Fairfield was a native 
of New York, but came west early in the 
history of Iowa and settled in Floyd 
county, where he engaged in the practice 
of law. He was a man of commanding 
appearance, with a noble, open counte- 
nance, and was a great deal more genial 
and unreserved than judges usually are. 
Ho had a thorough education, was well 
read and had a complete understanding of 
his profession, although he was at the 
same time a man who liked to take matters 
easy. He resigned his position as judge 
in 1870, and went into the banking busi- 
ness at Charles City. He is now dead. 

In the fall of 1870 George W. Rud- 
diok, of Waverly, was elected judge of 
the twelfth judicial district, to fill the 
vacancy caused by the resignation of 
Judge Fairfield. Judge Ruddick has 
been three times re-elected and still holds 
that position. George VV. Ruddick was 
born in Sullivan Co., N. Y., May 13, IS-'^S. 



Until fourteen years of age he remained 
at home upon his father's farm, his time 
being spent alternately at work and in 
attendance at the district school. On 
leaving home he went to Chester, Ohio, 
where he attended a seminary for one 
year. He then went to Kingsville, Ohio, 
where he remained two years, then re- 
moved to Monticello, N. Y. After remain- 
ing in Monticello one year, he entered the 
law office of A. C. Niven, reading law 
with him two years and a half. In the 
fall of 1855 he entered the Albany Law 
School, graduating therefrom in April, 
1856. He was then admitted to the bar. 
In July, 1856, he started west, and on the 
18th of August, 1856, arrived at Waverly, 
Bremer Co., Iowa. He at once entered 
upon the practice of his profession, and 
still makes Waverly his home. Judge 
Ruddick is a man of fine legal ability, 
with a thorough knowledge and under- 
standing of the law, and has made an 
acceptable judge. 

CIRCUIT COUET. 

By an act of the General Assembly, 
passed and approved April 3, 1868, the 
old county court or county judge system 
was abolished and circuit courts were 
created in Iowa. Each judicial district 
was divided into two circuits, in each of 
which at the general election in 1868 and 
every four years thereafter, a circuit 
judge was to be elected. Four terms of 
court were provided per year in each 
county in the circuits. All business per- 
taining to the office of county judge was 
transferred to the circuit court, which was 
to have concurrent jurisdiction with the 
district court in all civil actions at law, 
and exclusive jurisdiction of all probate 



e i»_ 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



627 



matters and appeals and writs of error 
from justices' courts, mayors' courts, and 
all other inferior tribunals, either in civil 
or criminal cases. 

Cerro Gordo county, associated with 
other counties, became the second circuit 
of the twelfth judicial district. 

Hon. H. N. Brockway, of Hancock 
county, was the first circuit judge of the 
second circuit. He was elected in Novem- 
ber, 1868, and served four years, at the 
expiration of which time Cerro Gordo 
county was thrown under the jurisdiction 
of the first circuit, and latterly they were 
consolidated. 

The first term of the circuit court for 
Cerro Gordo couniy convened Feb. 8, 
1869, in the court house at Mason City. 
Present : H. N. Brockway, judge of the 
second circuit, twelfth judicial district ; 
F. M. Rogers, clerk, and A. M. Thomp- 
son, sheriff. The first case on the 
docket was that of Rebecca Stahley 
against John Keller. The case being 
called, VV. C. Stanbery, counsel for de- 
fendant, gave notice of filing petition for 
intervention, and the case was ordered 
continued. On the fourth day of the 
term, the case was again called for final 
hearing. Judgment was rendered in 
favor of Rebecca Stahley, in the sum of 
$:i9.25, which amount the wife of defend- 
aut was indebted to plaintiff. 

Robert 6. Reiniger succeeded H. N. 
Brockway to the circuit judgeship. He 
haa since been re-elected his own succes- 
sor, and ii the present circuit judge. Rob- 
ert G. Reiniger was born in Seneca 
Co., Ohio, April 12, 183.5, the son of Gus- 
tavus Reiniger, a farmer, who still lives 
in Robert's native county. Robert pre- 



pared for college at Tiffin, near his I ome; 
entered Heidelberg College, in that city, 
in 1853; pursued miscellaneous studies 
for three years, reading law at the same 
time, and was« admitted to the bar at that 
place in September, 1856. In March, 1857, 
he came west and located at Charles City, 
where he still lives. In May, 1861, Mr. 
Reiniger enlisted in the State service in 
one of the first companies formed in the 
Cedar Valley ; but the regiment it was 
designed for was full, and not until the 
July following did he get into the United 
States service, going out as first lienten- 
ant of company B, 7th Iowa Infantry. He 
was promoted to captain in the spring of 
1863, and served until October, 1864. Re- 
turning to Charles City, he resumed his 
professional labors. On the 10th of Octo- 
ber, 1870, he was commissiond circuit 
judge, and was elected and re-elected in 
187 1, 1872, 1876 and 1880. As a jurist, 
he is cautious, conscientious and candid ; 
has his prejudices, like other men, but 
lays them aside on the bench, and is im- 
partial in his decisions. 

COUNTY COURT. 

By an act of the General Assembly, 
passed in 1851, county courts were estab- 
lished and the office of county judge was 
created. By the same act the oflice of 
probate judge was abolished, as were the 
offices of county commissioners ; the 
duties of commissioners and probate judge 
devolving upon the county judge. The 
county of Cerro Gordo, not being organ- 
ized until 1855, had no probate judge or 
county commissioners. The first county 
judge was John B. Long, one of the first 
settlers in the region of Mason City. His 
successors were J. S. Church, George Ver- 



•^ 



^5 



6iiS 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



milya, Marcus Tuttle, Elisha Randall, W. 
E. Thompson and George E. Frost. In 
1861 the office of county supervisor was 
created, relieving the county judge of 
much of the business which had previous- 



ly devolved upon him. In the chapter 
devoted to National, State and county 
representation, this office is treated in 
detail, and personal sketches of many of 
the judges will be found. 



CHAPTER VIM. 



THE BAR OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



There is no subject connected with the 
history of the county of more general in- 
terest than a faithful record of its bar. 
In reviewing the history of the bar it 
must be borne in mind that as the pros 
perity and well-being of every community 
depends upon the wise interpretations as 
well as the judieions framing of its laws, 
therefore it must follow that a record of 
the members of the bar must form no un- 
important part in the county's history. 
Upon a few principles of natural justice 
is erected the whole superstructure of 
civil law, tending to meet the desires and 
relieve the wants of all alike. The busi- 
ness of the lawyer is not to make the laws, 
but to apply them to the daily affairs of 
men. But the interests of men are diver- 
sified, and where so many interests and 
counter-interests are to be protected and 
adjusted, to the lawyer and judge are 
presented many interesting and complex 
problems. 

Change is everywhere imminent. The 
laws of yesterday do not meet the wants 
and necessities of the people of to-day, 
for the old relations do not exist. New 
and satisfactory laws must be estab- 
lished. The discoveries in the arts and 



sciences, the invention of new contriv- 
I ances for labor, the enlargment of indus- 
trial pursuits, and tlie increase and 
development of commerce, are without 
precedence, and the science of law must 
keep pace with them all; nay, it must 
even forecast the event, and so frame its 
laws as will most adequately subserve the 
wants and provide for the necessities of 
the new conditions. Hence, the lawyer 
is the man of to-day. The exigencies he 
must meet are those of his own time. As 
has often been said, his capital is his 
ability and individuality. 

Anthony Thornton, president of the 
Illinois State Bar Association, in 1878, in 
an old address before the Association, 
thus speaks of the lawyer: 

"In the American State, the great and 
good lawyer must always be prominent, 
for he is one of the forces which move 
and control society. Public confidence 
has generally been reposed in the legal 
profession. It has ever been the defender 
of popular rights, the champion of free- 
dom, regulated by law, the firm support 
of good government. In times of danger 
i it has stood like a rock and breasted the 



^; 



r 



M«- 



i^ 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



629 



mad passions of the hour, and firmly re- 
sisted tumult and faction. No political 
preferment, no mere place, can add to the 
power, or increase the honor, which be- 
long to the pure and educated lawyer. 
The fame of Mansfield, and Marshall, 
and Story, can never die. 'Time's iron 
feet can print no ruin trace, upon their 
character. Their learning and luminous 
exposition of our jurisprudence will al- 
ways light our pathway. It is our duty 
to preserve the prestage of the profession. 
The past, at least, is secure; the present 
and future summon us to action. With 
the progress of society, and the increase 
of population, wealth and trade, varied 
interests arise, and novel questions re- 
quiring more thought confront us. A 
disregard of the law has been developed, 
crime meets us unabashed, and corruption 
stands unmasked in the high places of the 
land. It is no fancy picture that law has, 
to some extent, lost its authority, and it 
is only the shade of that which is great. 
Hence new duties are imposed and a 
firmer courage is required. * * * 

The exaltation is a duty enjoined upon 
us. It is a debt that only death can dis- 
charge. Lord Bacon has said: 'Every 
man is a debtor to his profession; from 
the which, as men of course do seek to 
receive countenance and profit, so 
ought they of duty to endeavor them- 
selves, by ways of amends, to be a help 
and ornament thereto.' Every lawyer is 
a debtor to his profession. If worthy, it 
gives him an honorable character and 
position. The lawyer should prize and 
love his profession. He should value its 
past renown and cherish the memory of 
great men, whose gigantic shadows walk 



by us still. He should love it for the in- 
trisic worth and innate truth of the funda- 
mental truths which adorn it." 

The bar of Cen-o CTordo county has 
numbered among its members many who 
have been an honor, not only to the county 
but to the State, and the profession as well. 
In this chapter, so far as material was ac- 
cessible, sketches are given of each attor- 
ney who has practiced before the courts 
of the county. None are omitted inten- 
tionally, and of some, more would gladly 
have been said if material could have been 
obtained. The peculiarities and person- 
alities which form so pleasing and inter- 
esting a part of the lives of the members 
of the bar, and which, indeed, constitute 
.the charm of local history, are in a great 
measure wanting. 

THE BAR OF THE PAST. 

Among those who have been resident 
lawyers, and practiced before the courts 
of Cerro Gordo county, who have either 
died, quit practice or moved away, are 
remembered the following: Thomas Drum- 
mond, J. S. Church, John Porter, J. W. 
Murphy, George and B. F. Hart.shorn, J. 
K. Boyd, H. B. Gray, W. Scott Johnson, 
Dr. W. C. Stanbery, I. W. Card, N. P. 
Merrill, J. R. Gage, Edwin Flint, Charles 
Husted, Charles McKenzie, Frank M. 
Goodykoontz, D. T. Gibson, Judge Ban- 
croft, Preston Brothers, E. W. Whittlesey, 
E. S. Wheeler, A. B. Tuttle, James Crow, 
Nathan Bass, Alexander Campbell, J. H. 
McConlogue and J. H. Briden. 

The first lawyer to locate in Cerro Gordo 
county, was Thomas Drummond. He was 
a native of Virginia, but came here from 
Vinton, in 1855, with Capt. A. B. Miller. 
They formed a partnership and engaged 






JV]Q 



-9 K*- 



630 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



in the law and real estate business; Mr. 
Drummond being the legal branch of the 
firm. Drummond was a typical Virginian, 
hot-blooded, of nervous temperament, and 
never held anything back in consideration 
of other's feelings, but always said what 
he thought should be said and let conse- 
quences take care of themselves. He was 
a fair lawyer, and a good speaker. He 
remained here until 185*7, when he re- 
turned to Vinton and there engaged in 
practicing law and editing a newspaper. 
He represented his district in the State 
Senate, in 1860, and when the war broke 
out resigned to enlist, and was killed while 
in the service. 

Jarvis S. Church located at Masonic 
Grove, Cerro Gordo county, in 1855. He 
was born in Spring Creek township, Craw- 
ford Co., Penn., April 2, 1830. His early 
education was received in the public 
schools, and was supplemented by courses 
at the Albion Academy, Pennsylvania, 
Kingsville, Ohio, Academy and Oberlin 
College. In April, 1855, he left Pennsyl- 
vania for Waterloo, Iowa, and commenced 
the study of law with Judge Randall, re- 
maining until the fall, when he came to 
Cerro Gordo county. In August, 1856, 
Mr. Church was elected prosecuting attor- 
ney of Cerro Gordo county. In the latter 
part of August, Mr. Church was admitted 
to the bar by the district court for Black 
Hawk county, and at once engaged in 
active practice. In November, 1856, 
county judge, John P. Long, was sus- 
pended from performing the duties of his 
office, and Mr. Church became acting 
judge, holding his first term of court on 
the 3d of December, 1856. He was elected 
to the county judgeship in August, 1857, 



and remained in office until Jan. 1, 1860. 
In 1861 he was appointed enrolling officer 
for Cerro Gordo and Worth counties, and 
so successful was he in this capacity, 
that not one person in either county was 
drafted. In 1864 Mr. Church was elected 
to the office of county superintendent, and 
served until May, 1866, when he removed 
from the county, going to southern Ne- 
braska, where he has since lived. 

John Porter located at Mason City and 
began the practice of law in 1856. He 
was born in Washington Co., Penn., 
April U, 1828. His early life was spent 
in milling and farming during the summer 
seasons, and in attending the common 
schools in the winter. At the age of 
eighteen he commenced teaching district 
school, and for three years his time was 
passed alternately in teaching and attend- 
ing school to perfect himself in the higher 
branches. He then entered the office of 
Todd, Hoffman & Hutchins, Warren, Ohio, 
where he read law some years. In 1854, 
on his admission to the bar, be located at 
Plymouth, Ind., where he remained two 
years and then removed to Mason City, 
Cerro Gordo Co., Iowa. He soon took 
high rank as a lawyer and obtained a 
good practice for that day. In 1858 he 
was elected judge of the eleventh district, 
and soon afterward moved to Hardin 
county. 

J. W. Murphy located at Mason City in 
185V, coming from Pennsylvania. He had 
but little practice, and left after trying it 
for three or four months. He was a mar- 
ried man; a first-rate fellow, and had the 
appearance of a man who would be a 
success under favorable circumstances. 



V 






HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



631 



George and B. F. Hartshorn, father and 
son, located at Mason City in 1858 and 
George, the old gentleman, opened a law 
office. B. F. Hartshorn was admitted 'm 
the bar a few years later and the two went 
into partnership. They were both promi- 
nent men here, and held ihe respect of 
the whole community. B. F. Hartshorn 
represented this district in the General 
Assembly at one time. 

J. K. Boyd located at Mason City in 
185S and began the practice of law. He 
was about fifty years old, had a fam- 
ily, and had been in practice prior to com- 
ing here. He left the county about 1862. 
He was a first-rate lawyer for those days 
and received his share of the patronage. 

In 1859 H. B. Gray came from Madi- 
son, Wis., and located at Mason City. 
He was a single man and first came here 
as a lecturer on phrenology, but decided 
to locate and follow his profession. He 
was small in stature, full of energy and 
very popular. He was elected the second 
clerk of court of the county. He was 
actively engaged in practice, except while 
serving in an official capacity, until the 
time df his death. His sister was also quite 
an intellectual lady, and wrote many poems 
for the county press under the name of 
"Kittle Clyde." She died here in 1S65. 

W. Scott Johnson was a lawyer, civil 
engineer and teacher, who located at 
Mason City in 1858. He never devoted 
any time to the practice of law. He was 
a smart fellow, well educated, and was 
well liked. He left a number of years 
ago. 

Dr. William C. Stanbery located at 
Clear Lake, in May, 1858, and began the 
practice of medicine. In 1859 he was 



admitted to the bar, and shortly afterward 
became a partner of Hon. I. W. Card in 
the practice of law. He afterwards loca- 
ted at Mason City, and during his life- 
time was an active and prominent worker 
in all public movements. 

One of the most prominent and able 
attorneys who has honored the bar of 
Cerro Gordo county, as well as northern 
Iowa, is Hon. Irving W. Card. A few 
years ago he retired from active practice 
and is now postmaster at Mason City. 

Hon. Irving W. Card is a/ native of 
Ohio, born in Deerfield, Portage countv, 
on the 19th of May, 1834. His parents 
were Silas and Mary (Gibbs) Card. His 
father was a physician, a very excellent 
man, who died at Mason City, Iowa, in 
March, 1874. His widow is still living in 
Mason City. Until about nineteen years 
of age, Irving spent most of his time at 
school, concluding his literary studies in 
an academy at Lima, Ohio. The family 
moved to Vinton, Iowa, in the autumn of 
18.? 4, and the next spring the son engaged 
in surveying, removing, however, soon 
after to Mason City, Ceiro (-Jordo county, 
where he continued this business. Two 
years later he went to ( harles City, 
Floyd county, and studied law with 
G. G. and R. G. Reiniger being ad- 
mitted to the bar in 1859. Hte formed a 
partnership with the Reinigers, and prac- 
ticed in Charles City until 1861. In Feb- 
ruary of the next year, Mr. Card returned 
to Mason City, and there remained. Part of 
the time in connection with the practice 
of law he carried on real estate business. 
The firm of Card & Stanbery, and later 
that of Card & Miller, were extensive, 
both in the practice of law and in land 



-r^i^r- 






632 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



i 



operations They were known far and 
wide, alike for the extent of their business 
and their honorable method of transact- 
ing it. Owing to ill health, Mr. Card re- 
tired from business in 1873, and was sub- 
sequently appointed postmaster of Mason 
City, During the years of 1863 and 1864, 
Mr. Card was deputy provost marshall for 
the sixth congressional district, taking 
charge of the enlisted troops, and looking 
after deserters. In the latter business he 
was very expert, making a record well 
known and remembered in northern Iowa. 
Mr. Card was elected district attorney for 
the twelfth judicial district in 1868, and 
served until just before the close of the 
four years. On sending in his resigna- 
tion to Gov. Carpenter, he received the 
following reply, dated at Des Moines on 
the 31st of August, 1872: 

Hon. I. W. Card, 

Dear Sir: — Tour resignation of tlie of- 
fice of district attornej', for tlie twelfth judicial 
district, came to hand yesterday. 

In compliance with .your request, I accept 
your resignation, and in doing so you will per- 
mit me to express my regret that you are im- 
pelled to take this step. Your faithful service 
to the State has been a credit to the judiciary 
and an honor to yourself. In view of your val- 
uable experience, which in addition to acknowl- 
edged legal ability, fits you better than any 
other man for the difficult and important duties 
of public f)roseculor, I cannot but regret the 
responsibility it will devolve on me of naming a 
successor. With the best of wishes for your 
future success and happiness, I am 
Your Friend, 

C. C. Carpenter. 

This letter properly characterizes his 
official career. In 1870 Mr. Card was a 
candidate for district judge, and led the 
convention for 366 ballots and was de- 
feated on the next ballot, by one and 



three-fifths of a vote, Hon. G. W. Ruddick 
of Waverly, being the successful candi- 
date. Such a number of ballots for 
one candidate, is almost unprecedented in 
the history of American politics. Mr. Card 
has always been an active republican. In 
1872 he was one of the delegates at large 
from Iowa to the republican National con- 
vention. He is a mason and has occupied 
the chair both in the lodge and chapter. 
On the 12th of August, 1860, he was mar- 
ried to Jennie C.Jackson, of Charles City. 
They have had one child, which died in 
infancy. Mr. Card was one of the lead- 
ers in bringing the Iowa branch of the 
Milwaukee and St. Paul railroad, to Mason 
City, is a very influential and public spir- 
ited man, and has done as much, probably, 
to build up the home of his adoption, as 
any resident of the place. His moral 
character is excellent, and he has the high- 
est respect of his fellow citizens. 

N. P. Merrill came to Mason City from 
Illinois, a few years after the close of the 
war, and began the practice of law. He 
was a graduate of Ann Arbor, and a good 
lawyer in some respects. He remained 
for about two years, then left, and' after- 
ward returned, and engaged in publishing 
a paper for a short time prior to his final 
leaving. 

In 1868 Capt. G. R. Miller and J. R. 
Gage, located at Mason City. The former 
is still engaged in practice. 

J. R. Gage came from Pennsylvania. 
He was a single man when he came, and 
read law and entered into partnership with 
Capt. G. R. Miller. He remained here 
until January, 1873, when he left for 
Michigan. He was married in that State 
and then returned to Iowa, locating at 



fj<s 



?L^ 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



633 



Nevada, Story county, and a year and a 
half later at Des Moines. For several 
years he practiced there, and finally re- 
moved to Stillwater, Minn., where he still 
lives. While at Mason City, Mr. Gage 
did not take a very prominent part in legal 
matters; he had just been admitted to the 
bar; had no experience and so but little 
practice. But he was a good student, and 
has since worked his way well up among 
the best lawyers of Minnesota. 

Hon. Edwin Flint settled at Mason 
City in 1869, when he entered into a part- 
nership with B. F. Hartshorn, forming the 
law firm of Hartshorn & Flint. He was 
born in Braintree, Orange Co., Vt., on the 
2.5th of May, 1814. He is son of Phineas 
and Abigail (Weld) Flint, of Vermont, 
who were the parents of seven children, 
five of whom are still living. His father 
w.a'.! a farmer and died in 1820. His 
mother died in Mason City, in 1874. Mr. 
Flint remained on his father's farm until 
he was thirteen years old, and the follow- 
ing year he went to Windsor, where he 
passed a year in the office of the Vermont 
Chronicle. He went thence to Burling- 
ton, whore he was employed by Chauncej 
Goodrich, a book publisher of that city. 
He there prepared for college, paying his 
way in the printing office. He was ma- 
triculated at the Vermont University at 
Burlington, in 1883, and was graduated 
in 1S36. Soon after that event he went 
south and became a teacher in Virginia, 
Kentucky and Tennessee. In 1840 he 
was admitted to the bar at La Fayette, 
Ind., and, after a brief time, went to Jack- 
son, Mich., where he began the practice 
of his profession, remaining there until 
1841, when he became impaired in health 



and returned south. In 1848 he went to 
Fond Du Lac, Wis., and entered fully into 
the practice of law. He went to La Crosse 
iu 1851, and in 1852 was elected district 
attorney, and in the same year chairman 
of the board of supervisors. In 1861 he 
was elected State Senator from the La 
Crosse district. In 1862 he was elected 
circuit judge of thH sixth judicial district 
of Wisconsin, which post he filled with 
honor six years. In 1876 he retired from 
the practice of the law. 

Charles Husted located at Mason City 
in 1869 and began the practice of law. 
He at first opened an office alone, but 
afterward became a partner of John Clig- 
gett. He remained for about four years 
when he went to Manchester, Iowa, and 
afterward to the Indian Territory. 

Charles McKenzie became a member of 
the Cerro Gordo county bar, by locating 
at Mason City about the same time as 
Husted. He came here from Dubuque, 
where his father and brother were among 
the most prominent business men. He re- 
mained at Mason City, engaged in practice, 
for several years, wlien he moved to Sioux 
City, and from there to Dunlap, Iowa, 
where he still lives. Charles McKenzie 
was both naturally and by education a 
smart fellow. He was well posted in law 
and upon almost all subjects, and had a 
most retentive memory. He was a brill- 
iant speaker, and popular among all 
classes. 

Frank M. Goodykoontz located at Ma- 
son City in 1869, and opened a law office. 
He grew to be one of the most powerful 
criminal lawyers in the State. His prac- 
tice grew to be immense, extending all 
over the district. In 1879 he was elected 



53 



f— «' 



^. 



.t 



634 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



to the State Senate, but resigned after at- 
tending one session, and H. G. Parker 
was elected as his successor. In 1882 Mr. 
Goodykoontz moved to Dakota, where he 
has already attained prominence in politi- 
cal and legal circles. 

In the spring of 1870, D. G. Gibson lo- 
cated at Mason City, and opened a law 
office, tie was born in Chautauqua Co., 
N. Y., in May, 1844. His early life 
was spent in his native county, where he 
received an academic education and for 
some lime was taught by a private teach- 
er. When about eighteen years of age, 
liaviiig developed a taste for the legal 
profession, he entered the law office of 
Ileiny R. Mygatt, of Oxford, for the pur- 
pose of daing liiniself for the pr;icice of 
law. Sub-iequently lie emigrated to V\ is- 
consin, where he was admitted to the bar 
in 1868. He followed his profession in 
\ladison until the spring of 1870, when he 
came to Mason City. In 1872 he removed 
to Waverly, Iowa, where he still lives. 
He is now of the firm of Gibson & Daw- 
son, the leading law firm of Bremer 
county. 

Judge Bancroft located at Mason City in 
1S7 I , and became a law partner of Charles 
llusted. He only remained here for 
about one year. He was a good lawyer 
and an intelligent man. 

The Preston brothers came from Rock- 
ford, Iowa, about 1874 and established a law 
and land office in Mason City. After tiy- 
ins their fortunes here for about one and 
a half years they left. One of them is 
now at Mitchell, D. T. They were men of 
good natural and acquired ability, but did 
not succeed in getting enough practice to 
develop their worth. 



E. W. Whittlesey came from Illinois, 
and, in 1876, located at Mason City, opened 
a law office, and afterwards became a part- 
ner of D. W. Telford. He remained here 
for a few years and then located at Clear 
Lake. He is now in Dakota. 

E. S. Wheeler was born in Oregon, 
Ogle Co., III., April 5, 1858. His parents 
were E. R. and Harriet (St^ewart) Wheeler. 
His mother was an early settler of VVin- 
nebago county, and his father was a pio 
neer of Ogle county. In Ogle county Mr. 
Wheeler, Sr., engaged in trade, going 
thence to Rockford, 111., and later to Clii- 
cngo, where he died Oct. 14, 1871. Mr. 
Wheeler, of tliis sketch, was educrted at 
llockford Academy. In 1875 he entered 
the office of .McDavid & Kniglit, Chicago, 
going to Union Law College of Chicago, 
in 1876, where he graduated in 1878. In 
October of that year he came to Nora 
Springs, Floyd county, and began the 
practice of his profession. He came to 
Mason City in 18.^0, and tlie law firm of 
Goodykoontz, Blyihe & Wheeler was es- 
tablished. This relation was a brief one, 
and in October, 1881, Mr Wheeler entered 
into partnership with M. S. Schermer- 
horn, which was dissolved in the spring of 
1882. Mr. Wheeler returned to Nora 
Springs and embarked in a banking enter- 
prise. He was married in the fail of 1879 
to Chloe I., daughter of Hon. W. P. Gay- 
lord, of Floyd county. They have two 
sons — Edwin G. and Arthur R. Mr. 
Wheeler belongs to the I. O. O. F. and 
Patriarchal Circle. 

A. B. Tuttle was the first lawyer to lo- 
cate at Clear Lake. He remained in prac- 
tice there for a number of years, when he 



e) - 



19 



— t. 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



635 



removed to Mason City, where he still 
lives. 

James Crow was the second lawyer to 
locate at Clear Lake. He was the sur- 
veyor who laid out the town and erected 
the first house of any dimensions there. 
He had been admitted to the bar and 
began practice shortly after his arrival 
from Vinton, in 1857. He remained there 
for four or five years, when he went to 
Hancock county, and later to Nebraska. 
He was married and had his family with 
him. He was a man of good natural abil- 
ity, and a very fair lawyer, but hardly met 
with the success he deserved. 

Nathan Bass was a member of the 
Cerro Gordo county bar for several years, 
located at Clear Lake. He went to Kansas^. 
M. P. Rosecrans came here originally 
in 1857, but came to permanently locate 
in 1866. He at once began the practice 
of law in which he is still engaged. 

Ale.xander Campbell came to Clear 
Lake from Wisconsin in 1869, and became 
a law partner of M. P. Rosecrans. He was 
afterwards postmaster at Clear Lake. He 
remained here until 1876, and after trying 
several places has finally located at Taco- 
na, W. T., where he is still engaged in 
practice. He was a man of good ability 
and met with success at the bar. 

P. J. Dougherty was the first lawyer to 
locate at Rockwell. He is now a resident 
of Mason City, still pursuing his profes- 
sion. 

J. H. McConlogue was the second law- 
yer to locate at Rockwell. He has lived 
in the township since boyhood, and at- 
tended the State University, graduating 
from the law department of that institu- 
tion in 1882. 



J. H. Briden was admitted to the bar in 
Cerro Gordo county in 1879, and began 
the practice of law at Plymouth, also en- 
gaging in the newspaper business. He 
was one of the poor New York boys who 
had been sent out in the prairie countiT 
to grow up. He was full of energy, an 
untiring woiker, and soon gained an edu- 
cation. He was naturally sniart, and with 
his other good traits will probably make 
his mark in life. He is now in Dakota. 

THE PRESENT BAR. 

In 1883 the bar of Cerro Gordo county 
embraced the following gentlemen and 
firms : Capt. G. R. Miller, John Clig- 
itt, Morris Cligitt, P. J. Dougherty, 
M. S. Schermerhorn, Stanbery & Clark, 
Blythe & Markley, Glass & Hughes, Wil- 
bur & Sherwin,A. H. Cummings, F. J. 
Bush, David Hurn, J. L. Lee, J. C. 
Adams, M. P. Rosecrans, George E. Frost 
and J. H. Conlogue. 

John S. Stanbery, of the firm of Stan- 
bery & Clark, attorneys came to Cerro 
Goi do county in 1858. His first occupa- 
tion was teaching, which he pursued here 
and in Hancock county for a number of 
years. He went into his father's office in 
1866, and, in the following year, began 
reading for his profession. In the spring 
of 1868 he attended the law department 
of the Iowa State University, and was 
graduated in 1869. He has since been 
engaged in the practice of his profession, 
and in 1871 formed a connection with D. 
T. Gibson, now of Waverly, which con- 
tinued until 1873. In 187-1 he formed his 
present business relation with J. J. Clark. 
Mr. Stanbery was married June 29, 1873, 
to Laura J. Ives, born in Mt. Holly, Rut- 
land Co., Vt. She died Aug. 19, 1875. 



nf^ 



^ 



636 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



He was ra.ai'ried again in October, 1876, 
to Martha A. Waldo, a graduate of Mil- 
ton Academy, Wisconsin. She came to 
Mason City in 1870, and was employed as 
teacher in the high school. They have 
two children — Anna W. and Ralph S. 
Mr. Stanbery was born in Mercer Co., 
Ohio, Sept. 2S, 1846. He is a republican 
in political sentiment, and belongs to the 
Knights of Pythias and the Masonic 
fraternity. 

Captain George R. Miller, one of the 
old settlers of Iowa and at present a resi- 
dent of Mas n City, was born in Craw- 
ford Co., Penn., Jan. 21, 1831. His par- 
ents, Abram and Nancy (Ross) Miller, 
both now -deceased, were among the first 
settlers of the county in which the subject 
of this sketch was born. Mr Miller emi- 
grated to the State of Iowa and settled in 
Allamakee county in October, 1856. At 
the age of fifteen he was apprenticed to 
learn ihe tailors trade and served his full 
time, three years, in the town of Smithfield, 
Penn. During the time he was working 
at his trade, by improving his leisure 
hours, he prepared himself to teach, and 
on the expiration of his time, commenced 
teaching in Erie Co., Penn., and taught for 
eight years in the public schools until he 
came west. At the age of twenty-six 
years he commenced the study of law, 
was admitted to practice at Lansing, Alla- 
makee county, in 1859, and continued lo 
practice law in that county until 1868, at 
which time he removed to Mason C'ity, 
Cerro Gordo county. For six yearsthere- 
iifter he was the law partner of Hon. I. 
W. Card. The firm is now Miller & Cli- 
gitt and has a high standing in northern 
Iowa. In 1861 Mr. Miller received a 



lieutenant's commission from Adjutant 
General Baker and recruited for the 1st 
Iowa Cavalry, and the 5th and 12th Iowa 
Infantry. The next year he recruited 
company I, 27th Iowa Infantry and went 
into the service as captain, serving until 
June, 1863, when his health became so 
poor from long continued sickness and 
exposure, that he was discharged from 
service. He represented Allamakee coun- 
ty as a member of the twelfth General 
Assembly, being in the lower house. He 
has been quite active in politics since he 
became a resident of Iowa, and was a dele- 
gate to the National democratic conven- 
tion in 1876, at St. Louis. He has occu 
pied many stations of trust and responsi- 
bility of minor importance ; was presi- 
dent of the Cerro Gordo County Agricul- 
tural Society for four years ; president of 
the board of trade, Mason City ; is now 
serving his third term on the board of 
education in Mason City as president ; 
and is grand master of the order of 
United Workmen for Iowa. In June, 
1853, he married Mary E. Burcliinal, of 
Fayette Co., Penn. They have five chil- 
dren, all born in Iowa. The eldest, R. J. 
Miller, late principal of schools at Rock- 
well, Iowa, is twenty-four years of age ; 
Ella (Miller) Loring, wife of H. P. Lor- 
iiig, twenty-three years old; Thomas B., 
principal of schools at Plymouth, twenty- 
one years old ; Will E., eighteen years of 
age, and Lulu May, twelve years old. Mr. 
Miller has a liberal education, obtained 
through his own exertions without assist- 
ance, save diligence and perseverance. 
He has been successful in his profession ; 
is, and always has been, identified with 
whatever is calculated to promote the 



^•" '•A'y 



- — A^ 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



637 



best interests of society, and may be said 
to be one of the live men of nortliern 
Iowa. In religion, Mr. Miller is a Bap- 
tist; is a prominent member of the Masonic 
fraternity and an Odd Fellow since 1 852. 

John Cligilt, junior ]iartner of the law 
firn of Miller & Cligitt, Mason City 
was born in Rensselaer Co., N. Y., Aug. 
25, 1840. He came to Mason City, Iowa, 
in 1871, where he has since lived, en- 
gaged in the practice of law. Soon after 
his birth his parents moved to Burlington, 
Vt., residing there until the spring of 
18.50, at which time they settled in Ken- 
dall Co., 111., where John was brought up 
on a' farm, receiving a common school 
education. He afterwards divided his 
time for some years between farm work, 
teaching school and reading law. He 
attended the Chicago law school and re- 
ceived his Hrst certiticate of admission to 
the bar, from the Supreme Court of Illi 
nois, in the spring of 1869. Coming to 
Iowa without financial means and wholly 
unaquainted, he had his fuU share of 
difficulties to contend with. But with 
good health and persevering efforts he has 
successfully established himself in the 
legal profession. In the spring of 1881 
he was elected mayor of Mason City, in 
which office he is now serving his fourth 
term. He is a law partner of Hon. G. R. 
Miller and is one of the rising men of the 
State. 

R. Wilbur, of the firm of Wilbur & 
Sherwin, Mason City, came to Cerro 
Gordo county in 1871, and has since been 
actively engaged at his profession. 

Mr. Sherwin, junior Tneniber of the firm 
of Wilbur & Sherwin, is a self-made man, 
has acquired a good legal education and 



is to-day among the most prominent law- 
yers in Cerro Gordo county. 

John I). Glass, of the firm of Glass & 
Hughes, became a resident at Mason City 
in 1871, and in 1875 formed a partnership 
with C. H. Hughes. Mr. Glass was born 
in Monroe Co., Ohio, Nov. 3, 1845. He 
received a good common school training, 
supplemented by a course of academic 
study. In 1870 he was graduated at the Law 
Department of the Iowa State University 
and in the fall of the same year he went 
to West Union, where he began the prac- 
tice of law. In 1 878 he was elected mayor 
of Mason City. In 1882 the county pre- 
sented his name for member of Congress 
from his .district . Mr. Glass was married 
in January. 1871, to Alice, daughter of 
James Remley, of Johnson Co., Iowa. 
She is a graduate of the Academic Depart- 
ment of the Iowa State University. They 
have one child — Eva. In August, 1883, 
Mr. Glass was nominated as republican 
candidate for Senator from the forty, 
third senatorial district of Iowa, and 
tlie campaign opens with the best of pros" 
pects for his election. 

J. J. Clark, junior member of the law 
firm of Stanbery <fc Clark, located at Mason 
City in 1874, and formed conjointly with 
J. S. Stanbery, the relation represented by 
the above named style. 

Mr. Clark was born in Madison Co.,Ky., 
Oct. 30, 1851. His father, James W. 
Clark, was a Presbyterian prencher and 
was, during his life, twice a delegate to 
the Presbyterian, General Assembly. His 
mother, Martha (Embray) Clark, was born 
in Kentucky where her father was a set- 
tler cotemporaneously with Daniel Boone 
and her relatives intermarried with those 



~*t^ 



yt 



638 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



of Henry Clay. They were both of Scotch- 
Irish descent. They removed to Saline 
Co., Mo., not far from Le.xington, when 
Mr. Clark was three years old, the place 
where Col. Mulligan surrendered to (-Jen. 
Price. In 1865 they went to Nebraska 
City, and in 1866 Mr. Clark went to Cla- 
rinda, Iowa. He attended the law de- 
partment of Iowa State University, and 
was graduated in 1873, and was one of 
the ten who received commencement 
honors. He was married in September, 
1875, to Ida B., daughter of Rev. W. A. 
Chambers, a Methodist clergyman. Mr. 
and Mrs. Clark have had three children, two 
of whom are living — Edie W. and Fred- 
erick J. The family are members of the 
Methodist Church. 

A. H. Cummings was born in Newport 
Vt., Feb. 17, 1850. His parents were 
Lorenzo and S. (Sylos) Cummings. There 
were three sons and three daughters in 
the family. The subject of this sketch 
was raised on a farm, securing an aca- 
demic education, also spending a year 
at Dartmouth College. He then entered a 
law office at Newport, where he spent 
one year. In 1871 he came to Mason 
City and entered the law office of Stanbery 
& Gibson, and tli.e following fall was ad- 
mitted to the bar. Since March, 1873, he 
has practiced law. In 1873 he was mar- 
ried in Newport to Idella Blake, a daugh- 
ter of William Blake. Two children — 
Jane and Albert have blessed this union. 
Mr. Cummings is a membi^r of the A. O. 
U. W. and also of the Odd Fellows order 
and K. of P. 

C. H. Hughes, of the firm of Glass & 
Hughes, attorneys, came to Mason City 
in the fall of 1875, and soon after formed 



his present business relation. He was 
born in Lee Co., Iowa, Jan. 14, 1851. His 
parents, H. W. and Anna (Hillis) Hughes, 
came from Pennsylvania to Lee county 
in 1840, when Iowa was a territory. There 
the senior Hughes took up land and im- 
proved a farm, where he still resides. 
Mr. Hughes, of this sketch, was brought 
up on his father's farm, and was well ed- 
ucated. In 1872 he began to read law 
in the oflice of Judge Beck, of Fort Madi- 
son, Iowa, where he remained two years. 
In 1874 he attended the law department 
ot the Iowa State University and grad- 
uated in the class of 1875. Mr. Hughes 
was married in the fall of 1877 to Minnie 
E., daughter of A. B. Tuttle. She was 
born in Clear Lake township in 1855. 
They have a son —Allen L. Mr. and Mrs. 
Hughes belong to the Baptist Church. 

James E. Blythe, senior member of the 
law firm of Blythe & Markley, of Mason 
City, was born in Cranberry, N. J., Jan. 20, 
1855. His parents settled in Jefferson Co., 
Ind., when he was two years old. There 
he grew up and received the benefit of the 
common schools. He entered Hanover 
College in 1870, from which he grad- 
uated in 1877. He came to Mason City 
in August of that year, and began the 
study of law in the office of Goodykoontz 
& Wilbur. He was admitted to the bar 
the following year, and formed a partner- 
ship with the senior member of the firm 
where he studied law. In September, 
1880, the firm became Goodykoontz, 
Blythe & Wheeler. This relation was of 
brief duration. In September, 1881, the 
firm became Goodykoontz, Blythe & 

Markley. The senior member withdrew 
after a short time. The firm is adjudged 
one of the strongest and ablest law firms 



-^fv 



\|a- 



HISTOKY OF CERBO GORDO COUNTY. 



639 



ia Cerro Gordo county and is doing a 
heavy business. Mr. Blythe was married 
in June, 1881, to Grace B., daughter of J. 
15 Smith, of Queensville, Ind. They have 
one child — Maud A. 

J. E. E. Markley, of the law firm of 
Blythe & Markley, was born in Knox Co., 
Ohio, April 2, 1857. His parents, James 
M. and Catherine (Ankeny) Markley, re- 
moved to Ohio in 1810, being pioneers of 
that State. They removed to Black Hawk 
Co., Iowa, in 1866, where the father died 
in 1872; the mother is still living at Cedar 
Falls. Mr. Markley was raised on a farm, 
and spent three years in study at Cornell 
College. In 1877 and 1878 he was a stu- 
dent in the law department of the Iowa 
State University, where he graduated 
in the class of 1878. After his college 
days he passed three years in Marshall- 
town, Iowa, in the office of Brown & Bin- 
ford. In September, 1881, he came to 
Mason City and formed a partnership with 
Goodykoontz & Blythe, a relation soon 
changed by the withdrawal of the senior 
partner. In politics he is a democrat, and 
is at present chairman of the democratic 
county central committee of the county. 

D. W. Telford, attorney, real estate and 
loan broker, is located in the postoffice 
building in Mason City, where he has been 
operating since Dec. 24, 1881. He 
was born in DeKalb Co., 111., Nov. 17, 
1851. His parents, Francis and Julia Ann 
(Sutton) Telford, were married in De 
Kalb county and there reared their family, 
three sons and two daughters. Mr.' Tel- 
ford is the eldest son. He was broughl 
up on a farm, went to the public schools 
and attended Madison University of Wis- 
consin. He entered the law office of 



Lowell, Kellum & Cames, afterward Low- 
ell <& Cames, at Sycamore, 111., in 1877, to 
read law. He was admitted to the bar in 
Illinois in 1879, and continued in the office 
until the fall of 1880. He has, by atten- 
tion to business, secured a considerable 
share of the legal business of the city and 
surrounding country. Mr. Telford was 
married in 1880 to Miss J. M Waterman, 
daughter of Lyman Waterman, of Syca- 
more, 111. They have one daughter — 
May Pearl. Mr. Telford belongs to the 
Knights of Pythias. 

M. S. Schermerhorn, an attorney and 
land agent of Mason C ity, was born in Ot- 
sego Co., N. Y., on the 5th of May, 1846. 
His parents are Jeremiah and Hannah 
(Swift) Schermerhorn, father of German 
and mother of English descent. His 
grandfather was a soldier of the war of 
1812. His parents married in Delaware 
Co., N. Y., and reared six children, four 
sons and two daughters, all of which are 
living. His father was a mill-wright by 
trade. In 1857, his father came west, 
traveling extensively over the State, his 
son, the subject of our sketch, coming 
with him. In 1858 he moved his family 
to McHenry Co., 111., settling at Galva, 
where he applied himself as contractor and 
builder. In 1860 he came to Delaware 
Co., Iowa; in 1876 to Floyd county, and 
is at present residing at Mason City. 
In politics he is a strong democrat. The 
subject of this sketch received his educa- 
tion in the acad'emy and high school. In 
1864, while in the city of Davenport, he 
was assistant cashier for the Mutual In- 
surance Company, and in the meantime 
read law in the office of Stewart & Arm- 
strong. In 1870 he came to Mason City, 



•V' 



Li. 



640 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



where he engaged in the mercantile busi- 
ness, in company with R. Babcoek, as 
Babcock & Co. In the fall of 1874 he 
was elected clerk of the courts and was re- 
elected in 1876, also again in 1878, serving 
six years. He was admitted to the bar in 
Franklin county in 1881. In October of 
the same year, he formed a co-partnership 
with E. S. VVheeler. In December, 1870, 
he was married to Cornelia M. Fitch, of 
Groton Mass. Of their three children, but 
one is now living — Susie. He is a mem- 
ber of the Masonic fraternity, also of the 
I. O. O. F. and United Workmen. 

M. P. Rosecrans was born in Delaware 
Co., Ohio, March 28, 1822. His parents 
were natives of Pennsylvania. He received 
a solid common school education and spent 
a year at Kenyon College, where he was a 
schoolmate of Rutherford B. Hayes, now 
ex President of the United States. Before 
he attained his majority, he served an ap- 
prenticeship as carpenter and builder, and 
worked at the trade some years. In 1841 
he went to Burlington, Iowa, then the 
capital of the territory. After a brief de- 
lay he proceeded to Washington county, 
then the extreme frontier of civilization. 
He returned the next year to Ohio, and in 
1844 was married to a lady of Pennsylva- 
niaorigin, Lucy A. Green. In 1849 he re- 
turned to Iowa with his family, locating at 
Sigourney, the county seat of Keokuk 
county, where he remained until 1855. 
In that year he fixed his residence at Al- 
den, Hardin coiyity, where he entered up- 
on the practice of law, and was the first at- 
torney at that place. He had fitted him- 
self for the duties of the profession amid 
the labors and cares of a life of more than 
ordinary activity. Two years later he 



went to Hancock county, and was regularly 
admitted to the bar at Eldora, Hardin 
county, Sept. 28, 1857. Having purchased 
a farm in Hancock county, he varied his 
professional duties with those peculiar to 
agriculture. In June, 1858, he was elected 
county judge, being the first incumbent of 
that office in the county where he resided, 
and during eight successive years contin- 
ued to discharge the duties of that posi- 
tion. Oct. 21, 1863, he was admitted to 
practice in the United States circuit 
court. Judge Love presiding. In 1866 he 
resigned his official position as judge of 
Hancock county and removed to Clear 
Lake, where he operated in general mer- 
chandise, purchasing the business interests 
of Tuttle & Goodwin, the sole establish- 
ment of the kind in the place. His trans- 
actions in trade covered a period of nearly 
two years. In the spring of 1872 he pur- 
chased the Cedar Lake Observer, and con- 
ducted that journal on independent princi- 
ples about six months. 'A notable fact 
connected with the experience of Judge 
Rosecrans as a journalist is, that the print- 
ing press used in publishing the Observer, 
was the one used by Lovejoy at Alton, 111., 
and which was thrown into the Mississip- 
pi river by a mob of Missourians, who, in 
this characteristic manner, essayed to en- 
force southern principles. Judge Rose- 
crans was, in early manhood, an adherent 
to the tenets of the democratic party, but 
wtien the integrity of the Union was as- 
sailed by the same element that destroyed 
Lovejby's press and attempted to throttle 
the inherent liberties of every soul north 
of dixie, there was with him but one issue, 
the United States, one and inseparable, 
and he hurled every influence and power 



"^TJs 



*^v^^ 



'■^^■^^s^. 







^^■;-4>>--^ ^ 



V^ ^ (V^ (34^-^^^^< 



•s, K- 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



6f! 



he possessed into the breach, devoting all 
hia energies to the Union cause. Since 
the close of that terrific struggle he has 
been entirely independent in political 
principles, believing it the duty of all men 
to base their actions and convictions on a 
conscientious understanding of public 
measures, and he has twice consented to 
become the standard bearer of a forlorn 
hope, acting under the promptings of an 
honest heart and a self-sacrificing nature. 
He has twice been a candidate for the leg- 
islature on the independent ticket. He is 
also liberal in religious views, holding as 
sacred the p ivilege of men to be bound 
by no creed that hampers freedom of 
opinion. Judge Rosecrans is too well 
known in Cerro Gordo county to need the 
tributes of a casual observer. But these 
records are made in the interests of com- 
ing generations, and it is incumbent upon 
the local historian to put his claims upon 
their grateful consideration in no uncer- 
tain terms. His life has been character- 
ized by honesty. His integrity is stain- 
less, and his record without a flaw. The 
versatility of his abilities has prevented his 
making a splendid career in a single di- 
rcetion, while his public spirit and devo- 
tion to general progress has precluded his 
giving much attention to individual emol- 
uments. The construction of forensic 
bodies and the manipulations of the shys- 
tering element of the day, interfere very 
nnterially with the success of such as 
recognize the claims of justice from in- 
nate principles based upon the higher 
law. Six, of seven children born to Judge 
Rosecrans, are living. Charles, eldest son, 
enlisted in the 32d Iowa Volunteer In- 
fantry, and died while in service at Wash- 



ington hospital, Memphis, Tenn.; Edgar 
J., second son, is acting sheriff of Cerro 
Gordo county; Juliet, eldest daughter, is 
now Mrs. G. G. Britchard; Alice C, is the 
wife of George F.McDoweli, M. D.; Flora 
is Mrs. Dr. Z. C. Green, lofjBelmond, 
Wright county; Harry M, is serving as 
deputy sheriff of this county; William, 
youngest son, is at Little Missouri, D. T. 
The judge now resides in Clear Lake, in a 
comfortable, pleasant home, the result of 
his own labor; owes no man in the wide 
world one cent, and has held the office of 
treasurer of the incorporate town of Clear 
Lake for ten years in succession without 
ipposition. 

George E. Frost, a prominent pioneer of 
Clear Lake, was born at Bridport, Addi- 
son Co., Vt, April 1, 1834. His parents, 
Levi and Mary E. Frost, removed to Can- 
ton, St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., when 
George was but three years old, and there 
he grew to manhood, the only child who 
survived to maturity. In 1854 the senior 
Frost removed again with his family to 
DeKalb Co., 111., and thence to a farm in 
Marble Rock, Floyd Co., Iowa, where Mr. 
Frost was engaged in agriculture and sur- 
veying. In 1860 the family came to Clear 
Lake, where the father died in 1 870 and 
the mother in 1871. Soon after his ar- 
rival at Clear Lake, Mr. Frost was ap- 
pointed surveyor of Cerro Gordo county, 
and held the position five years. He ex- 
changed his farm in Floyd county for a 
quarter section in Grant township, event- 
ually owning 1400 acres there, 320 of 
which he still holds. He has dealt exten- 
sively in land since his settlement, and is 
now the owner of nearly 2.000 acres in 



'Tl^ 



54 



r 



jj. 



•k 



644 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



the cCounty. One fine farm in his posses- 
sion lies just north of the village. In 
1870 he purchased the Clear Lake Observ- 
er, which he sold in \814 to Hon. M. I*. 
Hosecrans. On the discontinuation of the 
paper by the latter, Mr. Frost purchased 
a new press and revived its publication. 
He sold it in 1879 to F. J. Bush, who gave 
it the name of Clear Lake Mirror. In 
1880 Mr. Frost established the Clear Lake 
liecord, which he still publishes. He also 
manages a real estate office which he in- 
itiated in 1861. From 1865 to 1873 Mr. 
Frost acted as revenue colleitor. In 1874, 
associated with Marcus Tuttle, he institu- 
ted the Clear Lake Bank, his partner re- 
maining a single year. In 1877 he sold 
the interests of the bank to W. A. Bur- 
nap, re-purchasing in 1880. In 1868-9 he 
was county judge of Cerro Gordo, serving 
also as county auditor, and was conse- 
quently last county jadge and first county 
auditor of Cerro Gordo. From 1862 to 
1877 he acted as postmaster at Clear 
Lake, with the exception of two short in- 
tervals. Mr. Frost is a man of indomita- 
ble mental activity and energetic busi- 
ness habits, which he has applied to the 
progress of the place and generation in 
which he lives. His wife was Azubah, 
daughter of Thomas Duncan. The latter 
came from Mcllenry Co., 111., to Clear 
I^ake, where he died in 1871. Mr. and 
Mrs Frost have three children —Agnes, 
Mary and George E., Jr. 



J. L. Lee, of the firm of Lee & Adams, 
is a native of Ohio. He was born at To- 
ledo in August, 1852. In 1874 he en- 
tered upon the study of the law at Moul- 
ton, Appanoose Co., Iowa, of which place 
he had been a resident for a number of 
years. He was admitted to the bar in 
October, 1875, and had practiced about 
two years previous to his removal to Clear 
Lake in March, 1878. His wife was Lou- 
ella, daughter of Rev. Jacob Neal. She 
was born in Illinois. Mr. and Mrs. Lee 
have two children. Mr. Lee has now a 
lucrative practice and is one of the lead- 
ing attorneys of the county. He is pres- 
ident of the Iowa Vigilant Live Stock 
Mutual Insurance Company. 

J. W. Adams is a native of Ohio. In 
his early youth his parents, now deceased, 
settled in Appanoose Co., Iowa. Mr.Adams 
tiiere acquired his education, graduating 
at Moulton college in 1876, and fitting 
himself for his profession in the law office 
of J. C. Cad, Esq., of Moulton. He began 
his studies in 1877 and was admitted to 
the bar in 1878 by the circuit court of 
that district, Judge Sloan presiding. Mr. 
Adams settled at Clear Lake in Decem- 
ber, 1880, when the firm of Lee & Adams 
was formed. They have an extended and 
rapidly growing business in the State and 
Federal courts, and Mr. Adams is now 
the attorney for the Iowa Vigilant Live 
Stock Mutual Insurance Company, and 
also one of the directors. 



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HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



645 



CHAPTER IX. 



THE MEDICAL PROFESSION OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



In all ages of the world, among civilized 
and uncivilized people, the medical pro- 
fession has been held in high esteem, 
whether it be the learned professor, who 
has studied the science of medicine in all 
its branches, or the "great medicine man" 
of the untutored savages, who from actual 
experience has made discoveries of the 
healing powers of herbs and roots, honor 
awaits them on every hand, while the life 
and death of every human being is virtu- 
ally placed in their keeping. The weary 
patient lying upon a bed of pain, and the 
no less weary watcher, wait anxiously for 
the coming of the "good doctor," and on 
his arrival, note his every movement and 
every expression of countenance for a ray 
of hope. 

The medical fraternity of Cerro Gordo 
county haSj with few exceptions, been 
made up of men who were, and are an 
honor to the profession. They have ever 
been ready to respond to the call of duty. 
The winter's cold, the summer's heat, or 
the rains of spring and autumn, did not 
keep them back when the cry of distress 
reached their ears. They have been com- 
pelled to cross trackless prairies, to face 
blizzards, often with no hope of fee or re- 
ward, but onlj to relieve, if possible, those 
who plead for their care. All this has 
been done by the physicians of Cerro 
Gordo county without comi)laint. These 
good deeds of the jirofession should be 



remembered, and when the names of these 
pioneer doctors are recalled to mind, it is 
hoped the hearts of the old settlers will 
be touched, and all will respond, "May 
God bless them." 

The first physician to locate in the 
county was Dr. Silas Card. 

MASON CITY PHYSICIANS. 

Mason City, the shire town of Cerro 
Gordo county, has had many physicians 
of note as residents. Among those who 
have at times located here and been en- 
gaged in practice, who have either died, 
quit practice or moved away, are the fol- 
lowing: Drs. Silas Card, E. D. Huntley, 
George Hartshorn, Dr. Doolittle, William 
C. Stanbery, W. W. Allen, John G. Og- 
den, A. A. Noyes, Dr. Van Dusen, Dr. 
Andrews, A. M. Tuttle, C. C.-Cogswell, A. 
W. Cummings, Dr. Reed and others. 

Silas Card, M. D , the first practicing 
physician in Cerro Gordo county, was born 
at Deerfield, Ohio, in 1810. His parents 
dying when he was a mere child, he was 
thrown upon his own resources, but by 
hard struggling he secured a liberal edu- 
cation. In 1830 he commenced reading 
medicine in Mahoning Co., Ohio. He was 
married to Mary Gibb, at Deerfield, Port- 
age Co., Ohio, and in 1854 emigrated to 
Jienton Co., Iowa, where he remained a 
short time, then removed to Mason Citj-, 
where he made his home until his decease 
in 1874. They were the parents of one 



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646 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



son— I. W. Card, whose sketch appears 
elsewhere in this volume. The doctor was 
for many years postmaster at Mason City, 
lie was a man of intellectual and social 
worth, and held the respect and esteem of 
all who knew him. 

In the spring of 1856 Dr. E. D. Huntley 
came from New York and located at 
Mason City. He was a graduate of some 
eastern medical school; an allopath in 
practice and in every way a good physi- 
cian. He was a public spirited man, and 
was popular among all classes. He re- 
mained there until 1864, when he went to 
Kansas and from there to the Indian Ter- 
ritory. His sister-in-law, Mrs. Prof. Hunt- 
ley, is a resident of Mason City. 

Dr. George Hartshorn located at Mason 
City in 1858, and was engaged in the 
practice of law and medicine for many 
years. 

Dr. Doolittle came to Mason City at an 
early day and engaged in the practice of 
his profession, remaining until the time 
of his death. 

Dr. William C. Stanbery was a native of 
Ohio, where he grew to manhood. He 
was a gradu4te of the Cincinnati Medical 
College, in 1842, after which he practiced 
his profession in Mercer county a number 
of years. He was married in January, 
1846, to Eliisabeth Stettler, of St. Marys, 
Ohio. They then moved to La Porte, 
Ind., where he followed his profession. 
In 1854 he removed to Vinton, Benton 
Co., Iowa, and while there attended lec- 
tures at Keokuk Medical College, gradu- 
ating from that institution in the fall of 
the same year. In May, 1858, he moved 
to Clear Lake and practiced medicine 
until 1860, in the meantime read law and 



commenced its practice. In 1859 he was 
admitted to the bar by Judge Samuel 
Murdock, and formed a partnership with 
I. W. Card, the present postmaster of 
Mason Citj^ which was dissolved in 1861. 
At the breaking out of the war he enlisted 
in the 32d regiment, Iowa Volunteer In- 
fantry, and was commissioned 1st lieuten 
ant of company B. He was then appointed 
provost marshal of Tennessee, afterwards 
removed to New Madrid, Mo., where he 
was discharged for physical disability. 
In politics he was a democrat and a stal- 
wart among the stalwarts. He was a dele- 
gate to the Baltimore convention, when 
Stephen A. Douglas was nominated for 
President. In 1872 he was the democratic 
candidate for circuit judge, and was the 
first mayor of Mason City. He was ap- 
pointed by Andrew Johnson United States 
revenue collector, which at that time coin 
prised one half the State. In 1860 he was 
a candidate for the lower house of the 
General Assembly, which comprised what 
is now the tenth congressional district. 
Mr. and Mrs. Stanbery were the parents 
of twelve children — John S., Sarah J., 
Margaret, Thomas P., Recompense, Wil- 
liam C. D. A , Harry E., Jessie M., Flora 
May, Eliza B., Henry S. and Francis L., 
who died at Clear Lake in 1859. Mrs. 
Stanbery is still living at the old home- 
stead in Cerro Gordo county. He was an 
active member of the Masonic order, pass- 
ing to the tliirty-second degree, was the 
founder of Benevolence Lodge, No. 145, 
of Mason City, organized Forest City 
Lodge at Belmond, aiid many others in 
this section of the country. 

Dr. William W. Allen located at Mason 
City in 1866, and began the prnctico of 



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HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



647 



medicine. He remained at Mason City for 
many years, prominently identified with 
its growth and progress. The block 
known as the Dyer House is a monument 
to his enterprise and iTidustry, although to 
him it proved rather disastrous, finan- 
cially, lie was a man of much ability, 
energetic and an untiring worker. He 
died at Independence, Iowa, June 18, 1878, 
and was buried at the Clear Lake cemetery 
with Masonic honors. 

Dr. John G. Ogden came to Mason 
City, from Rockford, 111., in 1866. He 
was quite well along in years when he 
came, a married man, and had been in 
practice prior to coming here. He first 
settled on a farm near Owen's Grove, but 
finally moved to town. He remained a 
resident of Mason City until 1880, when 
he removed to Kansas, where he still 
lives, following his profession. He was 
much esteemsd by all who knew him. 

Dr. A. A. Noyes, allopath, began the 
practice of medicine, at Mason City, in 
1867. He came here from Baraboo, Wis., 
where he had been in practice. He was 
a well educated, polished gentleman, and 
thoroughly understood his calling. He 
remained, having a good practice, until 
1882, when he returned to his former home 
in Baraboo, Wis., where he still lives. 

Dr. Van Dusen, a talented young physi- 
cian, located at Mason City in 187.5, com- 
ing from Mineral Point, Wis. His father 
was, and still is, a prominent physician in 
Mineral Point, and the young man had 
the promise of making his mark in the 
medical world. The young man became 
the partner of Dr. W. W. Allen and re- 
mained in Mason City about one year, 
when he returned to his former home. 



Dr. Andrews became a member of the 
medical fraternity at Mason City, about 

1876. His stay was short. 

Dr. A. M. Tuttle, son of E. A. Tuttle, 
of Clear Lake, located at Mason City, in 

1877, and for some months represented 
the homceopathic branch of the medical 
profession. He is now at Britt, Iowa. 

Dr. C. C. Coggswell located at Mason 
City, in 1878, and began practice. He 
was a young man, and as the business did 
not prove as lucrative as he had hoped, 
he only remained a short time. 

Dr. A. VV. Cummings was a homceop- 
athic physician and Methodist preacher, 
who located at Mason City in 1879, com- 
ing- originally from Wisconsin. He re- 
mained a little over a year and left. He 
is now located in Minnesota. 

Dr. Read, a student fresh from medical 
college, located at Mason City in 1880, and 
hung out his shingle. He remained about 
six months, when he movedto Storm Lake, 
Iowa, where he still lives engaged in 
practice. 

Dr. J. S. Clark came to Mason City in 
1881 He was ahoma?opathist in practice. 
He remained until the fall of 1882. He 
is now at Iowa City, and it is said intends 
returning to Mason City. 

In 1883 the medical profession was 
represented at Mason City by the follow- 
ing: Drs. J. B. Dakin, Shorland Harris, 
O. A. Goodhue, C. H. Smith, S. H. Wash- 
burn, A. L. Wheeler, Edward Osborne, 
F. M. Somens, T. M. Blythe and Mrs. H. 
D. Pramer. The dentists were: C. M. 
Gaylord, J. L. Harkison, H. W. Sale and 
Alonzo Peck. 

J. B. Dakin, M. D., one of the oldest 
practicing physicians of the county, wps 



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648 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



born in Clinton Co., Ohio, Jan. 5, 1836. 
He is a son of Perry Dakin, of Dutcliess 
Co., N. Y., and came to Ohio when a 
young man — a pioneer of Clinton Co., 
Ohio. He married Phrebe McMannis, of 
Kentucky, in 1820. They reared ten 
ciiildren, five sons and five daughters. 
The doctor was raised on his father's 
farm and had an academic education. In 
1855 he went Bremer county, where he 
entered the office of Dr. Geo. M. Dakin. 
In 1860-61 he attended a course of 
lectures at tlie Eclectic Medical College of 
Cincinnati, and at the breaking out of the 
rebellion he enlisted in 72d Illinois Volun- 
teer, which was known as the board. of 
trade regiment. He was at the siege of 
Vicksburg, after which he was transferred 
to Benton Barracks Hospital, St. Louis, 
where he served until the expiration of 
his time in the service. He again attend- 
ed college at Cincinnati in the spring of 
1866 He commenced the practice of 

medicine at La Porte, Ind. In 1869 he 
came to Mason City, where he has since 
followed his profession, and has, by his 
skill in medicine, worked himself into a 
large and lucrative practice. In 1867 he 
was married to Miss J. M. Church, of 
Marshall, Mich., a daughter of Elder Jesse 
Church, and a sister of Judge Church, one 
of the pioneers of Mason City. By this 
union there were si,\ children, two of 
whom are living — Chauncy and an infant. 
In politics Mr. Dakin is a strong republi- 
can. The doctor has held the office of city 
mayor and is now a member of the board 
of supervisors. Mrs. Dakin is a graduate 
of Yellow Spring College, of Ohio, and 
was twice elected superintendent of public 
schools of Ccrro Gordo county. 



Shorland Harris, M. D., A. M. and F. 

A S., druggist, came to Mason City in 
1869, and is now the oldest graduate in 
medicine in the county. He was born in 
Ilfracorabe, Devonshire, England, July 
22, 1829. He received a classical educa- 
tion and graduated with honors from 
Exeter college, in 1849. He took his 
degree in medicine, and like continental 
practitioners generally, completed his 
studies by walking the hospitals of Paris 
and Berlin. He was in the Crimean War 
medical corps, and is skilled as a linquist, 
reading all the European languages but 
three. He is an experienced journalistic 
correspondent and a vivacious reader He 
is a ready conversationalist. His private 
library is extensive and comprises many 
rare works, some unique and others out of 
print. Dr. Harris came to America in 
1853, and practiced in New York, Canada 
and Chicago. He was married Oct. 16, 
1872, to Emily Russell. They have one 
son, LeRoy Vivian, about six years old. 
Dr. Harris has two daughters by a previous 
marriage — Annie Margaret Louisa, wife 
of Rev. Philo K. Dayfast, A. B., of Port 
Colborne, Ontario, and Cleo Belle, residing 
at Minneapolis. Dr. Harris is a democra' 
in po itics, agnostic in religion, and inde- 
pendent in scientific opinion. His re- 
searches into the domain of natural 
science is bounded only by opportunity 
and means; nearly all his time outside of 
his profession being devoted to literature, 
art and science. 

O. A. Goodhue, M. D., has been apromi- 
nent and popular member of the medical 
fraternity of Mason C'ity since 1870, wlien 
he became a resident. He was born in 
Enfield, Grafton Co., N. H., Dec. 25, 181S. 






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HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



649 



His parents, Oliver and M. (Johnson) 
Goodhue, were natives, respectively, of 
Massachusetts and New Hampshire. 
Their family included- three sons and 
tliree daughters. Dr. Goodhue received a 
good education, completing hiselementary 
studies at an academy. He went to Rock- 
ford, Winnebago Co., 111., in 1844, where 
for many years he was engaged in teach- 
ing. He began to read for his profession 
in the office of Dr. Clark. In 1853-4 he 
attended lectures at Rush Medical College 
at Chicago, and in the following year 
matriculated at the Homeopathic College 
at Cleveland, whence he was graduated in 
1855. He opened his career as a practi- 
tioner at Rockford, where he operated 
until 1859. In that year he removed to 
Cedar Falls where he spent ten years in 
medical practice, during the last three of 
which be was physician in charge of the 
Soldiers' and Orphans' Home, where the 
inmates averaged 300 in number. 
During his management he lost but 
one patient. He came from Cedar Falls 
to Mason City. In 1846 Dr. Goodhue was 
married to Huldah A., daughter of Ripley 
and Sarah (Douglass) Merrill. She was 
born in Weedsport, Cayuga Co., N. Y., 
Jan. 27, 1831. Her father died in her 
childhood, and when she was seven years 
old her mother located in DeKalb Co., 
111. Mrs. Goodhue is aregularpractitioner. 
Siie has been engaged in close medical 
study many years, and in the spring of 
1882 was graduated at the Hahnemann 
College of Chicago. She is a member of 
tlie State Medical Society of Illinois. Dr. 
and Mrs. Goodhue are members of the 
Baptist Church, of which he has been 
miny years an ordained deacon. They 



have one daughter— Emma G., wife of M. 
H. Evans, of Kendall Co., 111. Dr. Good- 
hue and his wife are both, aside from their 
professional merits, valuable members of 
society. Scholarly, cultured, conscientious 
in business and social relations, they are 
fine types of the foundation element which 
has established the rank of Iowa as pre- 
eminent among the States. 

C. H. Smith, M. D., a prominent and 
popular physician of Mason City, has pur- 
sued the practice of his profession here 
since 1878. He was born in Chautauqua 
Co., N. Y., not far from the now celebrated 
lake of the same name, March 26, 1837. 
His parents, Walter W., and Lydia (Rice) 
Smith, were natives of the Empire State, 
and reared seven of eight children to 
adultage. The mother is now deceased; the 
father is still living. At the age of eigh- 
teen. Dr. Smith entered the office of H. H. 
Gladden, of Panama, N. Y., where he re- 
mained three years, excepting the period 
occupied in attending one course of medi- 
cal lectures at Ann Arbor, Mich. He pur- 
sued his studies five years as best he could, 
having quite limited means, and then re- 
ceived a diploma. In the fall of 1870 he 
attended medical lectures again, and in 
March, 1871, obtained a second diploma. 
He began to study for his chosen vocation 
when but a youth, and though still a young 
man, has been engaged in his labors more 
than a quarter of a century. He has a 
large and lucrative practice and enjoys the 
confidence of his patrons to an unusiml 
degree. He is a member of the American 
Medical Association, and belongs to the 
District Medical Society. Dr. Smith was 
married in 1862 to Martha J. Allen, of 
Warren Co., Penn. George and Hattie 



.FT 



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650 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



Smith are the names of their two children. 
The doctor is a Royal Arch Mason, and 
Mrs. Smith is a member of the Methodist 
Church. 

Dr. S. H. Washburn located in Mason 
City the fall of 1878, and has since followed 
the practice of his profession. Dr. Wash- 
burn is of the allopathic school; is a grad- 
uate of the Detroit Medical College and 
has an extensive practice. 

A. L. Wheeler, M. D., is a prominent 
member of the medical fraternity of Mason 
City. He was born in Huron Co., Ohio, 
May 5,1851. His father, N. M. Wheeler, 
M. D., graduated at the Medical Depart- 
ment of the University of Ohio. He went 
to Dane Co., Wis., in 1854, where he is 
now engaged in practice. Dr. Wheeler, 
Sr., and his wife, formerly Pamelia Turner, 
are both natives of Litchfield Co., Conn. 
Dr. Wheeler, of this sketch, went to Wis- 
consin with his parents when two years of 
age. At the age of seventeen, he studied 
civil engineering, but soon relinquished it 
for the study of medicine. In 1872-3 he 
attended lectures at Rush Medical Col- 
lege, Chicago, and was graduated in 1875. 
He began his practice in Sauk Co., Wis., 
and there remained until 1879, when he 
came to Mason City. He is a member of 
the State Medical Society of Wisconsin, 
and also belongs to the Medical Associa- 
tion of Northern Iowa. He is a member 
of the Masonic fraternity, as also of Odd- 
Fellowship. D. A. Wheeler was married 
Sept. 1, 1875, to Sarah A., daughter of 
William and Sarah (Nixon) Crow, of 
English extraction, but a native of Wis- 
consin. They have one son — Louis A. 
Vera E., only daughter, died Aug. 11, 
1882. 



Edward Osborne, M. D., located here 
in March, 1880. He was born in the 
province of Ontario, Sept. .3, 1838. Rich- 
ard Osborne's paternal grandsire went to 
Canada from New Jersey in 1783, and 
served on the British side during the Rev- 
olutionary War. Dr. Osborne is a son of 
John T. and Sarah (Greeley) Osborne, 
both natives of Canada. The father is a 
farmer and justice of the peace for the 
county in which he lives. Dr. Osborne 
was reared as a farmer's son and received 
a good education, graduating at the Nor- 
mal school at Toronto in 1865. In 1867 
he established a mercantile business at 
Tyrconnell, in which he was successful. 
In 1872 he bought a tannery, which he 
managed three years, but not finding his 
investment profitable disposed of the busi- 
ness in 1875. During the balance of that 
year and the following, he was local editor 
of the St. Thomas Journal. Meanwhile, 
he had been reading medicine, and in 
1877-8 he attended lectures at Bennett 
Medical College and was graduated in 
1878. He opened an office at No. 68 East 
Randolph street, Chicago, 111., where 
he practiced until the date of his settle- 
ment at Mason City. He has founded a 
good practice here and finds his duties 
gradually extending. He belongs to the 
Iowa State Eclectic Medical Association 
and is a member of the Masonic Order. 
Dr. Osborne married Henrietta C, daugh- 
ter of James Bote of Brighton, Canada. 
Two of their three children are living — 
Winnie and Albert. Dr. Osborne's mother 
was a relative of Hor ice Greeley. 

F. M. Somers, M. D., Homeopathist, 
located in Mason City in the fall of 1882, 
and has secured an extensive and increas- 



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HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



651 



ing practice. He was born in Champaign 
Co., 111., being the eldest son of W. H. 
and Hattie (Mead) Somers. His father 
was a native of North Carolina, emigra- 
ting to Illinois at an early age. He was a 
strong adherent of the republican party, 
and was honored with responsible official 
positions while a resident there, from 
which place he removed to Leroy, 111., 
and engaged in the banking business; 
from thence he removed to Beatrice, Neb., 
where he is the present receiver of the 
L'. S. land office. The mother was a 
native of Massachusetts, receiving her ed- 
ucation at Oberlin College, Ohio. Dr. 
Somers received his education at Tabor 
College, Iowa. In 1H77 he commenced 
the study of medicine with Dr. John 
Cleaver, of Malvern, Mills Co., Iowa, where 
he remained two years. He then gradu- 
ated at the Homeopathic Medical De- 
partment of the Iowa State University, 
al'te'r which he practiced his profession 
at Hamburg, Iowa. He subseqently re- 
moved to Iowa City, where he was con- 
nected with the Homeopathic Department 
as assistant lecturer to the chair of Ma- 
teria Medica, which he retained until 
coming to his present home. He wasmar- 
rirdin 1 -^80 to Carrie, daughter of G. D. 
GiL'gory, of Tabor, Iowa. They have one 
daughter — Ethel. He is a member of the 
Northwestern Academy of Medicine, 
also of Hahnemann Medical Society. As 
a physician he ranks foremost anjong his 
school. They are members of the Con- 
gregational Church. 

T. M. Blythe M. D., commenced the 
practice of his profession at Mason City, 
in Aug., 1882. He came to Floyd Co., Iowa, 
wtien nineteen, and began reading medi- 



cine in the office of his half brother, Dr. 
S. G. Blythe. He attended his first course 
of lectures at Rush Medical College, 
Chicago, and graduated atBellevue, N. Y., 
Feb. 25, 1880. He then formed a part- 
nership with his former preceptor, remain- 
ing with him until Dr. Blythe established 
himself at Mason City. He is a member 
of the Medical Association of Northern 
Iowa. He belongs to the Mason City Lodge 
I. O. O. F. Dr. Blythe is still a young 
ma ', but he is thoroughly read in his pro- 
fession, and giving conscientious attention 
to the duties of an increasing business. 
He was born in Vincennes, Ind., Dec. 18, 
1857. His father, Joseph W. Blythe, was 
a native of Kentucky, and emigrated to 
Indiana in 1855. He was a graduate of 
Princeton College, and was in the rainis- 
ti'y of the Presbyterian Church forty 
years. He married Miss Greene, of Tren- 
ton, N. J. They had a family of five chil- 
dren, who grew to adult age. The 
mother died in 1852, and a second mar 
riage was contracted with Elizabeth M. 
Moore. From this issued nine children. 
The Rev. Mr. Blythe died April 25, 1875. 
in Charleston, Ind. Dr. Blythe, of this 
sketch, was a student in the literary college 
located at Hanover, Jefferson Co., Ind. 

C. W. Gaylord, dental surgeon, was born 
in Hamilton, Madison Co., N. Y., in 1828. 
His parents were Chauncey Gaylord, of 
Bristol, Conn., and Anna (McGraw) Gay- 
lord. They were married in Herkimer 
Co., N. Y., and were the parents of three 
children, one son and two daughters. His 
father was a sharp-edge tool maker, and 
introduced the first trip hammer in the 
State of New York. In 1839 he came 10 
Michisran. On account of sickness and 



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HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



the unsettled state the country, he re- 
turned to New York, where he remained 
uutil his death in 1864. The subject of 
this sketch received an academic educa- 
tion. At the age of twenty-two he com- 
menced reading nu-dicine, whicli he prose- 
cuted for some time, but abandoned it 
and took the dental practice. In 1861 
in Otsego Co., N. Y , lie enli-sted in tlie 
70tli New \'o k Volunteer Infantry, a.^.si t d 
in raising a company, and was commis- 
sioned as 2d lieutenant, serving a short 
time when he was discharged for physical 
disability. In 1804 he went to Dodge- 
ville, V\ is., and in 1869 came to Mason 
City. He wiS married previous to com- 
ing to this county, in DodgeviUe, Wis., to 
Virginia O. Wheeler. Five children 
blessed this union — Blanche A., Duane W., 
Anna V., Chauncy M. and Madge M. The 
doctor is a member of the State Dental 
Association, and a member of the A. F. & 
A. M., and I. O. O. F., and A. O. U. W. 

.1. L. Harkison, dental surgeon, has been 
engaged in the practice of his profession 
hore since 1879. His acknowledged skill 
has won him an extended and profitable 
business. He born in Embro, province 
of Ontario, May 28, 1855. His parents, 
John and Ruth (VanSlack) Harkison, are 
still residents of that place. Dr Har- 
kison was reared on a farm, and received 
a good fundamental education at the com- 
mon schools. He began to study for his 
profession in 1873, with Dr. Rupert, at 
St. Mary's, where he attended lectures 
and received a certificate allowing him to 
practice dentistry. In the summer of 
1877 he came to W^isconsin and located at 
Waterloo, where followed his vocation. 



In 1878 he received an honorary diploma 
at the dental college of Wisconsin. 

H. W. Sale, dentist, was born in Walk- 
ingham,Berkshire, England, Dec. 14, 1857. 
His father was a Bapiist preacher. His 
mother was Mabel M. Knott. In 1864 he 
emigrated to this country, landing at New 
York, and from there proceeding to Belvi- 
dere. 111., where he remained lor a few 
years. In the fall of 1876 he went to 
Glenwood, Iowa, where he remained, 
under the instruction of Di'. Sliriver, for 
tiiree years, attending several coui-ses 
given by the Nebraska State Society. In 
the spring of 1879 he came to Mason City 
and is now receiving a good practice. 

CLEAR LAKE THYSICIAXS. 

Among the physicians who have located 
at Clear Lake in the past, who have died 
or moved away, are Drs. W. M. Skinner, 
W. C. Stanbery, Silas Card, W. II. Stan- 
ley, Dr. Oviatte, Dr. Baker, A. M. Tattle 
and Dr. Giger. 

In 1883 the medical profession was 
represented at Clear Lake by Drs. George 
F. McDowell, J. B. Charlton, J. C. 
Wright and Dr. Spaulding. The dentist 
was W R. Clack. 

Dr. W. M. Skinner was the first physi- 
cian to locate at Clear Lake. He came 
here from New York in 1857 and re- 
mained for one year, when he went to 
Animosa, where he still lives Dr. Skin- 
ner was a man of intelligence and educa- 
tion. He was an old school teacher, but 
chose the medical profession as his life 
calling and graduated in New York. 

Dr. W. C. Stanbery was the next phy- 
sician to locate at Clear Lake. He came 
here in 1858 and remained for several 
years, removing shortly after the break- 



^^ 



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jj«- 



HISTOKY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



653 



iiig out of the war to Mason City, where 
he died. 

Dr. Silas Card was the next physician 
to locate at Clear Lake. He came here 
in 1861 and remained for about three 
years, when he removed to Alden, Hardin 
county, and subsequently to Mason City, 
where he died. After he left, for a num- 
ber of years, there was no physician at 
Clear L:>ke. 

About 1868 Dr. W. H. Stanley came 
and relieved this vacancy. He was a 
married man and brought his family with 
him. In his practice he was allopathic ; 
was well trained in the profession and 
soon worked up a good practice for those 
days. He remained here until about 1873, 
when he returned to his former h^me in 
New Salem, Wis. When last heard from 
he had left that place and was practicing 
his profession in Dakota. 

Dr. Ovialte came from Wisconsin in 
1870, located at Clear Lake and opened 
an office. His practice was eclectic. He 
was a single man about thirty years old. 
After remaining for three or four years 
he concluded there were greener fields to 
be found, and returned to Wisconsin 
where he is still engaged in practice. 

Dr. Baker was the next physician, and 
was one of the iirst to represent the 
homeopathic branch of the profession 
He remained for three years, when he 
moved to Minnesota and it is said has 
quit practice 

Dr. A. M. Tuttle, a son of E. A. Tattle, 
one of the early settlers of the county, 
began the practice of medicine at Clear 
Lake about 1878 and remained for several 
years. He was a homeopathist and un- 
derstood his profession, but his success 



was not what he had expected, and he 
moved to Britt, where he still lives, 
enjoying a lucrative and ever increasing 
practice. 

Dr. Giger, a homeopathist in practice, 
located at Clear Lake in 1881, coming 
from Oregon. He was a young, single 
man, and seemingly understood his pro- 
fession. He remained during the summer 
and then returned to Oregon. 

Geor_e F. McDowell, M. D., is older in 
practice and a longer resident than any 
other physician now established, having 
como to Clear Lake in January, 1870, rank- 
ing Drs. Charlton and Wright by two 
years. He was born in Stueben Co., N. Y., 
in 1846, and was reared to manhood in 
Genesee Co., Mich. He graduated from 
the .VIedical Department at the University 
of Michigan at Ann Arbor in 1869, and 
entered upon his practice in Livingston 
Co., Mich. In September following, he 
caine to Black Hawk Co., Iowa, and to 
Clear Lake as above stati'd. lie is a self- 
made man, acquired his rudimentary edu- 
cation unaided, engaging in teaching and 
other occupations, and by sure degrees 
overcoming all obstacles, until he was 
fitted for the calling to which he has de- 
voted his life. He has a large practice, 
and besides his popularity as a medical 
practitioner, he is prized especially for his 
geniality and social qualities. He mar- 
ried Alice, daughter of Hon. M. P. Rose- 
crans, of Clear Lake. Pearl is the only 
child. 

J. B. Charlton, M. D., was born in 
Washington Co., Penn., in 1846. His 
parents went to Keokuk Co., Iowa, in 1856, 
where he passed the next six years of his 
life. He enlisted in 1 862, a lad of sixteen. 






•k 



654 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



in the 18th Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and 
served until the close of the war. His 
first service was in the ranks and after- 
ward as sergeant major of his regiment, 
after which he was chiefly engaged in de- 
tached service, and especially on scout 
duty. During the unfortunate Red River 
expedition, he bofe despatches from Gen. 
Steele at Camden, Ark., to Gen. Banks 
on the Red River, traversing safely a dis- 
tance of 120 miles on horseback alone, 
through a tract of country infested with 
rebels. After delivering his papers to 
Gen. Banks, he returned as he came, with- 
out accident or detention. He was on 
duty in several severe battles, and at the 
expiration of his term of enlistment, was 
commissioned 2nd lieutenant, by Gov. 
Stone. He went to Pennsylvania where 
he attended school for a period of time. 
He went to Mew Orleans and having by 
chance secured the position of clerk to 
the super cargo of a merchant vessel, 
sailed for Hong Kong, China. Arriving 
at that port and his services being no 
longer needed, he was discharged and left 
to make his way home, and at his own ex- 
pense. He went to Keokuk county, and 
in 1869 began the study of medicine, and 
was graduated from the Medical Depart- 
ment of Iowa State University, Iowa City, 
in March, 1872, where he entered upon the 
practice of his profession at Clear l.ake. 
In September following he was appointed 
demonstrator of anatomy in his alma 
tnater, holding the position four years and 
alternating its duties with those of his 
profession at this place. He was at the 
same time a member of the surgical board 
of the hospital. Dr. Charlton is thoroughly 
read and eminently skillful in both sur- 



^' 



gery and medicine, has a large and lucra- 
tive practice, which is constantly extend- 
ing. Genial and intelligent, he maintains 
socially an enviable popularity. He is 
commander of I'om Howard Post, G. A. 
R., of Clear Lake, and has served three 
years as mayor. Mrs. Charlton, formerly 
Jennie Rosecrans, was born in Ohio. Their 
daughter, Ethel, and son. Max, were born 
at Clear Lake 

J. C. Wright, M. D., entered upon the 
duties of a medical practitioner at Clear 
Lake in the spring of 1878. He was born' 
at Lancaster, Ky., in 1851. In 1857 his 
parents removed to Bloomington, III. 
He came to Iowa in 1872, for three years 
attended the Cedar Valley Seminary, and 
then began the study of medicine at Osage, 
.Mitchell county, in the oflice of Dr. J. E. 
Nichols. He attended one course of lec- 
tures at Rush Medical College, Chicago, 
afterward matriculating at the Medical 
Department of Iowa State University, 
Iowa City, where he graduated in 1880. 
He initiated his practice at Forest City, 
remaining there one year. Dr Wright 
is a gentleman of prepossessing personal 
appearance, skilled in his profession, in 
which he is sure to rise far above medioc- 
rity. His business is rapidly and perma- 
nently increasing, and he is making swift 
strides toward marked success. Mrs. 
Wright, formerly Agnes McLaughlin, is a 
native of New York, of Scotch lineage. 
Dr. Wright's parents were native Ken- 
tuckians. 

W. R. Clack, dental surgeon, founded 
his business at Clear Lake, Feb. 4, 1878, 
and is the earliest resident dentist. Sev- 
eral individuals of the same profession 
had previously practiced here periodically. 



^r 



:iL 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



655 



but none had been permanently estab- 
lished. Dr. Cliok is son of the Rev. 
William Clack, a pioneer Baptist minis- 
ter of Milwaukee, Wis., and is now resi- 
dent at Prairie du Chieii, in that State 
The father is a native of England, and at 
thirty years of age came to Pennsylvania, 
removing thence to Wisconsin. Dr. 
Clack was born in Li Fayette Co., Wis., 
in 1852. He prepared for his profession 
at Milwaukee, studying under Dr. D. W. 
Perkins. He commenced dental practice 
in 1874. He married Adda, daughter of 
Rev. R. R Wood, of Cedar Lake, Jan. 

26, 1883. 

ROCKWELL PHYSICIANS. 

The representatives of the medical fra- 
ternity at Rockwell in 1883 were Drs. E. 
C. MillerandT. A. Smith. 

A Dr. Lafevre practiced medicine in 
the vicinity of Rockwell for a number of 
years after it had been laid out. He has 
been gone a number of years. 

Edson C. Miller, M. D., located in 
Rockwell, March 19, 1874. lie began the 
study of medicine in 1869 with Dr. W. 
C. Lewi-, of Clermont, Fayette Co., 
graduating at the Chicago Medical Col- 
lege, March 10, 1874, when he came to 
his present home. He was born in West 
Virginia in 1846. His parents, Abraham 
and Nancy (Ross) Miller, removed to 
Pennsylvania when he was an infant, 
thence to Allamakee Co., Iowa, in 1857, 
where they resided until their death, Sept. 

27, 1877. He married Mary L., a daugh- 
ter of William R and Martha L. (Rey- 
nolds) Putnam, and they have one child — 
Shirley P. The doctor is a prominent 
member of the I. O. O. F. at Rockwell; 
also the present mayor of the village. He 



is a brother of Captain G. R. Miller, of 
Mason City. 

Thomas A. Smith, M. D., located in tlie 
village of Rockwell, in March, 1880. Dr. 
Smith was born in Ogle Co., 111., Dec. .30, 
18(6, but was brought up in Stephenson 
county, in 'hat State. He enlisted, Aug. 
7, 1862, when less than si.xteen years of 
age, in the 92d Volunteer Infantry of Illi 
nois, and served until the close of the war. 
He participated in many important battles, 
Lookout Mountain, Mission Ridge and 
others. He started with Sherman on his 
march to the sea, but was taken prisoner 
while his regiment was executing a flank 
movement on the enemy. He was detained 
a prisoner about five months, being part 
of the time in Andersonville prison. He 
began the study of medicine at Shan- 
non, 111., and graduated at Rush Medical 
College in 1875, and was also at the Illi- 
nois State Eye and Ear Infirmary as a stu- 
dent for some time. After he graduated 
he practiced medicine several years at 
Shannon, and came here in 1880. His 
wife was Lydia A. Kellogg, a daughter of 
Dr. Ephraim Kellogg, of Kansas City, and 
and a niece of the late Gen. Kellogg, of 
Wisconsin, who was at one time com- 
mander of the famous iron brigade in the 
rebellion. They have two children — Zell 
and Kellogg. 

PLTMOtTTU PHYSICIANS. 

Charles Graves, M. D., was a native of 
the old Bay State. He was reared to ma- 
turity and educated in Oneida Co., N. Y., 
whither his parents removed when he was 
very young. He commenced the practice 
of his profession in the county where he 
had spent nearly all his life, and where his 
skill and fine traits of manly character are 



^nv 



it 



^ $ 



056 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



still held in honored remembrance. In 
1865 he transferred his business to Ply- 
mouth, Cerro Gordo Co., Iowa, where he re- 
mained uutil his death, continuing to 
practice until two years previous to that 
event, when failing health compelled him 
to desist. He was nearly sixty-three years 
of age when he died, March 7, 18'/8. The 
date of his birth was Oct. 12, 1815. His 
integrity as a man, his genial nature and 
his conscientious prosecution of the duties 
of his profession, won for him material 
success and an uncommon degree of re- 
spect from his friends. He was married 
Jan. 20, 1835, to Sarah Cleveland, of 
Oneida county. Of their seven children 
but three survive — Charles Henry, Wil- 
liam C. and Austin D. Mrs. Graves died 
in 1S75. His son, Charles Henry Graves, 
was born in Oneida Co., N. Y., Oct. 28, 
1838, and there grew to manhood. He 
was carefully educated and fitted for the 
inevitable struggles in life incumbent up 
on the men of latter generations. He was 
married in July, 1863, to Florence DeGraff. 
They have the following children — Rob- 
ert E., Charles R., Frank H., Sarah A. 
and Minnie I. Mr. Graves removed with 
his family to Plymouth in 1865. He 
erected his present residence in 1872. 

George H. Walker, M. D., was born at 
Rockford, 111., Feb. 21, 1845. His parents 



changed their residence to Avon, Rock 
Co., Wis., when he was but three years 
old. Dr. Walker was an industrious 
student in the common schools and later 
at Durand College, where he finished his 
education preparatory to his medical 
course, which he began in the office of 
Dr. S. B. Van Valzah, of Durand, 111. lie 
attended lectures at Rush College, in Chi- 
cago, and received his credentials from 
that institution, Feb. 3, 1869. He com- 
menced the practice of his profession at 
Calamine, Wis., and continued there one 
year. He then established himself at 
Durand, where he practiced until 1875. 
In that year he went to Plymouth and 
opened a drug store, where he operated 
two years. In 1877 he sold his interest 
therein and has since devoted his tinie 
and energies solely to the duties of his 
profession, and has met with signal suc- 
cess He was married in 1872 to Adelaide 
A. Bulfington, of Bradford Co., Penn. 
Dr. Walker and his wife have five chil- 
dren — Lillian, Raymond, Arthur, Edith 
and Claude. 

ROCK FALLS PHYSICIAN. 

Dr. Barber has recently located at Rock 
Falls, and is the only physician at that 
place. 




I 



HISTORY^ OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



657 



CHAPTER X 



THE PRESS OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



There is no instrumentality, not even 
excepting the pulpit or the bar, which 
exerts such an influence over society as 
the press of the land. It is the Arclii- 
inediani lever which moves the world. 
The talented minister of the gospel on the 
Sabbath day preaches to a few hundred 
people; on the following morning his 
thoughts are re-produced more than a 
thousand fold, and are read and discussed 
throughout the length and breadth of the 
land. The attorney at the bar, in thrill- 
ing tones, pleads eitlier for or against the 
criminal arraigned for trial, often causing 
a jury to bring in a verdict contrary to 
the law and testimony bearing on the case. 
His words are re-produced in every daily 
that is reached by the telegraphic wire, 
and his arguments are calmly weighed by 
un])redjudiced men, and accepted for what 
thoy are worth. The politician takes the 
stand and addresses a handful of men upon 
the political questions of the day; his 
speech is reported, and read by a thousand 
men, for every one that heard the address. 
Suddenly the waters of one of our mighty 
rivers rise, overflowing the land for miles 
and miles, rendering thousands of people 
homeless, and without means to secure 
their daily bread. The news is flashed 
over the wire, taken up by the press, and 
known and read by all men. No time is 



lost in sending to their relief; the press 
has made known their wants and they are 
instantly supplied. "Chicago is on fire! 
Two hundred millions of property 
destroyed. Fifty thousand people ren- 
dered homeless!" Such was the dread in- 
telligence proclaimed by the press. Food 
and clothing were hastily gathered, trains 
were chartered, and the immediate wants 
of the sufferers were, in a measure, re- 
lieved. 

The power for good or evil of the press 
is to day unlimited. The short-comings 
of the politicians are made known through 
its columns; the dark deeds of the wicked 
are exposed, and each fear it alike. The 
controlling influence of a Nation, State or 
county, is its press, and the press of Cerro 
Gordo county is no exception to the rule. 

The local press is justly considered 
among the most important institutions of 
every city, town and village. The people 
of every community regard their particu- 
lar newspaper or newspapers, as of pecu- 
liar value, and this is not merely on 
account of the fact alluded to, but because 
these papers are the repositories wherein 
are stored the facts and the events, 'he 
deeds and the sayings, the undertakings 
and the achievements, that go to make up 
final iiistory. One by one these things 
are gathered and placed in type, one by 



iK" 



.^^ 



zi 



65 8 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



one the papers are issued, one by one 
these papers are gathered together and 
bound, and another volume of local, gen- 
eral and individual history is laid away 
imperishable. 

CERRO GORDO PRESS. 

This was the first newspaper established 
in Cerro Gordo county. In June, 1858, 
Datus E. Coon came from Osage, where 
he had been running the land office news- 
paper, bringing printing material with 
him, set up his press and began the publi- 
cation of the Cerro Gordo Press at Mason 
City. It is claimed to have been a seven 
column folio, all printed at home. Mr. 
Coon wa.s not a practical printer, and the 
machanical work attended upon getting 
out the Press was performed by Will E. 
Tucker and C. C. Doolittle. The paper 
was rather neutral as to political doctrine, 
but Datus E. Coon was a democrat. The 
publication of the Press was continued at 
Mason City for nearly two years, when 
the office wa>i moved to Hancock county. 
For several years the Press was the official 
organ for half a dozen counties in this 
region, and it is said printed enough tax 
list supplements to carpet every house in 
the county. When the war broke out 
Datus E. Coon abandoned his newspaper 
and went to the army as a captain in 
the grand old 2d Iowa Cavalry. He 
was promoted to major, then colonel and 
finally won the stars of a brevet brigadier 
general. After the war closed he located 
in Alabama and attempted to make that 
State his home, but having been a Union 
soldier was a poor recommend to the 
people of that State. But being a plucky 
man and a free American citizen he de- 
termined to stay. He bore all kinds of 



petty abuse until about 1877, when he re- 
ceived the appointment of United States 
consul at Baracoa, Cuba, where he removed 
with his family, and still lives. 

CERRO GORDO REPUBLICAN. 

This is the oldest established news- 
paper in Cerro Gordo county. In the 
spring of 1861 J. H. Aylesworth, who 
had been teaching the village schools, 
went to Chicago and bought a printer's 
outfit, which he moved to Mason City and 
opened up as the Republican office. The 
first issue made its appearance in April, 

1861. It was a six column folio, all 
printed at home, and was well filled with 
local and general news and advertise- 
ments. Aylesworth continued the pub- 
lication of the Itepublican for a little less 
than a year, when he retired, selling the 
establishment to Horace G. Parker and C. 
W. Tobin. Tt\e latter had been one of 
the compositors in the office They took 
charge of the paper on the 1st of January, 

1862. Mr. Parker had just assumed the 
duties of county treasurer and recorder, 
to which office he had been elected. Dur- 
ing the summer C. W. Tobin went into 
the army and left Mr. Parker alone with 
the publication of the paper on his hands. 
He continued alone until the 1st of Janua- 
ry, 1863, when Silan Noyes became in- 
teri-s'ed in the publication of the Repub- 
lican. Mr Noyes was a practical printer 
and had had newspaper experience. The 
firm remained Parker & Noyes until the 
summer of 1867, when Mr. Parker retiri'd 
and the firm became Noyes & Sirrine — 
Silan Noyes and S. A. Sirrine. 

After this the paper passed through 
several different firms. Noyes & Holt 
succeeded Noyes & Sirrine. Then canii' 



V 



d^ 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



659 



N. V. Brower, Brower & Russell, and N. 
V. Brower again. 

In the fall of 1873, Silan Noyes and 
George R. Lanningbought the paper, and 
they continued in partnership until the 
death of Mr. Noyes, Jan. 18, 1875. After 
the death of his partner, Mr. Lanning 
took the paper. Unfortunately the files 
of the Repuhlicmi up to the year 1875 
have all been lost, so the exact dates of 
the changes cannot be given. The files 
which have been preserved, commenco, 
with the date of Sept. 16, 1875, as Vol. 
15, No. 2. At this time George R. 
Lanning was editor and proprietor, 
and the paper a nine column folio, 
all printed at home. Lanning con- 
tinued the publication of the Bepvblican 
until Oct. 6, 1876, when John West, to 
whom the office was indebted, took charge 
of the paper. George R. Lanning was a 
young man of fine ability and prospect. 
He had grown up in Cerro Gordo county, 
learned his trade here, and was well known 
and popular. He was a pungent writer, 
and a good newspaper man. In 1883 he 
was running a paper in Dakota, and was 
succeeding well. 

In taking charge of the RepuhUcim, in 
the issue of Oct. 12, 1876, John West gave 
notice that he meant business by present- 
ing the following salutatory : 

"To whom it may concern : I, John 
West, am now the owner of the Cerro 
Gordo Hepuhlican, and also all assets due 
the same, George R. Lanning paying all 
liabilities, previous to October 6, 1876, 
and all parties indebted to the Itep>iihUcan 
office, are advised to call and settle with 



vliy 



A" 



56 



J. J. Clark, as the books and accounts are 
in his hands for immediate collection. 

John West." 

About the 1st of November, 1873, John 
West sold the ReiwhUcan to Hon. W. V. 
Lucas, late from Waverly, Bremer county. 
In closinghis connection with the paper,IVl r. 
West, among other things, said : "When 
I took the Rejmhlican I found it necessary, 
as a business precaution and to ascertain 
the exact condition of the finances of this 
office, to notify every subscriber of the 
amounts which appeared to be due. In 
doing so 1 did not intend to cause any 
hard feelings or litigation. It was a mat- 
ter of business." In introducing l^-Ir. 
Lucas to the people Mr. West further said: 
"Hon. W. V. Lucas has been a resident of 
Waverly for fifteen years. He was a 
soldier in the army. He is a good citizen, 
upright, moral, identified with the Church 
and the best interests of society. He is a 
republican and a candidate for Presidential 
elector on our ticket. He has a fine family. 
He is a newspaper man and has been con- 
nected with the Waverly Repuhlican as 
editor for eight years, and the Shell Rock 
News for one year. * * * His praise 
is in all mouths. We congratula e Mason 
City on this accession. It is valuable in 
any way you view it — commercial, finan- 
cial, political, moral or intellectual." 

With the issue of Nov. 9, 1876, Capt. 
Lucas assumed editorial control, saying 
in his salutatory : 

"We come to Mason City and Cerro 
Gordo county to make our home in the 
future. We shall do our humble part in 
the work of developing the resources of 
the country, and in building up the inter- 
ests of morality, sobriety and good order 

-=g^ — 



^ 



600 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



in all the walks of society. * * * It 
is our purpose to make the Republican 
the exponent of the doctrine of the repub- 
lican party, and to elevate political morals 
and integrity to a standard of respecta- 
bility. We shall eschew all personalities 
in the discussions of questions of public 
interest as far as possible, and the cultiva- 
tion of sociality and harmony in the party 
as well as out of it. We shall studiously 
labor to please and benefit our patrons, 
and if we deserve it, we invite their sup- 
port and good will. In short we promise, 
to do the best we can to make the Repub- 
lican an indispensible article in every 
household in the county. With this bow 
and introduction we begin our labors." 

Capt. Lucas continued alone in the 
management of the Republican until Oct. 
9, 1879, when he sold a half interest to C. 
G. Sargent, late editor of the Hancock 
Independent, and the firm became Lucas 
& Sargent. Mr. Sargent was well known 
in Cerro Gordo county, having lived in 
Mason City and worked in the Republican 
office. He was an excellent printer and a 
fair writer. After a connection of five 
months with the Republican, on the 4th of 
.March, 1880, the partnership was dis- 
solved and Mr. Lucas continued the man- 
agement of the paper, assisted by his son, 
A. B. Lucas, and in a few weeks the firm 
became W. V. Lucas & Son. 

In the fall of 1880 Capt. W. V. Lucas 
was elected auditor of State, and although 
he was absent at Des Moines most of the 
time attending to official duties, the old 
partnership name was retained. Briney 
Lucas became editor and attended to the 
business of the office. After the expira- 
tion of Mr. Lucas' term of office he re- 



turned to his newspaper work at Mason 
City, and the paper continued under the 
management or W. V. Lucas & Son until 
the 12th of April, 1883, when Leo Chap- 
man purchased the office. Mr. Lucas and 
his family, a few months after the sale, 
removed to Dakota. 

In closing their connection with the 
Republican, Messrs. Lucas introduced their 
successor, Mr. Chapman, saying: 

"Mr. Leo Chapman, who succeeds us, is 
a gentleman of ability and life-long ex- 
perience in the newspaper business. He 
began his work in the State Register o?ace, 
and by faithful service worked his way 
up from the case to a responsible place on 
tlie staff of that great paper. In all re- 
spects, Mr. Cnapman is worthy of the con- 
fidence of the patrons of the Republican. 
In politics he is a sound and reliable re- 
publican, one who believes in the princi- 
ples of the party. In all respects we 
most heartily recommend him to the read- 
ers of the Republican. He has come to 
live in Mason City, and become a perma- 
nent fixture of the county. He is a 
stranger now but will be glad to meet 
you. Call on him and give him a welcome 
such as a worthy gentleman should re- 
ceive. W. V. Lucas, 
A. B. Lucas." 

On taking charge of the Republican, 
Mr. Chapman presented a lengthy and 
able salutatory, setting forth his views re- 
garding matters involved and the course 
his paper should pursue. He delivered a 
a fitting tribute to Captain and A. B. 
Lucas on their retirement from the Iowa 
journalistic field. As regards the political 
policy of the Republican, Mr. Chapman 
said that it "would continue as heretofore 






^ 

V 



^=ik 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



661 



straight and pronounced in its republican- 
ism — it only passes from the hands of a 
soldier into those of a soldier's son — and 
shall serve the best interests of that great 
party in city, county, State and Nation, so 
long as it continues to promote the dear- 
est interests of the whole people and the 
republic." 

Leo Chapman is still the proprietor, 
publisher and edi or of the Republican. 
LTnder his management the Republican 
has prospered and grown more pupular 
than ever before. It has attained a large 
circulation, and, without exageration, is 
one of the most effective advertising me- 
diums in the State. It has varied in size, 
as all journals do, but is now a nine col- 
umn folio, all printed at home. The office 
is thoroughly equipped with all the 
modern printing improvements, power 
press, etc. 

Mr Leo Chapman, editor and proprietor 
of the Mason City Re2yublican, was born 
in Valparaiso, Ind., Feb. 5, 185Y, and 
while still a babe his family removed to 
Windsor, 111., where he lived till after the 
war, when tlie family were driven back to 
Indiana by ultra northern rebelism on ac- 
count of the father's participation in the 
Union service. In July, 1870, the family 
removed west to Iowa, locating at Mar- 
shalltown. When the following spring ar- 
rived Leo. by this time quite a boy, was 
sent with the family to break out a new 
farm near Edenville, Marshall county, 
while the father worked at his trade in 
Marshalliown. At the age of twentj-one 
our subject entered upon an apprentice- 
ship in the office of the Iowa State Reg- 
ister, at Des Moines, and continued to work 
and study in that capacity, occasionally 



doing reportorial work, until the proprie 
tors took him from mechanical work, and 
installed him local editor of that great 
paper. He remained in this position until 
the convention of the nineteenth Geneial 
Assembly of Iowa, when he was made press 
reporter for the Legislature in the house, 
and as a mark of appreciation for his serv- 
ices here, the members of that body on ad- 
journing presented him with a handsome 
gold watch bearing the following inscrip- 
tion: "Presented to Leo Chapman, (Chap.) 
journalist,by the members of the nineteenth 
General Assembly of Iowa, as a token of 
esteem. 1882." On April 10, 1883, Mr. 
Chapman assumed ownership and editorial 
control of the Mason City Republican, 
where he is to-day and in which occupa- 
tion and paper he expects to live and die, 
as he is an enthusiastic lover of his busi- 
ne.ss and location. He is temperate in 
habits, republican in politics, American in 
nativity and notion, and in religion is as 
liberal as the world is wide. 

CLEAR LAKE INDEPENDENT. 

■| he first newspaper established at Clear 
Lake was the Independent. Silan Noyes 
and John M. Brainard were the editors 
and proprietors. The first issue made its 
appearance on the 10th of February, 1860. 
It was a six column folio all printed at 
home. The first issue contained a finan- 
cial review of Cerro Gordo county's his- 
tory to 1860, and stated that warrants had 
been issued to the amount of $19,556.98; 
amount outstanding$5,7o4.47. The publi 
cation of the paper was continued at Clear 
Lake for about one year, when it was 
moved to Upper Grove, Hancock county, 
where it was published a short time by 
Brainard and then discontinued. The 



e _ 



rv 



J? 



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662 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



file of the first year of the Independent is 
now in the hands of George E. Frost. 
Silan Noyes is dead. John M. Brainard is 
now publishing a paper in Boone county, 
this State. 

CLEAR LAKE OBSERVEE. 

In the winter of 1869-70 H. D. Lindley 
brought a small job press and a quantity of 
type to Clear Lake, and induced a few of 
the citizens to subscribe money to fit up a 
newspaper office; so type and material 
were accordingly ordered. Upon its 
arrival most of the subscribers refused to 
pay, and George E. Frost advanced the 
money and paid for the outfit. Mr. Lind- 
ley issued the first number of the Observer 
in April, 1870. He published fifteen 
numbers of the paper and left, leaving 
Mr. Frost with a printing office on his 
hands. The latter employed a printer 
and published the paper until May, 1872, 
when he sold the office to Judge M. P. 
Rosecrans. With Mr. Frost at the helm, 
the Observer was strongly republican. It 
was ably edited, and did good work for 
the party it supported. With Mr. Rose- 
crans the paper became independent in 
lone and sentiment, and was among the 
best edited papers the county has ever had. 
Mr. Rosecrans continued its publication 
until December, 1872, when he sold the 
office, and it was moved to Belmond, 
Wright county. The press upon which 
the Observer was printed during this 
time was the first abolition press ever 
used in the United States, and the identical 
press owned and used by Lovejoy at the 
time of his murder at Upper Alton, 111., 
when it was thrown into the Mississippi 
river by a mob, where it lay until 1859, 
when D. B. Mead, of Cresco, bought it as 



it lay for $35, and raised the press and 
a quantity of the type, bringing them to 
Iowa, and used them at Cresco until they 
came to Clear Lake. Immediately after 
the office was moved away, the citizens 
began to canvass plans to get another 
printing office and induced George E. 
Frost to purchase another. He went to 
Chicago and purchased an entirely new 
fiutfit, shipjjing it to Clear Lake the first 
week in January, 187.'!, but owing to an 
unusual storm it did not reach its destina- 
tion until March, when the office was put 
ill order, and the first number was issued 
March 15, 1873, by Frost & Bush. Mr. 
Bush withdrew from the firm before the 
end of the second month. Mr. Frost con- 
tinued the publication of the paper alone 
for one year, when he sold the office to 
Mr. Brad.y, a printer, who had done the 
mechanical work in the office. Mr. Brady 
published the ])aper for one year but did 
not meet with success, so Mr. Frost again 
look charge of it. In 1879 Mr. Frost sold 
the office to F. J. Bush, who changed the 
name to 

THE CLEAR LAKE MIRROR. 

In referring to the change, Mr. Bush 
said: 

"With this issue. No. 1, Vol. 1, of the 
Observer that was, and the Mirror that is, 
we offer ourselves as a candidate for admis- 
sion to the editorial fraternity of Iowa, 
and, taking.it for granted that we will be 
admitted, at least on probation of not in 
full connection, we tip our beaver and 
consider ourselves one of the "press 
gang." * * * Li politics the Mirror 
will be republican so long as the 
republican party adheres to and carries out 



^^ 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



663 



the principles as heretofore. We intend 
to give our readers all the current local 
news of interest, and as much general 
news as our limited space will admit." 

In a short time Mr. Bush sold to M. 
Cooley & Sons, but in a short time, in 
company with D. W. Hurn, re-purchased 
it. They still conduct it. The Mirror is 
now a neatly printed six column folio, 
well managed, ably edited, and has 
attained a good circulation. It is repub- 
lican and prohibition in sentiment. 

The I'm-k Herald is also published at 
the 3firror olfioe during notable times at 
Clear Lake. 

MASON CITY EXPRESS. 

This paper was established at Mason 
City in December, 1870, by Hamlin & 
Kirk— J. G. Hamlin and I. R. Kirk. It 
first made its appearance as an eigiit col- 
umn folio, well filled with advertisements 
and interesting news, both local and for- 
eign, presenting to the reader a neat and 
attractive appearance. It had for its 
motto "Business," and during its career, 
under the management of Hamlin & Kirk, 
it never belied its motto. In their saluta- 
tory, the editors said : 

"With this, the first number of the 
Mason City Mq^ress, we make our bow to 
the public, and assume the responsibilities 
of editors and publishers of what we hope 
to make a live republican paper. We 
accept the position with a full understand- 
ing of the manifold and arduous duties 
which it brings, and with a firm determin- 
ation of pleasing those who may favor 
us with their patronage. We propose 
that the JSxpress shall partake of and ex- 
press the spirit of the times and of the 
country — that invincible spirit of advance- 



ment which is a sure forerunner of suc- 
cess, and which is characteristic of MasoT) 
City and its surroundings. In order that 
we may do this, we ask for a liberal pat- 
ronage from those who, like ourselves, are 
interested in the growth and development 
of our city and county. The influence 
of our paper shall ever be used in 
the interests of the community at large, 
and in the advancement of every laud- 
able enterprise. We shall endeavor to 
support right and justice under all circum- 
stances and upon all occasions, both mor- 
ally and politically : for upon the su- 
premacy of right and justice our safety as 
a Nation and community depends." 

In July, 1871, Will Ed. Tucker and H. 
R. Spink became publishers and proprie- 
tors of the Mrpress. In leaving the edito- 
rial chair Hamlin & Kirk said : 

"Since the issue of the last Mason City 
Express, we have sold the establishment 
to Messrs. Tucker & Spink, who have had 
charge of the mechanical execution of the 
paper since its birth, little more than six 
months ago. To-day we occupy the chair 
only long enough to acquaint our old pa- 
trons and friends of this fact, and bid 
them a kind editorial good-bye. In doing 
so, we would gladly review the history of 
the past months of labor lo make a good 
home paper, but time and space forbid ; 
suffice it to say, we quit the helm from no 
lack of support or disappointment what- 
ever. Our success and the liberal patron- 
age received from a generous and appre- 
ciative people, has been beyond our most 
sanguine hopes. But we have received . 
our price for the establishment from men 
who, we are confident, can and will keep 
the Express up to its present enviable 



^! 



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664 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



standing, and we feel happy to leave it in 
such good hands. The new proprietors 
are well known to most of our readers. 
Mr. Tucker, our old foreman, year.s ago 
acquired the reputation of the 'best news- 
paper printer in Iowa' — and he .should be, 
after an experience of nineteen years at the 
business. He has the honor of having set 
the first stickful of type ever put up in 
Mason City. Mr. Spink is a young man 
of sterling integrity, steady, industrious 
habits, careful business qualifications, and 
a good printer. Both of them like to 
work, and our old patrons, to whom we 
heartily commend them, will find them at 
case or press six days in the week. 

"We bespeak for our successors the con- 
tinued liberal support and patronage their 
handiwork has helped us to build up ; and 
wishing prosperity to the JSxpress, and all 
its patrons, we retire." 

In the same issue, the new proprietors 
saluted the public in the following lan- 
guage : 

" We have neither time nor space this 
week, to devote to marking out a long- 
winded platform for the future govern- 
ment of the Express. We shall make 
few promises, nor promise more than we 
perform. By the ' new departure, ' above 
explained, we find ourselves editors and 
publishers of this paper. The flattering 
introduction or recommend to your favor, 
from our quondam bosses, will let us out 
of the extensive task of enumerating our 
own good points and superior qualifica- 
tions for the station. Hence we have 
■ only to promise the readers and advertis- 
ing patrons of the paper, that it shall lose 
nothing in local or general interest by the 
change. We shall regularly issue a live 



republican paper, brimming full of local 
and latest general news ; and to this end 
we have no hesitancy in asking the gener- 
ous people of Cerro Gordo county to lend 
us their aid and comfort in the way of 
good words and greenbacks. " 

The paper continued under the man- 
agement of this firm until in June, 1874, 
when Mr. Spink became sole publisher 
and proprietor. Mr. Tucker, however, 
continued work on the paper as editor. 

In April, 1876, Mr. Spink sold the pa- 
per to Will Ed. Tucker, and in the issue of 
April 13, penned the following parting 
words : 

"With this number, we close our con- 
nection with the Express, having sold the 
entire establishment to our present co- 
editor and valued assistant. Will Ed. 
Tucker. This change is made necessary 
by ill health, which will no longer permit 
us to continue the duties of the office. 

" In writing these last few words, we 
cannot omit the opportunity to return our 
thanks to the citizens of Mason City and 
the whole county, for the good will and 
substantial encouragment which has been 
so generally extended to us during the 
five years of our connection with this 
paper. To the liberal and public spirited 
business men of this city, especially, and 
to our former and present county official.^, 
who have all proved themselves steadfast 
friends, do we feel grateful for the gen 
erous patronage which has ever been ac- 
corded the Express, and to which is due, 
in a great measure, its past and present 
prosperity. 

"Of our successor, we need say but lit- 
tle to the people of this community, where 
his reputation as a good newspaper man 



5P7* 






HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



665 



a I - 



is s6 fully recognized. To hisl^efforts 
must be credited much of the popularity 
of the Express as a local and home news- 
paper; and no assurance from us is needed 
that the paper under his charge will be 
kept fully up to its present standard. We 
feel confident that he will receive every 
encouragement from our citizens, and his 
efforts to furnish a good live local news- 
paper will meet with a just appreciation. 
And now, with kindly feelings and good 
wishes for all with whom our editorial 
and business relations in the past have as- 
sociated us, we bid readers and patrons of 
the Exjiress good-bye." 

In the following issue Mr. Tucker 
opened the editorial columns by saying: 

"A formal bow to patrons of the Ex" 
press is hardly necessary from the under- 
signed ; and yet it may not be amiss, on 
assuming proprietorship, and full control 
of its columns, to advert briefly to the, to 
us, important change, and in a few open- 
ing words mark out something of the fu- 
ture course of the home paper. The 
steady, unvarying success which has thus 
far attended the Express and, the degree 
of prosperity to which it has attained, is 
the best evidence that its past course has 
been satisfactory to the community, town 
and county, for which it has labored. A 
good, healthy increase of business each 
year, and a rapidly swelling subscription 
list, are gratifying manifestations of pub- 
lic appreciation. 

" Politicallv our Exprn^s-ions will be 
rci>ublican, and while our best hold is 
localizing — fortunately just what our town 
and growing country most ueeds, and liest 
appreciates, — yet in this year of impor- 
tant political interests for our whole great 



country, we hope to lend some political 
influence, and shall certainly work to the 
best of our ability for the success of the 
grand old party we have fought for, and 
whose cardinal principles, as we under- 
stand them, we still delight to honor. 

"The Express will be found warmly es- 
pousing the cause of temperance, and oth- 
er true reforms. Lending influence and 
use of its columns to further the interests 
of our churches and schools, and the well 
being of society at large. Awake to all 
home interests, though tied up to no 
clique or faction, we shall run the paper 
ourselves, generally for the public good, 
individually for the pecuniary interests of 
Will Ed. TircKER." 

Sept. 4, 18 7 8, the Express was changed 
to a seven column quarto, and later to a 
six column quarto, which form it still 
retains. The Express has been ably con- 
ducted by its different proprietors, and 
has continually been growing in the esti- 
mation of the people. It has, under the 
management of Mr. Tucker, reached a 
large circulation, and is one of the stand- 
ard newspapers of the county. In 188.S 
Mr. Tucker spent a number of months in 
Dakota, leaving his paper in the meantime 
in charge of G. E. Hathaway, an old and 
experienced writer and newspaper man. 

THE B'REEMAN. 

A paper bearing the above name was 
started in Mason City in 1870 by a stock 
company. J. H. Vandever and Theron 
Pal meter were nominal proprietors, and 
conducted the paper in the interests of an- 
ti-Masonry. The paper was asix column fo- 
lio but did not receive the patronage and 
good will necessary to make it a success. 
It was continued about four months and 



fv^ 



666 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



,was then for a short time run under the 
name of Cynost/re, with Rev. James 
Hawkins and Theron Palraeter as editors 
and publishers. It was discontinued a few 
months later. 

THE WESTERN DEMOCRAT. 

The paper having the above name was 
established in February, 1877, by Stan- 
bery & Adams — Rec. Stanbery and 
James B. Adams. The first issue ap- 
peared on the •28th of February 1877, as an 
eight-column folio. It was well filled with 
advertisements, was bright and newsy, 
and had a large circulation. The editors 
in their salutatory spoke as follows : 

"Believing that the demcracy of north- 
ern Iowa, needs and demands a trust- 
worthy medium through which to dissem- 
inate its principles, we have accordingly 
decided upon the publication of the West- 
ern Democrat. In taking this step we 
fully realize the great responsibility we 
are incurring as a faithful representative 
of the will of the people; and also, that 
we shall meet with bitter opposition from 
those of adverse political opinions. How- 
ever, these facts do not deter us in the 
least from what we believe to be a much 
needed undertakins^. The time has come 
when every true democrat is called upon 
to exercise his political strength, and free 
the Nation, if possible, from the control of 
that party which is now wasting its re- 
sources, and, in consequence, compelled to 
impose burdens of taxation upon the 
people, thus impeding the progress of 
American industries, promoting fraud and 
enriching dishonest officials. Reform is 
necessary in every branch of the civil 
government, and to effect this there must 



*7i; 



be a change in the administration. As 
long as the republican party continues 
in power, whisky rings. Credit Mobilier 
schemes and fraudulent elections will still 
continue to disgrace the Nation. It shall 
be the aim of the Democrat to build up 
all true measures of reform. We shall at 
all times fearlessly proclaim and uphold 
those principles which we believe to be 
for the welfare of the whole country, 
north and south." 

The Democrat continued under the man- 
agement of Stanbery <fc Adams for about 
four months, when Mr. Adams withdrew, 
and Mr. Stanbery became editor and pro- 
prietor. Mr. Stanbery continued to run the 
paper as the Western Democrat until 1880, 
when he sold to T. C. Medary, who 
changed the name to North Iowa Journal. 
Mr. Medary run the paper until the fall 
of 1882, and failed, and again Mr. Stan- 
bery took the office and has since run an 
independent journal called the 

MASON CITY TIMES. 

The first issue of this paper appeared 
Dec 20, 1882, with the name of Rec. Stan- 
bery at the head as editor and proprietor. 
The paper was an eight-column folio, all 
home print and full of home advertise- 
ments. Mr. Stanbery introduced the 
Times to the public in the following terse 
and pertinent language : 

"Unto the world the Times is born, and 
entered at the postoffice in Mason City as 
second class mail matter. It will preach 
good deeds to the people, and if they don't 
give heed, we will be happy in the thought 
that we did our duty. It will feed the 
minds of the multitude upon the latest 
local and general news. It will love its 
brethren, and lead them in the straight 



f 





'C'yK^. 




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S%- 




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^7lA^ 



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l\^ 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



671 



and narrow path, and if they occasionally 
slop over, will yank them back again. It 
will be neutral in nothing. It will deal a 
square hand, and rake in the chips when 
it can." 

Soon after getting control of the paper, 
.VI r Stanbery added a new and complete 
line of machinery, including an engine 
and Taylor power press, and is now pub- 
lishing his eight-column paper in the most 
.'i))proved style. 

Rec. Stanbery, editor and proprietor of 
the Mason City Times, was born at Vinton, 
Iowa, Deo. 1.3, 1855. His parents were 
William C, and Eliza J., (Stettler) Stan- 
bery, natives of Ohio. When Rec. was 
two years of age his parents moved to 
Clear Lake, Iowa, and there lived for two 
years, when they removed to Mason City. 
Rec. remained with his parents at Mason 
City until 1875, when he went to Califor- 
nia, remaining until the fall of 1876, when 
he returned to this place. In the spring 
of 1877 Mr. Stanbery began the publica- 
tion of the Westerti Democrat, which pa- 
per he continued to run untilJan. 1, 1881, 
wlien he sold to T. C. Medary. After 
sfllingthe Democrat,M.r. ""tanbery wentto 
Clear Lake and established the Clear Lake 
Moon, and was engaged on this paper until 
fail. He then went to Mitchell, Dakota, 
and established the Mitchell Rejyublican, 
continuing until in October, 1882, when 
he sold to S. D. Cook and returned to 
Mason City. Soon after he returned to 
this place, Mr. Stanbery started the Mason 
City Times on the ruins of the North Iowa 
Joiirnal, a paper which had been under the 
management of T. C. Medary. Mr. Stan- 
bery was married in October, 1878, to 
Emma Lawrence, of Charles City, Iowa. 



They have one child — Lizzie, born Sept. 
24, 1879. Mr. Stanbery is an able editor, 
and the present success of the Times 
speaks most highly of the ability and thor- 
oughness of its editor. In politics Mr.' 
Stan^ery is a democrat, but is at present 
running an independent journal. 

THE PHONOGRAPH. 

Rockwell village has a live local news- 
paper, called the Phonograj)h, edited by 
W. A Rugg. The paper was established 
in 1879 by Rugg & McEwen, the first issue 
being published October 25, of that year. 
In the following month, McEwen retired 
from the paper and E. V. Whittlesey, was 
connected until the fall of 1881, when Mr. 
Rugg became sole proprietor and pub- 
lisher. This journal is a five-column 
quarto in form, independent in politics 
and the advocate of all moral reforms, es- 
pecially strong as an advocate of temper- 
ance principles. Its circulation, in June, 
1883, was 350. It is printed upon a Non- 
pareil job press. In September, 1881, an 
agricultural department was introduced, 
edited by George B. Rockwell. This fea- 
ture of the Plionograph was always a very 
interesting as well as valuable department 
of the paper. In the issue of Sept'. 15, 
1881, appeared the first column of this de- 
partment, at which time Mr. Rockwell 
wrote the following: 

"In assuming charge of this department 
of the Phonograph, I entertain a hope for 
the co-operation of my fellow farmers of 
this vicinity, in making it a means of in- 
struction and encouragement in the work 
which most of the readers of this paper 
are engaged, and in the success of which 
all are deeply interested. The aims will \ e 
to present matters of interest concerning 



1 19 



^! 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



the house, the herd, the flock and the 
farm, and it is quite likely our labors may 
reach questions involving political agri- 
culture. While the editor of this depart- 
ment is devoted to, and passionately fond 
of the farmer's vocation, and deems it the 
most important one of all those in which 
the human race is engaged, he is fully 
conscious of ihe necessity of sustaining all 
callings that tend to benefit mankind, and 
well recognizes the fact that the hand can- 
not say to the foot, I have no need of 
thee, and that the various branches of 
human industry, whether of the hand or 
brain are mutuallj- dependent and should 
be mutually helped." 

Mr. Rockwell, who was a practical ag- 
riculturist and stock raiser, furnished, each 
week, for the Phonograph, matter of much 
interest to the farmer, and was as a seed 
sower on good ground, educating the tillers 
of the soil to be more thorough in the pur- 
suit of their vocation. 

The sketch of the Plwnograph would be 
incomplete without mentioning the mo- 
tive power, Cnesar, the intelligent New- 
foundland dog, who run the tread wheel 
that gives motion to the press. He was a 
beautiful black dog, weighing an even 
100 pounds. The wheel to which he was 
attached furnished a modification of the 
dog power tread mill sometimes used in 
churning. It is said Csesar manifested 
much knowledge, both of the printing 
business and matters in general, and no 
doubt to him belongs a part of the credit 
for the many callers at the Phonograph 
oflice. • 



William A. Rugg, editor and proprietor 
of the Phonograph, was a native of Win- 
nebago Co., 111., born in 1854. He was 
brought up on a farm, where he remained 
until of age. He came to Iowa in 1875, 
lived in Floyd county, at Rockford, for 
two or three years, and removed to Rock- 
well in 1879, and at once became con- 
nected with the Phonograph. He is a 
good writer, well educated and posted, and 
is popular among all classes. 

CLEAR LAKE RECORD. 

This paper was originally started at 
Britt, Hancock county, in July, 1880. In 
1882 the oflice was purchased by George 
E. Frost, and removed to Clear Lake. It 
started off with a good advertising and 
subscription patronage, which has been 
steadily increasing. Mr. Frost still owns 
and edits the Record. It is a five column 
quarto, neatly printed, ably edited, and 
well filled with local and general news 
and advertisements. Mr. Frost, the edi- 
tor, is one of the old settlers of the county, 
and has held many oifioes of honor and 
trust. He is treated at length elsewhere 
in this volume. 

THE PLYMOUTH NEWS. 

This paper was established in March, 
1881. At the mast head, as editor and 
proprietor, appeared the name of James 
Brydon. It was an eight column folio, 
with patent insides, gotten up in good 
style, well filled with fresh, crisp, newsy 
items. The Neies continued pul)lication 
until the summer of 1882, when it was 
suspended and the subscription list turned 
over to the Mason ('ity liepnhUcun. 






jj*-— k-. 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY, 



673 



CHAPTER XI 



REMINISCENCES OF PIONEERS. 



In this chapter are given the personal 
experiences of some of the pioneers of 
Cerro Gordo county. T^ese articles are 
written or related by the pioneers, and 
when written, the compiler has in no case 
attempted to change the style of the writer, 
it being the design to show the peculiar- 
ity of the writer as well as to record the 
facts narrated. The expressions of an 
individual in writing, show his character 
and peculiarities as much as do features 
wiien painted on canvass, or printed from 
steel or stone. These reminiscences are 
interesting and well worthy of perusal. 

THK COMIIAST. 
By Hon. M P. Roaecrans. 
"We found the country a wild and un- 
cultivated wilderness, but a little more 
than a quarter of a century ago. The 
prairies were covered with buffalo, elk 
and deer; the timber and bushy portion 
held the wild bear, panther and lynx. 
Tlie lake was covered with wild fowl 
such as swans, geese, pelican and|ducks, 
while its clear placid water was full of 
])ickerel, bass and many other kinds of 
the tinny tribe. In fact this was a hunter's 
paradise. The wild and uncultivated 
savage, with his canoe on the water, in 
the moonlight glided from shore to shore, 
and whispered into the ear of some Indian 
maiden the tale of his burning passion — 



r 



-v~ 



liow he would take her to be the keeper of 
his humble wigwam, and let her raise the 
corn for him, cook his buffalo meat and 
venison, and do for him all his drudgery, 
while he, her lord, would smoke his pipe 
in the council of the braves, and there 
boast of his warlike deeds. Such, we say, 
was the state of the country but twenty- 
nine years ago, a time within the memory 
of our middle-aged men and women. 
There were no farms, no mills, no schools, 
no churches, no roads, no bridges, no 
comfortable dwellings, no mails, no post- 
iiffices, no printing presses, no shops, no 
machinery. The settler lived in an hum- 
ble cabin, without floor in many cases. 
Corn was pounded in wooden mortars, 
and wild meat with this was their only 
food. Winters were cold, snows deep, 
and the communication in many instances 
cutoff. Now note the change! The lake 
is still there, its bright and silvery water 
at sunset and sunrise reflecting the rays of 
ligiit cast upon its surface; over it the 
steamer glides in stately pride, her decks 
adorned with the beauty and fashion of 
the southern and eastern cities, as well as 
the beaut)' and fashion of our own vicinity, 
while all over its surface may be seen the 
flutter of the white sail, as the boat to 
which it is attached scuds before the 
wind, bearing the white and civilized 

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674 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



lover, who whispers in the ear of his fair 
one tlie tale of the home he has prepared, 
where are books, pictures, music; where 
flowers bloom, and where he desires to 
carry his lovely and attentive listener. 
The shore of the lake is still here, lined 
with pebbles and lashed by the waves as 
of old, but minus many a carnelian and 
moss agate, taken from thence to be 
placed in the cabinet of the geological 
student, or under the hands and skill of 
the workman, to adorn the breast or the 
finger of beauty and fashion while moving 
in the gas light in the mansion of wealth 
and refinement. The timber that line its 
banks still looms up darkly to the eye of 
the traveler as he crosses our broad and 
fertile prairies, save what has been de- 
stroyed by our settlers in making their 
improvements, but the bear that once 
roamed in its cool shades have all gone. 
The scream of the panther no more fright- 
ens the settler. This scream has been 
superseded by the shrill whistle of the 
locomotive or engine in the mills. The 
lynx and wild cat have been superseded 
by the Maltese or domestic cat. In the 
place of the wolf may be heard the bark- 
ing of the mastiff and spaniel. BuflFalo, 
deer and elk are no more seen on our 
prairies, but their places are filled by low- 
ing herds of cattle, by horses and mules, 
while at sunset may be heard the bleat of 
sheep mingled with the merry song of the 
husbandman The wild grass of the prai- 
rie has been, in a great measure, changed 
to the fragrant clover and waving fields 
of golden grain. The rough, uncultured 
backwoodsman, clothed in his humble 
garb of skins, has been changed into the 
cultivated and refined gentleman of leis- 



ure who sports his gold watch, chain and 
rings. His old coon skin cap is replaced 
by a hat of the latest style, shining and 
glistening in the sun. Where water only 
was drank, now may be found the cost- 
liest wines and most delicious beverages. 
We say all this change has taken place — 
and more than this. NVe now have roads 
and bridges, schoo's and school houses, 
societies and church edifices, rai roads 
and telegraphs, taxes and tax collectors. 
The old cabin of the settler has long since 
been torn down and superseded by the 
palatial mansion. Where once all was 
rough and uncouth, now may be seen 
beauty and refinement, harmony and 
order." 

LOCALS OF 1860. 
By Geo. E. Frost. 

In an article addressed to the old set- 
tlers of Cerro Gordo county, in the Clear 
Lake Record, Mr. Frost says: 

"Through the kindness of John M. 
Brainard, of Boone, this State, we have 
received Vol. 1 of the Clear Lake hide- 
pendent, the first paperpublished in Clear 
Lake. 

No. 1 is dated Feb. 10, 1860. It is 
a six-column folio, and was published 
by Brainard & Noyes. The card and ad- 
vertisement columns report as follows: 
County judge, George Vermilya; district 
clerk, E. D. Huntley; recorder and treas- 
urer, H. G. Parker; sheriff, John L. Mc- 
Millen; county surveyor, J. H. Ambrose; 
county superintendent, John M. Brainard. 
At Clear Lake Edwin Nichols was post- 
master, W. C. Staubery, attorney at law, 
and Marcus Tuttle, P. T. Stuigis, James 
Goodwin and Brainard & Noyes were 
land agents. Marcus Tuttle was also in 
the livery and lumber business, and kept 



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HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



675 



ill stock all kinds of native lumber, P. T. 
Sturgis was dealer in general merchan- 
dise, Goodwin & Howard were carpenters 
and builders, and R. O. Sirrine run the 
blacksmith shop. A report on county 
finances from the organization of the 
county to Jan. 1, 1860, shows county war- 
rants issued for $19, .556. 98, and unpaid 
warrants ouistanding $5,754.4'?. 

No. 2 gives an itemized statement 
of county receipts and expenses from 
the organization of the county in 
August, 1855, to Dec. 31, 1859, by J. S. 
Church, retiring county judge, which is a 
very complete statement of county affairs. 

The paper dated March 2d notes the 
building of a regular "d wn-east" ox-cart 
by Willard Dort, which is probably the 
first vehicle on wheels ever made in this 
county. The same paper also notes the 
burning of a little school house at Mason 
City. 

In the next issue A. B. Tuttle and 
Buren R. Sherman advertise as attorneys 
at law, and Rosecrans & Stanbery, at- 
torneys, publish four legal notices. Charles 
Johnson also advertises a mail and express 
route between Clear Lake and Cedar Falls 
— says he will be here every Friday 
prompt. 

March 16th says farmers are all sowing 
wheat. Judge Rosecrans, of Upper Grove, 
had finished seeding. James Dickirson 
was building a new barn in connection 
with the Dickirson House. 

March 23d reports 1,500 pounds of 
fish caught at the outlet Monday night. 

April 20th announces a mail route 
opened from Clear Lake to Irvington, 
Kossuth county, with Joseph Hewitt, con- 
tractor, and running once a week. 



June 1st reports the opening of the 
first district court of Hancock county, with 
Hon. John Porter for judge, C. J. Pritcli- 
ard, clerk, Daniel D. Chase, prosecuting 
attorney, and Huff, of Hardin county, Col. 
Woods, of Burlington, W. C. Stanbery, of 
Cerro Gordo, and M. P. Rosecrans, of 
Hancock county, were the attorneys pres- 
ent. At the same term C. J. Pritchard 
and Harvey Brockway were admitfced to 
the bar as attorneys. Court was also held 
in Winnebago county the following Mon- 
day, and H. B. Gray was admitted as an 
attorney, but there were no trials in either 
county, and but one day's court in each. 

Martin Bumgardner advertises a large 
stock of general merchandise at Forest 
City, — the first store there, in the same 
issue. 

In the issue of June 22d, the U. S. Gov- 
ernment advertises for bids on thirteen 
mail routes in this vicinity. The public 
installation of oflBcers of Benevolence 
Lodge, A. F. & A. M., is mentioned in 
this paper, and there is also a long article 
on the Comanche tornado in the eastern 
part of the State, by which 100 persons 
were killed. 

In the issue of June 29th Marcus Tuttle 
and J. C. Crowles have formed a partner- 
ship, and have bought out P. T. Sturgis, 
at Clear Lake and Mason City, and will 
operate a general store at each place. 

July 6th reports Fourth of July celebra- 
tion, dance and camp-meeting exercises, 
and all parties happy. 

July 20th announces the return of Rev. 
J. S Saxby from Kansas with his family, 
and the wheat harvest never better, and 
H. G. Parker and D. E. Coon as having 
a lively fight over the tax lists. 



rfv* 



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HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



On August 3d Mr. Chilson threshed 107 
bushels of wheat, raised from five and a 
half bushels of seed on James Dickirson's 
farm of three and a half acres. 

August 7th Col. Woods (old Timber) 
arrested for stealing a dog, and the Han- 
cock county Sentinel started by W. E. 
Tucker and C. W. Tobin at Ellington. 
The same paper contains the tax list of 
Hancock county, which filled six pages of 
four double columns each, also the list of 
Cerro Gordo county, which filled five 
pages of six double colnmns to a page 
At that time the water was so low in 
Lime creek that Randall's mill could not 
run and there was lots of wheat but no 
flour. At that time two threshing ma- 
chines were kept busy in this county. 
Tiie names of the committee appointetl 
for the county fair also appeared in this 

issue. 

September Uth W. P. Stanbery, C. 

D. Pritchard and H. B. Gray are discuss- 
ing politics. A. B. Tuttle has ripe melons 
and John L. McMillen has the best corn 
in the county. The following notice ap- 
pears in the same number : 

Married — Oa the 11th inst., at the Dickirson 
House, in Clear Lake, by Peter Wood, Esq., 
Mr. Robert O. Siiriue to Miss Martha Denslow, 
both of Clear L:ike. 

(That was Rob. and he is married still.) 
September 28th Tuttle & Crowles sell 
out their store to Brainard & Noyes. In 
the statement of county finances, from 
Jan. 1st to July 1st, the salaries of the 
county officers unpaid for six months, are 
as follows : 

County Superintendent $ 68 64 

" Clerk 75.00 

Judge 7.5 00 

" Surveyor 6 00 

" Sheiiir 18.00 

Ti-easurer and Recorder 105 75 

r" 



October 19th the town school, with Mrs. 
Gardner as teacher, closed with a picnic 
A slim report of the county fair from 
which we judge that the fair was not half 
so large as the premium list, and a new 
postoffice established at Linn Grove, now 
Rockwell. 

November -id contains the death of Rev. 
Elisha Pattee, aged seventy years. (Mr. 
Pattee was one of the pioneer Methodist 
ministers in Iowa, and probably preached 
the first sermon in this county. His 
widow. Grandma Pattee, still resides here 
and is over ninety years of age). 

November 16th contains election returns 
from which it appears that Cerro Gordo 
county cast 220 votes, of which 121 were 
republican and sixty-nine democratic. 

January 4, 1861. — Thermometer twelve 
degrees below, and the printingoffice devil 
froze up. First board of supervisors or- 
ganized with J. M. Hunt, of Falls, E. Ran- 
dall, of Mason, J. P. Gardner, of Lake^ 
A. C. Owen, of Owen, and J.J. Rogers, of 
Linn township, members. Paper con- 
tains account of the secession of South 
Carolina. 

January 18th H. G. Parker has bought 
press and material for a new paper at 
Mason City, to be called the Republican, 
J. H. Aylesworth to be editor. 

February 1st railroad was built to 
Waterloo. Vol. 1 of the Clear Lake 
Independent closed, and the paper suspends 
publication for the editors to rest. James 
Turner, the mail carrier, was caught out in 
in a blizzard and was badly frozen, and 
the first number of the Cerro Gordo Ri- 
pid)lican is out. 

The above is a brief review of the local 
of Clear Lake in I860, and when we re- 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



677 



member that in January, 1861, there were 
biittwenty-nine families in the west half 
of Cerro Gordo county and that there was 
but little to fill a newspaper with. The 
entii'e advertising for the year out- 
side of tax lists was less than $.300, with 
subscription next to nothing, but still they 
(lid more work and set more type each 
week than the Record and Mirror to- 
gether, but that was before the days of 
"patents" and "plates" and every word was 
set up each week. Altogether the work 
was creditable for the times. The files 
will stay here hereafter." 

INDIAN TALK. 
By Will. Ed. Tucker. 

It is not our purpose in this article to 
dilate much upon the part which the 
•'noble red man" took in our early history, 
preferring to deal with subjects which are 
not surrounded with such a halo of doubt 
and uncertainty. In that early day Clear 
Lake seemed to be a favorite hunting 
place forthe Indian8,and,naturally enough, 
the name of James Hewitt is connected 
with our earliest account of them. The 
significance of his name appears to have 
immediately struck them, for they at once 
re-christened him 'Nock-a-Shookle,' which 
is Winnebago for hew it. Having had some 
experience with the Winnebagoes in Clay- 
ton county and elsewhere, Mr. Hewitt was 
prepared to deal with "Lo" as a trader and 
talkist. Large numbers of that tribe, 
under the leadership of some of the braves, 
were camped much of the time near the 
rt'sideiice of " Nock-a-Shook," at Clear 
Lake, hunting b}' day, and making night 
hideous with "music" and dancing Dur- 
ing the winters of 1855-56, '5 6-7 the 
supply of "pagainena" was obtained from 



some enterprising dealers at Mason City. 
The name of this beverage is derived 
from two Winnebago words, 'pageda,'fire, 
and 'nena,' water, (fire-water), which bad 
the most remarkable effect on ye noble> 
red man of the forest. They would often 
fall to beating their squaws, till the 'bet- 
ter halves' were compelled to seek refuge 
among the trees, with the whites and else- 
where, until the frenzy had passed away 
from their lords. At the breaking up of 
winter, with new canoes just dugout, they 
would usually start with their 'plunder' at 
the head of the West Fork of the Cedar, 
just a little south of the lake, and follow 
that stream to its confluence with the Ce- 
dar, catching otter, beaver and smaller 
fur. Arriving at the Cedar, the fur season 
over, they sold furs and canoes, then re- 
turned overland, the same dirty, destitute, 
vagabond noble 'Injuns' they ever were. 
By Timothy II. Parker 
I left Wabash township, Jay Co., Ind., 
Sept., 10, 1855, with two teams, to come to 
Iowa. We were five weeks getting ten 
miles west of Dubuque. It got very cold 
and as I had no claim picked out in Cerro 
Gordo county, the place toward which I 
was making, I concluded to leave my fam- 
ily and go ahead alone to find a location. 
So I rented a house, got my family com- 
fortably domiciled and came to Mason 
City, purchasing the farm on which I now 
live. I then returned to my family, and 
in the following April started to mj land 
in Cerro Gordo county. When I got to 
the Shell Rock river, the ice was running 
and we couldn't cross with the wagons, 
so I got Enoch Wiltfong to help swim the 
horses over and- take the family, beds, 
stoves, etc., across, giving him one dollar 



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678 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



for his trouble. After paying Wiltfong 
I had thirty cents left to begin the sum- 
mer. The next winter I went to Cedar 
Rapids and hauled a load of mill irons for 
George Brentner, receiving for the job 
seventy dollars, with which I bought stuff 
that was called flour, at live dollars per 
hundred. We had bad luck with the first 
two crops of corn we planted, as the early 
frosts killed both, and we had almost 
nothing to feed our cattle. We had six 
cows, however, that we had brought with 
us, and these helped us weather the storm 
all right. One day, in 1856, we were vis- 
ited by an Indian squaw, who wanted to 



trade us her papoose for a bushel of pota- 
toes, because the little thing was sick, and 
she didn't want to take care of it; but we 
didn't care about dealing in that kind of 
goods, and so didn't make a trade. When 
we first came to Cerro Gordo we didn't 
have very good religious privileges, and it 
was very seldom that we got the benefit 
of hearing a good sermon. I remember 
the first Sabbath I spent in this county. 
I went to Mason City, to see if there was 
any meeting; all I found was a Sunday 
school, and there was but little satisfac- 
tion in that, as there wasn't a man to open 
the school by prayer. 



CHAPTER X II. 



EDUCATIONAL. 



In this respect, the facilities in Cerro 
Gordo county are fully up to the average 
of Iowa's counties. The present mode of 
government of the public schools differs 
much from early days, and is a great im- 
provement, for as it is with all innovations, 
the law in this respect has run the gaunt- 
let, and finally arrived at what must be 
considered as tilling about all the require- 
ments. There are, however, some weak 
points which prove in many cases very in- 
convenient if not exasperating. The law 
provides for the organization of what is 
termed district townships, which are di- 
vided by the local boards into sub-districts. 
The district township, as the name im- 
plies, is a township organized for educa- 
tional purposes. All of the sub-districts 



are a part of the whole, and the finances 
and all business matters of one and all are 
managed by the board of directors made 
up of one from each sub-district. Thus 
one district cannot make up their minds to 
vote a tax and build a school house, which 
may be sadly needed, unless the whole 
township agrees that the tax can be lev- 
ied; a school teacher cannot be engaged 
by the sub-district where she is to teach, 
but the whole township has a voice in it 
The board of directors fix a price to be 
paid to all teachers in the township, and 
thus one teacher with a hard school to 
teach, and fifty pupils, must often receive 
the same compensation as does the teacher 
with an easily taught school and but five 
pupils. To partiallv rectify this opening 



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HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



681 



for injustice, the law provides for the or- 
ganization of the gub-districts into inde- 
pendent districts, or in other words, when 
a certain population is attained, it gives 
tliem power to choose their own board of 
directors and officers, in whom is vested 
all the powers held by the officers of the 
district township. It also provides for 
the erection of school houses by the inde- 
pendent districts, but modifies this by the 
declaration that there must be fifteen 
scholars of school age in the district be- 
fore this can be done. Under the above 
law, a district of this kind, unless it I'.as 
fifteen scholars, cannot build even should 
there be enough money in the treasury to 
defray all expenses. They can, however, 
order school in such other places as can be 
furnished. 

SCHOOL FUND COMMISSIONER. 

When Cerro Gordo county was organ- 
ized in 1855, the office of county superin- 
tendent of schools had not yet been cre- 
ated. Educational matters were managed 
in a primitive manner. They were to a 
very limited extent vested in what was 
termed the school fund commissioner. 
Tills officer, as the name implies, had 
charge of the school funds, the same as 
has the board of supervisors of to-day. 
It was an important office. He had 
authority to loan the school fund to pri- 
vate parties, on suitable security, and 
many of the mortgages in an early day 
were made to the school fund commission- 
er in consideration of the school funds. 
He had no control of the schools at all. 
Public examinations wore unknown. The 
scliool trustees or directors of the various 
districts saw that their schools were taught 
and managed in an efficient manner, and 



always appointed a committee to examine 
and learn the qualifications of a teacher 
whom they contemplated employing. 

David Wright was the first school fund 
commissioner of Cerro Gordo county. He 
was elected on the organization of the 
county in August, 1855, and served until 
his successor was elected in April, 1856. 
David Wright settled on Lime creek, 
three or four miles north of Mason City, 
in 1852. He brought his family with him 
and engaged in farming, also spending a 
good share of his time hunting. In one 
of his hunting trips Ije killed a large buf- 
falo just west of where the fair grounds are 
now located. About 1857 he sold his farm 
and removed to Worth county, where he 
died a few years ago. Wright was a man 
of a good deal of natural ability, and had 
a way with him that was calculated to 
make friends. His education was some- 
what limited. 

Thomas Drummond succeeded David 
Wright as school fund commissioner. He 
was elected in April, 1856, and served for 
one year. Drummond was the first law- 
yer that located in Cerro Gordo county, 
and was a smart fellow. 

In April, 1857, Amos B. Miller was 
elected school fund commissioner and 
was the last to fill the office for Cerro 
Gordo county. Shortly after the expira- 
tion of Mr. Miller's term of office he was 
elected register of the State L9,nd Office. 
Before the expiration of Mr. Miller's term, 
the office of school commissioner was 
abolished by law. The duties devolved 
upon the county judge unti the creation 
of the board of supervisors, when that 
body took charge of the school funds, with 
the exception of those devoted to holding 



58 






682 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



normal institutes, which matter is treated 
at length in.its proper place. When the 
oflSce of commissioner was dispensed with 
that of 

COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS 

was created. The duties and work of the 
office were then the same as at the present 
day, visiting schools, holding examina- 
tions, and looking after the interests of 
educational matters in general. 

John M. Hunt was the first county 
superintendent of schools of Cerro Gordo 
county. He was elected in April, 1858, 
and served for a few months. Hunt was 
an early settler and the first^county judge 
of Floyd county. He afterwards moved 
into Cerro Gordo county and became the 
first county superintendent. He was a 
married man and brought his family with 
him, settling in Falls township. He re- 
mained here for a number of years and 
finally removed to Missouri. He is now 
in Oregon. He was a "thoroughly edu- 
cated man, refined in manners and genial 
and pleasant in disposition. 

Mr. Hunt resigned after serving for a 
few months and Dr. W. M. Skinner, of 
Clear Lake, was appointed to fill the 
vacancy. 

In the fall of 1858 Rev Thomas Ten- 
iiey was elected superintendent of schools 
and served until Jan. 1, 1860. 

Rev. Thomas Tenney was born in Brad- 
ford, Mass., (now Groveland), in 1798. 
His parents soon after removed to Chester, 
N. H., where he was reared on a farm. 
When eighteen years of age he became 
interested in spiritual matters. His mother, 
a true daughter of the Puritans, and one 
of the most prayerful women of that age, 
earnest in her teachings and consistent in 



her example, led him by her influence to 
commence his career as a Christian, with 
the resolution to devote his life to the 
glory of God. This became the watch- 
word and aim of his life. He now began 
to feel the need of an education, which 
would the better fit him for his chosen 
life work. Through many hardships and 
much self denial he obtained an education, 
graduating at Dartmouth College as vale- 
dictorian of his class, as well as taking 
two other college honors. There were 
several members of his class who were 
afterward quite distinguished. He after- 
ward assisted a younger brother through 
the same school and was always very con- 
siderate in helping, not only his kindred, 
but other young men of promise who were 
seeking an education. He was married 
in 1827 to Martha T. Parker, of Dunbar- 
ton, N. H. After completing his theolog- 
ical studies he was principal of an acad- 
emy in Hampton, N. H., during 1827-8, 
and the following year he presided over a 
school of high order in Portland, Maine, 
after which he settled in Standish, 
where he served as pastor for six years. 
The Unitarian question was at that time 
disturbing the churches of the northeast, 
and though a remnant in Rev. Tenney's 
church clung to their beloved pastor and 
the religion of their parents, yet the agita- 
tion led to his leaving Standish and ac- 
cepting a position as teacher in Gorhani 
Academy, Maine, in which a female de- 
partment had just been organized. He 
remained here four years as a teacher. At 
the close of this period, 1839-40, he ac- 
cepted an invitation to become principal 
of a prominent school in Austinburg, Ohio, 
where one of his pupils was John Brown, 






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HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



683 



Jr., a son of Ossawattamie Brown. Austin- 
burg was an important town on the under- 
ground railroad, and many of the colored 
people escaping from slavery were assist- 
ed by the citizens and students. Mr. 
Tenney's views on slavery were in advance 
of those generally held in the northeast, 
and though never adopting the extreme 
views held by the Garrison school, yet he 
keenly felt the shame of ihe north in be- 
ing linked with slavery, and was fearless 
in speech and efforts for the abolition of 
human bondage. He remained principnl 
of Grand River Institute in Austinburg 
for seven years, training up a corps of 
young men and women a-i teachers and 
workers for Go I. But the desire to preach 
the gospel became as a pent up lire witliin 
him, and about the year 1847 be went to 
Wisconsin, preaching in Beloit, Waukesha 
and other places, and then settled in 
Soraers, Wis. Here, amid a fluctuating 
population, he was very successful. Feel- 
ing tliat his talents and energies would be 
of use in nursing the then feeble churches 
of Iowa, he with his wife and two chil- 
dren, Henry M. and Emma Maria, fol- 
lowed his son, Charles W., toCerro Gordo 
county, where he was the pioneer in found- 
ing the Congregational churches in this 
s ction, and assisted materially in the 
building of several church edifices, a' 
Mitchell, Mason City, Rock Falls and 
other places. The Congregational Asso- 
ciation for this district was in session 
when the news of Rev. Tenney's death 
reached them, and nearly the entire Asso- 
ciation attended his funeral. His wife 
and companion in all his labors, Martha 
T. (Parker) Tenney, only survived him 
about two years. She was born in Brad- 



ford, Mass., Jan. 2.3, 1804, and after- 
wards graduated at Bradford Academy, 
near Boston, where she was engaged sev- 
eral years as a teacher. She was a true 
helper in all his toils. They had eight 
children; three of them were buried in 
Maine, and the youngest, Emma Maria, 
died at Plymouth, Iowa, Oct. 9, 1863, be- 
ing a young lady of remarkable intellect 
and lovely disposition. Of the four sur- 
viving children, the eldest, Mary Eliza, 
has never resided here. She was educated 
it Austinburg and Mt. Holyoke. She was 
in anti-slavery writer under the nom de 
plume of Mary Irving, and was a teacher 
in Shibideaux Female Seminary, near New 
Orleans, at the breaking out of the rebel- 
lion. She then went as a missionary to 
Asia Minor, and was afterwards married 
to Cyrus Hamlin, D. D., of Constantino" 
pie, who is now president of Middlebnry 
College, Vermont Henry M. came to 
Iowa with his father, and now resides in 
Falls township. He was educated at 
Oberlin College, Ohio. He enlisted in 
company B, 32d Iowa Volunteer Infantry, 
was promoted to first lieutenant in a col- 
ored regiment, but having lost liis health, 
he resigned about the close of the war, 
and returned to his farm. He married 
Louisa La Due, by whom he has six chil- 
dren. 

Charles W. Tenney was the first of 
the family to come to Falls township, 
Cerro Gordo county, where he still resides. 
He was born Feb. 16, 1834. In pioneer 
days he often visited northern Iowa, south 
western Minnesota and Dakota, hunting 
and trapping. He was the first treasurer 
and recorder of Cerro Gordo county and 
has also been county surveyor. He was 



^?= 



684 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



also a member of the board of supLTvisors 
and was elected to the lower house of the 
State Legislature, the district at that time 
comprising the counties of Cerro Gordo, 
Worth, Winnebago and Kossuth. He has 
been twice a trustee of the Iowa State 
Agricultural College, served in all about 
seven years, but resigned in 1S82 because 
of ill health, being succeeded by Governor 
Kirkwood. He has been married twice. 
His first wife was Mary A. La Due, to 
whom he was married Sept. 12, 1857, by 
whom he had eight children — Thomas L. 
D., Edward H., Mary E., {deceased when 
two years of age), Charles I., Nina A., 
Mattie P., Hattie I. and Georgie H., (died 
in infancy). May 5, 1875, he married 
Anna E. Hays, of Cincinnatus, N. Y. 
They have had three children — Johnnie 
H., (deceased), Dewitt C. and Albert VV. 
Charles W. Tenney's home is Beaver 
Grove, his stock farm adjoining the village 
of Plymouth, which he helped to found 
His east and home farms contain about 
700 acres of prairie and timber land, well 
watered by Beaver Dam creek and Rocky 
]>ranch. He is greatly interested iii agri- 
cultural pursuits, and was a member of the 
first class in the first agricultural college 
in the United States. His failing health 
prevents his being actively engaged in 
any occupation at the present time. 

In October, 1859, John M. Brainard 
was elected county superintendent and 
served for two years. Brainard came to 
Cerro Gordo county as a teacher, but after 
tiie expiration of his term of office as 
superintendent, engaged at publishing a 
paper in Clear Lake. He continued this 
lor about one year when he went into 
ti;ade. Subsequently he removed to 



Nevada, Story county, where he publislied 
a paper, and later went to Boone county 
where he still lives, following the same 
business. Brainard was an intelligent, 
energetic and well educated fellow, and 
made many friends. 

In 1861 A. B. Tuttle was elected super- 
intendent of schools and served two years. 
He is still a resident of Mason City. 

George P. Griffith succeeded Mr. Tut- 
tle, being elected in the fall of 1863. He 
was a teacher who had come from Iowa 
Falls. 

Jarvis S. Church was elected county 
superintendent in 1865, and served one 
term. 

Nathan Bass succeeded him by election 
in October, 1867. Bass came to Mason 
City in 1860 or 1861, from Blue Earth 
City, Minn. He was a teacher and a 
lawyer, although he devoted but little 
time to the latter profession. He a'so 
spent some time at farming. At one 
time the schools' of Mason City were 
taught by himself and wife. A number 
of yeans ago he left the county and went 
to some point south of here. 

In October, 1869, A. S. Allen was 
elected to the office of county superintend- 
ent, and served for two years. 

E. C. Moulton was elected superintend- 
ent in 1871, but did not serve out his full 
term. Mr. Moulton came to Mason City 
as a teacher. He now resides at New 
Hampton, Iowa. 

Upon the resignation of Mr. Moulton, 
Mrs. J. B. Dakin was appointed lo fill the 
vacancy. In 1873 she was elected to the 
office. 

In the fall of 1875 Ira C. Kling was 
elected superintendent. In 1877 he was 



'.k^ 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



685 



appointed deputy State Superintendent 
and resigned the county office. 

In 1877 M. H Kling was elected to fill 
the vacancy and for the full term. 

In 1879 L. S. Klinefelter was elected to 
succeed Mr. Kling, and in 1881 was re- 
elected as school superintendent of Cerro 
Gordo county. He is the son of Adam 
and Margaret (Dillman) Klinefelter, na 
tives of Pennsylvania, who emigrated to 
Ohio after their marriage, and were the 
parents of six sons and four daughters. 
Levi was born in Summit Co., Ohio, 
Nov. 13, 1848. His father was an Evan- 
gelical preacher who traveled extensively 
through the wilds of that State organizing 
churches. Levi was educated at Union and 
Northwestern College in Du Page Co., III. 
He came to this county in 1873, and in 
1879 was elected to his present office, 
which he has filled with credit to himself 
and constituents for two terras. He was 
married Oct. 1, 1879, to Carrie E., daugh- 
terof Dwight Brown, a native of Vermont. 

THE DBVELOPMENT. 

The progress of the county is nowhere 
better illustrated, than in the progress of 
educational matters. In the early days 
good schools were like "angel visits, few 
and far between," and it was considered 
very fortunate, indeed, if an opportunity 
was offered for obtaining even the rudi- 
ments of a common school education. A 
person competent and willing to teach 
the three branches commonly and sarcasti- 
cally spoken of as "readin', 'ritin' and 
'rithmetic," was often hard to find. Some 
of the few scattered settlements could not 
afford to employ a teacher, and were 
therefore compelled to do without or send 
their children across the prairie to some 



more fortunate settlement where a school 
was in operation. Many instances are 
brought to the notice of the historian, 
where children were sent a distance of 
four and six miles, walking the entire 
distance, morning and evening of each 
day, in order that they might avail them- 
selves of the opportunity of acquiring a 
little knowledge, and fit themselves for 
the duties of life. How different now! 
In every township there are from seven to 
nine schools in successfu' operation; com- 
petent teachers are emp'oyed, many of 
whom have spent years in fitting, them- 
selves for their vocation, and who make 
teaching a profession by preparing them- 
selves as thoroughly for the work as the 
lawyer, doctor or divine. According to 
law, the sixteenth section of every town- 
ship was to be used for school purposes, 
but there being little or no sale for land, 
the government price being only 11.25 
per acre, the income amounted to but 
little. Subscription schools, therefore, 
had often to be depended upon. In those 
days, as a rule, a log house or board 
shanty, probably 10x12 feet, was probably 
erected, on some settlers land, or else 
upon donated land. The furniture usu- 
ally consisted of slab seats for the scholars, 
a chair or three-legged stool, and a hickory 
rod for the teacher. As for books, but 
few were needed, the less the better, as 
the teacher could get along more readily. 
Altogether, in the light of to-day, the 
schools of twenty and twenty-five years 
ago were very limited and dreary affairs. 
Every decade that has passed since the 
organization of the county has shown a 
marked elevation in its standing as to 
educational matters. The following 



bK ' 



.-Va- 



>»• 



686 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



statistics have been collected to illustrate 
this fact. 

In 1870 the total amount of the interest 
on the State permanent school fund ap- 
portioned to Cerro Gordo county was 
$ 1,56.5, 3 '7;the number of sub-districts in the 
county was forty-four; number of persons 
in the county between the ages of five 
and twenty-one years, 1,661; enrollment 
1,418; average attendance at schools, 777; 
number of schools in the forty-four dis- 
tricts, fifty, of which only one was graded. 
There were seventy-seven teachers em- 
ployed, eighteen males and fifty-nine 
females; the average compensation for 
males was $8.88 per week, and females 
$6.67. The average cost of tuition for 
each scholar was forty-five cents. There 
were forty-six school liouses in the county, 
sixteen stone and thirty frame. The 
value of the school houses was $28,495; 
value of apparatus $1,018. There were 
425 volumes in the district libraries. The 
total amount paid teachers during the year 
was $10,892.50. The county superintend- 
ent examined ninety-nine applicants for 
certificates,and granted ninety-two;twenty 
to males and seventy-two to females. Of 
these, four were premium certificates; 
twenty-two were first grade; eight were 
second grade for one year, and fifty-seven 
were second grade for less than one year. 
The average age of applicants was twenty- 
one years. The county superintendent, 
A. S. Allen, visited forty-seven of the 
schools dyring this year, and held two 
educational meetings. 

Ten years later, in 1880, there were in 
Cerro Gordo county fourteen district 
townships, four independent townships 
and ninety-nine sub-districts. Of these 



106 were ungraded; there were twenty- 
one rooms in graded schools. There were 
221 teachers employed; seventy-one males 
and 150 females. The average monthly 
compensation of males was $28.90, females 
$26.01. There were 3,895 persons in the 
county between the ages of five and 
twenty one years; there were 2,980 pupils 
enrolled in the public scliools; average at- 
tendance 1,767. The average cost of tu- 
ition per month for each pupil was $2.22. 
There were 110 school houses in the coun- 
ty, valued at $62,185; ninety -nine of them 
were frame, eleven stone. The apparatus 
was valued at $1,857. There were thirty- 
four volumes in school libraries. The to- 
tal amount paid teachers during the yenr 
was $29,1 14.06. The county superintend- 
ent examined 296 applicants for certifi- 
cates and granted 246, of which seventy 
were first grade; ninety were second grade 
and eighty-six third grade. The average 
age of applicants was twenty-one; sixty- 
eight of them had had experience at 
teaching. The county superintendent had 
visited 108 schools and held twenty-four 
educational meetings. 

teachers' nobmai, institute. 
On the 19th of March, 1874, an act was 
passed by the General Assembly, estab- 
lishing normal institutes in all the coun- 
ties throughout the State. By this act, 
the superintendents were required to com- 
mence and each year hold an institute, at 
some convenient point in each county, for 
the drill of those who were, or who in- 
tended to be, teachers. The object of this 
was, to furnish teachers an opportunity to 
review and enlarge their knowledge of 
the branches to be taught, and acquaint 
themselves with improved methods of 



* 

±1^ 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



687 



teaching. For the purpose of defraying 
the expenses incident to such gatherings, 
the Institute Fund was created, to which 
the State annually pays $50, and the bal- 
ance is /nade up by the $1 examination 
fees paid the county superintendent, and 
the fee of $] charged to each attendant of 
the institute. The board of supervisors 
were authorized to appropriate additional 
.suras, as they deemed necessary, for the 
further support of the^ institute. Tiiis 
fund is under the exclusive control of the 
county superintendents. 

The first normal institute of Cerro 
Gordo county was held at Mason City, 
beginning Sept. 21, 1874, and continuing 
four weeks. There were sixty-six teach- 



ers in attendance, fifteen gentlemen and 
fifty-one ladies. J. C. Gilchrist was con- 
ductor, and had for his assistants, Mrs. J. 
C. Gilchrist, Mrs. J. B. Dakin and Mrs. 
Ira C. Kling. The lecturers were W. E. 
Cro?by, John Avery and J. C. Gilchrist. 

Since that time, an institute has been 
held each year, growing in value and in- 
terest each year. They have all been very 
successful and their effect has been plainly 
visible in elevating the character of the 
schools. 

The last institu e was held at Mason 
City in August, 18S3. There was a large 
attendance and the interest manifested 
was unprecedented. 



CHAPTER XII 1 



AGRICULTURE AND AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES. 



I'he county of Cerro Gordo lies in the 
second tier of counties from the northern 
line of the State. This is one of the most 
productive agricultural regions in the 
northwest, and Cerro Gordo county, 
til rough the agency of great natural 
advantages, as fertility of soil and an 
abundance of water, and a thrifty and in- 
telligent class of people, has assumed a 
high rank among the agricultural counties 
of Iowa. Lines of railway have brought 
excellent marketing facilities to the very 
doors of the producers, and agricultural 
pursuits are to-day pursued with pleasure 
and profit, where a few years ago the far- 



mer met with hardships, uncertainty and 
privation. 

As to the products of the county, corn, 
wheat and oats are the staples, varying 
relatively in amount from year to year ; 
but corn always taking the lead. Barley, 
hay and potatoes rank next as important 
productions. Rye, sorghum and grass 
seed are also largely cultivated. Vegeta- 
bles and fruit common to this latitude 
grow here to perfection, and there are 
now many fine and profitable fruit or- 
chards in Ceri'o Gordo county. Years ago 
about the whole attention of agriculturists 
was devoted to raising wheat, but that 



vi w »- 



IS 



Jl 



« 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



day has gone by. The wheat belt seems, 
from its history, to be always moving 
westward, and while it hovered over this 
portion of America, it was well improved 
thirty, forty, and even forty-five bushels 
to the acre being raised,' and all farmers 
considering it the staple product. Of late 
years however, farmers are turning their 
attention more toward raising stock. 
Their success in this line has been marked 
and rapid, and few counties in northwest- 
ern Iowa can boast of the amount and 
rpiality of stock that can Cerro Gordo. 
On the whole Cerro Gordo county ranks 
high among its sister counties of the.great 
State, and its resources not having been 
mucii more than half developed, its 
promise is indeed flattering. 

In this connection are presented a num- 
ber of items compiled from the census re- 
port of 1880, which will give a very clear 
idea of the resources and present condi- 
tions of the county : 

In 1880 the number of improved farms 
in Cerro Gordo county was 1,387; there 
were 169,206 acres of improved land; 
the value of farms, including land, fences, 
and buildings, was $3,851,548; the value 
of farming implements and machinery 
was $317,051; value of live stock, $810,- 
!34; the cost of building and repairing 
fences in 1879, was $19,790; the cost of 
fertilizers purchased in 1879, was $188; 
the estimated value of all farm produc- 
tions, sold, consumed, or on hand for 1879, 
was $1,115,712. 

In 1880 there were 52,873 bushels of 
barley iiarvested in Cerro Gordo county; 
of buckwheat, 1,314 bushels; corn, 1,276,- 
322 bushels ; oats, 528,445 bushels ; rye, 
810 bushels ; wheat, 656,998 bushels ; the 



total value of orchard products was $1,712. 
There were 26,649 tons of hay gathered ; 
97,727 bushels of Irish potatoes raised, 
and 5,520 pounds of tobacco raised. 

STOCK RAISING. 

Stock raising in Cerro Gordo county has 
grown to great proportions in the last few 
years. Farmers fifteen years ago de- 
pended mostly on growing cereals, but 
this has largely passed away. Wheat is 
no more a profitable crop and farmers have, 
as a necessity, turned their attention to 
something that yields larger and quicker 
returns. This they have realized in rais- 
ing and selling cattle and hogs. To show 
the increase in this direction, statistics 
have been compiled of various years and 
are here presented; 

In 1863 there were 1505 head of cattle, 
valued at $$13,170.50; 437 horses, valued 
at $18,608; 8 mules, valued at $525; 
856 sheep, valued at $1,615; and 541 
swine, valued at $952.65. 

In 1873 there were 4017 head of cattle, 
valued at $33,651; 2301 horses, valued 
at $77,393; 48 mules, valued at $1,773; 
1037 sheep, valued at $1,044; »nd 1-262 
swine, valued at $1,364. 

In 1875 there were 5830 head of cattle, 
valued at $52,033; 2944 horses, valued 
at $93,661; 82 mules, valued at $2,810; 
1707 sheep, valued at $1,278; and 1388 
swine, valued at $1,536. 

In 1879 there were 8456 head of cattle, 
valued at $79,340; 4755 horses, valued 
at $158,547; 133 mules, valued at $4,- 
915; 1494 sheep, valued at $1,514; and 
8474 swine, valued at $10,157. 

As to dairy products and live stock in 
in 1880, there were 36,718 gallons of milk 
produced; 418,401 pounds of butter, and 



T 



..m 




y . 




1^^ 





'.!•- 



'k 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



691 



8,445 pounds of cheese made. There were 
5,745 head of horses; 148 mules and asses; 
28 working oxen; 5,266 milch cows; 9,784 
other cattle; 3,014 sheep; and 29,106 hogs. 
During this year, 18,065 pounds of wool 
was produced. 

In 1883 there were 15,805 head of cat- 
tle, valued at $127,703; 5614 horses, 
valued at $143,920; 156 mules, valued 
at .?4,834; 2724 sheep, valued at $2,- 
704; and 12,446 swine, valued at $14,- 
552. 

It must be borne in mind that the as- 
sessed value is but about one-third the real 
value, so by multiplying by three, the real 
value is obtained. 

CERBO GORDO COUNTY AGRICULTURAL SO- 
CIETY. 

In 1860 an informal meeting of some of 
the most prominent citizens of Cerro 
Gordo county was held at Mason City, and 
an agricultural society was partially or- 
ganized. The first fair in the coun- 
ty was held this year. From year to 
year, irregularly,since that time, fairs were 
held under the auspices of various socie- 
ties, but much difficulty was encountered 
because of the fact that they did not have 
a legal organization. Various grounds 
were used for the fairs, and many of the 
gatherings were very successful, while 
others proved failures. 

Finally in the spring of 1872, George 
Henderson, who had been president of the 
old society, issued a call for a meeting to 
be lield at the court house in Mason City, 
Marcli 30, 1872, for the purpose of re- 
oigauizing the society anil placing it on a 
legal footing. In accordance there wiih, 
the meeting was held and a committee, 
consisting of George R. Miller, Alonzo 



Willson and B. F. Gibbs, was appointed 
to arrange matters and perfect the organi- 
zation of a joint stock company, the shares 
to be $10 each. The committee did their 
work well, and on the 13th of April, 1872, 
the articles of incorporation were pre- 
sented and ado])ted. At the same time 
the first officers of the re organized society 
were elected and were as follows: 

President, George R. Miller; vice-presi- 
dent, Charles W. Tenney; secretary, 
Thomas G. Emsley; treasturer, Henry 
Martin. 

As provided by the articles of incor- 
poration the board of directors consisted 
of one member from each township. The 
following were the first directors elected: 
Mason township, T. N. Miller; Lake 
township, T. Palmeter; Falls township, 
Thomas Ferret; Lime Creek township, 
C. E. Oi-ane; Clear Lake ownship, E. 
Nichols; Lincoln township, H. J. Willis; 
Owen township, J. G Bailey; Geneseo 
township, George B. Rockwell; Portland 
township, A. S. Felt; Grant township, 
Joseph Cook; Dougherty township, D. 
Dougherty. 

The annual fairs of the society, since 
the re-organization, have, without an ex- 
ception, been a success, not only in the 
exhibits but financially. Each year there 
is an increasing interest manifested, and 
the careful and efficient management the 
society has received is appreciated by the 
patrons. The grounds of the society are 
well located and in good condition. They 
lie just northwest of Mason City. The 
last fair of the society was held on the 
10th, 11 lb and 12th days of September, 
1883. It was very argely attended, the 
exhibition was enormous, and the fair as 

"59^ "~~— 



® 
-^p- 



^ 



• iL. 



^ » 



692 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



a whole surpassed the expectations of the 
warmest friends of the society. 

At the time of the fair the officers were 
as follows : President, John D. Glass; 
vice president, O.B.Thompson ; secretary. 
Henry Martin ; treasurer, B. F. Gibbs. 

The directors were as follows : C. W. 
Tenney, Falls ; M. H. Kling, Lime Creek; 
A. R. Stilson, Portland; J. M. Dougan, 
Mason; H J. Willis, Lincoln ; T. Palme- 
ter. Clear Lake ; E. W. Jacobs, Owen ; 
H. F. Lincoln, Bath ; D. Dougherty, 



Dougherty ; G. B. Rockwell, Geneseo ; 
William Winter, Pleasant Valley. 

The executive committee consisted of 
J. D. Glass, O. B. Thompson, Henry Mar- 
tin, J. M. Dougan and A. R. Siilson. The 
officers of the day were : W. B. Stilson, 
marshal, and A. J. Miller, asistant mar- 
shal. 

The superintendents were : B H. Kirk, 
Richard Long, E. W. Jacobs, John Bush, 
E. R. Case, B. A. Bryant, Mrs. P. Hughes, 
J. J. O'Rourke and M. H. Kling. 



CHAPTER XIV. 



POLITICAL. 



The political history of Cerro Gordo 
county is more fully and much more au- 
thentically shown in giving the abstract 
of votes for the various years, than in any 
other manner. The county has been re- 
publican by a large majority ever since its 
organization; yet, at times, democrats 
have, by their own popularity, been 
elected to county offices over republicans. 
As a rule, there is a republican conven- 
tion held nominating their candidates, and 
the opposition concentrate all their force 
upon an independent or people's ticket. 
For the county offices, political campaigns 
in Cerro Gordo county usually shape 
themseleves into a fight of one locality 
against another — Clear Lake heading one 
faction and Mason City the other. When 
this does occur, the fight is very bitter. 



and political creed is almost discarded for 
the time being. However, with the close 
of the polls, the quarrel ceases and all sub- 
mit gracefully to the "powers that be," 
while harsh feelings between the locali- 
ties, caused by the campaign, are forgot- 
ten and laid away until another annual 
election. 

OFFICIAL VOTE. 

In this connection is presented an ab- 
stract of the vote at every general election 
held in Cerro Gordo county, as far as 
could be ascertained from the records in 
the court house. In some instances the 
records do not give he vote upon all the 
offices, and when such is the case they are 
omitted here. There is no record at all 
of the election in the fall of 1858. 



^. 



H' 



ik 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



693 



The election records of Cerro Gordo 
county commence with the August elec- 
tion in 1855. 

Election August 7, 1855. 

County Judge. 

J. B. Ling 49—48 

Silus Card 1 

Clerk of Court. 

Henry Martin 48—46 

Elisha Randall 2 

Prosecuting Attorney. 

C. B. Raymond 33—24 

E. Randall 9 

Treasurer and Recorder. 

Henry Van Patter 52 

School Fund Commissioner. 

David Wright .- 44—33 

Richard Morris 9 

Surveyor. 

I. W, Card 35-21 

J. B. Randall 14 

Sheriff. 

N. W. Staokhouse 31—14 

J. L. Stewart 17 

J Van Cuien 2 

Coroner. 

James Dickirson 52 — 51 

Alanson Beebe 1 

Election, February; 1856 

In favor of County taking R. R. bonds. 80 

Election, November 4, 1856. 

Delegate lu constitutional Convention, 

John T. Chirk , 101—87 

Samuel F. Gilchrist 14 

Election, April, 1856. 

School Fund Commissioner. 

Thomas Drummond 60—13 

Marcus Tuttle 47 

Drainage Commissioner. 

Horace G. Parker 106—104 

Horace C . Parker 2 

Election, August, 1856. 
Secretary of State. 

Elijah Sells 72 — 42 

George Snyder 30 



t 



Auditor of State. 

John Pattee 71—41 

James Pollard 30 

State Treasurer. 

M. L. Morris 72—42 

George Paul 30 

Attorney General . 

5. A. Rice 71—41 

James Baker 30 

State Senator. 

Jeremiah Atkins 68—44 

Mr. Calogg 24 

Wm. Pattee •. 1 

Representative. 

E. R. Gillett 57-8 

TTm . Paltee 49 

Election, November \, 1856. 
President. 

John C. Fremont, Rep 101—51 

James Buchana j, Dem 50 

Election, April, 1857. 

Superintendent of Instruction. 

L. H. Bugbee 96—62 

M . L. Fisher 34 

Commissioner Des Moines River Improvement. 

Edward Manning 97—69 

G. L. Bailey 28 

6. Porter 3 

Register State Land Office. 

Wm. H, Holmes 91—60 

T. !^. Parrin 31 

School Fund Commissioner. 

Amos B. .Miller 117—67 

Paul Felt 50 

Treasurer and Recorder. 

C. H. Hnntley 119—71 

Chas. C. McNany 48 

Assessor. 

F. Pattee 103—38 

E. D. Stockton 63 

Election, August, 1857. 
Count}' Judge. 

Jarvis S. Church 157—1.52 

Scattering 5 

Sheriff. 

N. W. Stackhouse 89—15 

John 1- Millen 74 

Scattering 2 



rp* 



I ' — ^ 



604 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY 



Treas-urer aud Recorder. 

Chas. H. Huulley 167—166 

J. H. T. Ambrose 1 

Surveyor. 

Alfouzo Garner 151—150 

.T. Cburcli Porter 1 

Scatlering 1 

Assessor. 

James. H. Tucker 165—164 

Porter Jarvis 1 

Coroner. 

AloDzo Beebe 118—98 

AlansoQ Beebe 20 

Drainage Commissioner. 

George L. Buuce 127—104 

George Vermilya 23 

New Constitution. 

For 118—78 

Ag.iinst 40 

Allowing Negroes the rigbt of suflVage. 

Against 78—16 

For 62 

Election, October, 1857. 

Governor. 
R. P. Lowe 81—49 

B. Samuels 32 

Lieutenant-Governor. 

Orriu Faville 78—43 

George Gillespie 35 

Representative. 

C. C. Carpenter 73—33 

John F. Duncomb 40 

Election, Ajvil, 1858. 

Licalion of County Seat. 

Mason City. , . 155 — 107 

Livonia 48 

Sui>eriiiteudeut of Schools. 

John M. Hunt 156 

Drainage Commissioner. 

George Vermilya 175 

Coroner. 

Christopher Tucker 190—189 

Henry Van Patter 1 

Election, June, 1858. 

State Banks. 
For the system 48 



For. 



General Banking Law. 
Shall a Court House be built. 



t-ls- 



For 

Against 

Election, October, 1859. 

Governor. 

S . J . Ki rk wood 

A. C. Dodge 

Lieutenant Governor. 

N. J. Kusch 

L. W. Babbitt 

Supreme Judge. 

R. P. Lowe 

Caleb Baldwin 

L. D. Stockton 

T. 8. Wilson 

0. C. Cole 

Charles Mason 

State Senator 30th District. 

J. H. Powers 

Moses Conger 

E. P. Powers 

Representative 58th District. 

E. G. Bowdoin 

W.C. Stanbery 

County Judge. 

George Vermilya 

Edgar Osborn 

Treasurer and Recorder. 

H. G. Parker 

Wellington Benton 

Sheriff. 

John L. McM'llen 

M. S. Snow 

Superintendent of Schools. 

John M. Brainard 

A. B. Tuttle 

Drainage Commissioner. 

Christopher Tucker 

G. W. Henderson 

Coroner. 
T. B. Willson 

Survej'or. 

J. H. T. Ambrose 

C. W. Tenney 



35—28 

7 



117—45 

72 

113—38 

75 

117 
117 
116 

72 

72 

73 

101 
72 

7 

108—30 

78 

129—75 
54 

121—56 
65 

116—50 
66 

117—54 
63 

117-54 
63 

185 

116—50 
66 



■ 3 



Ai 



HISTORY OP' CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



695 



Election, November, 1860. 

President. 

Abraham Lincoln 

Stephen A. Douglas 

Member Congress 3d District. 

William Vandever 

Ben Samuels 

Supreme Judge. 

George G. Wright 

I. N. Ellwood 

Secretary of State. 

Elijah Sells .". 

J . M . Corse 

State Auditor. 

S. W. Caltell 

George W. Maxfleld 

Slate Treasurer. 

John W. Jones 

J. W. Ellis 

Attorney General. 

Charles C. Nourse 

W. McCiiutock 

Register of State Land Office. 

Amos B . Miller 

Patrick Robb 

Member Board of Education. 

D. D. Chase 

H P. Williams 

Clerk of Court. 

H. B. Gray 

Solomon Zuver 

F. B. Fiisbee 

Gray 

Election, October, 1861. 

Governor. 

Samuel J. Kirkwood 

Scattering 

Lieutenant Governor. 

John R. Needhum 

Scattering 



157 
58 

151- 
59 

153- 
10 

153- 

68 

153- 
68 



—99 



-93 



143 



•85 



;— 85 



1-84 



■81 



-94 



■10 



Supreme Judge. 



Ralph P. Lowe. 
J. M. Ellwood.. 



153 
68 

153 

68 

148- 
67 

156- 
62 

96- 

86 

34 

1 



315—202 
13 

201—176 
35 

317—209 



District Attorney Uth District. 

D D. Chase 

John A. Il.tU 



200- 
12 



-188 



Representative. 

E.G. Bowdoin 116—13 

J. G. Patlerson 104 

County Judge. 

Marcus Tuttle 107—5 

Thomas Perrett 103 

Treasurer and Recorder. 

George Vermilya 138—36 

Silas Card 92 

C. H. Huntley 1 

Sheriff. 

W. F. Hoyt 134-41 

James Goodwin 93 

School Superintendent. 

A. B. Tuttle 112—5 

W. B. Church 107 

Drainage Commissioner. • 

S. M. Richardson 122—33 

T. B. Willson 99 

Surveyor. 
George E. Frost 139—48 

A. Garner 86 

Coroner. 

Lyman Hunt 133—34 

Gabriel Pence 99 

Election, June, 1862. 

State Senator. 

George W. Howard 77—71 

W. C. Stanbery 6 

Scattering 2 

Election, October, 1862. 

State Secretary. 

James Wright 148—116 

Richard H. Sylvester .32 

State Auditor. 

J. W. Cattell 148—115 

John Brown 33 

State Treasurer. 

W.H.Holmes 148—115. 

Samuel Lorak 33 

Attorney General. 
C. C. Norris 148-115 

B. J. Hall 33 

Register State Land Office. 

J. A. Harvey 148—116 

F. Gutscheilk .' 32 



r 



^1 



-I — » 



096 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



Member Congress 16th District 

W. A. Hubbard 

John F. Duucombe : 

District Judge , 

John Porter 

H. E. J. Boardman 

A. Willsou 

District Attorney. 

D. D. Chase 

J. S. Frasier 

I. W. Card 

Member Board of Education. 

John M. Brainard 

Clerk of Court. 

II. B. Gray 

EJivin Hamblin. . i ., 

P. S. Beeber 

Election, October, 1863. 

Governor. 

W. M. Stone 

J. M. Tultle 

James Tuttle 

. Lieutenant Governor. 

E. W. Esstman 

John Duncombe 

Supreme Judge. 

John F. Dillon 

Charles Mason 

State Senator. 

G. Patterson 

N. M. Wilder 

Representative. 

A. B. F. Hildreth 

John Blunt 

Scattering 

County Judge. 

Elisha Randall 

T. B. Wilson 

Mr. Wilson 

Treasurer and Recorder. 

George Vermilya 

Clerk of Court. 

Horace G. Parker 

SheriflE. 

W. B. Stillson 

James Goodwin 



148—115 
33 

153—189 
14 

1 

150—133 
18 
1 

157 

99—55 

44 

41 



158—134 
24 
38 

1.58—130 
28 

159—130 
29 

160—133 

27 

155—130 
25 
2 

158—155 
3 
1 



176 
.154 



172—165 

7 



Surveyor. 

Charles W. Tenney 167—164 

Scattering 3 

School Superintendent. 

George P. Griffith 107—4(1 

J. 8. Church 67 

S. S. Church ..... 1 

Coroner. 
A. Q. Morey 163 

Drainage Commissioner. 
Gabriel Psnce 161 

Election, November 8, 1864. 
President. 

Abraham Lincoln 228 -217 

George B. McClellan 11 

Supreme Judge. 

C. Cole 320-209 

J. W Monroe 11 

Secretary of State. 

James Wright 223—112 

J. H. Wallace 11 

Auditor of State, 

John A. Elliott 223—112 

E. C. Hendershot 11 

Treasurer of State. 

Wm. Holmes 223—112 

J. B. Lash .• 11 

Attorney General. 

Isaac L. Allen 224-113 

Charles M. Dunbar 11 

Register of State Land Office, 

J. A. Harvey 223-214 

E. D. Holbrook 9 

B. D. Holbrook 2 

Congress. 

A. W. Hubbard 225—214 

L. Chapman 11 

District Judge. 

W.B. Fairfield 211—200 

Cyrus W. Foreman 11 

District Attorney. 

J. E. Burke 215-203 

M. P. Rosecrans 13 



r 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



697 



Clerk of Court. 

Rf)bert HIckling 116—34 

W. C. Staabeiy 92 

Watson F. Thompson 23 

Scattering 3 

Recorder. 

Elisha Randall 162—100 

Matthew R. Dexter 63 

Scattering 3 

Election, October, 1865. 

Count}' Jmlge. 

Watson E. Thompson 264—263 

Henry Dibble 1 

County Treasurer. 
Thomas G. Ensley 267 

Sheriff. 

Henry A. Marsh 257—255 

Ira Williams 2 

Superintendent. 

JarvisS. Church .' 213—176 

Henry Martin 37 

G. P. Griffith 5 

Surveyor. 

G. E. Frost 265—264 

Jarvis S. Church 1 

Coroner. 

Anson C. Owen 266 

Drainage Commissioner. 

Jianes S. Saxby 256—255 

G. E. Frost 1 

H. L. Smith 1 

Governor. 

W. M. Stone 242—225 

Thomos H.Benton 17 

Lieutenant-Governor. 

B. F Give 262—357 

WW. Hamilton 5 

Election, October, 1866. 

Representative in Congress, 6th District. 

A. VV. Hubbard 301—253 

J . D . Thompson 48 

Secretary of Stale. 

E. D. Wright 301—353 

S. G. Van Anda 48 



State Treasurer. 

Samuel E. Rankin 301—253 

George A. Stone • 48 

State Auditor. 

Cyius C. Carpenter 399—249 

L. P. McKinney 50 

Reporter Supreme Court. 
E. M. Stiles 301—254 

A. Stoddard 47 

Attorney General. 

T. E. Russell 301—253 

W. Ballenger 48 

Clerk of Supreme Court. 

Charles Linderraan 301 — 353 

Fred. Gottscbalk 48 

Election, October, 1866. 

Clerk of District Court. 

B. F. Hartshorn 335—333 

E. Bogardus 3 

Recorder. 

Charles M. Adams 323—112 

Matthew R. Dexter Ill 

Election, October 8, 1866. 

Governor. 

Col . Samuel Merrill 345—394 

Charles Mason 51 

William McGovern 1 

Lieutenant Governor. 

Col. John ^cott 375—326 

D. M. Harris 49 

Thomas Duncan 1 

Judge Supreme Court. 

Joseph M. Beck 344—292 

John H. Craig 52 

Superintendent Public Instruction. 

F. D. Wells 343—291 

M. L Fisher 52 

Superintendent PuTjlic Instruction, Unexpired 

Term. 

F D. Wells 285—239 

M L. Fisher 46 

Attorney General. 

Maj . Henry O'Connor 344—293 

W. F. Barker 52 



7SZ 



p 



698 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



Election, October 8, 1867. 

Senator 39th District 

Marcus Tuttle 279—308 

C. A, L. Rozelle 71 

W. A. Lathrop 27 

Rozelle 1 

B. C. Wey 1 

Representative 59th District. 

C. W.Tenney 215—37 

M. P. Rosecrans 178 

Rosecrans 3 

County Judge. 

George E. Frost 330—821 

William Spicer 9 

W. E, Thompson 8 

Thompson 1 

Nathan Bass 1 

E. Crowell 1 

W, C. Thompson 1 

County Treasurer. 

ThomasG. Ensley 866—365 

Frank Rogers 1 

Henry Kurl 1 

Henry Dibble 1 

Sheriff. 

A.M. Thompson 329—319 

Will Ed. Tucker 10 

Old Man Cummings 1 

W.B. StlUson 1 

Matt Dexter •■ . 1 

Heck Dibble 1 

.T. P. Turnner 1 

County Superintendent. 

Nathan Bass 370—157 

Henry Martin 113 

Bass 3 

Martin 1 

Surve\ or. 

Charles McNany 278—178 

A. C. Owen 100 

George E. Frost 1 

Coroner. 

Giibriel Pence 342—241 

T. G Ensley 1 

Williard Dart 1 



Drainage Commissioner. 

Daniel Dougherty 342—341 

I. W. Card 1 

George Rider 1 

James Sirrine 1 

Election, November 6, 1868. 
Recorder. 

Herny Kurl 443-^2 

C.Adams 1 

Clerk District Court 

F. M. Rogers 359—234 

Herny A. Marsh 125 

H. e! Marsh 1 

B. F Hartshorn 1 

Henry Kurl 1 

Election, October 12, 1869. 
Governor. 

Samuel Merrill 476 — 368 

George Galespy 108 

Lieutenant Governor. 

Madison M. Walden 494— .385 

A. P.Richardson 109 

Judge Supreme Court. 

John T. Dillon 496—388 

W. T. Brenan 108 

Superintendent Public Instruction. 

A. S. Kissel 496-416 

H. O. Dayton 80 

E. D. Jager 25 

Representative 65th District. 

B. F. Hartshorn 368-186 

M. P. Rosecrans 332 

County Treasurer. 

Henry I. Smith 524-444 

John Chestnut 80 

County Auditor. 

Charles B. Senior 44.3—373 

W. E. Tuompson 70 

D. D>)Ugherly 68 

Scattering 3 

Sheriff. 
William B. Slillson 434—289 

F. Trevett 145 

Alonzo Willson 10 

County Superiiileudent . 

A S. Allen 331— 79 

Nalhnn Bass 252 

Scattering 5 



olv 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



699 



County Surveyor. 

C. F. Vincent 441—365 

F. MciMullen 76 

George E. Frost 70 

Scattering 3 

Election, October 11, 1870. 

Secretary of State. 

Ed. Wright 575—489 

Cbarles Doerr 86 

Auditor of State. 

John Russell 570—481 

Wesley W. Garner 89 

Treasurer of State. 

Samuel E. Rankin 570—481 

William C. James 89 

Attorney General. 

Henry O. Connor 570—481 

H. M. Martin 89 

Register for State Land office. 
Aaron Brown 570—481 

D. F. Ellsworth 89 

Reporter Supreme Court. 

E. H . Stiles 570—481 

C. H. Bane 89 

Clerk Supreme Court. 

Chiirles Linderman 570 — 481 

William McLenan 89 

Judge of Supreme Court, full term. ■ 

C. C. Cole 557-466 

J. C. Knapp • 91 

Judge of Supreme Court, to fill Dillon vncuncy. 

William E. Miller 569—480 

P. H. Smylhe 89 

Judge of Supreme Court to fill Wright vacancy. 

Jiimes G. Giay 569—479 

Reuben Noble 90 

Representative 6th Congressional District. 

Jackson Orr 571—483 

C, C. Smellzer 88 

Judge District Court, 12th Judicial District. 

Geoige W. Ruddick .570 

Cleik District and Circuit Courts. 

F. M Rogers 643 

Countv Recorder. 
OwenT. Denison 648 



Election, October 10, 1871. 

Governor. 

C. C. Carpenter 854—537 

J. C. Knapp 127 

Lieutenant Governor. 

H. C. Bulls 643—513 

M. M. Ham 130 

Judge Supreme Court. 

J. G. Day 650—519 

John F. Duncomb 131 

Superintendent Public Instruction. 

Alonzo Abernathy 651 — 521 

Edward Murum 130 

Senator 46th Senatorial District. 

E. A . Rowland 644—643 

H. G. Parker 1 

Representative 66th District. 

David Sccor 651—650 

W. C. Stanbery. .: 1 

County Auditor. 

C. B. Senior 652— .532 

William M. Kelley 120 

County Treasurer. 

H. I Smith 659—545 

Edwin Nichols 114 

County Sheriff. 

William B. Stilson 590—488 

Alonzo Wilson 102 

James Hawkins > 91 

County Surveyor. 

C.F. Vincent 655—532 

E. J. Rosecrans 123 

E. F. Vincent 1 

County Superintendent. 

E.G. Moulton...'. 633—490 

A. J. Miller 143 

Miss Eciton 1 

County Coroner. 

W. H. Stanley 654—530 

G. F. McDowell 124 

Stanley 1 

Drainage Commissioner. 

George E. Frost 600-477 

Simon Culvert 123 

Ci)unty Supervisor. 

W. W. Knapp 642—503 

Daniel Dougherty 139 

Alfred Harris 1 



60 



TlV 






700 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



Election, November 5, 18 7 2. 
District Jadge. 

George W. Ruddick 876—697 

W. A. Lathrop 179 

Lathrop 1 

Circuit Judge. 

R. Q. Reiniger 639—435 

■W. 0. Stanbery 304 

R. A. Reiniger 164 

Stanbery 3 

Q. W. Ruddick 1 

J. H. Sweney 1 

District Attorney. 

L. S. Butler 873-687 

J. W. Wood 185 

W. C. Stanbery 3 

Representative 4tli Congressional District. 

H. O. Pratt 890—763 

A. T. Lusch 138 

J. A. Lusch 41 

G . B . Rockwell 3 

I. W. Card 1 

Electio7i, November 5, 1872. 
Secretary of State. 

Josiah T. Young 918—738 

Edward A. Guilhert 185 

Auditor of State. 

Jolin Russell ^ 906—715 

J. P. Cassady '. 191 

Treasurer of State. 

Capt. William M. Cliresty 906—715 

M. J. Phelps 191 

Register of State Land Office. 

'Aiirou Brown 907—716 

Jacob Butler 191 

Attorney General. 

M C. Cutts 908—719 

A G. Case 189 

Clerk County Court. 

E. M. Rogers 618—150 

J. H. Sweeney '. 468 

Scattering 5 

County Recorder. 

O. T. Dennison 1056—1055 

James Hawkins , .... 1 

A. A. Benton 1 

Palmeter ^... 1 



County Supervisor. 

Thomas Perritt 918—808 

D . Dougherty 110 

C. W. Tenney 17 

J. H. Sweney 1 

Sweeney 1 

Coroner. 

Harvey Brown 6 — 2 

H. J. Brown 4 

Election, October, 14, 1873. 

Governor. 

C. C. Carpenter 1051—933 

J. G. Vale 118 

Ranken 1 

Lieutenant Governor. 

Joseph Dysart 1054—944 

George Whitney 110 

M. E. Bitterman 1 

Judge Supreme Court. 

J. }A. Beck 1055—939 

H. J. Hall 116 

Superinlendent Public Instruction. 
Alonzo Abcrnethy 1060—946 

D. W . Priiidle 114 

Representative 68th District. 

George B. Rockwell 838—529 

M. A. Leahy 309 

County Auditor. 

S.Noyes .• 710—269 

C. F. Vincent 441 

J. G Brown 1 

County Treasurer. 

James Rule 823—464 

Thomas Perritt 359 

County Sheriff. 

H. H. Schell 644—126 

Simon B. Dexter 518 

William B. Sti.son 1 

S. Noyes ' 1 

T. H. Davis 1 

County Superintendent. 

Mrs. J. B. Dakin 658—155 

DA. Hamm 503 

Hamm 5 

L. A. Eaton 1 






lL 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



701 



County Supervisor. 

C. B. Seabury 700—237 

James Qiodwin 463 

C. H. Vincent 1 

Tenuey 1 

County Surveyor. 

W. Scott Johnston 623—71 

J. G. Graves 552 

C. F. Vincent 3 

S. Dexter 1 

C.)roner 

J. C Lefpvre 654—18.5 

E. O. Thompson 519 

W. Scott Johnston 1 

Mrs. A. R. Roscoe 1 

Drainage Commissioner. 

A. C. Owen 346— 3J5 

Joseph Ready 1 

John West 1 

E. O.Thompson 1 

Election, October, 1874. 

Secretary of State. 

Josiah T. Young 969—815 

David Morgan 154 

Scattering 1 

Auditor of State. 

Buren R. Sherman 968—814- 

J. M. King 154 

Scattering 1 

Treasurer of State. 

Wm. Christy 969—814 

H. C, Harges 155 

Register of State Land Office. 

David Secor 966—811 

R. H. Rodearmel 155 

Attorney General. 

M. E. Cutts 969—816 

J. H. Keatlay 153 

H. D. Cadwell 1 

Clerls of Supreme Court. 

Edward J. Holmes 970—816 

George W. Ball 154 

Reporter of Supreme Court. 

John S. Runnells 970—816 

James M. Wearf •■ • 154 I 



Representative in Congress. 

H. O. Pratt 783—470 

John Bowman 313 

Scattering ; 11 

Clerk of District and Circuit Courts. 

M. S. Schermeihorn 747—379 

F. M. Rogers 368 

B. J. Roaecrans 5 

Scattering 4 

County Recorder. 

O. T. Denison 1030—933 

H. N. Vernall 98 

Scattering 2 

County Supervisor. 

George L. Herrick 582—40 

Henry Kurl 542 

Herrick 7 

Seal icring 2 

County Coroner. 

D.B.Mason 961—803 

JohnT. Elder 158 

For taxation to build jail 453—237 

Against 216 

Restraining Stock 585—200 

Against 385 

Election, October 12, 1875. 
Governor. 

Samuel J. Kirkwood 826 — 606 

Shepard Lefler 220 

Lieutenant Governor. 

Joshua B. Newbold 823—644 

E. B. Woodward 179 

Emmet Woodward 43 

Judge Supreme Court. 

Austin Adams 826—605 

Wm. J. Knight 221 

Superintendent of Public Instruction. 

Alonzo Abernathy 825 — 605 

Isaiah Doane 220 

Scattering 1 

Senator 46th District. 

Lemuel Dwelle 796—553 

James Elder 243 

Representative of 68th District. 

George B. Rockwell 470—78 

M. P. Rosecrans 392 

Scattering 17 



•fW 



^ 



702 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



Cijuuiy Trea;iur(r. 

James Rule, Jr 954—872 

Johu Cobb 82 

County Auditor. 

Henry H. Shepard 705—387 

J. G. Brown 318 

Sheriff. 

H. H. Scliell 933-828 

John Van Patter 105 

County Superintendent of Schools. 

IraC. Kliug ...587—172 

Emily M. Bidwell 415 

County Surveyor. 

C. F. Vincent 956—882 

M. S. Howard 74 

County Coroner. 

D. B. Mason 948—886 

Rev Calderwood 62 

County Supervisor. 

Thomas Perrett 816—637 

C. W. Tenney 179 

A. Wilson 21 

• Election, November 1, 1876. 

Judge of Supreme Court full term. 

Wm. H. S rvers 1277—835 

Wm. Graham 443 

J. H. Rothrock 344 

Scattering 7 

Secretary of State. 

Josiah Young 1277—833 

J. H Stubenbauch 444 

A . McKrady 16 

Auditor of State. 

Buren R. Sherman 1272—828 

Wm. Gronwey 444 

Leonard Brown 16 

Treasurer of State. 

George W. Bemi? 1277—833 

Wesley Jones 444 

George L. Pry 16 

Register of State Land Office. 

David Secor 1278—834 

George M. Walker 444 

N. C. Rednour 16 

Attorney General. 

J. P. McJunUin 1277—883 

H. C. Cooke 444 



Superinleudtnt of Public luslruction. 

Carl W. VanCorlen 1129—981 

C. W. Callen 148 

J. A. Nast 16 

Clerk of District Court. 

M, S. Schermerhorn 1619— 1608 

J. A Kellogg 11 

County Recorde.-. 

Richard Valentine 1615—1643 

O. T. Denisou 2 

J . A. Petthouse 1 

Election, November 7, 1876. 
Congress, 4lh District. 

N. C. Deering 1279—820 

Cyrus Foreman 459 

Scattering 1 

Circuit Judge, 12th District. 

Robert G Reiniger 1233—777 

J M. Elder 456 

George^W. Reiuiger 44 

District Judge. 12th District. 

George W. Ruddick 1274—837 

C. A. L. Rozelle 447 

District Attorney. 

J. B. Clelland 1260—811 

JohnGleggitt 449 

Election, October 9, 1877. 

Governor. 

J. H. Galer 903—555 

John P. Irish '348 

D.iniel P. Stubbs 73 

Elias Jessup 40 

Lieutenant Governor. 

Frank T. Campbell 947—603 

W. C. James 344 

A. McCrcady 72 

Frederick Nelson 12 

Judge of Supreme Court . 

James G. Day 897—553 

H. E. J. Boardman 344 

John Porter 73 

Carl W . Von Coelln 49 

Superintendent of Public Instruction. 

Cir! W. Von Coelln 890—659 

J. G. Cullison 331 

S. T. Bullard 69 



^, 



t)j'y 



a ^ 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



703 



Represeatiitive, 78lb Di>tiMCt- 
W. W. Knapp 700—411 

D. Dougherty 389 

J. H. King 284 

J. M. King 73 

County Auditor 
H. H. Shepard 1142— 943 

E. E. Aryaith 199 

G. E Aryuth 10 

County Treasurer. 

James Rule 1334—1182 

J. H. Boeye 42 

Scattering 5 

Sheriff, 

H H. Schell 1218—1173 

E. J. Rosecrans 46 

Superintendent of Schools, full term. 

M. H. Kling 617—14 

Frank Hannah : 603 

E. 0. Bidwell 142 

County Surveyor. 

C. F. Vincent 1378-1376 

A. C. Owen 2 

John Chilson 1 

Coroner. 

D. B. Mason 1134—895 

S. Harris 339 

Election, October, 1878. 

Secretary of State. 
J. A. T Hall 1113—054 

E. M. Farnsworth 559 

Thomas O. Walker 20 

A. T Hall 10 

Auditor of State. 

Buren R. Sherman 1113—684 

Joseph Eubick 479 

G. V. Swernger 90 

B. R. Sherman 10 

William Burlingham 1 

Treasurer of State. 

George W. Bemis 1113—600 

M. L. Devine 512 

E D. Fenn 58 

L. Devine. . . 16 

Q. W. Bemis 10 



Judge of the Supreme Court. 

JamesH. Raihrock 966—731 

T. C. Koapp 335 

J. H. Rothrock 176 

J. C. Kuipp 186 

Joseph C. Knapp 136 

Attorney General. 

J. F. McJunkin 984—543 

John Gibbon 441 

J. F. MoJuakin 138 

C. H. Jackson 84 

John MoJunkin 11 

Jenks Pelton 1 

Clerk of Supreme Court. 

Edward J. Holmes 949—541 

Alexander Ranyan 408 

E. J. Holmes... 175 

M. V. Gammon 34 

E. Runion 16 

Reporter of Supreme Court. 

John S.Runnels 950—546 

John B. Elliott 404 

J. 3. Runnels 166 

J. B. Elliott 99 

George W. Rutherford 64 

G. W. Rutherford 20 

John Runnels 10 

Member Congress 4th District. 

Nathaniel C. Deering 1070-661 

W.V.Allen 409 

S. H. Weller 169 

N. C. Deering 58 

Clerk of Court. 

M. S. Scheruierhorn 1632-160B 

S. Schermerhorn 26 

Recorder. 

Richard Valentme 1136—614 

R Valentine 523 

County Supervisor. 

J. B. Dukin 914-197 

D. M. Tiffany 717 

Election, October, 1879. 
Governor. 

John H. Geer 1442—823 

H. H. Trumble 619 

Scattering 23 



^^ H\ 



JV' 



704 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



Lieutenant Governor. 

Frank T, Campbell 1446—826 

J. A. O. Yoman ■ 630 

H. M. Moore 20 

Judge of Supreme Court. 

Joseph M. Beck 1429—803 

Reuben Noble 626 

Scattering 33 

Superintendent of Public Instruction. 

Carl M. VonCoelln 1448-837 

Irwiu Baker 611 

J. A. Nash 20 

State Senator. 

P. M. Goodykoontz 1950-1941 

Dan Leahy 9 

Representative 78th District. 

H. H. Schell 1299-590 

John H. King 709 

H. H. King 33 

Scattering 16 

John N. King 1 

County Auditor. 

Henry H. Shepard 1368—741 

H. H. Shepard 627 

H. Shepard 75 

County Treasurer. 

W. C. Tompkins 2055-2050 

Scattering 5 

SheriflF. 

E. J. Rosecrans 981—149 

L. B. Dexter 832 

C. B. Dike 247 

W. R. Winter 19 

Superintendent of Schools. 

L. L. Klinefelter 2061-2057 

Scattering 2 

Surveyor. 

C. F. Vincent 2064-2062 

Scattering 2 

Coroner. 

W. 8. Harding , 2077-2075 

Scattering 2 

Election,November 2, 1880. 
President. 

James A. Garfield 1604—925 

W. S. Hancock 679 

James B. Weaver 19 



Secretary of State. 

John F. Hall 1604—923 

A. B.Keith 681 

George M. Walker 19 

Auditor of State. 

William T. Lucas 1596—930 

Charles I. Baker 666 

Edwin M. Conger 454 

W. V. Lucas 7 

Treasurer of State. 

E. Conger 1151—470 

Martin Blin... 681 

Mathew Farrington 19 

Register of State Land Office. 

James K. Powers 1601—922 

Daniel Dougherty 679 

Thomas Hurker . 19 

Attorney General. 

McPherson 1604—924 

Charles A. Clark 680 

W, A. Spinner 19 

Representative in Congress. 

Nathanal C. Deering 1521—845 

J. S. Root 676 

N. C. Deering 80 

E.J. Dean 22 

Circuit Judge, 12th District. 

Robert G. Reiniger 1604—921 

Cyrus Foreman 683 

Judge of the District Court. 

George W. Ruddick 1591—908 

John Cleggilt 683 

District Attorney. 

L. B. Clelland 1603—923 

A. C. Ripley 680 

Shall there be a Convention to Revise the Con- 
stitution. 

For 1080—141 

Against 639 

On the Question to strike out the word white 
in the Constitution. 

For 1029—762 

Against 267 

Clerk of District Court. 

Duncan Rule 1648-1012 

J. H. McConlogue 636 



^, 



±1^ 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



705 



County Recorder. 

Richard Valentine 1566—843 

Samuel C. Alexander 723 

Election, October, 1881. 

Governor. 

Barren R. Sherman 1041—659 

L. G. Kinnie 382 

Lieutenant Governor. 

Orlando H. Manning 1045—668 

.James M. Walker 377 

Judge Supreme Court. 

Austin Adams 1046—668 

H. P. Hendershott 378 

Superintendent of Public Instruction. 

J Wacker 1044—665 

Walter H. Butler 379 

Senator 47th District. 

H. G. Park* 1395—1386 

Scattering 9 

Representative 78th District. 

R. S. Benson , 594—133 

F. J. Bush : 462 

Frank J. Bush 397 

Scattering 13 

County Auditor. 
Henry H. Shepard 1426 

County Treasurer. 

W, C. Tompkins 1425—1424 

Jake Stone 1 

Sheriff. 

E. J. Rosecrans 966—744 

G F. Fletcher..... 323 

A.J.Miller 214 ■ 

Scattering 3 

County Superintendent of Schools. 

L. L Klinefelter 1433—1419 

Scattering 3 

County Surveyor. 
C. F. "Vincent 1433 

Coroner. 

E C. Miller 1427—1435 

Scattering 2 

Against Court House and Tax 849—403 

For " " 447 



Election, Novemher, 1882. 

Secretary of State. 

John A. T. Hall 1288—698 

T. O. Walker 590 

William Gaston 7 

Auditor of State. 

John S . Brown 1286 — 697 

William Thompson 589 

A. G. Wright 7 

State Treasurer. 

Edwin H. Conger 1288—698 

John Foley 590 

George Dorr 7 

Attorney General. 

Smith McPherson, 1288 — 698 

J. H. Brennermann. .■ 590 

J. A. Prise 7 

Judge of Supreme Court. 

William H. Serrons 1291— 7f)8 

Charles E. Benson. ..'. 533 

Charles E. Robinson 56 

M. A. Jones 7 

Clerk of Supreme Court. 

Gilbert B. Pray 1289—699 

H. F. Bonorden 590 

E N. Clark 7 

Reporter of Supreme Court. 

Ezra C. Ebersole 1289—699 

L. A. Palmer 590 

J.H.Williamson .. 7 

Representative in Congress. 

A.J. Holmes 1046—407 

John Cleggett 639 

Scattering 23 

For Clerk of District and Circuit Courts. 
Duncan Rule '. 1881 

County Recorder. 

Lizzie J. Fitch 914—423 

O. A. Brownell 491 

O. R. Hall 390 

O. W. Brownell 19 

Brownell 8 

Supervisor. 

H. J. Willis 1046—371 

H. E. Palmeter 775 



IS 



J'- 



706 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



Coroner. 
E. C. Miller 1282 

In this county the vote on the amend- 
ment stood as follows, showing majorities 
for or against in the various townships : 

For. Against. 

Mason township 230 

Lime Creek 17 

Bath — 

Falls 101 

Portland 63 



Owen 21 

Geneseo 25 

Pleasant Valley 11 

Grimes. . . . : 7 

Lake 76 

Clear Lake 73 

Mt. Vernon 32 

Union 

Dougherty 

Grant 26 

Lincoln 47 

845 

Majority for amendment 811 



5 

29 



34 



CHAPTER XV. 



NATIONAL STATE AND COUNTY REPRESENTATION. 



The truly representative citizen of a 
Nation, State or county is the public 
office-holder. He stands in the relation 
of a representative of the people, and as 
such, demands in his individual capacity, 
the respect we owe to the people as a 
body. In this connection are presented 
sketches of every person from Cerro Gordo 
county who has served the Nation, State 
or county in an official capacity. In some 
cases the sketches are short, and do not 
do full justice to those represented, but 
in no case is it the fault of the historian, 
as they are given as full as the material 
accessible would permit. 

CONGRESSIONAL. 

In congressional distric s Cerro Gordo 
county has always been associated with 
Franklin county. See Representation 
chapter in history of Franklin county. 



I AUDITOR OF STATE. 

I In the fall of 1880 Hon. W. V. Lucas 
was elected to this responsible position. 
He began his official duties Jan. 1, 1881, 
and his term expired Jan. 1, 1883. Mr. 
liUcas declined a second term of the 
office, not allowing his name to be brought 
before the convention. 

W. V. Lucas was born July 2, 1835, in 
Carroll Co., Ind. On the 25th of April, 
1850, he located in Bremer Co., Iowa. 
When the war broke out he enlisted as 
a private in company B, 14th regiment, 
Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and Nov. 26, 
1862, was promoted to Ist lieutenant. 
On the 5th of April, 1863, he was com- 
missioned as captain, and as such complet- 
ed his term of service. In October, 1865, 
he was elected treasurer of Bremer county, 
and was twice re-elected. Mr. Lucas was 



■^ 





Gty^OCyt^ cjZ^^^^C 



y*- 



•k. 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



709 



elector on the republican ticket in 1876, 
and was chief clerk of the House of Rep- 
resentativ^es of Iowa, of the seventeenth 
and eighteenth (jieneral Assemblies. Mr. 
Lucas was connected with the newspaper 
press of Iowa for sixteen years, and editor 
i)f the Cerro Gordo County Republican 
from 1876 to 1883. Mr. Lu3as is one of the 
most forcible and accomplished public 
speakers in the State; and is a well known 
re|)ublican stump orator. He is a man who 
always must be popular and command re- 
spect wherever he may cast his lot. 

RKrilSLICAX ELECTORS. 

W. V. Luoas, of .Mason City, was elected 
a member of the Iowa Board in 1876. 

REGISTER OF STATE LAND OFFICE. 

In the fall of 1858 Amos B. Miller, of 
Cerro Gordo county, wa.s elected to this 
(irtioe, and, in 1860, was re-elected. In 
October, 1862, he resigned to accept the 
appointment of captain of company B, 
:V-'d Iowa Infantry. 

Amos B. Miller came to Cerro Gordo 
county from Vinton in 1S55 and settled 
at Mason City. Re was a single man and 
came with Thomas Drummond, the first 
lawyer in the county, and they formed a 
partnership for the transaction of real 
estate business. They continued in part- 
n(!rship until Drummond returned to Vin- 
ton. When the war broke out, Miller en- 
listed, as stated, and was killed at the 
battle of Pleasant Hill, Louisiana. Miller 
was a man who made many friends among 
the early settlers He is described by an 
old resident as being a "plain, genial, 
blunt-spoken, warm-hearted and every -day 
kind of a man." 

D.iviil 'ec.or, who also held this office, 
was at one time a resident of Cerro Gordo 
county. 



DISTRICT JUDGE. 

John Porter was elected district judge 
of the eleventh judicial district, in 1858, 
while a resident of Mason City. He was 
re-elected, and served until October, 1865. 
In the meantime the State had been re- 
districted and Cerro Gordo was thrown 
into the newly organized twelfth district. 
Judge Porter moved to Hardin county 
immediately after, his election. 

DISTRICT ATTORNEY. 

I. W. Card was the only district attor- 
ney Cerro Gordo county has furnished. 
He was elected in 1868 and served four 
years. Mr. Card is the present postmaster 
at Mason City. 

GOVERNMENT Al"l'OINTMENTS. 

II. H. Schell, formerly sheriff of Cerro 
Gordo county, is at present a clerk in the 
pension bureau of the government. 

W. C Stanbory and George E. Frost 
have held the appointment of collector of 
internal revenue. 

I W. Card and John Stanbery are 
United States Commissioners. 

STATE BANK EXAMINER. 

H. H. Schell held this important position 
for a time. 

Henry I. Smith succeeded Mr. Schell. 

STATE APPOINTMENTS. 

W. V. Lucas was chief clerk of the 
House <f Representatives during the 
seventeenth and eigeteenth General As- 
semblies. 

Ira C. Kling was deputy superintend- 
ent of public instruction under Carl W. 
Van Coelln. 

Charles W. Tenney was elected a mem- 
ber of the board of trustees of the State 
Agricultural College, by the General As- 
sembly, in 1879. He had served one term 



61 



J'- 



710 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



in the same capacity prior to this. In 
188-2 he resigned, and Gov. Kirkwood was 
appointed to succeed him. 

On the 19th of June, 1872, Charles M. 
Adams was appointed stenographer for 
the twelfth judicial district, by judges 
Ruddick and Reiniger, and still holds that 
position, 

Charles M. Adams, court stenographer, 
came to Mason City in 1856, when he was 
twelve years old. His parents N. M. and 
Emma (Childs) Adams settled here in 
that year. They were the parents of five 
sons and three daughters. Mr. Adams 
was born in Worcester, Mass., Dec. 29, 
1843. He had his growth with Mason 
City, and in 1862 was appointed deputy 
recorder and treasurer under Judge Ver- 
milya. In August of the same year he 
enlisted in the 32d Iowa Infantry, com- 
])any B, and was in the Union service 
three years. Soon after being mustered 
in, he was detailed as clerk, and was 
afterwards appointed chief clerk at the 
headquarters of the Sixteenth Army Corps, 
at Memphis, where he remained eighteen 
months. He was afterwards transferred 
to New Orleans, and was mustered out at 
Davenport, Iowa, Aug. 11, 1865. On 
liis return to Mason City he was engaged 
in teaching a short time. In the spring of 
1866 he entered the office pf I. W. Card 
as correspondent, and in the fall of the 
same year, he was elected county recorder, 
lie was married Jan. 11, 1872, to Mary A., 
(laughter of William E. Dunbar, of Rock- 
ford, 111. Anna P. Adams is their only 
child. 

.MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY. 

The fourth General Assembly convened 
at Iowa City, Dec. 6, 1852, and adjourned 



Jan. 24, 1853. At this time Cerro Gordo 
county, although unorganized, belonged to 
a senatorial district which embraced 
twenty-three additional counties in this 
part of the State, and was represented in 
the Senate by Andrew F. Hull. In the 
House the district was represented by J. 
F. Rice, Joseph C. Goodson and Benja- 
min Green. 

The fifth General Assembly convened 
at Iowa City, Dec. 4, 1854, and adjourned 
.Jan. 26, 1855. Also convened, in extra 
session, July 2, 1856, and adjourned July 
IC, 1856. Cerro Gordo county was now 
organized and formed a part of the same 
senatorial district as in the former Assem- 
bly. It was represented in the Senate by 
Theophilus Bryan and James C. Jordan. 
The seat of the former was contested by 
James C. Jordan and the contest was 
decided in favor of Jordan Jan. 8, 1856. 
The county at this time formed a part of 
the third representative district, which 
embraced the counties of Cerro Gordo, 
Fayette, Chickasaw, Butler, Bremer, Black 
Hawk, Grundy, Franklin, Floyd, Howard, 
Mitcliell and Worth. The representative 
was Jacob W. Rogers. 

The sixth General Assembly convened 
at Iowa City, Dec. 1, 1856, and adjourned 
Jan. 29, 1857. Cerro Gordo county was 
at this time in the thirty-fourth senatorial 
district and was represented by Jeremiah 
T. Atkins. This county formed a part of 
the forty-eighth representative district, 
and was represented by E. R.'Gillett, of 
Chickasaw county. 

The seventh General Assembly convened 
at DesMoines, Jan. 11, 1858, and adjourned 
March 23, 1858. Jeremiah 'l\ Atkins was 
still in the Senate. In the House, Cyrus 



n- 



\ 



Ai, 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



711 



C. Carpenter, of Fort Dodge, was the 
representative, the district embracing the 
counties of Worth, Cerro Gordo, Frank- 
lin, Wright, Hancock, Winnebago, Kos- 
siilh, Webster, Hamilton, Calhoun, Poca- 
hontas, Palo Alto, ^ac, Buena Yista, Clay, 
Dickinson and Emmett. 

The eighth General Assembly convened 
at DesMoines, Jan. 8, 1860, and adjourned 
April 3, 1800. It also conven(3d in extra 
session, May 15, and adjourned May 29, 
1861. At this time the counties of Cerro 
Gordo, Howard, Chickasaw, Mitchell, 
Floyd, Worth, Hancock, Winnebago and 
Wright, constituted the fortieth senatorial 
district, and were represented by Julius 
H. Powers. 

This county was associated wilh Worth, 
Winnebago, Floyd and Hancock counties 
as the tifty-eighth representative district, 
and was rejDresented by Elbridge G. Bow- 
doin. 

The ninth General Assembly convened 
at DesMoines, Jan. 13, 1862, and ad- 
journed April 8, 1S62 ; also convened in 
extra session, .Sept. 3, 1862, and adjourned 
Sept. 11, 1862. Tiiis senatorial district 
at this time comprised the counties of 
Chickasa\x-, Howard, Mitchell, Winne- 
bago,Hancock, Floyd, Worth, Cerro Gordo 
and Wright, with George W. Howard, as 
Senator. In the tifty-fourth representative 
district, Cerro Gordo county was associated 
with Floyd, Worth and Winnebago, and 
was represented by Eibridge G. Bowdoin. 

The tenth General Assembly convened 
at DesMoines, Jan. 11, 1864, and adjourned 
March 29, 1864. John G Patterson rep- 
resented the forty-second senatorial dis- 
trict, of which Cerro Gordo county formed 
a part, having been elected in the fall of 



1863 for the full term of four years. Floyd 
and Cerro Gordo counties constituted the 
fifly-fourth representative di.striet, and was 
served by A. B. F. Hikheth. 

The eleventh General Assembly con- 
vened at DesMoines, Jan. 8, 1866, and 
adjourned April 3, 1866. At this time 
C/crro Gordo county was associated with 
sixteen other counties, as the forty- 
fourth senatorial district, and was served 
by George W. Bassett. Floyd and Cerro 
Gordo were still together as a represent 
ative district, and were served by VV il- 
bejTorceP. Gaylord. 

The twelfth General Assembly convened 
at DesMoines in January, 1«68. At this 
lime Cerro Gordo county was in the thirty- 
ninth senatorial district and was repre- 
sented I'y Marcus Tuttle, of Mason City. 
In the HousCj Hon. C. W. Tenney, of 
Plymouth, represented the tifty-ninth 
representative district, of which Cerro 
Gordo was a part, comprising the counties 
of Cerro Gordo, V\ orth, Winnebago and 
Kossuth. These were the first represent- 
atives the county ever had in either of 
the two houses of the General Assemtly. 

The thirteenth General Assembly con- 
vened at DesMoines, in January, 18V0. 
Marcus Tuttle was still Senator. Cerro 
Gordo was at this time in the sixty-fifth 
representative district, which was served 
by B. F. Hartshorn, a Mason City lawyer. 

The history of Clear Lake would make 
to its citizens a most defective and dis- 
appointing exhibit without a full personal 
record of the Hon. Marcus Tuttle. Mr. 
Tuttle is not now a resident of Cerro 
Gordo county, but Clear Lake township 
and village can never lose the prestige of 
his influence and long interest in her 



■"» S 



;(V^ 



^*- 



±k 



71-2 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO t OUNTY. 



affairs. Marcus Tuttle was born in Fair- 
field, Herliimer Co., N. Y., May 10, 1830. 
He is the son of Ira and Lucy (Brockett) 
Tuttle. The Tuttle family is of English 
extraction, its earliest ancestors having 
settled at an early period in the colony of 
New Haven, Conn. Mr. Tuttle, of this 
sketch, is the fourth son of a family of 
eight children — four sons and four daugh- 
ters. About the year 1842 his father 
moved to Clinton, Oneida Co., N. Y., 
wiiere he reared and educated his children 
as circumstances would permit. Marcus 
Tuttle strongly cherished an idea of ob- 
taining a liberal education, but decided 
that another avenue in life would be wiser, 
and devoted his energies to his father's 
interests. He was an assiduous reader, 
and the pictured promises of the Great 
\Vest seemed to offer a suitable field fur 
th" development of his energies and the 
investment of the small fortune of which 
he, by his untiring industry and economy, 
fast become possessed; and accompani( d 
by two brothers, Elon and A. B. Tuttle, 
he set forth on a prospecting tour through 
Iowa. The trio proceeded direct from 
Des Moines to Clear Lake, traveling by 
the compass until their eyes were refreshed 
by the sparkling waters of the lovely lake 
which gleams and ripples in the June 
sunshine of 1883, as it did in the June.df 
1S55, when the'three sons of the Empire 
State stood transfixed by its wondrous 
beauty and saw, almost prophetically, its 
future of promise which all still live to 
see fulfilled. Marcus Tuttle opened a 
farm of 200 acres on the prairie east of 
the lake. In 1856 he assisted in laying 
out the town of Clear Lake, and soon after 
commenced t)|)eratiiiff in real estate. He 



made the public interests of the village 
and township his own, meanwhile, and 
stood ready to confront any emergency 
wliich seemed to threaten the welfare of 
the little community. He seemed to have 
the rare faculty of turning his attention 
to most any business that circumstances 
appeared to require, and to make a com- 
plete success of most any enterprise he 
might engage in. Seeing that a saw-mill 
was much needed, he purchased one oper- 
ated by steam, set it up in the town, and 
run it for several years, making market 
for his surplus lumber by taking jobs and 
building school houses in Cerro Gordo 
and adjoining counties. The place being 
witiiout a general store, he found time to 
establish a mercantile business, and for 
several years carried on that enterprise, 
and became one of the comparatively few 
who prove themselves to be successful 
merchants. When circumstances seemed 
to require we find him engaged in doing a 
banking and exchange business with his 
usual success. In the meantime we find 
hiui actively engaged in the politicat and 
civil affairs of his county and State, and 
generally a delegate in conventions of the 
State, district and county. The records of 
Cerro Gordo show him to have held the 
office of county judge for one term near 
the close of the county judge system. At 
the opening of the rebellion, being j)ro- 
nounced physically disqualified for army 
service by the severing of his right thumb 
in his saw-mill, he was offered and ac 
cepted the position of assessor of internal 
revenue, in his district of four counties, 
and continued to discharge the duties of 
the office until near the close of the war, 
when he I'eslgned to till the place of State 



■\ 






HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



713 



Senator, to which he had been elected iu 
his district, comprising the counties of 
Butler, Grundy,Franklin and Cerro Gordo. 
He served his constituency in this posi- 
tion four years; was chairman of com- 
mittee on commerce, and an active but 
quiet member, and worked on other com- 
mittees, including that on railroads. He 
was largely instrumental in securing the 
passage of the bill giving aland grant to 
the C. M. & St. P. R. R. Co., which re- 
sulted in tlie building of this line of road, 
through Cerro Gordo county on the pres- 
ent, line by Mason City and Clear Lake. 
An important work of Mr. Tutlle was the 
. framing of the existing county liigh school 
law, which he guarded through its 
passage successfully when many other 
proposed school laws failed. From the 
organization of the party he was always a 
republican, in fact, from a boy he had 
been a warm abolitionist, and was one of 
the few who voted to strike the word 
"wliite" from the Stale constitution when 
that question was first submitted to a vote, 
and badly defeated. Yet a few years 
later he was privileged to see that meas- 
ure adopted by a large majority. He is 
practically radical in both his political and 
religious views and sentiments, yet he is 
generous and liberal in allowing freedom 
of views to others. He is always found 
ready to contribute freely for the building 
of churches, and promoting the cause of 
temperance and other like benevolent ob- 
jects. He was mai-ried, F'eb. 4, 1857, to Car- 
oline M. VVarner, of Otselic, Chenango 
Co., N. Y. Their first child, a daughter 
named Jessie, was the first inmate of the 
Clear Lake cemetery. Three children are 
living — Rose, (Mrs Gilbert B. Mcintosh, 



of Clear Lake), Frank M. and Anna L. 
Mr. and Mrs. Tuttle ijelebrated their sil- 
ver wedding Feb 4, 1876. An incident 
of surprise to the guests on that occasion 
was the wedding of their daughter, who 
resides on the homestead on the north 
side of Clear Lake park. Mr. Tuttle re- 
moved to Spencer, Clay Co., Iowa, in 
March, 1879, where he had extensive 
landed interests. He had become worn 
and wearied with his arduous life and had 
resolved to concentrate his means and de- 
vote them and his energies to stock-rais- 
ing, which afforded exclusive out door life. 
After his settlement at Spencer, the Iowa 
and Montana Live Stock Company was 
organized and incorporated, with Mr. 'J'ul- 
tle as its president, which position he still 
holds. The company now have ],8(iO head 
of cattle on ranch in Montana. The home 
herd of Mr. Tuttle includes 600 head, 
many of which are blooded stock. He 
still owns a fine property at Clear Lake 
and fre(pient visits serve to continue his 
former ties. He has seen Clear Lake vil 
lage grow from its first shanty to its pres- 
ent prosperity and beauty, and rejoices in 
its popularity with the same heartiness 
that characterized every effort he made in 
the past to advance its substantial pro- 
gress. 

The fourteenth General Assembly con- 
vened at Des Moines in January, 1872, and 
the forty-sixth senatorial district, of which 
Cerro Gordo was a part, was represented 
by E. A. Howland, of Franklin county. 
David Secor served the sixty-sixth district 
ill the House. 

The fifteenth General Assembly con- 
vened at Des Moines in January, 1874. In 
this session Cerro Gordo county was rep- 



r 



^± 



114 



HISTORY OF CERRO GOKDO COUNTY. 



resented by E. A. Howland, Senator, and 
M. A Leahy, Representative, both of 
Franklin county. 

The sixteenth General Assembly con- 
vened at Des Moines in January, 1876. 
Hon. Lemuel Dvvelle, of North wood, 
Worth county, had been elected to suc- 
ceed E. A. Howland, as State Senator, and 
Loren/.Q D. Lane took the place of M. A. 
Leahy as Representative. 

The seventeenth General Assembly con- 
vened at Des Moines in January, 1878. 
At this time Lemuel Dwelle was still Sen- 
ator, representing the district of which 
Cerro Gordo county formed a part. John 
H. King, a lawyer, residing in Hampton, 
served this representative district in the 
House. 

The eighteenth General Assembly con- 
vened at Des Moines in January, 1880. 
The State Senator from this district at 
that time was Hon. F. M. Goodykoontz, 
of Mason City. John H. King, of Hamp- 
ton, had been re-elected Representative. 

The nineteenth General Assembly con- 
vened in January, 1882, at Des Moines. 
F. M. Goodykoontz had resigned the office 
of Senator, and H. G. Parker, of Mason 
City, had been elected to fill the vacancy, 
and took his seat at this session. R. S. 
Benson, of Hampton, served the seventy- 
eighth district, of which Cerro Gordo coun- 
ty formed a part in the House. 

In 1883 Cerro Gordo county comprised 
a representative district, and was associ- 
ated with Franklin, Winnebago and Han- 
cock counties as a senatorial district. 

Senator H. G. Parker, of Mason City, 
has been so long identified with the best 
interests of Cerro Gordo county, that his 
name is inseparable from all her enter- 



prises and projects for future well-being. 
All his career, since he cast his lot in Iowa, 
has been signally marked by his disinter- 
ested eft'orts for her general and local pros- 
perity. Mr. Parker is a reformer in the 
best sense of the term; he judges meas- 
ures by long observation of their influence 
on society, and endorses no general prin- 
ciple which promises no permanent ben- 
efit to the institutions in which he is most 
intimately interested, as a man and citizen. 
Personal aggrandizement is his special 
aversion; human merit has no claim on his 
attention, unless characterized by self- 
abnegation. Mr. Parker was born in Os- 
wego Co., N. Y., July 20, ] 820. His father. 
Patten Parker, was born Sept. 3, 1793, in 
Argyle, Washington Co., N. Y., and died 
Feb. 25, 1846. His mother, Sally (Burr) 
Parker, was born April 1, 1793, in Granby, 
Hartford Co., Conn. She died Jan. 23, 
1873. Their marriage took place in Litch- 
field, Herkimer Co , N. Y., Oct. 20, 1816. 
They had three daughters and one son. 
The senior Parker spent his life in the 
pursuit of agriculture. H. G. Parker was 
carefully reared on his father's farm and 
received a substantial education. In June, 
1855, he turned his face westward, and 
settled upon Cerro Gordo county as afield 
likely to aflFord scope to his energies and 
abilities. This section was then the L^to- 
pia of the pioneer; the broad stretch of 
prairie seemed a special boon to the early 
settler, who came here with little beside 
hope and manly strength as the basis of a 
successful future. In the fall of 1855 Mr. 
Parker located at Clear Lake. His con- 
nection with the politics of the county 
commenced with his advent, he being 
elected one of the first justices of Clear 



-c- <r- 



^ 

w 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



715 



Lake township. During his residence at 
Clear Lake, he opened and cultivated a 
farm on the north shore of the lake. In 
1859 he was elected county tieasurer and 
recorder, and removed to Mason City to 
enter upon the duties of his office, Jan. 1, 
1860. He served two years, and, Jan. 1, 
1S62, associated with C. W. Tobin, a com- 
positor in the office, purchased the.Cerro 
Gordo Hepublican, a paper established in 
ISttl In the autumn ensuing, Mr. Tobin 
enlisted in the LTnion Army, and Mr. Par- 
ker was left to the mechanical as well as 
e<lilorial management of the HcpuMiwui. 
The patriotism of printers is a well re- 
membered fact among publishers, and the 
dearth of typos sometimes interfered with 
the regularity of the issue of the Rejnihlican 
but it was a welcome visitor in the ranks 
of Iowa volunteers, who eagerly sought 
for news from home. At the beginning 
of ]863, Silan Noyes, of Clear Lake, an 
experienced printer and newspaper man, 
became a partner in the publication of the 
paper, but he retired at the end of the same 
year, and Mr. Parker operated alone up to 
the summer of 1867. His connection with 
the paper covered the most eventful pe- 
riod of the Nation's history, beginning 
witli the outbreak of the rebellion, and 
terminating with the restoration of the 
National authority. In 1867 he sold the 
paper to Silan Noyes and S. A. Sirrine. 
In 1862 Mr. Parker was appointed deputy 
clerk of the district courts and clerk of the 
boai'd of supervisors. In 1863, after the 
death of H. B. Gray, clerk of the court, 
he was elected to fill the vacancy, and held 
the post until January, 1865, declining re- 
election on account of his editorial obli- 
ffations. In the fall of 1870 he wasekctod 



one of three supervisors, who were to con- 
stitute the board in-tead of one official 
from each civil township. Mr. Parker 
drew the short term and acted one year. 
At the same time he was councilman of 
Mason City, and a member of the school 
board of the independent school district. 
His labors in the latter capacity have their 
reward in the elegant school building 
whose erection is due to the efforts of Mr. 
Parker and his co-adjutors. In 1870 he 
built the flouring mill on Willow creek, 
known as the Parker Mills, at a cost of 
$12,000. He re-appeared in public life 
in IS81, when he was elected to fill a va- 
cancy in the State Senate, where his of- 
ficial record is one of honor to his man- 
hood and credit to his constituency. He 
was married in 1861 to Mary A., daugh- 
ter of Luke Coon of Wisconsin. Mr and 
Mrs. Parker have five children — Maud G., 
Laura L., H. Earl, Carl A. and Mary M. 
Mr. Parker has built his fortune from a 
small foundation. He ranks fairly with 
the capitalists of the northwest, and owes 
his prosperity to judicious management. 
In company with A. T. Parker, he is en- 
gaged in adding substantially to the 
beauty and permanent growth of Mason 
City, by the erection of an opera house, an 
investment of about $25,000. 

COUNTY .JUDGE. 

When Cerro' Gordo county was organ- 
ized, in 1855, and for several years there- 
after, the office of county judge was the 
most important in the gift of the people. 
The judge originally performed all the 
duties now attended to by the board of 
supervisors, and much that now devolves 
ujion the auditor and circuit clerk. 



"slV 



s 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



The first county judge of Cerro Gordo 
county was John B. Long He was 
elected upon the organization of the coun- 
ty, in August, 1855, but before the expira 
tion of his term became involved in per- 
sonal difficulties and resigned the office. 

John B. Long came in 1854 from Rock- 
ford, 111., and settled about a mile from 
where Mason City now stands. He lived 
upon his farm and started a store in town. 
lie was much interested in the county 
seat matters and the part he took has in- 
dissolubly connected his name with the 
inception and beginning of Mason City. 
In 1857 he removed to .Missouri, and later 
to Arkansas, where he now lives. 

After the resignation of Long, J. S. 
Church was appointed to fill the vacancy, 
and at the election in the fall of 1857 was 
elected judge. Mr. Church was a lawyer 
and made a good judge. 

In the fall of 1859 George Vermilya was 
elected county judge to succeed Mr.Chureh. 
He served until Jan. 1, 1862. During iiis 
term of office the board of supervisors 
were elected, taking most of the work out 
of the hands of the judge. 

George Vermilya, a pioneer of Cerro 
Gordo county, settled in Falls township in 
1855, where he located land on a soldier's 
warrant. This property is still in his pos- 
session. Mr. Vermilya was born in Albany 
Co., N. Y., Jan. 14, 1822. He is a son of 
Joseph and Susan (Pinkney) Vermilya, 
natives of the Empire State. They were 
the parents of six sons and five daughters, 
eight of whom are now living. The elder 
Vermilya was a radical in the full sense 
of the term; he interested himself zeal- 
ously in all temperance work, and was 
foremost in the organization of the first 



anti-slavery society in his native town. 
At the age of twenty-two Mr. Vermilya, 
of this sketch, came west to Cook Co.> 
in. He was married in 1856 to Helen, 
daughter of Alvah Miller, of Tioga Co., 
N. Y. Mr. Miller came to Cook cotinty 
in 1837. Mrs. Vermilya was born in 
Tioga county, Aug. 29, 1831. In 1855 
Mr. Vermilya came to Cerro Gordo county, 
making the route by stage to West Union, 
and coming thence on foot to Falls town- 
ship. Having located his land lie re- 
turned to Illinois, and the following spring 
moved his family, coming through in a 
prairie schooner with three ox and two 
horse teams They lived in their wagon 
while constructing their cabin, 11x18 feet 
in size. Four years later the family moved 
to Mason City. In 1859 Mr. Vermilya 
was elected judge of Cerro Gordo county. 
In 1861 he was elected treasurer and re- 
corder, holding the office for two terms, 
receiving $300 per year. In 1866 he set- 
tled where he now resides. Mr. and Mrs. 
Vermilya have two sons and three daugh- 
ters — Jessie, Theron, Grace, Lida and 
Guerdon. Judge Vermilya owns 700 
acres of land mostly well advanced in im- 
provements. 

Marcus Tuttle succeeded Judge Ver- 
milya. He was elected in the fall of 1861, 
and served until Jan. 1, 1864. 

Elisha Randall succeeded Marcus Tuttle 
by the election in the fall of 18G3. 

W. E. Thompson was elected county 
judge in October, 1865, by an almost 
unanimous vote. His term began Jan. 1, 
1866, and expired Jan. 1, 1868. 

Watson E. Thompson came to Mason 
City in August, 1863, and has since tliat 
time been a resident of the countv. 






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HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



719 



■Uvflge Thompson's father was a native of 
Kentucky, and a sea captain by occupa- 
tion. 'J'he family were originally from 
Connecticut. His mother was of English 
descent. W. E. Thompson was h)orn on 
the ocean, his father being accompanied 
by his family on his sea voyages. Judge 
Thompson lost his parents when he was ten 
nr eleven years of age, and was thus early 
thrown upon his own resources. For sev- 
eral years he followed the sea and en- 
gaged in other occupations, going from 
place to place, as circumstances seemed to 
direct, in securing a liveliliood. He 
learned the printer's trade in PhiladelpJiia, 
and at one time set type for Horace Gree- 
ley, on the New York Tr'dmne. When 
about twenty-one years of age, he went 
to Cleveland, Oliio, and engaged in boat- 
ing. The late President Garfield was a 
driver on the canal at that time, and Judge 
Thompson has frequently seen him when 
thus engaged. He was married in Ohio, 
to Annie Green, who \va.s born near Cleve- 
land, with whom he lived sixteen years, 
when she died, in Ohio, though four years 
of their mairied life were spent in Winne- 
bago Co., 111. Previous to his marriage 
he had learned the cooper's trade, at 
which he worked for several years. He 
was at one time a regularly ordained min- 
ister in the Universalist Church, in which 
denomination he preached for seven or 
eight years. In the spring of 1864 he was 
engaged as foreman in the office of the 
Cerro Gordo Rejnihlican, published by 
Horace G. Parker, and was connected with 
that paper for three years. In 1866 he 
settled on a farm in what is now Lime 
Creek township, tliree miles and a half 
northwest of Mason City. He was the 



first justice of the peace of that township, 
an office he has held most of the time 
since. By his first marriage he has four 
children living — Jane C, wife of J«hn 
D. Harris who resides at Brecksville, 
Cuynhoga Co., Ohio ; Benjamin F., who 
was in company A, 103d Ohio Volunteer 
Infantry ; Annie, wife of William Cath- 
cart, and Mrs. Nellie E. Rood. The last 
two live in Pleasant Valley township. By 
his second marriage, with Mrs. Pha-be 
Wiggins, he had two children — Elizabeth 
D. and Asa D., who live in Ohio. Judge 
Thompson ha« for the last few years re- 
sided with his two daughters in Pleasant 
V'alley township. 

In October, 1867, George E. Frost was 
elected county judge, and was the last to 
fill the office. 

COUNTY AUDITOR. 

In the winter of 1868-9, by an act of 
the General Assembly, the oflice of county 
judge was abolished, and that of county 
auditor was created. George E. Frost 
who was county judge, was made ex-offi- 
cio county auditor until one was elected. 

In the fall of 1869, Charles B. Senior 
was elected county auditor, and two years 
later was re-elected. 

S. Noyes succeeded Mr. Senior as au- 
ditor, being elected in 1873. Mr. Noyes 
came to Cerro Gordo county at an early 
day, and by his genial and kind disposi- 
tion made many warm friends. He was 
for many years engaged in the newspaper 
business in this county, at times on the 
Cerro Gordo litpuUican and again on the 
Clear Lake Independent. He remained in 
the county, actively interested in all public 
affairs until tlie time of his death, Jan. 
18, 1875. He was buried with Masonic. 



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HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



Iionors in the Clear Lake cemetery, a 
special train from Mason City conveying 
his remains to his last resting place. 

In 1875 Henry H. Shepard was elected 
county auditor. He was re-elected in 
1877, 1879 and 1881. 

TREASURER AND RECORDER. 

When t erro Gordo county was organ- 
ized and for several years thereafter, the 
duties pertaining to these offices were 
attended to by one officer. 

Henry Van Patter was the first treas- 
urer and recorder of Cerro Gordo county. 
He was elected at the orginization of the 
county in August, 1 855. Henry Van Pat- 
ter came to this county when about twen- 
ty-three years of age, with his father. 
They settled upon a farm north of where 
Mason City now stands, which they im- 
proved. Henry had married a daughter 
of John B. Long, and shortly after his 
election moved to Hardin county, where he 
died a number of years ago. He was a 
man of integrity and intelligence and 
made many friends. 

Mr. Van Patter did not serve his full 
term as treasurer and recorder, and Charles 
W. Tenney was appointed to fill the 
vacancy. He also resigned and George 
]5rentner served as his successor. 

Charles H. Huntley was the next treas- 
urer and recorder, being elected in the 
fall of 1857. Mr. Huntley came to Cerro 
Gordo county from Vinton, with his 
brother, Dr. E. D. Huntley, when a 
boy, and settled at Mason City. After 
his term of office expired, he went into 
mercantile trade with his brother and J. 
S. Church, and they erected the stone store 
building now occupied by W. A. Crosby. 
He married a daughter of Judge Randall's 



and remained until the fall of 1862, when 
he went into the army as adjutant of the 
32d Iowa Infantry, and was killed at the 
battle of Pleasant Hill, La. The wife of 
Mr. Huntley, is now Mrs. Prof. L. L_ 
Huntley, of Mason City. Charles H. 
Huntley is remembered as a man of much 
worth. He left many friends to mourn 
his loss. 

In October, 1859, H. G. Parker was 
elected treasurer and recorder of Cerro 
Gordo county, and served for one term. 
Mr. Parker has been a prominent man in 
all public matters, and his name necessa- 
rily occurs frequently in this volume. 

In the fall of 1861, George Vermllya 
was elected treasurer and recorder, and 
being re-elected two years later served 
four years. 

In the winter of 186.3-4, by an act of the 
General Assembly, the offices of treasurer 
and recorder w»s divided, and provision 
was made for the election of an officer to 
each of the separate branches. 

COUNTY TREASURER. 

After the division, George Vermilya, 
formerly treasm-er and recorder, became 
county treasurer and filled the office until 
January, 1860. 

In October, 1865, Thomas G. Emsley 
was elected county treasurer, and two 
years later was re-elected. Mr. Emsley is 
now president of the City Bank of M»son 
City. 

T. G. Emsley has been a resident of 
Cerro Gordo county since 1858. His 
father, W. W. Emsley, was a native of 
Yorkshire, England, and died in 1849. 
His mother, Beatrice H. (Donaldson) 
Emsley, was born in Vermont and was of 
Scotch descent. T. G. Emslev was born 



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HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



721 



in Carroll Co., Ohio, Dec. 23, 1843. He 
enlisted in company I, 2d Iowa Calvary, 
in 1864, and was honorably discharged at 
the close of the war. He returned to 
Mason City, and,in 1865,was elected treas- 
urer of Cerro Gordo county and re-elected 
in 1867. In 1873 he established the bank- 
ing house with which he is now connected. 
Mr. Enisley was married in 1865 to Mary 
Cliurch, daughter of Rev. Jesse Church, 
of Crawford Co., Penn. Mr. and Mrs. 
Emsley have two daughters — Mabel and 
Lillie. 

Henry I. Smith was elected to succeed' 
Mr. Emsley as treasurer of Cerro Gordo 
county, in 1869. He was re-elected in 
1871 and served until Jan. 1, 1874. 

H. I. Smith, president of the First 
National Bank, of Mason City, has been a 
resident of Cerro Gordo county since tlu' 
spring of 1854. He settled in Falls town- 
ship on a farm on the Shell Rock river. 
His father died in England in 1847, and 
the same year he came to America with 
his mother, and spent a year in Canada. 
They went to Kane Co., III., in 1848, and 
at the dale above named his mothei- 
bought a claim of land, and with the help 
of her children and brother, improved a 
farm. The mother is still a resident of 
Falls township. Their entree to Cerro 
Gordo county was made in a prairie 
schooner drawn by an ox team. They 
spent three weeks on the road, camping 
and cooking such provisions as they could 
obtain by the roadside. After their arrival 
they lived in their wagon until they built 
a log house, 16x20 feet. The first year 
they spent in their new cabin home with 
shakes for shingles and mother earth for 
flooring. They made their bread the first 



winter from corn-meal and buckwheat 
ground in a three-shilling coflFee mill. 
They killed and smoked a pig, obtaining 
the remainder of their meat from the 
forest, varied with fish from the river 
which they salted and smoked. Here Mr. 
Smith grew to man's estate and received 
a good education. In July, 1861, he en- 
listed in company B, 7th Iowa Volunteers. 
His regiment was first rendezvoused 
at Burlington, Iowa, and in August was 
sent to Benton Barracks, St. Louis. His 
first smell of powder was at Belmont, Mo., 
Nov. 7, 1861, where he was shot in the 
breast.his collar-bone beingbroken. He still 
retains the bullet imbedded in the shoul- 
der-blade. He was in Mound City Hospi- 
tal until the day following the battle of 
Shiloh. At that engagement his only 
brother, Peter Smith, was wounded by a 
shell and died on a steamer while en route 
to Keokuk Hospital. He was buried at 
Quincy, 111. .Mr. Smith was under fiie at 
Coritith, first and second battles, .-it luk.i, 
Dallas, Big Slianly, Keiniesaw JSountain, 
at the siege of Atlanta (July 22 and 2b), 
was with Sherman on his march to the 
sen, and in comilJess other engagement.s 
of more or less importance, aiid finally 
passed in the Grand Review at Washing- 
ton, D. C, where he received a bouquet 
from the hand of Mrs. Stanton, wife of .the 
Secretary of War. In 1864 he was pro- 
moted to second lieutenant at Pulaska, 
Tenn., and when in action at Atlanta, 
reached the rank of first lieutenant. 
While at Washington he was promoted to 
the captaincy of his company. "While on 
the march to the sea he was placed on the 
staff of Brigadier-General E. W. Rice. 
He was mustered out of service at Davcn- 



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HISTORY (;F CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



port, in 1865, and came back to Cenro 
Gordo county and engaged in farming for 
a short time. In 1869 he came to Mason 
City to enter upon the duties of county 
treasurer, to which he had been elected, 
wli^ch office he held four years. He was 
married, in 1868, to Miss D. E. Bogardus. 
Mr. and Mrs. Smith have had tive children, 
four sons ajid one daughter — William J., 
Lou D., Henry Carl, Robert P. and War- 
ren B. Mr. Smith was born in Notting- 
ham, England, May 4, 1840. He is a 
member of the Masonic order, a republi- 
can in politics, and > as held many im- 
portant positions in the party. 

In 1873 James Rule was elected county 
treasurer, and being re-elec ed in 1875 
and 1877 served six years. He is now 
vice-president of the Mason City Bank. 
He came to Cerro Gordo county in 1864, 
and worked on a farm summers and 
taught school winters. He became a resi- 
dent of Mason City in 1868, commenced 
mason work, and in 1870 was appointed 
deputy treasurer of the county. He was 
elected to the office of treasurer in 187.3 
and re-elected in 1875 and 1877. In 1880 
he formed his present business relations 
with Erasjey and Denison in the City 
Bank. Mr. Rule was born in Greene 
Lake Co., Wis., .Tune 11, 1846. His 
parents, James and Mary (Cameron) Rule, 
were natives of Scotland, and came to the 
United States in 1844, locating at Fox 
Lake, Wis. The father engaged in agri- 
culture. Mr. Rule acquired his education 
there, and when about sixteen years of 
age enlisted and went to St. Louis, where 
he was rejected on account of his youth. 
-Afr. Rule wa.< determined not to return 
home, and the officials finally assigned 



him to a position in the ordnance depart- 
ment, second division army of the frontier, 
under Gen. Herron, where he served about 
six months, and, on receiving his discharge, 
returned to Wisconsin. In 1871 he was 
married to Jennie Gale They have two 
sons — Art)\ur L. and Vernie H. Mr. Rule 
belongs to the Masonic Order, Chapter 
and Commandery. 

W. C. Tompkins succeeded Mr. Rule as 
treasurer in the fall of 1879. Two years 
later he was unanimously re-elected and 
served until Jan. 1, 1884. 

W. C. Tompkins, treasurer of Cerro 
Gordo county, was born in Lockport, N. 
Y., Jan. 31, 1837. His parents, Enoch and 
Deborah (Westbrouk) Tompkins, went to 
Canada West in the year 18?n. His father 
died there in 1846. When Mr. Tompkins 
was nine years old he went to Freeport, 
111., with a cousin, expecting that his 
father's family would soon follow, but 
death took away the head of the house- 
hold, and Mr. Tompkins, after managing 
the best he could for about a year, went to 
Ogle Co., 111., where he lived seven years 
with Edwin Francis. He came to Iowa 
in 1854 and located in Etna township, 
Hardin county. Two years after he en- 
gaged in farming at Iowa Falls, and in the 
fall of the same year sent for his mother, 
tliree brothers and one sister. He set out 
for Pike's Peak in 1859, and went as far 
as Leavenworth, Kan., going on to his 
destination the following season. He re- 
turned to Iowa in 1861 and settled at 
Clear Lake. In the spring of 1862 he en- 
listed in company C, 12th United States 
Infantry. He was soon sent to Fcvt Ilr.m- 
iltou and passed fourteen niontlis Uiore 
and at Fort LaFayelte, New Yoik Har- 



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HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



723 



bor. He was engaged in the second riot 
in New York and joined bis regiment in 
the fall of 1863, and was sent to Culpep- 
per. He experienced some of the heaviest 
service in tbe war, including the battles 
Rappahannock, Wilderness, Spotsylvania 
Court House, Cold Harbor, Pittsburg and 
Weldon. At the last named place he was 
taken prisoner and was sent to Libby 
prison, and six weeks later to Salisbury, 
N. C. He was exchanged in February 
following and discharged at Fort Hamil- 
ten, N. Y., April 19, 1865. He came back 
to Cerro Gordo county and engaged in 
farming. He was married April 27, 1868, 
'to Jean, daughter of Thomas Duncan, of 
Clear Lake. Only one of their two chil- 
dren is now living — Earl. Mr. Tompkins 
is a member of the Masonic fraternity. 

COUNTY EKCORDEE. 

Upon the division of the offices of 
treasurer and recorder, in 1863-4, provision 
was made for the election of a county re- 
corder in the fall of 1864. Accordingly, 
in November, 1864, Elisha Randall was 
elected county recorder. His duties began 
Jan. 1, 1865, and his term expired with 
Jan. 1, 1867. 

Charles M. Adams was elected to suc- 
ceed Judge Randall as county recorder in 
the fall of 1866. Mr. Adams served his 
term in a most efficient manner. He is 
now short hand reporter of the twelfth 
judicial district. 

Henry Keerl was the next county re- 
corder. He was elected in November, 
1868, without opposition, and served until 
January, 1871. 

Lieut. Henry Keerl was born in Charles- 
town, Va., Dec. 14, 1836. He is a son of 
Ur. William and Ellen (Douglass) Keerl. 



His father died when he was a boy, and in 
1859 he came to Cerro Gordo county to 
take charge of a mill owned by an uncle 
residing in Benton county. Lieut. Keerl 
enlisted in August, 1862, in company B, 
32d regiment, Iowa Volunteers. He had 
three brothers in the Confederate army. 
His command was attached to the Red 
River expedition under Gen. Smith, and 
at Pleasant Hill his canteen was shattered 
by a minnie ball. The battered article is 
preserved in grateful remembrance. At 
Memphis he was commissioned 1st lieu- 
tenant, and was engaged in action at 
Nashville and Fort Blakely. He returned 
to Mason City at the close of the war, and 
has since been variously occupied. He is 
an ardent republican, and in the fall of 
1867 was elected county recorder; has 
served in the city council many years. 
He is a member of the order of Masonry, 
and belongs to the Grand Army of the 
Republic. He was married in 1863 to 
Lurena, daughter of Judge Randall, of 
Mason City. They have three children — 
William I., Letty E. and Henry. 

In October, 1870, O. T. Denison was 
elected county recorder and was re-elected 
in 1872 and 1874. He is now cashier of 
the City Bank. He was born in Brook- 
iield, Madison Co., N. Y., in 1847. His 
parents emigrated to Wisconsin in 1857, 
where he grew to manhood, receiving a 
liberal education. He came to Mason 
City in 1867 and was employed as clerk 
in a store. In 1869-70 he was deputy 
recorder, then was elected recorder, hold- 
ing the office three consecutive terms. In 
1877 he associated with Mr. Emsley in 
the banking business, in which he is now 



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724 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



engaged. He was married to Orpha E. 
Willard, a daughter of Judge Willard, of 
Mason City, in 1871. They have two 
children —Mamie and Lyman. He is a 
member of the Masonic fraternity. 

Richard Valentine was elected county 
recorder in 1876, and- re-elected in 1878 
and 1880, serving si.x years. 

In the fall of 1882 Lizzie Fitch was 
elected recorder of Cerro Gordo county, 
and is making a most efficient and satis- 
factory official. 

Miss Lizzie Fitch, the present recorder 
of Cerro Gordo county, was born in Win- 
nebago Co., 111., June 24, 1855. Her par- 
ents, Joseph and Mary L. (Nutting) Fitch, 
moved to Illinois from Massachusetts, 
their native State, in 1854, and two years 
later returned to their native State. The 
mother died in May, 1869, and the father 
in February, 1880. In November, 1869, 
Miss Fitch came to Cerro Gordo county, 
being at that time fourteen years old. In 
1875 she was ' appointed deputy clerk of 
courts, her brother-in-law, M. S. Sohermer- 
horn being clerk at that time. For five 
years she acted in the capacity of deputy 
clerk, when she was chosen bookkeeper 
in the City Bank. In the fall of 1882, as 
stated, she was elected recorder, which 
office she now fills. Miss Fitch is a lady 
of academic education, and is highly es- 
teemed in all circles. 

CLERK OF COURTS. 

• This office was in existence at the time 
Cerro Gordo county was organized. 
Henry Martin was the first to fill it for 
this county, being elected in August, 1855. 
During the following winter, Mr. Martin 
resigned the office, and C. W. Scott was 
appointed to fill the vacancy. 



In the fall of 1860 H. B. Gray was 

elected clerk of court over Solomon Zuver 
and F. B. Frisbee. Zuver contested the 
election of Gray, but finally the suit was 
withdrawn. Gray was a lawyer living 
at Mason City. He was re-elected in 1862, 
and died July 1, 1863. 

Horace G. Parker was elected to fill 
the vacancy in the fall of 1863, and 
closed out the term. 

In November, 1864, Robert Hickling 
was elected clerk of court but did not 
serve out the full term. 

Robert Hickling was born in South Lin- 
colnshire, England, July 18, 1831. He 
came to America in his eighteenth year 
and went to Ottawa, LaSalle Co., III., 
where he was in the employ of Walker & 
Hickling as bookkeeper for some years. 
Here he was married to Deborah S.Pierce, 
Feb. 27, 1853. The family of Mr. Hick- 
ling consisted of six children, fourof whom 
are now living — Eugene, Walter, Isabelle 
and Ette. On account of poor health they 
moved from Illinois to Iowa. In November, 
1856, they came to Ow en's Grove where 
Mr. Hickling bought a farm of 160 
acres. He resided there four years 
when he purchased a piece of land 
in Floyd Co., Iowa, where he lived 
three years and then sold out and 
moved to Mason City. After coming here 
he was employed as clerk for three years 
with J. H. Valentine and also one year 
with C. H. Day & Brother. In November, 
1864, he was elected clerk of the district 
court, but after a short time had to resign 
the office on account of impaired health. 
He built the first cheese factory in Cerro 
Gordo county. He has been a citizen of 
this county for nearly twenty-seven years. 



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HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



725 



B. F. Hartshorn succeeded Mr. Hickling 
as clerk. He was elected in October, 1866, 
and served until Jan. 1, 1869. Mr. Harts- 
horn was a lawyer living at Mason City. 
He left the county about 1878 and moved 
to Minnesota. 

By the election in November, 1868, F. 
M. Rogers became clerk of court. He 
was re-elected in 1870 and 1872, serving 
six years. 

F. M Rogers ' came to Cerro Gordo 
county, in 1855, with his father's family. 
The father, J. J. Rogers, settled at what 
was then called Linn Grove, but is now 
the village of Rockwell. They left the 
State of New York in the fall of 1854 and 
passed the winter at Warren, 111., then the 
terminus of the railroad. From that 
point they traveled overland with a team, 
and sheltered themselves in their wagon 
until their log house, 12x18 feet, was 
built. The floor of this primitive resi- 
dence was of the sort known as "pun- 
cheon," made of split logs. Cedar Falls 
was their nearest point to obtain supplies, 
and the first year they lived on hulled 
corn and potatoes. Their nearest neigh- 
bor was at Owen's Grove, and, in 1860, 
George A. Fuller and family came, and 
other families soon followed. The family 
were in straitened circumstances when 
they came to Cerro Gordo county, but in- 
dustry and thrift soon placed them in com- 
fort and afterwards in competency. Mr. 
Rogers, Sr., held several official positions 
during his life and died, in 1871, respected 
and honored. The mother is still living. 
Mr. Rogers, of this sketch, was born in Erie 
Co., N. v., May 20, 1838. He was raised 
on a farm and received a common school 
education. He enlisted in August, 1862, 



in company B, .32d Iowa Volunteers, and 
participated in many severe engagements 
of the war. He was discharged at Mont- 
gomery, Ala., in July, 1865, on account of 
disability. After his return to Cerro Gor- 
do county he engaged in farming. He 
was married in October, 1865, to Phoebe 
Richardson. She was a native of New 
York and came to Iowa in 1860. M"-. and 
Mrs. Rogers have three daughters and 
two sons — Lloyd, Maud A., Daisy J., Ross 
R. and Alice C. Mr. Rogers belongs to 
the A. O. U. W., No. 171, and is a mem- 
ber of the G. A. R., No. 42. 

M. S. Schermerhorn succeeded Mr. 
Rogers as clerk. He was elected in 1874, 
and re-elected in 1876 and 1878. 

Duncan Rule was elected clerk of court 
in 1880, and re-elected two years later. 
The term which he is now serving will 
expire Jan. 1, 1885. 

Duncan Rule, clerk of court, was born 
in Dodge county, near Fox Lake, Feb. 19, 
1856. His parents, James and Mary Rule, 
were of Scotch descent and the father 
was a farmer. Duncan was raised on the 
farm until fourteen, receiving a fair com- 
mon school education, and afterward spent 
three years at the Iowa State University. 
In 1881 he married Huldah Thompson, 
daughter of James Thompson, of Mason 
City. She was born in 1856. Mr. Rule 
is a staunch republican, and a hard worker 
for his party. He was one of the charter 
members of the Mason City Lodge, K. of 
P. Mrs Rule is a member of the Baptist 
Church. Mr. Rule is now serving his 
second term as clerk of court. He makes 
an efficient, accommodating and satisfac- 
tory official. 



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HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



SHERIFFS. 

The first sheriff of Cerro Gordo county 
w.as Nathan W. Stackhouse, who was 
elected on the organization of the county 
in August, 1855. Two years later he was 
re-elected. Stackhouse was a North Caro- 
linian, but came to Gerro Gordo county in 
1854, from Illinois, and settled at Mason 
City. He was a married mm, and wa? 
|)oor. He was not a polished man, nor 
ingenious, but was full of energy and 
thrift. He remained here for a number 
of years and moved to Missouri, in 1858. 

John L. McMillen was the second sher- 
iff. He was elected in 1859 and served 
for two years. McMillen settled at Mason 
City at an early day and opened a large 
stock (if goods there. He remained for a 
number of years, acting a prominent part 
in the history of Mason City. He is now 
in the northern part of Minnesota. 

In 1861 Wilbur F. Hoyt was elected 
sheriff. Mr. Hoyt came to Cerro Gordo 
county, at an early day, and began work- 
ing for Judge Randall on the saw mill at 
INlason City. He was an honest, pleasant, 
genial man, and made many firm friends 
among the pioneers. When the war 
broke out he enlisted and died in the ser- 
vice. He was married while in Mason 
City to Martha Teeple. 

W. B. Stillson was elected sheriff of 
Cerro Gordo county in 186-3, and served 
for two years. 

In 1865 Henry A. Marsh was elected 
sheriff, to succeed Mr. Stillson, and served 
a like term. 

Henry A. Marsh is now a carpenter and 
joiner of Mason City. He came to Cerro 
Gordo county with his parents, in 1857, 
and was reared to manhood on the farm 



^. 



of his father, in Owen township, where 
his mother still resides. His father, Allen 
S. Marsh, was born in Essex Co., Vt., in 
1811, and died in Owen township, in 
April, 1873. His mother, Adaline (Riley) 
Marsh, was born in Massachusetts, in 1810. 
They had two children Henry A. Marsh 
obtained a common school education of a 
solid character, and, on coming to the 
county, he was employed in the log school 
houses of the pioneers as teacher. In 
1862 he enlisted in the 32d Iowa Volun- 
teers, company B. He was a participant 
in many severe engagements, and was 
wounded at Yellow Bayou, in the arm, 
the bullet shattering the bone. On re- 
covery, he was sent to Vicksburg, and a 
few months later came home on a fur- 
lough. He received his discharge at Dav- 
enport,- April 22,1865. Mr. Marsh was 
born in Rutland Co., Vt., Nov. 5, 1841. 
He was married in 1862 to Charlotte, 
daughter of Isaac Trivett, a native of 
Dorchester, England, born Oct. 5, 1842. 
They have three children — Edwin, Fred 
and Eva. Mr. Marsh is a staunch repub- 
lican. He is a member of the Grand 
Army of the Republic. 

A M. Thompson became sheriff by 
virtue of an election in October, 1867. 

In 1869 William B. Stillson was again 
elected sheriff of Cerro Gordo county. 
In 1871 he was re-elected, and served 
until Jan. 1, 1874. 

H. H. Schell succeeded Mr. Stillson. He 
was elected in 187.3, and re-elected in 
1875 and 1877. 

E. J. Rosecrans was elected sheriff in 
1879, and re-elected in 1881. 

E. J. Rosecrans, sheriff of Cerro Gordo 
county, was born in Delaware Co., <")hio^ 



-f^ 



At 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



729 



l'\'l). 22, 1849. His |iiir.M)ts, M. 1*. and 
l^iicy ((tVOod) Uoscoraiis, i'inii!:r:iti'<l to 
llaiu'iH^k Co., Inwii, ill ISod, wlit'if tlioy 
went iiidiu'ors, scllliiit;' llicrc prior to llic 
orLfiiiiizatidii nf l\\v county. Mr. Kos(^- 
c.i'aiis r(HH'i\t>(l a iilu^'ar O(lii<iatioii in liin 
youlii. Ill is'i'l 111' was ,i|i|ioiiiU'il iic|iiily 
nIu'I'III' umlcr VV. I>. Stillson and Horvi'd 
oiu' year. In the Tall of IH^lt lie was 
elected slierilV and re-elected in the fall 
of 1881. He was married Oi't. 11), 18<(;, 
to.lemiii^ U., daiii^litiM- of James Spears, 
l)orn in Carroll, Ohio, l<'el). (i, I8r)8. Mr. 
Ivosecrans is a nu'inber of the Masonii^ 
or<ler and Kni,t>hts of I'ytliias. lie has 
lieeii a resident of Cerro Gordo comity 
siiieo 18(i0, and has seen the g;rowtii and 
advance of northwestern Iowa from its 
almost iiiijieopled state to its present pros- 
perity and develo))mont. 

I'ltOSUOUTlNO AI'l'OUNlCV. 

When I'erro Gordo (bounty was origan 
i/.ed, the laws o( the Slate provided for 
the ele<'tioii of a proseciili <^ attorney in 
each (^oiiiilv- C l>. ilaymond, A. B. U'lit 
lie and ,1. W . Murphy, were the only gen 
tleinen to serve in this capacity for Gerro 
Gordo county, as the oflico was abolished 
anil that of district attorney created. 

('OlINTV SUIiVICVOlv. 

In an early day this was one of the 
most inijiortant of tht^ county otliees, and 
hut \{'vy few of the pioneers were <|uali- 
rie<l to discharge the duties. I. W. Gard 
was the lirst surveyor of Gerro (Jordo 
county, heiii';; elected wlu'ii the (M)unty 
was organized, in August, 181").'). 

In I8,")'7 Alfonzo Garner was elected 
siiiNcyor and served two years. (Jarncn- 
came to Gciro Goi-do county from Kree- 
jiort, 111,, in 185&, and settled at 



Mason Gity. lie remained, engaged most 
of the time at the nursery business, until 
1870, when \\t- movcul t-o Missouri. lie 
was a man who nivant to he honest but be- 
I'anie involved in d(d)l previous to coming 
Imre and was thrown into bankruptcy. Ih^ 
was not a practical surveyor, but was a 
slirring, energeti<' man, a jeweler, by trade, 
aiid<lida great deal towards improving 
and beautifying the city as a pioneer hor- 
ticulturist and nurseryman. 

.1. II. 'r. Ambrososucceededtiarneras sur- 
veyor. Me was elected in 1859 and served 
two years. He was a (Terman,but had been 
in this eouiilry for many years, settling at 
Mason Gity in IS;)7. He was engaged at 
various occupations for a time but finally 
took u[) surveying, and succeeded very 
well. Shortly after the war lie removed 
to Winnebago county. 

(Jeorge E. Frost was the next surveyor, 
being elected in October, 1801, and serv- 
ing for two years. 

Charles W. Tennoy was the successor of 
Mr. h'rosl. lie was (dected in 18()S. 

In Ibd.') (ieorge h). l<'rost was again 
elected surv(^yor. 

Charles McNany siKU'ccdcd Mr. h'rost 
by the election in ISdV, and sci-vcd for 
two years. 

In ISliO G. F. N'inceiit was eliH^tcd siii- 
veyor of (lerro (tordo county, and in IsVl 
was re-elected. 

W. Scott Johnson was elected in 187;!^ 
and served nearly two years. Johnson 
was brought to Mason City at an early 
day by John I. Blair. lie was a civil 
engineer and a lawyer; having an edii- 
i^ation which few men siuH^'cd in 
oblaiiiint;'. lie was a line elocutionist 
and a relined, polished gentleman. 



63 



-Ts-h- 



^: 



ft= 



730 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



The story is that he left a girl 
whom he loved in the east, and upon find- 
ing that she was not true to him, it broke 
him down; he became discouraged and 
took to drinking. Before his term of 
office expired he went away leaving his 
engineering and surveying tools, which 
were purchased by H. A. Dyer. Where 
he is now is unknown. 

In 1875 C. F. Vincent was elected sur- 
veyor, and in 1877, 1879 and 1881, he was 
re-elected, having served twelve years in 
this capacity. 

COTTNTY ASSBSSOK. 

This office was created at about the 
time Cerro Gordo county was organized. 
Frederick Pattee was the first assessor, 
being elected in November, 1856. Pattee 
came to Clear Lake from Janesville, Bre- 
mer Co., in 1855. He was a brother to 
John and William Pattee, at one time 
Auditor of State. Frederick remained 
here until about 1865, when he moved 
west. It was reported that he had been 
shot by an Indian, while boating on the 
Missouri river. 

In the fall of 1857 James H. Tucker 
was elected assessor. Tucker was a 
Keiituckian. Upon his coming west he 
first settled in Hardin county, and, in 1856, 
came o Cerro Gordo county and located 
upon a farm in Owen's Grove. He was 
a married man and had a large family. 
Five or six years after his settlement there 
he removed with his family to Nebraska, 
whe e he died in 1875. 

Not\vitlistandin<r, these gentlemen were 
elected assessors, John Porter, afterward 
jii Ige of tile district court, did must of the 
work. In 1857 the office was a'lolislied by 



law, the duties reverting to the former 
and present system of township assessors. 

COEONEE. 

James Dickirson was the first coroner 
for Cerro Gordo county, being elected 
upon the organization of the county in 
August, 1855. James Dickirson was one 
of the two first settlers of Cerro Gordo 
county. 

Alonzo Beebe was the second coroner, 
being elected in 1857. He did not serve 
the full term. Beebe came to Cerro 
Gordo county in 1855 and located near 
where the brick kiln now is in Lime Creek 
township. He erected a little log cabin 
and moved in his family during this year. 
He only remained a few years, his wife 
dying, he left for parts unknown He was 
a carpenter by trade, and a man of push 
and energy. 

In April, 1858, Christopher Tucker was 
elected coroner. He was a son of James 
H. Tucker, who is mentioned as having 
been county assessor. Christopher went 
to Nebraska with his parents, where he 
still lives engaged in the cattle trade. 
Christopher married his wife in Hardin 
county before coming to Cerro Gordo 
county. In that early day she was thought 
to be a remarkable lady, as she could play 
a fiddle nicely and rattle off the "Arkan- 
sas Traveler" in the most approved fash- 
ion. 

In 1859 T. B. Wilson was elected 
county coroner, and -erved for two years. 

Lyman Hunt succeeded Mr. VV'ilgon, by 
election in the fall of 1861. Hunt settled 
on the West Fork, in the southeastern 
part of the county, in 1855. He remained 
there until tlie time of liis death, a num- 
ber of years ago. His widow has been 



^; 



ik 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



731 



married several times since, but is now 
Mrs. Locie, of the same part of the county. 

In 186.3 A. G. Morey was elected cor- 
oner, and served for two years. 

Anson C. Owen was elected successor 
to Mr. Morey, in 186.5, and served the 
same length of time. 

Gabriel Pence was the next coroner, 
being elected in 1867. Gabriel Pence 
was one of the earliest settlers of the 
county, and one of the most prominent. 
The Pence settlement was named in his 
honor. He was the progenitor of a family 
numbering over sixty persons, most of 
whom are resident of this and Worlli 
counties. After his settlement Mr. Pence 
remained in the county until his death, 
which occurred Feb. 16, 1880. He was 
seventy-two years old at the time. He 
was a member of the United Brethren 
Church, and his life was one of marke(l 
integrity. 

In 1871 W". H. Stanley was elected 
county coroner, and served for one year. 

In 187ii Harvey Brown was elected cor- 
oner. 

Rev. D. B. .Mason was elected in 1874, 
was re-elected and served for four years. 
Mr. Mason came to Mason City to preach 
for the Congregational Church. He was 
instrumental in building the church of that 
denomination at Mason City, carrying 
stone and mortar for the building, and 
working nobly for the cause. He re- 
mained for about four years, when lie 
went to Forest City, where he still lives. 

W. S. Harding, or "Bill Shake.spear," 
as he is generally called, succeeded Mr. 
Mason as coroner by the eleciion in 1879, 
but did not qualify. He is still a resident 
of Mason City. 



Dr. E. C. Miller was elected to fill the 
vacancy in 1880, and was re-elected in 

1881. 

DRAINAGE COMMISSIONER. 

This is one of the offices in existence at 
the time Cerro Gordo county was organ- 
ized. It was never of any importance, 
and it is doubted whether those who filled 
it ever performed a single official act. 
Much of the time the office was vacant. 

H. G. Parker was the first drainage 
commissioner of Cerro Gordo county. He 
was elected in April, 1856. 

In October, 1857, George L. Bunce was 
elected drainage commissioner. Mr. 
Bunce was one of the early settlers on 
the Shell Rock, in Cerro Gordo county, 
and was one of the first justices of the 
peace in the county. He lived on the 
Shell Rock, where he settled, for a num- 
ber of years, then sold his farm and mov^d 
to Rockford, to engage in running a brew- 
ery. He subsequently returned to Mason 
City, and for some time ran a hotel. 

In April, 1858, George Vermilya was 
elected drainage commissioner. 

Christopher Tucker succeeded Mr. Ver- 
milya, being elected in 1859. 

In 1860 S. M. Richardson was elected 
and served one term. 

Gabriel Pence came next by the elec- 
tion in 1863. 

James S. Saxby succeeded Mr. Pence, 
being elected in 1865. Saxby was an 
early settler at Clear Lake. He died a 
number of years ago. 

In 1867 Daniel Dougherty was elected 
to this office. 

George E. Frost succeeded Mr. Dough- 
erty, being elected in 1871. Mr. Frost 
was the last gentleman elected to this 
office, as it was abolished by law. 



f 



.^ 



« — fete 



^ 



732 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



CHAPTER XVI 



RAILROADS. 



In 1856 the project of an east and west 
railroad was extensively agitated in this 
part of Iowa and it took firm hold of the 
settlers of Cerro Gordo county. The Mc- 
Gregor, St. Peter & Missouri River Rail- 
ro*# Company had secured a land grant 
for the purpose of aiding in the construc- 
tion and operation of a line of railroad 
east and west across the northern part of 
the State, fronj McGregor to Sioux City, 
following the forty-third parallel as near 
as practicable. 

During the summer of 18.= 7 a prelimi- 
nary survey was made by which the road 
was to pass through Cerro Gordo county, 
south of Mason City, passing through the 
territory now comprising the townships of 
Owen, Bath, Mount Vernon and Union. 
At Owen's Grove the surveyors were 
treated to a grand dinner by Anson C. 
Owen and wife. 

The county voted at the October elec- 
tion in 185? to take |130,000 stock in the 
company, and later donated much of the 
swamp land. A large amount of private 
subscription was taken by the settlers, and 
many of them deeded their farms to 
eventually lose them. For a time it was 
expected that the road would be built with- 
in three months. Matters ran along foi' 
some time and no grading or work was 
done. When the war broke out the mat- 



ter was forgotten except when some set- 
tler was ousted from his farm to pay for 
the stock which he had subscribed^i^fter 
the close of the war the McGregor & 
Sioux City Railroad Company was or- 
ganized, and spurred the old company to 
action. The new company proposed to 
build a road as per a preliminary survey, 
according to which it was to pass through 
Mason City. The old company renewed 
their promises to build near the 43d par- 
allel, passing south of Mason City and 
Clear Lake. As a matter of course the 
Mason City and Clear Lake people warm- 
ly advocated the new road. The lately 
organized company asked that the land 
grant, which had been given to the old 
forty-third parallel comjjany, be transfer- 
red to them. In the winter of 1868-9, the 
twelfth General Assembly transferred the 
land grant which had been forfeited from 
the old to the new company. Work on 
grading at once began. Mason Citv gave 
the new company a bonus of $5,000; the 
county gave a large amount of swamp 
lands, and the new company was other- 
wise largely aided. Even at the last 
moment Mason City almost lost the road. 
The railroad company demanded that the 
city give them $5,000 and a half interest in 
the 160 acres now comprising South Ma- 
son City. This the people refused to do. 



■(•\s -^ 



.^ 



^t 



IIISTOllY 01' CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



733 



and the company ran their line a mile and 
a half south of the present city. The citi- 
zens were given a certain number of days 
to agree and in case they failed the com- 
pany would go on with the location of 
building upon a tract of 100 acres which 
they had bargained for one mile and a 
half south of the city. At about eleven 
o'clock in the evening of the last day, the 
citizens agreed to give what the company 
demanded. The result was telegraphed 
to the railway officials and the line was 
changed accordingly, and the depot and 
other buildings were located in South Ma- 
son City. In November, 1869, Cerro Gor- 
do county was in railroad connection and 
communication with the world. 

^S^ CHICAGO, MILWAUKEE & ST. PAUL COMPANY. 

A few years after the completion of the 
McGregor & Sioux City line, the road was 
purchased by the Chicago, Milwaukee & 
St. Paul Railroad Company, and this pow- 
erful corporation still owns and operates 
the road. 

This railroad enters Cerro Gordo county 
by-way of section 13, Portland townshij), 
and passing through Mason, Lake and 
Clear Lake townships, enters Hancock 
county by way of section 18 of Clear Lake 
township. The towns on ihis line, in 
Cerro Gordo county, are — Portland, Mason 
City and Clear Lake. 

CENTRAL RAILWAY OF IOWA. 

Soon after the projection of the McGre- 
gor & Sioux City Railroad Company, the 
Iowa Central Railway agitation com- 
menced. This was a company which was 
organized for the purpose of constructing 
and operating a line of railway from the 
south to the north line of the State. The 
company had no land grant, but tried hard 



to get a portion of the grant foimerly 
given to the forty-third parallel company. 
A number of the citizens of Mason City 
were on the board of directors of the Cen- 
tral Company, and much excitement was 
manifested over the project of having a 
north and south road. A five per cent, 
tax was voted by Mason City, and aid was 
furnished by most of the townshi])s trav- 
ersed by the road. The road was com- 
pleted in l>-70. It runs through Cerro 
Gordo county in an almost direct north 
and south line. It passes through the 
townships of Geneseo, Bath, Mason and 
I^ime Creek. There are three stations.on 
theline in Cerro Gordo county — Rockwell, 
Mason City Junction and Mason City. In 
the history of Franklin county will be 
found a more full history of this road. 

AUSTIN & MASON CITY' RAILROAD. 

The Austin & Mason City Railway, for- 
merly the Mason City & Minnesota, is a 
branch of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. 
Paul Railway, extending from Mason City, 
northeast, to Austin, Minnesota. It was 
built in 1871,by the company, withoutany 
agitation or aid from the people. The 
only towns in Cerro Gordo county, on this 
line, are Mason City and Plymouth, the 
latter being in Falls township 

BURLINGTON, CEDAR RAPIDS & NORTHERN. 

This line of railway passes through the 
northeastern corner of Cerro Gordo county. 
When this road was constructed, in 1872, 
it was the design to have it pass through 
Mason City. Taxes were voted for aid 
to the company, and the road was complet- 
ed to Rockford, in Floyd county. Mason 
City voted three and a-half per cent, tax 
to the road but, as the railroad company 



'^T^ 



:f^ 



J^t 



^ *> 



\iu 



734 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



afterward claimed, the amount of funds 
whicT would result from a five per cent, 
tax had been misrepresented to them, so 
they built the road ten miles east of Mason 
City. 

The lino enters Cerro Gordo county by 
way of section 12, Portland township, and 
and, bearing northwesterly, passes through 
Falls, and the northeast corner of Lime 
Creek township. The towns on this rail- 
road, in Cerro (Tordo county, are Rock 
Falls, and Plymouth. 



PEO.IECTED RAILROADS. 

Since the building of the B., C. R & N., 
at various times there has been agitation 
over new railroad schemes and projects. 
Several times taxes have been voted to aid 
in proposed roads running northwest and 
southwest from Mason City. They have 
all fallen through, up to this time. Hut 
the day cannot be far distant when the 
projects for railways branching northwest 
and southwest will assume tangible form, 
and Mason City will be the railway center 
and metropolis of all northern Iowa. 



CHAPTER XVII 



OLD SETTLERS' ASSOCIATION. 



One of the most enjoyable affairs is a 
re-union of the pioneers of any given 
locality. For the purpose of providing 
for stated re-unions, associations of old 
settlers are formed in almost every county 
throughout the length and breadth of th(> 
land ; especially is this true in all the 
States west of the Allegheny mountains — 
States that have been settled during the 
present century. These associations have 
done and are doing much for the preserva- 
tion of historical events, and as such are 
surely commendable. The lessons of the 
past teach us of the duties pertaining to 
the future. The fires of patriotism, the 
love of country or of home, is strength- 
ened by a narration of such important 



events as tend to stir the blood or quicken 
to life those divine affections in man. 
Many a youth has chosen the life of a 
soldier from reading the accounts of the 
greal battles and glorious deeds of an 
Alexander, a Hannibal, a Napoleon, a 
Wellington, or our own brave and noble 
Washington. The lists of statesmen 
have been augmented by the example of a 
Pitt, a Webster, a Clay, or Callioun. 
Patriotism and love of country have been 
awakened by reading the sublime utter- 
ances of Patrick Henry, John Adams, 
Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln and 
Stephen A. Douglas. The love of home, 
love of parents • and kindred have been 
strengthened by oft-told tales of aged 



•■y; 



•i^ 



A^ — - 



-^ 



HISTOKY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



735 



fathers or mothers^ especially of that 
pioneer father or mother, who toiled early 
and late, hard and long, in order to give 
their descendants the priceless boon of a 
home of plenty and of peace, of refine- 
ment and love for God and humanity. 

The pioneers, in gathering together in 
these annual re-unions, seem to live over 
again those early days. Their eyes spar- 
kle and they grow young as the fading 
reminiscences of other days are recalled. 
As well stated by a speaker — himself a 
pioneer — at a meeting in a neighboring 
county : 

" You come together with varied emo- 
tions. Some of you, almost at the foot of 
life's hill, look back and upward at the 
path you have trod, while others, who 
have just reached life's summit, gaze down 
into the valley of tears, with many a hope 
and fear. You, gray-headed fathers, have 
done your work ; you have done it well ; 
and now, as the sunset of life is closing 
around you, you are given the rare boon 
of enjoying the fruits of your own labor. 
You can see the land won by your own 
right arm from its wilderness state, and 
from a savage foe, pass to your children, 
and your children's children — literally 'a 
laml flowing with milk and honey, aland 
over which hovers white-robed angels of 
religion and peace ; a land fairer and 
brighter and more glorious than any other 
land beneath the blue arch of heaven. 
You have done your work well, and when 
the lime of rest shall come, you will sink 
to the dreamless repose with the calm con- 
sciousness of duty done. 

"In this hour let memory assert her 
strongest sway ; tear aside the thin veil 
that shrouds in gloom the misty i)ast; call 



up before you the long-forgotten scenes of 
years ago ; live over once again the toils, 
the struggles, the hopes and fears of 
other days. Let this day be a day sacred 
to the memory of the olden time. In 
that olden time there are, no doubt, scenes 
of sadness, as well as of joy. Perhaps 
you remember standing by the bedside of 
a loved and cherished, but dying wife — 
one who, in the days of her youth and 
beauty, when you proposed to her to seek 
a home in a new, wild land, took your 
hand and snoke to you in words like this : 
'Whither thou goest, I will go, and where 
thou lodgest, I will lodge ; thy people 
shall be my people, and thy God. my God; 
where thou diest, I will die, and the e will 
I be buried ; the Lord do so to me, and 
more also, if aught but death part me and 
thee.' Or, perhaps, some brave boy, 
stricken down in the pride of his strength ; 
or some gentle daughter, fading away in 
her glorious beauty ; or some little prat- 
tling babe, folding its weary eyes in 
•dreamless sleep.' If so, if there are 
memories like these, and the unbidden 
tear wells up to the eye, let it come, and 
to-day one and all shed a tear or two to 
the memory of the 'loved and lost.'" 

OLI> settlers' society of CERRO GORDO 
AND SURROUNDINCi COUNTIES. 

At a meeting of the old settlers of Clear 
Lake and vicinity, held at the old school 
house on the 30th of June, 1875, J. Dick- 
irson was chosen chairman and S. M. 
Richardson, secretary, after which a gen- 
eral consideration of forming an old set- 
tlers' association was entered into, and on 
[UDlion they resolved to issue the follow- 
ing; invitation: 



*7js 



it^ 



r36 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



"The undersigned, old settlers of Clear 
Lake and vicinity, would respectfully in- 
vite all persons who resided in Cerro Gor- 
do and adjoining counties previous to and 
including 1860, to meet at Clear Lake on 
Wednesday ,July 21, 1875, for the purpose 
of organizing an old settlers' association, 
having for its object a renewal of old ac- 
quaintance and social enjoyment. Also 
to collect and record a full list of the early 
settlers of this vicinity, as far as possible, 
with their present location. 

"We would recommend that the meet- 
ing be held on the picnic plan, in regular 
old-fashioned free and easy style, without 
set speeches or programme, and that each 
one present do his part to entertain the 
party as the occasion suggests. Also, that 
during the meeting a permanent organiza- 
tion be effe ted by electing officers, record- 
ing members, and appointing of commit- 
tees to carry out its objects. 

Geo. E. Frost, 
Mabcus Tuttle, 
C. S. Goodwin. 
Committee of Invitation. 

The invitation was signed by James 
Dickirson, C S. Goodwin, George E. 
Frost, J. S. Sirrine, Mrs. B. II. Speers, Jo- 
seph Wood, J. B. Wood, C. A. Medaugh, 
Charles Callanan, Oscar Stevens, J. Chil- 
son, William Wilson, Joseph Barth, liar 
rison Hayden, Ed Nicholas, Mark Dexter, 
0. V. Thompson, Gabriel Pence, William 
Dean, John Pence, Jerome Chelson, R. O. 
Sirrine, Jr., Marcus Tuttle, Thomas S. 
Gardner, S. M. Richardson, Alford Taylor, 
Samuel Ward, George Gilmore, W. C. 
To npkins, Jacob Ward, E. A. Tuttle, M. 
1'. Roseerans, J. M. Elder, William Me- 
Gowen, M. Callanan, Jr., E. C'rowell, C. 



H. Day, John Van Patter, Willard Dart, 
L. E. Crowell, A. S. Felt, R. O. Sirrine, 
William B. Stilson, William Ellis, Dr. A. 
M. Tuttle and many ladies. 

FIRST MEETING. 

Pursuant to the above call, a large number 
of old settlers of Cerro Gordo and adjoin- 
ing counties assembled in the park at Clear 
Lake, on the 2 1st of July, 187-5, for the 
purpose of renewing acquaintances, talk- 
ing over old times and organizing the Old 
Settlers' Society. A constitution and by- 
laws were adopted, of which the following 
ing is a part: 

"This organization shall be known as 
the 'Old Settlers' Association of Cerro 
Gordo and surrounding counties.' 

"Membership. — Any person who was a 
resident of northern Iowa, in or before the 
year 1860, and is now a resident of Cerro 
Gordo, or any surrounding county, may 
become a member of this association by 
giving his or her name to the secretary. 

"The annual meetings shall be held, 
during the summer season, at such time 
and place as the executive committee 
shall direct." 

The following were the first officers of 
the society: President, Marcus Tuttle, 
of Cerro- Gordo county; vice-presidents, 
H. G. Parker, of Cerro Gordo county, 
William Rhodes, Worth county, W. P. 
Gaylord, Floyd county, Mrs. John Mabin, 
Hancock county, and Mrs. Robert C ark, 
of Winnebago county; secretary, C. M. 
Adams, of Cerro Gordo county; treasurer, 
Mrs. H I. Smith, of Cerro Gordo county. 
A record book was opened and over 300 
names Were enrolled, showing that there 
was a large attendance, and that the ob- 



H ' 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



737 



ject of the meeting was highly apprecia- 
ted. 

Everytliing at this first meeting passed 
off pleasantly, and all present pronounced 
it an enjoyable affair. 

SECOND MEETING. 

On the 1st of September, 1876, was held 
the second annual meeting of the Old 
Settlers' Association of Cerro Gordo and 
surrounding counties. The meeting 
was held in the park at Clear Lake. At 
1 o'clock a large company assembled in 
the park and were called to order by the 
president, Marcus Tuttle, who made some 
appropriate remarks, after which all the 
company joined in singing "Auld Lang 
Syne." Mrs. Pollard, of Keokuk, better 
known as Kate Harrington, the Iowa 
poetess, then read an original poem that 
displayed much talent and thought in its 
preparation. 

Among the speakers who addressed 
the society were Mrs. Greene, H. G. 
Parker, James Dickirson, Capt. G. R. 
Miller, Charles McNany, George E. 
Frost, Mrs. Thompson, G. B. Rockwell, 
William Rhodes, Horace Green, A. B. 
Tuttle and A. S. Felt. The general char- 
acter of the speeches was to review the 
early days and experiences of each, and 
as the tale of hardships and difficulties, 
of toil and weariness was re-told, the in- 
terest deepened and became intense in the 
hearts and minds of many upon whom had 
been visited all the scenes lo wliicii he 
speaker referred. 

The re-unions of the association have 
been held annually since its organization; 
the interest has increased with the growth 



of years, making each new meeting a 
time long to be remembered. A very in- 
teresting meeting was held June 11, 1880, 
the account of which is taken from the 
Mason City Express of June 16, 1880. 

"Last Friday morning, though the 
weather was rather unpromising, the old 
settlers, and new ones too, began to gather 
in by the hundreds, and when the old set- 
tlers' band arrived at the picnic ground 
a large number were present. After the 
opening exercises the president, George 
E. Frost, delivered a very appropriate ad- 
dress of welcome. On account of the 
absence of Hon. Jarvis S. Church, the re- 
sponse by Capt Lucas, on behalf of the 
old settlers, was made the leading address 
of the day. Though many were disap- 
pointed in the absence of Mr. Church, 
they had the pleasure of listening to the 
able speech of Capt. Lucas. The afternoon 
was spent in attending to the business of 
the association and making short speeches. 
There were about 2,000 people on 
the ground, and the many happy greetings, 
hearty hand-shakings, and the general 
good feeling which prevailed, all showed 
the interest of the people in these annual 
re-unions." 

The officers in 1883 were: President, 
I. W. Card, of Cerro Gordo county; vice- 
presidents, James Dickirson, Hancock 
county; David Secor, Winnebago county; 
J. P. Taylor, Floyd county; George 
Watson, Worth county; and VV . A. Bur- 
nap, of Cerro Gordo county; historian, G. 
R. Miller, of Cerro Gordo county; secre- 
ary, T.G. E'nsley, of Cerro Gordo county; 
and treasurer, Alonzo Willson, of Cerro 
Gordo county. 



64 



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a few 



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HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



CHAPTER XVIII. 



THE WAR— ITS CAUSES. 



From the commencement of govern- 
ment there have been two antagonistic 
principles contending for mastery, slavery 
and freedom. Sometimes smoldering and 
even invincible ; but the seeds were there 
and ever and anon would burst into flames 
carrying destruction, death aad desolation 
with it. A repetition of that great con- 
flict which, forages, has agitated our globe 
— the conflict between aristocratic usurpa- 
tion and popular rights. History is 
crowded with descriptions and scenes of 
this irrepressible conflict. Two thousand 
years ago, when the aristocracy of Rome 
was headed by Cneius Pompey, Julius 
Ciesar, espousing the cause of the people, 
unfurled the banner of equal rights, and 
striding through oceans of flood which 
tossed their surges over every portion of 
the habitable globe, overthrew the aristo- 
cratic commonwealth, and reared over the 
ruins the imperial commonwealth. Again 
on the field of Pharsalia, the aristocratic 
banner was trailed in the dust, and democ 
racy, although exceedingly imperfect, 
became victor. It was aristocracy trying 
to deep its heel on the head of democracy 
which has deluged the Roman Empire in 

blood. 

But the nobles regained foothold, and 
regardless of these lessons, renewed their 
oppression. Again they commenced sow- 



ing the seed which must surely bring 
forth terrible fruit. Over 200 years 
ago the aristocracy of France, housed 
in magnificent palaces, mounted on war 
horses, with pampered men at arms ready 
to ride rough shod on every embassage of 
violence, trampled upon the suffering serfs, 
until humanity could no longer endure it. 
The masses of the people were deprived of 
every privilege, save that of toiling for 
their masters. The aristocracy so deprived 
the people whose wives and daughters 
through their brutality were forced to go 
to the field bare-headed and bare-footed, 
and be yoked to the plow with the donkey, 
that they never dreamed that the wretched 
boors would dare even to look in defiance 
towards the massive and stately castles 
whose noblemen proudly strode along the 
batttlements in measureless contempt for 
the helpless peasantry below. But the 
pent-up vials of vengeance of ages at last 
burst forth. These boors, these jacks rose, 
and, like maddened hyenas, rushed upon 
their foes. Imbruted men, who for ages 
had been subjected to the most outrageous 
wrongs, rose by millions against their 
oppressors, and wreaked upon them every 
atrocity which fiend like ingenuity could 
devise. AUthebrutal and demon passions 
of human nature held high carnival, and 
it can truly be said France ran red with 



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HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUN'IY. 



739 



blood. But at length disciplined valor pre- 
vailed. After onehalf of the peasantry of 
France had perished, the knighted noble- 
men, the aristocrats, resumed their sway, 
and the hellish bondage, worse than 
slavery, was again placed upon the people. 
This war of the jacks, or as it is called in 
history, Jacqueri, is one of the most inter- 
esting and warning events of the past ; 
and yet it was all unheeded. 

The oppression went on, growing more 
and more outrageous ; the people were 
kept ignorant that they might not know of 
their wrongs ; poor that they might not 
resent them. That the lords might live in 
castles, and be clothed in purple and fare 
sumptuously, the people were doomed lo 
hovels, rags and black bread. The jieas- 
ant must not place the bit of dough in the 
ashes by his fireside — he was compelled to 
have it baked at the bakery of his lord, 
and there pay heavy toll. He dare not 
scrape together the few crumbs of salt 
from the rocks of the ocean shore, he must 
buy every particle from his lord at an 
exorbitant price. "Servants obey your 
masters," was interpreted to apply to all 
save of noble birth ; and religion was con- 
verted into a method for subjecting the 
masses. Bibles were not allowed to be 
read by these "boors," lest they learn 
what the Savior really taught, and a peas- 
ant detected with one in his hand, was 
deemed as guilty as if caught with the 
tools of a burglar, or the dies of a counter- 
feiter. As associates for lords — the idea 
would have been considered contrary lo 
nature or reason. Thus Louis XV., sur- 
rounded by courtesans, debauchees and the 
whoredom of his castle, once said : "I 
can give money to Voltaire, Montesqieu, 



Fontinelle, but I cannot dine and swjo with 
these people." If the peasant, with his 
wife and child toiling in (lie field, in cul 
tivation of a few acres of land, managed, 
to raise 1640 worth of crops during the 
year, $600 of it went to the King, the 
Lord and the Church, while the remain- 
ing $40 was left to clothe and feed llic 
emaciate family. Thomas Jefferson, in the 
year 1785, wrote from Paris to a friend in 
Philadelphia : 

"Of twenty millions of people supposed 
to be in France, I am of the opinion that 
there are nineteen millions more wretched 
more accursed in every circumstance of 
human existence, than the most conspicu 
ously wretched individual in the whole 
United States." 

It was this state of affairs which brought 
on the war of the French Revolution, 
inaugurating the most terrific of all Time's 
battles. Such combats earth never saw 
before, probably never will see again. 
Two worlds, as it were, came clashing 
together. Twenty millions of people, 
trampled in the mire, rose ghastly and 
frenzied, and the flames of feudal castles, 
and tiie shrieks of haughty oppressors, 
appalled the world. All the combined 
aristocracy of Europe were on the other 
side to crush the demand of the people 
for the equality of man. Russia, Prussia, 
Sweden, Austria, England, Spain — all the 
kings rallied their armies to the assistance 
of France in subduing the oppressed 
masses who, believing they were right, 
marched heroically to the victories of 
Marengo, Wagram and Austerlitz. But 
in the final victories of the despots, aristo- 
cratic privilege again triumphed in Europe. 
In the meantime a simi ar though less 



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740 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



bloody and terrific battle had taken place 
in England ; the same ever rising conflict 
between the united courtiers and cavliers 
under Charles I., and the Puritans under 
Cromwell. With prayer, fasting and 
hymn, the common people, who had for 
ages been under the yoke of servitude, 
took to arms in defense of their rights, 
and many cavaliers bit the dust through 
their sturdy blows. But Charles II re- 
turned to the throne and again aristocracy 
triumphed. The oppressed were our 
Puritan fathers; again they were trodden 
under foot. Then it was that the heroic 
resolution was adopted to cross the ocean, 
3,000 miles, and there in exile establish 
and found a republic where all men in the 
eye of the law should be equal. The 
result is too well known to need rehearsal. 
How they fought their way through all 
the dangers of the savage new world and 
succeeded in the object. How the aris- 
tocracy of England made the despera e 
eifort to again bring the yoke to bear ; to 
tax us without allowing us to be repre- 
sented in parliament — to place the ap. 
pointment to all important offices in the 
hands of the king, who would send over 
the sons of England's noblemen to be 
our governors and our judges, and who 
would nil all the posts of wealth, dignity 
and power with the children of the lords. 

Hence the war of the Revolution. We, 
the people, conquered, and established our 
government independent of all the world) 
placing as corner stone of the edifice, that 
"all men are born free and equal, and are 
alike entitled to life, liberty and the pur- 
suit of happiness." 

Then coming down to the great conflict 
of America, the Rebellion, it was a con- 



is 



tinuance of that irrepressible conflict 
which has shaken the world to its utter- 
most depths for ages. It was based upon 
slavery, that which has caused the shed- 
ding of oceans of blood, and making mil- 
lions of widows and orphans. 

The Constitution, under which we are 
bound together, is, in its spirit and legiti- 
mate utterance, doubtless one of the most 
noble documents ever produced by the 
mind of man, and even now, when the ad- 
vancement of a century has dawned upon 
its use, not a paragraph requires changing 
to make it true to humanity. But yet, in- 
gloriously and gui tily, we consented to 
use one phrase susceptible of a double 
meaning, "held to labor." So small and 
apparently so insignificant were the seeds 
sown from which such a harvest of misery 
has been reaped. In the North these hon- 
est words meant a hired man or an appren- 
tice. In the Sonth they were taken to 
mean slavery, the degradation and feudal 
bondage of a race. A privileged class 
assumed that the Constitution recognized 
it, and the right of property in human be- 
ings. This class endeavored to strengthen 
and extend their aristocratic institution, 
which was dooming ever increasing mil- 
lions to life-long servitude and degrada- 
tion. All wealth was rapidly accumulating 
in the hands of these few who owned their 
fellow man as property. The poor whites, 
unable to buy slaves, and considering labor 
which was performed by them degrading, 
were rapidly sinking into a state of fright- 
ful misery. The sparse population which 
slavery allowed, excluded churches, schools 
and villages. Immense plantations of 
thousands of acres, tilled by as many 
slaves, driven to work by overseers, con- 



^3=^ 



rk 



HISTORY OF CKRRO GORDO COUNTY. 



741 



signed the whole land to apparent solitude. 
The region of the southern country gener- 
ally presented an aspect of desolation 
which Christendom )iowhere else could 
parallel. The slaveholders, acting as one 
man, claimed the right of extending tliis 
all over the free territory of the United 
States. Free labor and slave labor cannot 
exist together. The admission of slavery 
effectually excluded free men from them. 
It was impossible for those men, cherish- 
ing the sentiment of republican equality, 
to settle there with the privileged class 
who were to own vast realms and live in 
luxury upon the unpaid labor of the 
masses. It was on this point that the con- 
flict, in its fierceness, commenced. 

From the year 1V90 the strife grew hot- 
ter and hotter every year The questions 
arising kept Congress, both the Senate 
and the House, in one incessant scene of 
warfare. There could be no peace in the 
land until this aristocratic element was ef- 
fectually banished. 

The Hon. Mr. Iverson, of Georgia, 
speaking of the antigonism of the two 
systems, aristocracy and freedom, said, in 
the Senate of the United States, on Dec. 
5, I860: 

"Sir, disguise the fact as you will, there 
is enmity between the Northern and 
Southern people, which is deep and endur- 
ing, and you can never eradicate it — never. 
Look at the (Spectacle exhibited on this 
floor. How is it? There are the North- 
ern Senators on that side; here are the 
Southern Senators on this side You sit 
upon your side silent and gloomy. We 
sit upon our side with knit brows and 
portentious scowls. Here are two hostile 
bodies on this floor, and it is but a type of 



the feeling which exists between the two 
sections. We are enemies as much as if 
we were hostile States. We have not 
lived in peace. We are not now living in 
peace. It is not expected that we shall 
ever live in peace." 

Hon. Mr. Mason, of Virginia, in contin- 
uation of the same debate said: 

"This is a war of sentiment and opin- 
ion, by one form of society against an- 
other form of society." 

The remarks of the Hon. Garrett Davis, 
a Senator from Kentucky, are to the point: 

"The cotton States by their slave labor, 
have become wealthy, and many of their 
planters have princely revenues — from 
$50,U00 to * 100,000 per year. This wealth 
has begot a pride and insolence and am- 
bition, and these points of the Southern 
character have been displayed most in- 
sultingly in the halls of Congress As a 
class, the wealthy cotton growers are in- 
solent, they are proud, they are domineer- 
ing, they are ambitious. They have mon- 
opolized the government in its honors for 
forty or fifty years with few interruptions. 
When they saw the sceptre about to de- 
part from them, in the election of Lincoln, 
sooner than give up ofhce and the spoils 
of office, in their mad and wicked ambi- 
tion they determined to disrupt the old 
confederation, and erect a new one, 
wherein they would have undisputed 
power." 

Thus the feeling continued growing 
stronger. One incessant cry became: 

"Abjure your democratic constitution, 
which favors equal rights to all men, an<l 
give us in its place an aristocratic con- 
stitution, which will secure the rights of 
a privileged class." 



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742 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



They insisted that the domestic slave 
trade should be nurtured, and the foreign 
slave trade opened; saying, in the coarse 
and vulgar language of one of the most 
earnest advocates of slavery: 

"The North can import jackasses from 
Malta let the South, then, import niggers 
from Africa." 

The reply of the overwhelming majority 
of the people of the United States was de- 
cisive. Lincoln was electe'l and inaugu- 
rated despite the conspiracy to prevent it. 
Volumes could be and have been written 
upon these actions, but they are well 
known. We will merely mention the 
most prominent features transpiring, until 
the havoc of war aciually set in. 

On the 1th of November, 1860, it was 
known that Abraham Lincoln was elected 
President of the United States, and was to 
enter upon his duties on the 4th day of 
the following March. In the meantime 
the executive government was virtually in 
the hands of the slave power. James 
Buchanfin, the President, had been elected 
to the office openly pledged to pursue the 
general policy the slave holders enjoyed. 
The cabinet were all slave-holders and 
slave-masters. The United States navy 
was scattered all over the face of the 
earth, leaving only two vessels for the de- 
fense of the country; the treasury was left 
barren; the army was scattered in remote 
fortresses in the far west, as to leave all 
the forts where they would be needed, de- 
fenseless; the United States arsenals were 
emptied, the Secretary of war sending 
their guns to the slave States; where 
bands of rebels were organized and drill- 
ing, prepared to receive them One hun- 
dred and fifteen thousand arms, of the 



most approved pattern, were transferied 
from Springfield, Mass., and from Water- 
vleit, N. Y., together with a vast amount 
of cannon, mortar, balls, powder and 
shells were also forwarded to the rebels in 
the slave States. 

On the 18th of February, 1801, the in- 
auguration of Jefferson Davis, a.s Presi- 
dent of the Southern Confederacy, took 
place at Montgomery, Ala. Four days 
later the collector of customs, appointed 
by the Confederate Government in 
Charleston, S. C, Issued the manifesto 
that all vessels, from any State out of the 
Confederacy, would be treated as foreign 
vessels, and subject to the port dues, and 
other charges established by the laws of 
the Confederate States. Thus by a stroke 
of the pen, the immense commerce of the 
Northern States was declared to be for- 
eign commerce, beneath the guns of the 
forts which the United States had reared 
at an expense of millions of dollars. 

Already a number of States had passed 
the ordinance of secession. 

On the 4th of March, 1861, Abraham 
Lincoln was inaugurated President, and 
assumed oflicial dnties. 

At half-pastfour o'clock on the morning 
of the 12th of April, 1861, the rebels 
opened tire upon Fort Sumpter, and, after 
enduring terrific bombardment from all 
sides, the heoric defenders abandoned it, 
and were conveyed to New York. Fort 
Sumter was the Bunker Hill of the civil 
war. In both cases, a proud ari stocracy 
were determined to subject this country 
to its sway. In both cases the defeat was 
a glorious victory. 

On the next Monday, April 15, Presi- 
dent Lincoln issued a call for three months' 



g 



y \ 



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JB(^ 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



743 



service of 75,000 volunteers. The effect 
was electrical. Within fifteen days it is 
estimated that 350,000 men offered them- 
selves in defense of our national flag. 

Thus the civil war had burst upon the 
United States with almost the suddenness 
of he meteor's glare. It was, however, 
but like the eruption of the volcano, whose 
pent-up fires had for ages been gathering 
strength for the final explosion. The con- 
spirators liad for years been busy prepar- 
ing for the conflict. In the rebel conven- 
tion, which met in South Carolina to con- 
summate the conspiracy, Mr. Inglis said: 
'•.Most of us have had this subject under 
consideration for the last twenty years." 
Mr. Keitt said: "I have been engaged in 
this movement ever since I entereS politi- 
cal life." Mr. Rhett said : "It is nothing 
produced by Mr. Lincoln's election, or the 
non-execution of the fugitive slave law. 
It is a matter which has been gathering 
for thirty years." But more need not be 



said; the result is too well known. Call 
followed call in quick succession, till the 
number reached the grand total of 3,339,- 
748. The calls were as follows: 

April 15, 1861, for three months 75,000 

May 4, 1861, for five years 64,748 

July, 1861, for three years 500,000 

July 18, 1862, for three years 300,000 

August 4, 1862, for nine months 300,000 

June, 1863, for three years 300,000 

October 17, 1863, for three years .300,000 

Fb binary 18, 1864, for three years 500,000 

July 10, 1864, for three years 200,000 

July 16, 1864, for one, two and three 

years 500,000 

December 31, 1864, for three years 300,000 

Total 3,339,748 

Many interesting references are made 
to the events occurring during the 
breaking out of the war, and also to dates 
on which the various rebelling iStates se- 
ceded, in the War Chapter of Franklin 
county, in this volume. 



CHAPTER XIX 



CERRO GORDO COUNTY IN THE WAR. 



Looking at Cerro Gordo county to-day, 
wo. can scarcely realize that when the war 
broke upon the country, arraying more 
tli:iii a million of men in arms, and mak- 
ing our ship of State reel and stagger as 
if smitten by thunderbolts and dashed 
upon the rocks, that it had barely been set- 
tled a decade, and Iowa as a State of the 
American Union, was yet in her teens. But, 



notwithstanding its own soil had not been 
fully subjugated to man's use, very mate- 
rial aid was promptly furnished in subdu- 
ing the rebellious States. The feeling 
throughout Iowa was universal that the 
Union must be preserved, and the sights 
and souihIs that were so noticeable in ev- 
ery village and hamlet north of Mason and 
Dixon's line were duplicated here. The 



V 



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'lU 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



celerity with which men abandoned the 
pursuits of peace to take up those of war, 
was most remarkable. 

The population of Cerro Gordo county 
was 940, in 1860. During the first two 
years of the war, until Jan. 1, 1863, the 
quota of the county called for sixty-nine 
men, and eighty-six were furnished, an ex- 
cess of seventeen. During the war there 
were many additional enlistments, until 
the county had furnished about 125 men. 
A few were drafted, but most of them fur- 
nished substitutes. Otticially, Cerro Gordo 
county nobly did its part as will be seen 
by the proceedings of the board of super- 
visors. 

On the 20th of July, 1861, the first lit- 
tle band of Cerro Gordo county patriots, 
six in number, all Mason City boys, under 
Capt. Datus E. Coon, were drawn up in 
line on the Main street of Mason City, to 
exchange the tearful good-byes, and re- 
ceive the parting "God bless you, boys," 
from friends and relatives. The names of 
the first volunteers, a roll of honor in- 
deed, are: Daniel Williams, Will Ed. 
Tucker, John Van Patter, John W. Hobbs, 
David Hobbs and L. H. Ferguson. That 
company was soon followed by others, and 
they in turn by still larger quotas, which 
soon so nearly stripped the county of its 
"bone and sinew," as to effectually arrest 
its growth and development. 

Appended is given a list of the gallant 
heroes, from Cerro Gordo county, who par- 
ticipated in the war. When possible the 
list of the various regiments have been 
submitted to some one familiar with the 
names. 



SEVENTB INFANTRY. 

COMPANY B. 

Captain. 
Henry I. Smith. 
Sergeants. 
Gilbert J. Tisdale Daniel McTaegert. 

Privates. 
John Brown Edmund B Brown 

O. C. Ford H. A. Gregory 

James Wilson Joel C. Wilson 

Joseph R Myers Peter Smith. 

ADDITIONAL ENLISTMENTS. 

James Campbell Charles B. Senior 

A G. Porter Uiiah A. Wilson. 

TWELFTH INFANTRY. 

COMPANY D. 

Private. 
Plymouth B. Zuver. 

♦sixteenth infantry. 

COMPANY H. 

Private. 
William Myers. 

thirty-second infantry. 

Adjutant. 
Charles H. Huntley. 

COMPANY B. 

Captain. 
Amos B. Miller. 
First Lieutenants. 
William C, Stanbery Henry Keen. 

Second Lieutenants 
Thomas O Howard Chauncy S. Lane. 

Sergeants. 
Harvey D. Barr Peter R. Wood 

Milton P. Goodell. 
Corporals. 
Albert L. Towne Edwin Nichols 

.\lonzo Frink Peter Crum 

Biuce A. Bryant James Jenkinson 

James Turner. 
Musicians, 
Joseph Morris Francis M Rogers 

Privates. 
AdiUiis. George M. Himtley, Cbarles H. 

Butts, David H. Hoyt, Wilbur P". 



r 



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^ 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



?45 



[ 



Belanski, Charles R. Ingalls Amos 

Boornhower, L. B. JenkiDson, James 

Blown. George O. Kerns, Win. A. 

Brown, Jacob i. Morris. Cyrus 

Brentner, Leander L. Mo-' .-, Joseph 

Crum, Benjamin F. Marsh, Henry A. 

Clark, James Pierce, Abell 

Cburch, Wm. B. Pralt, H nry O. 

Connell, John Rhodes. Wm. 

Dack, William Rendall, John 

EUvood, Samuel Strong. Charles 

Felt, James H. Tenney, H. M. 

Ford, John P. Turnure, Plavious J, 

Pry, James L. Tobin, Cornelius W. 

Fuller, George A. West. John 

FIdi-euce. Fautleioy Warner. Leonard R. 

Greely. Otis Willfong. Hiram .\. 

Henry. Jolin Woodland, Joseph 

Hughes. Edward Winters, Oliver J. 

THIRTY-SECOND INFANTRY. 

(ADDITIONAL ENLISTMENTS.) 
COMPANY B. 

Privates. 
Marion Jones, C. F. Rosecrans, 

Bige Long, George W. Swanger. 

Unassigucd. 
James W. Florence, Warreu Kittel. 

[In connection with the War chapter 
of ^''ranklin county, will be found a his- 
tory of this regiment.] 

THIRTY-SEVENTH INFANTRY 

COMPANY G. 

Private . 

George a more. 

FORTY FIRST INFANTRY . 

COMPANY C. 

Serge 'it. 
George W. Henderson. 

Corporal. 
Elber Gregory. 
Privates. 
Mar(|uis Brown. J. W. Brown, 

George Henderson, Edwin Mor-i^i, 
Charles McNany, McCuUum Russell, 

Jacob Russell, Selh B. Stevens, 

Ira Williams. 



SECOND CAVALRY. 

FIELD AND STAFF OFFICERS. 

Colonel 
Datus E. Coon. 

COMPANY I. 

Captains. 

Datus E. Coon, Stephen A. Bishop, 

A. M. Goodrich. 

Sergeant. 

Lewis H. Ferguson. 

Corporals. 

Daniel Williams. .John Van Patten, 

Privates. 

David Hobbs, John W. Hobbs, 

William E. Tucker. 

SECOND VETERAN CAVALRY. 

(Additional Enlistments') 

COMPANY I. 

Privates. 
John G. Dickerson, Thomas G. Emsley, 
Horace P. Kirk, Harrison Montis, 

Wm. R. P tly. 

COMPANY B. 

John Blake. 

COMP.^NY D. 

Joseph C. Hewitt, Cassius M. Myers, 

William Pizer, Justus Tompkins. 

Unassigned. 
Stephen Ward. 
FOURTH CAVALRY. 

COMPANY H, 

Privates. 
Henry 8. Florence. 

COMPANY M. 

(Additional Enlistments.) 

Charles A. Platts, Washington Russell, 

Joseph M. W. Russell 

FORTY-SEVENTH INFANTRY. 

(Hundred day men.) 

COMPANY E. 

Sergeant. 
Oliver H. Stilson. 



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746 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



FIFTH VETERAN CAVALRY. 

COMPANY L. 

Sergeant. 
Martin Stephens. 

Privates. 
JohnS. K. Fellows, Edwin R. Spink, 
Lorey A. Franklin, Peter R. Harding. 

FIFTEENTH VETERAN CAVALRY. 
(Additional Enlistments.) 

COMPANY H. 

Sylvanus Johnson. 

ROLL OF HONOR. 

" 'Tis sweet and honorable to die for 
one's country," could appropriately be en- 
graved upon the headboards marking the 
graves of these martyrs. They laid down 
their lives in defense of a country whose 
future prosperity and magnificence must 
always be a monument to their services. 
The following comprises a list of the Cerro 
Gordo county patriots who lost their lives 
in the service: 

Adjutant Charles H. Huntley was 
killed in the battle of Pleasant Hill, 
April 9, 1864. 

Captain Amos B. Miller was mortally 
wounded at the battle of Pleasant Hill, 
La., April 9, 1864, and died of his wounds 
four days later. 

Lieutenant Thomas O. Howard was 
mortally wounded and died at Pleasant 
Hill, La., April 11, 1864. 

Lieutenant Chauncey S. Lane died of 
pneumonia at New Madrid, Mo., Dec. 15, 
186-2. 

Joseph C. Hewitt died Feb. 21, 1865, at 
Memphis, Tenn. 

Peter R. Harding died of disease at 
Camp Cook, Ga., Sept. 25, 1864. 



Joseph R. Myers wa^ killed in battle at 
Corinth, Miss., Oct. 3, 1862. 

Joel C. Wilson was killed in battle at 
Belmont, Mo., Nov. 7, 1861. 

James Campbell died at Pulaski, Tenn., 
Aug. 14, 1864. 

Peter Smith died of wounds near 
Corinth, Miss., May 21, 1862. 

Peter R. Wood died of wounds at 
Pleasant Hill, La., April 20, 1864. 

Milton P. Goodell was killed in battle 
of Pleasant Hill, La., April 9, 1864. 

Leonard R. Warner died in Mason 
City, Oct. 4, 1864, of chronic diarrhea. 

James Turner died of disease August, 
1865, at Demopolis, Ala. 

David H. Butts died of disease of the 
heart, at Fort Pillow, Tenn., April 12, 
1863. 

Jacob G. Brown was killed in battle at 
Pleasant Hill, La., April 9, 1864. 

John P. Ford was killed in battle at 
Pleasant Hill, La., April 9, 1864. 

James L Fry died of general debility, 
Jan. 17, 1863, at Fort Pillow, Tenn. 

George A. Fuller died June 27, 1864, at 
Mound City, 111., of chronic diarrhea. 

Wilber F. Hoyt was killed at the battle 
of Pleasant Hill, La., April 9, 1864. 

Amos Ingalls died of wounds received 
at the baitle of Pleasant Hill, La., Aj)ril 
20, 1864. 

Hiram Wiltfong died of typhoid fever 
at Fort Pillow, Tenn., March 18, 1863. 

Charles F. Rosecrans died of chronic 
diarrhea at Memphis, Tenn., Aug. 1, 1864. 

George W. Swanger died at Mound 
City, 111 , June 22, 1864, of chronic 
diarrhea. 






Ik 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



747 



CHAPTER XX 



MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS CHRONOLOGICALLY ARRANGED- 



In 1849 the territory now comprising 
Cerro Gordo county was first explored by 
white men. Rufus Clark and a man 
named Billings came in the spring of this 
year, hunting young buffalo and elk calves. 
They caught a young buffalo and marked 
it, but the Indians came upon them, and 
they had to let it go and run for their 
lives. The same buffalo was killed two 
yeais afterward by Joseph Hewitt and 
James Dickirson, they having heard of 
the mark used by Billings and Clark. 

In 1 850 Cerro Gordo county was createil 
by the General Assembly, and its bounda- 
ries were defined. 

In the spring of 1851, James Dickirson 
and Joseph Hewitt came, and were the 
first actual settlers of the county. 

In 1853 among the settlers were David 
and Edward Wright, Robert and James 
S. Sirrlne, and Anson C. Owen. 

Two families of Winnebago Indians 
came this year, and camped near Joseph 
Hewitt's cabin, in the western part of the 
county. 

In 1854 I he famous Indian war took 
place, terroiizing all northern Iowa. 

Mason City was platted this year. 

J. L. McMillen started the first store 
and sold the first goods in the county this 
year. 



The year 1855 was one of prosperity in 
Cerro Gordo county. Early in the spring 
the territory now comprising Cerro Gordo 
was attached to Floyd county for civil, 
judlciil and election purposes, and treated 
as one of its civil townships. 

In August, 1855, the first regular elec- 
tion was held, and the county was organ- 
ized. The first county officers were 
elected at this time. 

During this year the second Indian dis- 
turbance took place. It was known as the 
"Grindstone war." 

Elisha Randall erected the first saw mill 
in the county this year. 

Rock Falls village was platted in 1855, 
by Elijah Wiltfong. 

Late in the fall of this year the county 
j seat was located at Mason City. 

The winter of 1855-6 was one of the 
most severe in the history of Iowa An- 
drew J. Abbott, Cha les Weeks and John 
Van Aiken were all frozen to death this 
winter. 

In 1856 the county was sub-divided into 
four townships, known as Mason, Lake, 
Falls and Owen. 

The first regular session of county court 
was held this year. 

In the spring of this year the saw mill 
which had been erected the previous year. 



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748 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



by Elisha Randall, was washed out by 
ice and high water. Its loss was a public 
calamity, and the citizens helped him re- 
Ijuild it. 

Edwin Nichols and Oscar Sirrine erected 
a steam saw mill at Clear Lake during this 
year. 

Clear Lake was platted this year by 
James Dickirson. 

With the summer of 1856 came the 
excitement over, and survey of, the Mc- 
Gregor, St. Peter & Missouri Railway. 
Many of the settlers took stock in the road 
and turned in their farms, which they 
eventually lost. 

In the winter of 1856-7 Alexander Long, 
while on his way from Forest City to M. 
P. Rosecrans', was frozen to death in the 
southwestern part of Cerro Gordo county. 

In April, 1857, the county seat was re- 
moved from Mason City and located at 
Livonia. 

Charles W. Tenney and John Morgan 
laid out the village of Plymouth in 1857. 

The first term of district court in the 
county was held in June, of this year, by 
Judge Samuel Murdock. 

The first naturalization papers were is- 
sued this year. George Brentner received 
them. 

In April, 1858, an election was held by 
which' the .county seat was removed from 
Livonia back to Mason City. 

During this year the oftice of school 
fund commissioner was abolished, and 
that of county superintendent created. 

The first paper in the county was estab- 
lished this year, under, the name of Cerro 
Gordo Press, by Datus E. Coon. 



In 1859 the Cerro Gordo Press ceased 
publication at Mason City, and later, was 
moved to Hancock county. 

The winter of 1859-60 was very severe. 

In February, 1 860, the first paper was 
established at Clear Lake It was known 
as the Independent. 

In 1861 the board of supervisors, which 
body had been created the previous year, 
held their first session. 

The Cerro Gordo Itepuhlican was es- 
tablished this year by J. H. Aylesworth. 

The breaking out of the war makes this 
year memorable. The first band of pa- 
triots to leave Cerro Gordo county met at 
Mason City, on the 20th of July, 1861. 

For the next few years nothing of in- 
terest transpired. The all exciting ques- 
tions of the war filled the minds of every- 
.one. 

In 1864 the offices of county treasurer 
and recorder were divided. 

In 1865 the board of supervisors appro- 
priated funds to aid the Central Railroad 
of Iowa in their survey through Cerro 
Gordo county. 

About the same time excitement began 
to be manifested over the projected Mc. 
Gregor & Sioux City Railway. 

In 1869 the office of county judge was 
abolished by law and the circuit court was 
established. 

The office of county auditor was created 
at the same time. 

In November, 1869, the McGregor & 
Sioux City Railway was completed to Ma- 
son City, and for the first time in its his- 
tory Cerro Gordo county heard the whis- 
tle of the locomotive and was in railway 
connection with the world. 



-r'ls- 



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mSTOKV OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



749 



In 1870 the Central Railway of Iowa 
completed its line through Cerro Gordo 
county. 

In 1871 the system of county govern- 
ment throughout the State was changed. 
The board of supervisors, which had been 
composed of one member from each town- 
ship, was now to consist ol three from the 
e tire county. 

A daring burglary was committed in 
Mason City, Aug. 21, 1871. While Mr. 
Cavetiaugli, station agent of the Central 
Railway of Iowa, was gone to dinner,some 
l>erson entered the depot and stole between 
*l,.'jOO and $2,000 in cash. The money 
drawer had been broken into and the loss 
of tiie money was at once discovered on 
the return of the agentl I he news of the 
robbery was communicated to Marshal 
Dexter and several arrests made, but the 
guilty parties were not found. 

Aug -27, 1871, a sad case of drowning 
occurred three miles south of Mason City, 
in Lime creek. The deceased was George 
Carl, of Green Co., Wis., who had been 
stopping in town for several months. At 
the time of his death he was in the employ 
of the Central Railway of Iowa grading, 
and in attempting to ford the creek his 
team got into deep water. Tlie wagon box 
floated off and Carl, probably thinking he 
could touch bottom, sprang into the water, 
but it proved too deep, ai.d as he was un- 
able to swim, he was carried into the cur- 
rent, and before help reached him, he sank 
for the last time. His body was soon re- 
covered and the following day it was 
buried. Carl was about twenty yeai's of 
age, of good reputation, and left a large 
circle of friends. 



In 1872 the Burlington, Cedar Rapids 
& Northern Railroad constructed the line 
of railway through the northeastern part 
of Cerro Gordo county. 

The previous year the Chicago, Milwau- 
kee & St. Paul Railway had constructed 
their branch from Mason City to Austin, 
Minnesota. 

On Christmas Eve, 1872, Matthew Hum- 
phrey, a farmer living in Dougherty town- 
ship, left his home with a team to go to the 
timber on the Shell Rock river, a distance 
of about ten miles, for a load of wood. On 
the way home with his load he was met 
by several neighbors, and passed Mr. Har- 
ris' house at about 6:30 o'clock in the 
evening. Darkness and the bitter cold 
of that night came on and he did not reach 
his hom( . On search being instituted the 
next morning, his dead body was found 
near the team, he having perished with 
the cold within one 100 rods of his own 
house. From the tracks and other 
evidences it seemed he had walked be- 
hind the load to keep warm, and it was 
supposed his lines had been left upon the 
load, and falling down wrapped about the 
wheel, thus stopping the team. The lines 
were broken as was also one of the breast 
straps, and the unfortunate man had taken 
a strap from about his waist to repair the 
harness. Losing his mittens and becom- 
ing benumbed with cold, he probably 
thought to unhitch his team from the load 
and save his life by abandoning the wagon. 
The horses were found turned around to 
the side of the wagon, fastened on'y by- 
one tug, and the driver was lying par- 
tially across the wagon tongue in the icy 
embrace of death. Mr. Humphrey had 
lived in the county but one season, com- 



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750 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



ing here from Clayton county. He left a 
wife and several small children. 

Jan. 16, 1872, a destructive fire swept 
away several business houses in Mason 
City. The fire originated in Mr. Kings 
grocery store, caused by a defective flue. 
The store of Mr. King was entirely new 
and filled with a fresh stock of groceries. 
His loss was about $2,000. Besides this, 
two other buildings were destroyed, one 
occupied by John Connell as a harne.ss 
shop, and the other used by a German for 
a restaurant and saloon. The buildings 
and stock burned made an aggregate loss 
of about $4,000, only half of which was 
covered by insurance. 

In April, 1873, the skeleton of a man 
was found in Grant township by James 
Dawson. There was nothing found by 
which to identify, and the matter was and 
still is shrouded in mystery. 

In July, 1873, a thirteen year old son of 
A R. Utley, of Clear Lake, was drowned 
while bathing in Clear Lake. 

Frankie Brown, a daughter of H. A. 
Brown, of the Island House, Clear Lake, 
was drowned in the lake in July, 1873, 
through the upsetting of a boat. She 
was about nineteen years of age, a lady 
of education and refinement, beloved by 
all who knew her. 

A fine residence belonging to D. W. 
Lyons was totally destroyed by fire early 
on the morning of July 12, 1875. The 
loss was several thousand dollars. 

On Aug. 3, 1875, a Mr. Burge, near 
Mason City, came near losing his life by 
carelessly getting in front of the sickle of 
a reaper. The machine had clogged up 
with the heavy grain, and Mr. Burge went 
in front of the sickle to cut loose some 



straw that had wound around the bar and 
grain wiieel. The reaper was in gear for 
cutting, having a span of mules and span 
of horses hitched to it. While Mr. Burge 
was lying in front of the sickle, one of 
the mules lay down and Mr. Burge yelled 
out sharply, "get up. " The mule did get 
up and the team did the same, starting 
into a trot, dragging the unfortunate man 
several rods in front o' the rapidly vibra- 
ting sickle, which cut some deep gashes in 
his hip, and was only prevented from chop- 
ping him to pieces by the guards, which, 
driving into his hip and leg, held him in 
one position until the team was stopped. 
It took several weeks for Mr. Burge to 
recover. 

In April, 1876, a little son of M. L. 
Brentner was trampled to death by a frac- 
tious horse. As the animal was consid- 
ered harmless, the little fellow was per- 
mitted to lead the horse home from a 
neighbor's. After going a short distance, 
the horse began to rear up and play, and 
the little fellow thinking to hold him more 
securely, tied the halter strap around his 
waist. The horse, in rearing, threw him 
down, when, becoming frightened, it ran, 
dragging the boy, trampling upon, and 
cruelly mangling him. He was dragged 
fully forty rods before being loosed from 
the frightened animal, and only breathed 
once after being picked up by bis agonized 
father. 

For a number of years the State Fish 
Commissioner deposited fish of varied spe- 
cies in the waters of Cerro Gordo county's 
lakes and rivers. In June, 1875, 23,000 
Penobscot salmon were placed in Clear 
Lake. 



M 



a ». 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



751 



On the 9th of September, 1875, Rolf 
Smith, who lived six miles south of Mason 
City, was kicked in the abdomen by a 
young colt so severely that he died the fol- 
lowing day. He was an industrious and 
highly esteemed man, and left a wife and 
two children to mourn his untimely end. 

On Tuesday, Sept. 14, I 875, a young son 
of L. G. Stevens, who lived southeast of 
Mason City, was kicked by a horse and 
(juite seriously injured. The horse kicked 
him under the chin, cutting a large gash 
and fracturing the bone. He was not dan- 
gerously injured, however, and soon re- 
covered. 

On the 1st of October, 1875, Matthew 
Hays, the yard master of the Iowa Cen- 
tral Railway, had his left hand badly 
mashed while attempting to couple cars. 

On Thursday, July 13, 1876, a little 
daughter of R. H. Lown, at Clear Lake, 
met her death while attempting to light a 
fire with kerosene. The little girl was 
about seven years old. She did not think 
tliere was any fire in the stove, so poured 
the oil in out of the can, and the can ex- 
ploded, enveloping the child in flames. 
Her sister, about fourteen years of age, en- 
deavored to smother the flames, when ber 
own clothing caught fire and she was so 
severely burned as to be considered in 
great danger. The younger child lived 
for several hours in the most intense agonj', 
but death finally relieved her. 

During the night of July .30, 1876, a 
tiiiof stole one of Henry Keerl's horses 
mill left for parts unknown. A reward of 
^\ 25 was offered and Sherifl^ Sehell started 
off in hot pursuit, but the lliief evidently 
liecame frightened, and abandoned the 



horse about six miles north of Forest City, 
when it was returned to Mr. Keerl. 

The house of M. E. Bitterman, in Port- 
land township, was destroyed by fire on 
the 9th of August, 1876. 

During a thunder storm on Tuesday, 
Aug. 29, 1876, Frank Thompson's stable, 
in Mason City, was struck by lightning 
and set on fire. There were six horses in 
the stable at the time, including a two- 
year-old colt. Three of the horses and the 
colt were burned to death, the other two 
broke loose and escaped, but were injured 
so severely as to be nearly valueless. One 
of them was burned blind. There was no 
insurance. 

On the 16th of September, 1876, some 
little boys were indulging in the danger- 
ous sport of climbing upon moving freight 
cars at the Iowa Central depot in Mason 
City. One little fellow, aged about ten 
years, named Wilson, a stepson of Ira 
Sheffer, had climbed upon the rear car of 
the train which was backing up to hitch 
on another car, and when they "bumped" 
the little boy fell backwards between the 
cars and directly under them. The wheels 
caught the little fellow and literally 
crushed him to death; but did not even so 
much as break the skin. Had the train 
moved a foot further, he would have been 
cut in two. 

The year 1877 was made memorable by 
the "tramp plague." The following 
clipped from the Mason City Mcpress, will 
show how Mason City people defended 
themselves against these human pests: 

"We had another invoice of tramps 
sliipped in this week; but they did not 
run this town as they did Ackley. This 
was the crowd of sixty or seventy that 



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75-2 



HISTORY OB' CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



captured a freight train down at Ackley, 
and though the Railroad Company aban- 
doned the train, they stuck to it, fed by 
the citizens, waiting for the road to con- 
vey them north. They held the train two 
days, defying all authorities of Hardin 
county, the railroads and every body else. 
Finally the U. S. Marshal was sent for and 
he could not make anything out of them, 
and at last they forced a ride to this city. 
A telegram from down the Central of Iowa 
stated that the train would arrive with 
them, about eleven o'clock that night, and 
our citizens had ample time to get ready 
to receive thfem. The military company, 
under command of Capt. Dexter, with 
muskets and bayonets, supported by a 
heavy posse of well armed resolute men, 
headed by .Marshal McMillen, were at the 
depot half an hour before train time, and 
on its arrival, thickly covered with swar- 
thy tramps, the militia and citizens formed 
a close cordon around it. By the glare of 
a dozen lanterns the astonished tramps 
found themselves, as the train halted, sur- 
rounded on all sides by bright gleaming 
naked bayonets, in the hands of men who 
had no words to bandy with them. Only 
the prompt command to climb down from 
the train, march to the other side of the 
depot, and go into some box cars fitted up 
to receive them. They obeyed, most of 
them promptly, though some of them tried 
to escape up town by crawling under the 
car, but a bayonet punch into the leg of 
one gave the rest to understand the boys 
meant business, and they were soon housed 
for the night in the box cars, and put un- 
der guard. The following day they were 
provided a "cracker and cheese" meal, di- 
vided into two squads and escorted some 



four or five miles up the Central and Aus- 
tin branch of the M. & St. Paul Railway, 
toward Minnesota, to which State they all 
wanted to go. This was the toughest gang 
we have seen yet, they were under the 
leadership of two big saucy negroes.'' 

In the fall of 1877 George B. Rockwell, 
one of the most prominent citizens of 
Cerro Gordo county, met with a misfor- 
tune which resulted in his losing an arm. 
The cause of this was brought on by a 
thorn being thrust into the palm of the 
hand while attending a calf in the barn 
lot. The thorn was thrust in with such 
force as to baffle the efforts of Dr. Miller 
to extract it. Infiamation immediately 
ensued and despite the most attentive and 
skillful treatment, the physicians were 
unable to subdue it. Finally, as a last 
resort, ampu ation was decided upon and 
the limb was taken off near the shoulder. 
Mr. Kockwell speedily recovered. 

On the lOtb of November, 1877, Wil- 
liam Bruce, who was clerking in Mr. Car- 
ter's store at Clear Lake, was drowned in 
the Lake while skating. The young man 
was a stranger, having only been a resi- 
dent of Clear Lake for a few weeks. 

On the 4th of May, 1878, Theodore P. 
Gates accidentally shot himself with a 
revolver. The unfortunate young man 
had come to Cerro Gordo county from 
Boston, Mass., about four weeks prior to 
the accident, in company with H. P. 
Loring, to improve and work a large tract 
of land owned by Mr. Loring's fathoi-. 
The young men were to improve it and 
have the use of it for five years for their 
pay. They entered heartily into the 
project of becoming western farmers, and 
built many bright castles for their future. 



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- 19 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



753 



They were boarding at the Dyer House 
while the breaking was being done, going 
out daily to oversee and to work upon 
their farm. On the night in -question, 
Gates had gone to his room and, it seems, 
had taken his revolver from his satchel 
for the purpose of examining it, when it 
went off and he was shot through the 
breast, dying almost instantly. The body 
was taken back to Massachusetts for burial . 

Thomas Law, Sr., one of the early 
settlers of Lincoln township, died Friday, 
May 3, 1878, of paralysis. Thomas Law 
was born in Scotland in 1806. He was 
married in 1830 to Mary Hamilton, and 
they were blessed with twelve children — 
six boys and six girls ; two of each died 
in infancy and eight lived to man and 
womanhood and settled about the family 
homestead. Mr. Law came with his fami- 
ly to America in 1849, and first stopped in 
New York for a time. From there lie 
moved to Wisconsin, and in 1863 came to 
Iowa and settled in Lincoln township, this 
county, where he lived until the time of 
his death. He was ever an upright and 
honestcitizen, and was held in high esteem 
by all who knew him for his many good 
traits of character. 

The Cerro Gordo Republican, in June, 
1878, gives an account of the tremendous 
Hood of June 1, in the following lan- 
guage: 

"The memory of the oldest settler don't 
reach back to a time when there was such 
a flood, occasioned by rain fall, as that of 
June 1, 1878. The whole sky was covered 
with a cloud of inky blackness, out of 
which water fell in sheets for about two 
hours, uninterruptedly. The total depth 



which fell was three and a half inches. 
Every gutter in Mason City was a raging 
river. Willow creek spread out like the 
Father of Waters. Much damage was done 
by washouts. Whitman's blacksmith 
shop slipped from its foundation and 
glided down stream gracefully with tools, 
material and all. At Parker's mill the 
water had cut around and carried away the 
embankment, thus forming a chute of great 
depth through the ground west of the mill. 
This chasm went a stream, whirling the 
blacksmith shop and contents against a 
tree, when the force of the torrent crushed 
it like an egg-shell and stranded it. Ham- 
mers, anvils, chisels, etc., were picked up 
in the vicinity and some fully a half mile 
away. The rise of the water was so sud- 
den that it cut off all escape from the mill. 
Thus Mr. Parker and Bumgarden had to 
remain in the mill till early next day, 
while the angry waters beat around the 
mill; but its walla proudly resisted the as- 
saults of the flood and came out without 
damage. But the dam and embankment 
were badly used up Inside the mill some 
loss was sustained among the stock of 
flour and grain on the first floor. 

"But no doubt the most severe loss was 
that of W. O. Barnard, at his lime kiln. 
The flood swept around his office and un- 
dermined it until it fell, a mass of stone. 
The Watson bridge, west of town, came 
riding down as majestically as a queen and 
lodged near Parker's mill. The corner of 
his limekiln was caved in. The damage 
done in other parts of the county proved 
that it assumed the form of a terrific tor- 
nado in the southwest part of the county. 
Mr. Butt's house was totally demolished 
and scattered over the prairies. As many 






66 






1 



^ — »^i 



754 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



as a half a dozen houses were destroyed in 
Cerro Gordo county alone. 

"The north bound freight train on the 
Central of Iowa, near Rockwell, came 
thundering along after dark, and when the 
light from the headlight showed the en- 
gineer the yawning gulf below, he re 
versed his engine and he and his fireman 
jumped in time to save their lives, but the 
engine, tender and seven cars went crash- 
into, and buried themselves in the dark, 
deep stream. The bridge and dam at 
Rockford both went out. At the house of 
Thomas Featherspiel the destruction was 
equally as great, besides his four-year old 
daughter was thrown fiil'y thirty rods into 
a wheat field, where she was found dead 
after the storm, and another child, two 
years older had an arm broken, the mother 
one broken, and the husband was badly 
bruised. The loss of property and suffer- 
ing caused by this fearful storm of wind, 
rain and hail has no parallel in this seclioii 
of Iowa." 

A most terrible accident occurred in 
Douglicrty township in January, 1879. 
John Bly, a poor, but industrious and 
bard working man, was engaged in some 
kind of team work and by some mishap 
the team ran away, throwing him with 
fearful force to the hard, frozen ground. 
He struck upon his head with such force 
as to crusli in the whole top of the skull. 
He was picked up and carried to a house 
near by, where he was furnished efficient 
medical services, but to no avail, as he died 
about one week later. He left a wife and 
three children needy and destitute. 

An interesting case of horse stealing 
came to light at Mason City in April, 
1879, the particulars of which were about 



as follows: A few months previous to 
the time indicated, Samuel Maher, a 
promising young man, bought a small 
place on Lime creek north of Mason City, 
and seemed to settle down to comfortable 
living. There was nothing about the fel- 
low that especially directed attention. He 
was well thought of by his neighbors, and 
I seemed to have their confidence. Early 
in April he gave out that he was going to 
to Kansas to spend the summer, and ac- 
cordingly rented his place. On the even- 
ing of April 3, 1879, he came to Mason 
City and stopped over night, leaving 
orders to be called for the 6:20 train, Fri- 
day morning, on the Central of Iowa Rail- 
road. He arose and started for Kansas. 
On Friday night the Farmers' Club of 
Lime Creek township met as usual at the 
Vinton school house. The evening was 
a moonlight one and very pleasant. 
Among the attendants were Alden Sim- 
kins and Will Sherman, who rode there 
on horseback. They hitched their horses 
in the grove and attended the exercises. 
At the close the bridles were found slipped 
and the horses gone. At first it was sup- 
posed to be a case of bad luck for tlie boys 
who were booked to walk home; but on 
arriving home the horses were not found, 
and the conclusion was arrived at tliat 
they were stolen. The alarm was at once 
given, and C. B. Dike rallied his Anti- 
Horse Thief Company and started them in 
every direction. A net was woven 
around the law-breaker by telegraph. The 
trail of the horses was struck leading 
towards Rhode's mill, but was lost. The 
pursuit was active all along the line dur 
ing Saturday and Sunday. Early Monday 
morning Dike received a telegram from 



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HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



755 



the sheriff at Albert Lea, Minn., that the 
horses were there and the tliief in the 
lockup. Sheriff Schell and C. B. Dike at 
once went to that place to get the hor.ses 
and bring the thief back, provided he 
would come without a requisition. Im- 
agine their astonishment when conducted 
into the presence of the thief, to find him 
none other than the veritable Sam Maher, 
he who started for Kansas on Friday 
morning. He refused to come back until 
extradited, as soon as necessary papers 
could be got out he was brought back lo 
Mason City, and upon trial was sentence d 
to the penitentiary. 

John Florence, one of theoldest settlers 

in the neighborhood of Mason City, died 
at that place in October, 1870. John 
Florence was born in Virginia, May 4. 
1790. He lived in that State when the 
war of 1812 began, and entered the service. 
He was at Washington when the British 
burned the Capitol building and National 
records. He served through the war as a 
faithful and brave soldier, and after its 
close married Ellen Wells, with whom he 
lived for over fifty years, and who bore 
him seven children. About 1830 he 
moved to Ohio, where he remained for a 
few years and then went to Indiana. 
From there he moved to Illinois, and, in 
1851, with his family, came to Iowa and 
settled in Bellevue, Jackson county. In 
1856 he came Mason City and remained 
here until the time of his death. He was 
nearly ninety years old when he died. 

One of the most shocking cases of child- 
beating that ever took place in Iowa, was 
perpetrated in what is now Union town 
ship, in January, 1880. In December, 
If 79, aman named Gillett, living in that 



township, took Zearman McGoon, an or- 
phan, seven years old, to adopt, agreeing 
to treat him well. On Friday, Jan. 9, 18b0, 
he brought the child to Clear Lake for 
medical 'reatment, nearer dead than alive. 
In speaking of the boy's condition, the 
Clear Lake Mirror said : ''As soon as the 
affair came to our notice, we repaired to 
the bedside of the little victim, where one 
of the most horrible sights met our eyes 
that we have seen since the days of the late 
war. There, stretched upon a cot, lay the 
eiti ciated form of the boy, bandaged 
from head to foot, unable to move a limb, 
and suffering the most excruciating pain. 
His left foot had been badly frozen. The 
toes were entirely gone, and the balance 
of the foot badly frost bitten ; his right 
foot is nearly shorn of its little toe, and 
more may come off, or the surgeons be- 
compelled to remove them ; his fingers 
are frozen ; his ears badly frozen, and 
other marks of frost about the head. His 
body had been lacerated with a club or 
whip, in a most shocking manner. From 
the small of his back .to the lower part of 
his hips, were nearly or quite fifty marks, 
and at least a dozen holes in his flesh, 
some as large as a silver half dollar. 
The boy's own story was almost too shock- 
ing to relate. He said that during the re- 
cent cold weather he was compelled to work 
out in the bitter cold, with scanty cloth- 
ing. His feet, hands and ears were frozen 
the first day. The next he was so sore and 
stiff he could hardly move, and then this 
couple of devils incarnate — Gillett and 
wife — brutally pounded him because he 
could not move faster They actually 
drove him ont in the bitter cold, frozen 
nearly unto death, and compelled him to 



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HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



carry large loads of corn to the stock. This 
he did through fear of being killed by these 
inhuman wretches, until his poor frozen 
and lacerated limbs refused their offices, 
and he sank exhausted. They paid no 
attention to his suffering until becoming 
afraid he would die on their hands, they 
bundled him up and brought him to town. 
This was the boy's own story. We have 
his own words for their truthfulness, but 
the frozen limbs, the stump of his left foot 
and the terrible condition of his body, 
speak for themselves, and give the impress 
of truth to his horrible tale of suffering.'" 
Gillett and wife were duly arrested, and 
bound over to the district court, and after 
being kept in the Mason City jail for a 
number of months, were allowed to go. 

A sad accident happened at Mason City 
Dec. 11, 1880, by which John Daily, the 
railroad yard master, lost his life. It 
seems that in attempting to jump on the 
engine he lost his footing and fell beneath 
the wheels. His body was taken to Cal- 
mar for burial. 

On Sunda}', Aug. 27, 1881, as the east- 
bound freight train was leaving the Mil- 
waukee depot, at Mason City, a stranger 
attempted to get on boai-d, and missing 
his hold, fell under the cars and was terri- 
bly multilated and killed. He was dragged 
nearly 100 yards by the cars, tl)e great 
wheels all the time grinding his legs into 
fragments, crushing the bones and strew- 
ing the ground with pieces. He must 
have taken hold of sometliing to which he 
firmly held, or he would not have been 



dragged so far. When taken out he was 
found to be fatally injured. The left leg 
was crushed below the knee; the right 
was literally ground to pieces clear to the 
groin. The hips were mashed into a 
shapeless mass, and the entrails left pro- 
truding, while the whole body was bruised 
and blackened. The unfortunate man was 
carried into the waiting room of the de- 
pot, and medical aid was summoned; but 
death soon relieved his suffering. The 
deceased had been working on a farm 
near Portland, and was on his way to his 
home in Portage (.^ity. Wis., where his 
people lived. 

On the 5th of August, 188.3, a sad acci- 
dent occured midway between Mason 
City and Clear Lake, by which Libbie 
Andrews lost her life, and a pleasant and 
happy home its brightest ornament Oliver 
Andrews and his daughter, the deceased, 
started for Clear Lake in a buggy. When 
near the poor farm the horses got fright- 
ened and became unmanageable. The 
buggy struck several ruts and Miss An- 
drews was thrown forward between the 
wheel and spring, being dragged for 
nearly 200 yards before she fell to 
the ground. Wlien Mr. "Andrews was 
able to stop the team and return to her, 
life was nearjy extinct and she died shortly 
after. Miss Andrews was twenty-one 
years of age, born in Freeborn Co., Minn. 
She came to this county with her parents 
two years previous to her death. She was 
of a bright, cheerful disposition and had 
won many warm friends. 






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HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



757 



CHAPTER XXI- 



BATH TOWNSHIP. 



Batli township comprises coiigres.sional 
township 95, range 20 west, and is bounded 
by Mason on the north, Owen on the east, 
Geneseo on the south and Mt. Vernon 
on the west. Bath is a prairie township 
and the surface of the land is gently roll' 
ing, made up of a dark, rich loam. There 
are some prairie sloughs, but nearly all 
can easily be drained, and convcrltd into 
fine pasture lands. Three small streams 
traverse the township from north to south, 
two of which unite on section 34, entering 
Geneseo township as one stream. Owing 
to the fact that there was no native tim- 
ber in the township, it did not settle as 
rapidly as some other parts of the county; 
but in 188.3 was fast developing into a 
fine agricultural section. 

SETTLEMENT. 

Two men — Tucker and Cantonwine — 
made the first settlement, near Owen's 
Grove, on section 1, in 1850. Mr. Tucker 
came from one of the eastern States, re- 
mained a few years, and removed to 
Nebraska. Cantonwine, who was a car- 
penter by trade, remained until the 
following spring. No other settlers 
came in until 1864, at which time Horatio 
B. Morrison, a native of New Hampshire, 
settled on section 15. Mr. Morrison was 
a very enterprising man, possessed of 
natural genius, and a thorough mechanic. 



lie opened a blacksmith shop and re- 
mained here until 1868, when hemoved to 
Mason City, but later, moved to Britt, 
Hancock county, where he engaged in the 
hardware trade. 

Among the next settlers were: George 
C. Fuller, Thomas N. Brown, Andrew 
Roder, Philip Brisbin and Robert L. 
Lillibridge, all of whom came before 1875. 

George O. Fuller is the oldest living 
settler in Bath township. He was born 
in Andover, Merrimac Co., N. H., April 
18, 1834. He had good school advan- 
tages, attending Highland Lake Institute, 
at East Andover. He then engaged with 
a number of bridge builders, working on 
the Northern New Hampshire Railroad, 
and continued in their employ seven years. 
He was married, Jan. 13, 1857, to Louisa 
A. Brown, and remained in Andover 
till 1859, then moved to. Bureau Co., ill., 
renting a farm until 1866, when he re- 
moved to Cerro Gordo Co., Iowa, buying 
wild land on section 16, now known as 
Bath township, which he has well im- 
proved and beautified with fruit, shade 
and ornamental trees. They are the par- 
ents of four children — Charles D.,Eva J. 
Cora B. and Georgia May. Mr. Fuller is 
a ]>roniinent man in home affairs, and h:is 
held offices of trust in tiie township. 



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HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



Thomas M. Brown, one of the oldest 
settlers of Bath township, came in 1870, 
and bought land and located on section 26, 
where he has made substantial improve- 
ments and has a pleasant residence. He 
was married, in 1865, to Emma A. Bran, 
of Orange Co., Vt. They have four chil- 
dren — Cora M., Harley E., John B. and 
Clara G. Mr. Brown was born at Sebago, 
Cumberland Co., Maine, Feb. 7, 1824. 
He lived on a farm until 1847, then went to 
Moosehead Lake and followed lumbering 
three years. In 1850 he went to Pennsyl- 
vania and engaged in the same business 
until 1852, followed the same in Michigan 
for two years, and then went to Green 
Bay, Wis. There, in October, 1861, he 
enlisted in the 12th Wisconsin Infantry, 
company H. He was promoted to ser- 
geant, March, 1862. He re-enlisted in 
February, 1864, and was promoted to first 
sergeant, in May of that year. He served 
until the close of the war, and was dis- 
charged at Louisville, Ky., July 16, 1865, 
when he returned to Brown Co., Wis. 
He remained there until June, 1869, then 
moved to Delaware Co., Iowa, and lived 
until the fall of 1870,, when he moved to 
this county. 

Andrew Roder came in 1871 and bought 
the southwest quarter of section 32, renting 
land, however, on section 34 three years, 
and in the meantime improving his own 
land, upon which he built, and in the 
spring of 1875 moved to it. His land is 
now all under cultivation, having a 
splendid grove, a good barn and granary 
and all other necessary buildings. He was 
born in Germany, November, 1823. He 
attended school until twelve years of age, 
after which he was employed in herding 



sheep. In 1856 he came to America, 
landing at New York, where he spent but 
a few days, then going to Buffalo, where 
he was two years engaged in general 
work, thence to Dubuque county, ten miles 
from Dubuque City, where he farmed, and 
then came to Cerro Gordo county. lie 
was married in 1854 to Mary Friend. 
They have eight children living — Kate, 
Bai;^ara, Maggie and Annie (twins), Mary, 
John, Caioline and Andrew. 

Philip Brisbin, one of the trustees of 
Bath township, was born in the province 
of Ontario, Canada, May 30, 1835. When 
seven years of age his parents moved to 
the United States and settled in Winne- 
bago Co., 111. He enlisted there, in 1862, 
in the 127th Illinois, company E. He 
participated in the siege at Vicksburg 
and battle of Mission Ridge, and was with 
Sherman on his march to the sea, partici- 
pating in many battles of that memorable 
campaign. He was discharged with the 
regiment at Washington, June 5, li-65, 
and joined his family in Winneshiek Co., 
Iowa. He engaged in farming there for 
one year, then moved to Allamakee and en- 
gaged in farming near Waukon, remain- 
ing there until 1873, when he came to 
Cerro Gordo county and purchased land 
on section 33, Bath township. He im- 
mediately erected a house and commenced 
cultivating the land. He was married in 
1856 to Anna M. Michael, who bore him 
two children named John and Charles. 
Mrs. Brisbin died in 1866. His second 
wife, to whom he was married in 1868, 
was Rosanna Moore. They have been 
blessed with four children — Ida, Luther, 
Elmer and Ernest. 



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HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



759 



Robert L. Lillibridge became a resident 
of Bath township in 1874, where he bought 
land on section 16, but for two years 
rented land and resided on section 15, 
meanwhile improving his own land until 
1876, when he built his hou e, moved 
into it, and now resides there in comfort. 
He is a native of Waterford, Erie Co., 
Penn., born May 26 1840. His youth 
was spent in school and on the farm. In 
December, 1869, he went to Michigan, 
spending the winter and spring in Ovid 
Center. In the spring of I860 he went to 
( arroll Co., 111., and engaged in farming 
until July, 1861, when he enlisted in com- 
pany A, 45th Illinois Volunteers. He re- 
enlisted at Black River, Miss., January, 
1S64, andwas with his regiment till the 
close of the war and took part in many 
of the severest battles. In February, 1862, 
at the battle of Fort Donelson, he was 
wounded and was in the hospital for a 
while, went home on a furlough to Penn- 
splvania, but soon rejoined his regiment 
at Jackson, Tenn. He was also with 
Siierman on his march to the sea. He 
was honorably discharged July 6, 1^65, 
then returned to Pennsylvania, March, 
1866, came to Iowa and stopped in Greeley, 
Delaware county, where he was married 
June 14, 1868, to Rachael Tripp, a native 
of Canada, whose parents were among the 
tir.st settlers of Delaware county, where 
he was brought up. Here he and his wife 
resided until February, 1874, when they 
came to Bath. Since he came here he has 
taken an active part in township affairs, 
,inil was elected town clerk in 1882, an 
oftice which he now holds. 

Among the number who made settle- 
ment in the township between 1874 and 



1877 were George Gibson, Capt. Hugh 
Clark, William Henderson, Henry Bable, 
Henry Hill, Norman Densmore, Charles 
Graham, G. H. Overbeck and J. A. Kup- 
pinger. 

George Gibson has 240 acres of well 
improved land on sections 34 and -35, and 
has been a successful farmer. Beginning 
with little, he has worked up until now 
he has one of the finest farms in the 
county, and a good residence with all nec- 
essary farm buildings. He is a native of 
Sligo Co., Ireland, born Oct. 19, 1834. 
When six years of age his parents emi- 
grated to the United States and settled in 
Westmoreland Co., Penn. In I860 he 
went to Beaver Dam, Dodge Co., Wis.^ 
where he rented land until 1863, when 
he came to Iowa and bought land in Ing- 
ham township, Franklin county, living 
upon it until 1875, when he sold and came 
to Bath township, where he purchased 
wild land and has since lived. He was 
married Sept. 26, 1857, to Mary McDowell 
and has five children — Robert A., William 
A., Benjamin F., Nina E. and George E. 

Capt. Hugh Clark was an early settler 
in Franklin Co., Iowa, having bought land 
and moved there in 1868. Heimproved this 
land, erected a good set of buildings, and 
lived there until 1875, then came to Bath 
township, Cerro Gordo county, and bought 
land on sections 27 and 28. He has erected 
a good set of buildings, improved and 
cultivated his land, and now makes it his 
home. He was born Nov. 9, 1816, on 
Prince Edwards Island, was brought up 
on a farm until he was fourteen years of 
age, then went to sea and sailed before 
the mast for eight years ; was then pro- 
moted to captain and followed the sea in 



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HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



J 



that capacity nntil 1855, during which time 
he sailed around and visited all the princi- 
pal parts of the world. When he left the 
ocean he came to the United States and 
bought and located on a farm in Grant 
Co., Wis. Not liking his location, he sold 
out in 1863, and purchased and settled on 
a farm in German township, Grundy Co., 
Iowa, and lived there until 1808, when he 
removed to Franklin county. He was 
married in 1841 to Mary Gamble, a native 
of Prince Edwards Island, and they have 
thirteen children, eight of whom are now 
living — Michael, Myrtie, Sarah E., Collin- 
wold C, Archie, Orrin, Eva and Oscar H. 

William Henderson, residing on section 
13, Bath township, was born in Westmore- 
land Co., Penn., June 17, 1831. When 
quite young, his parents moved to Harri- 
son Co., Ohio, where they lived op a farm, 
he receiving a good common school edu- 
cation. He was married in 1854 to Mar- 
tha Keiley, a native of Harrison county, 
and in 1857 they removed to Allamakee 
county, and were among the early settlers 
there, buying wild land in Linton town- 
ship. He built a log house and cleared 
seventy acres of this land, remaining on it 
six years, when he engaged in the mercan- 
tile business atRossville, until 1874, when 
h.e moved to Cerro Gordo. He is largely 
engaged in raising grain and stock, giv- 
ing considerable attention to the raising 
of sheep, of which he has a large flock. 

Henry Boble, a resident of the southeast 
quarter of section 31, is a native of Iowa, 
born in Dubuque county, April 6, 1854. 
He was brought up on a farm and received 
his education in the district school. He 
was married there, in 1875, to Catherine 
Conrad, coming in the spring to Cerro 



Gordo county, buying unimproved land, 
upon which he now has a fine grove, a 
nice house and barn, and altogether is as 
pleasant a residence as is in the county. 
They have three children — John,Ra3' and 
Frank. 

Henry Hill came to Iowa in 1876, 
bought land in Bath township, improved 
and settled upon it, and which is still his 
home. In 1855 he was married, in Wis- 
consin, to Juliana Decker, of Erie Co., 
N. Y., who died ten months after her 
marriage, and in 185 7 he married her sis- 
ter, Abigail Decker, who has borne him 
two children — Frank W. and Cora J. 
Mr. Hill was born Feb. 9, 1835, in Lycom- 
ing Co., Penn., and is the son of Daniel 
and Margaret (Shoner) Hill, who started 
from Pennsylvania to Wisconsin in a one- 
horse conveyance. The father died on 
the way, in Ohio, when Henry was seven 
years of age. The family went on and 
joined his brother and two sisters in Wis- 
consin, where Henry lived till he was 
married. He bought land and settled in 
Green Co., Wis., in 1859, sold out, re- 
moved to Allamakee Co., Iowa, and 
bought land and settled in Jefferson town- 
ship. In August, 1862, he enlisted in the 
27tli Iowa Infantry, company A, and went 
to Minnesota to fight the Indians. In the 
fall he went south. He served with his 
regiment until the war closed and was 
mustered out, Aug. 8, 1865. He was in 
the battles of the Red River expedition. 
Fort De Russey, Pleasant Hill, Yellow 
Bayou, Tupelo, Old Town Creek and Fort 
Blakely. On his return from the war he 
resumed farming in Allamakee county, 
remaining there until 1876 when lie came 
to this county. 



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HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



761 



Norman Densmore, one of the best 
farmers in Cerro Gordo county, settled in 
Jiath township in 1877, on section 35, and 
he has so improved and beautified his 
home, by all essential buildings and forest 
and ornamental trees, that one could 
scarcely believe the wild prairie could so 
soon be transformed, but by thrift, labor 
and energy, he has accomplished it. He 
is the oldest son of Orrin and Elizabeth 
(Fowle) Densmore, born at Riga, Monroe 
Co., N. Y., Sept 19, 1829. When seven- 
teen years of age his parents moved to 
Bradford, Wis., where they were early 
settlers. He was married there in Octo-- 
ber, 1854, to Delia Webster, a native of 
Chautauqua Co., N. Y. He rented a farm 
in Rock Co., Wis., until 1877, when he re- 
moved to this county. On first coming 
he built a barn, in which the family lived 
until completing his liouse, whence they 
removed on a thanksgiving day. They 
are the parents of five children — Ellis, 
Elsie, Ray, Ora and Webb. 

Charles Graham made settlement on 
section 24, Bath township, in 1877, where 
he has made good improvements, and now 
makes his home. He was born in Dela- 
ware Co., N. Y., Aug. 3, 1829, where he 
was reared on a farm and attended the 
common schools. He made his home 
there till 1856, then came to Iowa and lo- 
cated in Tama county, lived there three 
years, returned to New York, bought a 
farm in Meredith, Delaware county, en- 
listed, September, 1861, in the 89th New 
York Volunteer Infantry, company I, was 
in the battles of Newbern, South Moun- 
tain and Antietam, Fredericksburg, siege 
of Charleston and many other battles. He 
was dangerously wounded, Sept. '^9, 1864, 



■i'ls- 



by a ball which entered his mouth and 
passed out at the side of his neck, but by 
skillful treatment his life was saved and 
he received an honorable discharge on the 
4th of the following December. He then 
returned to New York, bought a farm in 
Yates county, lived there until 1877, sold 
out and came to his present home in Cerro 
Gordo county. He was mnrried in 1865 
to Louisa Henry, of Schuyler Co., N. Y. 
They have four children — Isabella A., 
Charles W., Fred. M. and Helen Louisa. 
G. H. Overbeck has lived on the south- 
west quarter of section 31 since 1877. 
The place was partly improved when he 
purchased, but he has since greatly im- 
proved it by planting a fine grove of fruit 
trees and erecting a substantial frame 
house. He is the son of William and 
Margaret Elizabeth Overbeck, born in 
Clayton Co., Iowa, Oct. 3, 1849, his parents 
being early settlers in that county. He 
remained with his parents until 1875. Mr. 
and Mrs. Overbeck have had four children 
—William Henry, born Nov. 13, 1878; 
Willhelmine Katharine, born April 24, 
1880; Anna M., born Oct. 18,1881 (died 
Oct. 20, 188 1 ); John G., born July 12, 
1883. 

John A. Kuppinger, in 1877, settled on 
section 22, Bath township, on land which 
he had previously bought, made good im- 
provements, set out a grove and built the 
house in which he now resides. He is a 
native of Baden, Germany, born Jan. 20 
1830. Here he attended school, and at the 
age of fourteen years, he commenced to 
learn the carpenter trade with his father, 
at which he continued to work until 1853, 
when he came to America and located at 
Canal Dover He was superintendent of 

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HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



J\>^ 



a coal mine for one winter. In 1 855 he went 
to Allamakee Co., Iowa, bought wild land 
in Waterloo township, but lived in Dor- 
chester and worked at his trade for three 
years, at which time he started a wagon 
shop, working at times on his land until 
he hud thiriy-five acres cleared. He re- 
mained there until 1872, when he came to 
Mason * ity and engaged to work on the 
C. M. & St. P. Railroad, and after three 
and :i li iir vears, went to Austin, Mmih.. 
wliL-ie lie uas eMiplo^'evl Wy llie same com- 
pany about one year and a iialf, when he 
returned to Mason City, opened a wagon 
shop and after running it a few months, 
settled on his land where he now lives. 
He was married, in 1858, to Margaret 
Elizabeth Naas. They had six chil- 
dren, four of whom are living: — Jacob 
F., John A , George H. and J. Fred- 
erick ; Willie died in infancy, April 14, 
1869. The only daughter, Mary E., died, 
Nov. 5, 1874, aged fifteen. Mrs. Kuppin- 
ger died, Nov. 21, 1879. He was a second 
time married in February, 1881, to Mary 
CannefF, who is a native of America. 

H. W. Kahlke was born in Hamburg, 
Dec. 24, 1824. He attended school until 
sixteen years of age, when he engaged 
with a ship carpenter to learn the trade. 
In 1843 he left his native land and came 
to the United States, landing at New Or- 
leans, and there engaged to work at his 
trade. He remained there until 1866, 
having been there through the stormy 
times of the war. In 1866 he came to 
Dubuque, where he engaged in boat build- 
ing. In 1873 he made a new departure 
and engaged in building pontoon bridges; 
the first one he built was across the Mis- 



sissippi river, at McGregor. He is now 
engaged at both boat and bridge building. 
He was married in 1853 to Anna Hart, 
also a native of Hamburg, who bore him 
five children, of which but one is' now 
living — Eliza, who is now the wife of 
Henry Sadler. Mrs. Kahlke died at New 
Orleans in 1863. In 1878 Mr. Kahlke 
bought a tract of wild land in IJath town- 
ship, which he has had improved and has 
erected a good frame hmise, and a large 
b.iru. He still makes his home in Du- 
buque, but spends some time each year at 
his farm. 

James H.Brown came to Cerro Gordo 
county in 1879, buying wild land on sec- 
tion 17, Bath township, which he im- 
proved well and sold in 1881. He then 
purchased an improved farm on section 
16, northwest quarter, which he still re- 
tains as his present home. He was born 
in Boone Co., 111., July 9, 1855, where he 
made his home with his parents until 
twenty-one years of age, receiving a lib- 
eral education. He then went to Winne- 
bago county, where he engaged in farm- 
ing until 1879, when he came to this county. 
He is one of the trustees of Bath township. 

George C. Armsbury, engaged largely 
in real estate, is the son of Collins F. and 
Amanda (Boomer) Armsbury, born in 
Belleville, Jefferson Co., N. Y., Oct. 15, 
1850. He was a member of the Hunger- 
ford Collegiate Institute in 1870, since 
then has been employed with his father, 
who is a large owner of real estate in the 
west as well as New York State. He was 
married in June, 1879, to Ida V., a daugh- 
ter of Gardner and Deziah Fowle, who 
died Jan. 11, 18^2, leaving him one son — 
Alonson A. Mr. Armsbury spends some 



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HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



763 



time each year in Bath township looking 
after the landed interests of his father 
here. 

The land in Bath township was ohieliy 
held by speculators, and in 1875 com- 
menced to be improved by them. John 
A. Ramsey, a pump and engine manufac- 
turer of Seneca Falls, N. Y., purchased 
section 29, except the east half of the 
northeast quarter. Improvements were 
commenced on this as early as 1875. It 
has been thoroughly drained, two good 
houses erected, and a beautiful row of 
trees set out around the entire farm. 

C. F. and G. H. Armsbury, of Belleville, 
Jefferson Co., N. Y., owned section 32, 
except the southwest quarter, in 1S83, and 
were improving the same in a very 
thorough manner. George C. Armsbury 
suporinteniled the improvement of tliis 
extensive farm. 

FIRST THINGS. 

The tirsL birth was a daughter of Mr. 
Cantonwine, Dec. 2, 1856. 

Tile first school in tiie township was 
taught by Emma Adams, during the sum. 
mer of 1857, in Mr. Cantonvvine's house. 

The second birth in the township was 
Nella, daughter of H. B. and Caroline 
Morrison, born Nov. 17, 1865. 

An early death was an infant child of 
Mr. and Mrs. Morrison, in 1868. Mrs. 
Morrison died a few weeks later. They 
were both buried in Rockwell Cemeterj-. 

ORGANIC. 

Bath township was organized in 1876. 
The first township meeting was held at 
the school house on section 16, at which 
time and place the following officers were 
elected : T. B. Lymans, George Gibson 



and George O. Fuller, trustees ; H. H. 
Willey, clerk ; Philip Brisbin, assessor. 
In 1883 the officers were : Philip Bris- 
I)in, J. H. Brown and John Murray, 
trustees ; R. L. Lillibridge, clerk ; V. C. 
Lewis, assessor, ; William Henderson and 
H. A. Groves, justices of the peace. The 
Constitutional Amendment vote stood 
forty-eight for and seven against 

BATH POSTOFFICE. 

This postoffice was established in 1864, 
with H. B. Morrison as the first post- 
master. He kept the office in his house, 
and the mail was carried semi-weekly over 
the loute from Mason City to Rockwell. 
The office was discontinued in 1868. 

SCHOOLS. 

The first school in Bath township was 
taught in a straw shed, during the sum- 
mer of 1865, by Louisa Vandermark. In 
1873 a school house was erected on the 
northeast quarter of section 10. Lizzie 
H(ckwell, afterward wife of J. A. Pelt 
house, taught the first term in this build- 
ing. She boarded with George O. Fuliei-, 
who ran a wire from his house to the 
school house so that the teacher and schol- 
ars might not get lost in the blinding 
storms of winter, so frequent in northern 
Iowa. This building was moved in 1877 
to tlie southwest quarter of section 3. The 
same year a new building was erected on 
the northwest quarter of section 22. Ida 
Case taught the first school in this build- 
ing. The Congregational people have had 
preaching in this house for some years. 
Rev. C. J. Richardson of Rockwell, was 
the preacher for a time. 

District No. 2 comprises eight sections, 
and this is provided with two school 
houses. 



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HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



The first was moved from section 16, 
in 1878, and placed on the southwestquar 
ter of section :i, where Lizzie Murray 
taught the first school. The second school 
house was erected in 1882, on the south- 
west quarter of section 1. The first teacher 
here was Joseph Riley. In district No. 3, 
the first school was taught in Jacob Kup- 
pinger's house, in 18*79, on section 7. Ida 
Jeffers was the first teacher. In 1880 a 
school house was built on the southwest 
quarter of section 6. During the summer 
of 1873 a school house was built in district 



No. 4, on section 19, and the first term of 
school was taught by a Norwegian named 
Juglun. The first school building in dis 
trict No. 6 was erected in 1876 on the 
northwest quarter of section 14. This 
was used for school purposes but a short 
time, and then converted into a residence. 
In 1877 a house was built on section 13, 

and Ella Miller taught the first term of 
school in this building. In 1875 a school 
house, was built in district No. 7, on the 
southeast quarter of section 25. 



CHAPTER XXII. 



CLEAR LAKE TOWNSHIP. 



This township takes its name from the 
beautiful Clear Lake within its borders. 
It is bounded on the north by Grant town- 
ship, on the east by Lake, on the south by 
Union, and on the west by Hancock county, 
and comprises congressional township 96, 
range 22 west. 

This territory is made up principally of 
rolling prairie land, which descends toward 
Clear Lake, which is one of the prettiest 
sheets of water in all Iowa, containing 
about 3,100 acres, being six miles long 
and two and one half miles wide. There 
are no streams within the township ex- 
cept the outlet of the lake, which furnishes 
good water power. The soil is not unlike 
most of that in Cerro Gordo county, a 



deep rich loam of a very productive qual- 
ity. 

EARLY SETTLEMENT. 

During the fall and winter of 1850, re- 
ports were circulated in the sparsely set- 
tled river counties of our State, by Indians 
and adventurous hunters, that a beautiful 
lake existed way back in the center of the 
State, where buffalo, elk, deer and fur 
bearing animals roamed the prairie in 
abundance, and wild fowls covered the 
waters; where a large lake filled with fish 
shone forth as a gem in the prairie, and 
large bodies of timber afforded shelter 
from the storms of winter. Those were 
the days of pioneer adventure when the 
few people of our State lived, not by Ihe 



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HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



V65 



fruits of agriculture or mechanics, but by 
a wild pioneer mode of life, roaming from 
place to place, seeking the best location for 
game, discovery or Indian trade. 

These reports reached the ears of Joseph 
Hewitt and James Dickirson, then living 
at Strawberry Point, Clayton county, in 
this State, and May 20, 1851, they started 
out with their teams and families to find 
the beautiful lake that had been described 
to tliem by Indians. I hey passed the few 
scattering settlers .ilong the river until 
they reached the last settlement, of three 
families, near where the town of Bradford, 
in Chickasaw county, is now located. From 
there west, not even a wagon track had 
ever indented the prairie, and they pur- 
sued their journey until they reached 
Willow creek, one mile east of this place, 
which they found impassible, spending 
nearly two days in attempting to cross, 
and finally succeeding in crossing the 
stream near Andrew Swart's present resi- 
dence, reaching the shores of Clear Lake 
July 14,1851; fifty-six days to mrike a 
journey that now occupies but eleven 
hours by railroad. 

Messrs Hewitt and Dickirson each had 
a wife and one child, and they selected a 
point on the south side of the lake, on 
the bank nearly north of where Ed At- 
kin's house now stands, and a large burr 
oak tree, nearly covered by a wild grape 
vine, afforded them shelter from the sun 
and a safe place to bang the game they 
captured. 

John Alloway and Henry Robinson, 
two young men, accompanied them and 
stayed about a year. When they came 
here it was their intention to hunt, fish 
and explore the country and then return to 



the settlement in the fall, but owing to an 
unusually wet season and high water that 
made the streams unfordable and impossi- 
ble to return, they erected cabins in the 
timber near their summer camping ground, 
and these eight persons, four men, two 
women and two children, spent the winter 
here entirely cut off from communication 
with the world for thirteen months, ex- 
cept a visit by William Garnis, who called 
on them in February, 1852, and stopped 
there three days to rest his team. He 
was the first rusticating visitor at Clear 
Lake. 

During the winter Hewitt and Dickir- 
son resolvePto^make Clear Lake their 
home, and early in the spring, Alloway 
and Robinson returned. 

Mr. Dickirson claimed the land where 
the town is now located, also his farm 
east of town, and in the spring of 1852 he 
cleaned up and plowed a piece of brush 
land, and that summer raised a crop of 
corn on a portion of the ground now oc- 
cupied by Judge Rosecrans' and Elder 
Robinson's places, and adjoining them 
south, which was the first grain raised in 
this part of the State. Thus they lived ■ 
through the summer and winter of 1852, 
with an occasional visit from a hunter or 
Indian. 

In July, 1853, the Wright's settled on 
Lime creek, three miles north of where 
Mason City now is, and in the fall of 
1853, James and R. O. Sirrine, with their 
families, arrived and settled here, and have 
remained most of the time since. Rowland 
Gardner claimed the farm now owned by 
E. A. Tuttle, three miles east of town, 
and built a cabin, a portion of which is 
now standing near the Wescott school 



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766 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



bouse. He weut to Spirit Lake, and with 
his entire family, except two daughters, 
was murdered by the Indians at the Spirit 
Lake massacre, in 1856. One daughter 
was taken prisoner, and was held by the 
Indians about a year, when she was ran- 
somed by the government. 

The other daughter was away from 
home at the time and escaped. She after- 
ward married William Wilson. 

Harvey Luce and family were all mur- 
dered by the Indian, at the same time. 

Michael Callara, Jr., came to Clear Lake 
township in 1855. He was born in Ireland 
in 1S.39, and becoming a resident of the 
State at fifteen years of age, has literally 
grown up with the country. He has seen 
Cerro Gordo county advance from its al- 
most primitive condition to a prominent 
rank among the counties of Iowa. IK- owns 
■ afarm of IbU acreson .set-lion 27, wlicri' he 
resides; he also owns eighty acres in Union 
township and is classed among the most 
intelligent and prosperous farmers of the 
townsiiip of Clear Lake. His wife, Mary 
Gray, of Linn Co., Iowa, was probably the 
first white child born in the town of 
Marion. Mr. and Mrs. Callam have five 
sons and four daughters. Michael Cal- 
lam, Sr., was born in Ireland in 1803, and 
came to America in 1842, settling in Can- 
ada where he lived about five years. He 
went to Illinois and settled near Rockford, 
and about 1852 he purchased a farm at Pilot 
Grove, near Independence, in Buchanan 
county, and removed his family there. In 
the spring of 1854 he made a claim on 
section 26, in Clear Lake township, Cerro 
Gordo county, where he has since resided. 
His children are — Mary (Mrs. Kennedy), 



John, Martin, Michael, Jr., James, Charles 
and Joseph. 

Calvin S. Goodwin has been a resident 
in Cerro Gordo county since February, 
1856, at which date he came to Mason 
City. That place included four or five log 
structures, and the only person in trade 
there was John L. McMillen. Mr. Good- 
win remained in that locality about one 
and a half years. Not long after coming 
to the county he entered a claim of 160 
acres, which he afterwards proved up and 
sold. He is a native of Boston, Mass., 
born in 1824. He remained in the Bay 
State until sixteen years old and then went 
to New Hampshire He married Rosanna 
Abbott of Cheshire county in that State. 
He had a natural aptitude for the mechan- 
ical arts, and without giving any allotted 
time to acquiring its details, he began tu 
operate as a carpenter and has spent 
some years of his life in i lial xncation, 
and also as a cabinet maker. When he 
came to tiiis county he left his family be- 
hind until he could provide for their com- 
fortable reception, reluiniiig for them in 
1858, when he loc cted at Clear Lake, ai'- 
riving May 16, of the year named. He 
was one of the first settlers on the plat of 
Clear Lake, and resides on the same lot 
which he originally occupied. Of late 
years he has given some attention to 
farming, having become the owner. of a 
good farm in Lake township. Mr. and 
Mrs. Goodwin have three children — Mary 
(Mrs. E. H. Simpson), Perley Lincoln and 
Winnie. The eldest was born in New 
Hampshire, the others at Clear Lake. 

Benjamin II. Frost resides on section 2, 
and has resided in Cerro Gordo county 
since the fall of 1860. He was born in 



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HISTOKV OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



767 



Vermont in 1816, where he lived until 
about tiiirty years of age. He was mar- 
ried ill Vermont to Amanda L. Hamilton. 
Tht^y were both born in the same town, 
the latter in 1827. They removed from 
Vermont to St. Lawrence Co., N Y., in 
1843, where the}' lived for several years. 
They came to Scott Co., Iowa, in 1847, 
thence to Floyd county, in 1860, and here, 
as stated, in 1862, and settled where he 
now lives several years later. Mr. Frost 
Las seven children. Cliauncy, the eldest 
son, enlisted in 1863, in the •32d Iowa 
Volunteer Infantry, where he served 
neaily two years. He joined that regi- 
ment as a recruit, and when the regiment 
was discharged at the expiration of its 
term of service, he was transferred to the 
8th Infantry, and served the balance of 
his term of three years ^-nlistment. He 
now resides with his father; married >'arah 
Martin; they have three children. 

Seth M. Richardson, justice of the 
peace, received his appointment to the 
ofHce in 1873, and has been its incumbent 
most of the time since. He entered eighty 
acres of land in what is now Owen town- 
ship, Cerro Gordo county, in June, 18.55, 
on which he settled permanently with his 
faiTiily, Sept. 18, 1860. He removed, in 
186.5, to Clear Lake township, where he 
worked at the trade of blacksmith about 
seven years, when he was compelled by 
failing health to relinquish manual labor 
to a great extent. Mr. Richardson was 
horn in Herkimer Co , N. Y., and soon 
after, with his mother and family, removed 
to Cayuga county. He was brought up in 
Cayuga and Cortl.ind counlies. At iho 
age of fifteen he learned liis tiade, which 
he has followed since for forty years. In 



the fall of 1854 he located in Dane Co., 
Wis., where he lived. His wife, formerly 
Locena Salisbury, was born in Cortland 
Co., N. Y. They are the parents of four 
children — Byron, a resident of Lincoln 
township; Phebe L , Mrs. h'. M. Rogers, 
resides at Mason City; Carrie S.and Melirra 
A., Mrs. G. E. Ehle, who resides at Clear 
Lake. 

Fred Langenberg, the oldest German 
residentof Clear Lake townshij), settled in 
Cerro Gordo county in July, 1866. His 
father, John Langenber came to America 
with his family in 1850 and located near 
Fond du Lac, Wis. In 1870 he came to 
this township, where he died. Mr. Lang- 
enherg, of this sketch, was born in Saxe 
Weimar, Germany, in 1842. In 1877 he 
located on his present property on section 
10, where he owns 240 acres of land under 
an advanced state of cultivation. He is a 
notable farmer and stock-raiser of the 
township, and is in the front rank of its 
substantial and prosperous citizens. 

James A. Hammond resides on section 
1, Clear Lake township, where he settled 
in 1838. He purchased his land unim- 
proved, but he now owns 120 acres, and 
has good improvements. He was born in 
Herkimer Co., N. Y., April 3, 1825, his 
parents being Stephen and Lorency Ham- 
mond. He was reared on a farm, and re- 
ceived a good education. On Sept. 30,1853, 
he married Mary Williamson, who is 
a native of Otsego Co., N. Y. Mr. Ham- 
mond followed farming in his native 
State until he came to Iowa, in 1868. 
They have six children — Edgar, Ida, Ste- 
plieii, .Jennie, Fr.incis and Minnie. In 
polities Mr. IT;immond is a rc'puhliean, hut 



t la 



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HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



only takes enough interest in political 
matters to go to the polls and vote. 

Henry Burkholder lives on section 28, 
where he settled in 1869. He bought his 
farm of George Hines. Mr. Burkholder 
was born in Lycoming Co., Penn., in 1845. 
He removed to Green Co., Wis., in 1855, 
where he worked at the blacksmith's trade. 
On the breaking out of the war he en- 
listed in the 5th Wisconsin Battery, where 
he served twenty mouths, when he was 
discharged for disability ; but afterward 
re-enlisted in the 1st Wisconsin Cavalry, 
where he served until the close of the 
war. He participated in the battles of 
Perryville, Murfreesboro, etc. His wife 
was Elizdbt'th Case, born in Delaware Co., 
N. Y., in April, 1831. He has been mar- 
ried twice ; his first wife being Mary Far- 
ley. He had seven ciiildren by his first 
wife, five sons and two daughters. Only 
two sons and two daughters are living. 
Mrs. Burkholder's first husband was Wil- 
liam Merchant, by whom she has one 
daughter — Rosa. 

Mrs. Jane (Barnard) Clement resides on 
section 12. Her husband, Franklin Clem- 
ent (deceased), was born in Orange Co.,Yt., 
in 1818. At the age of eighteen he went 
to Michigan, and after a brief residence 
there, returned to Vermont. The marriage 
of Vlr. and Mrs. Clement occurred at Co- 
hoes, N. Y., in 1848, and, immediately 
after, they went to Connecticut, where 
Mr. Clement was engaged as inspector in 
the works of an ax manufacturing com- 
pany. He afterward removed to Pennsyl- 
vania, and there became a manufacturer of 
axes. The family emigrated, in 1855, to 
Winona, Minn., and were among its fii'st 
residents. Mr. Clement was there engaged 



in general blacksmithing and machine 
repairs. In 1869 he came to Clear Lake, 
where he died suddenly, Feb. 17, 1883. 
He was universally esteemed in the com- 
munity of which he was a member. He 
located and improved a fine farm, a little 
north of Clear Lake village, and built a 
pleasant home. He was sixty-five years 
old. Mrs. Clement is a native of Orleans 
Co., Vt , she was born in 1819, and re- 
from Winooska Falls, Vt., to New York 
State. She has two children — Emily, 
born in Connecticut, in 1850, and Albert 
Todd, born in 1858. 

Henry A. Groves, dealer in agricultural 
ini[)lc>ments, has been a resident of Clear 
Lake since the spring of 1869. He was 
born in Dane Co., Wis., in 1844, and came 
with his father's family to Winneshiek 
Co., Iowa, where they were numbered 
among the pioneers. His father, Andrew 
Groves, resided there until his death. 
Henry A. Groves enlisted at Decorah in 
the spring of 1861, in company D, 3d 
Iowa Cavalry, which was the first com- 
pany that left the county. In November 
following he was discharged on account 
of physical disabilities; but recovering 
his health, he subsequently re-enlisted in 
the 16th United States Infantry, and 
served three years, participating in many 
important battles and campaigns; among 
the former were the battles of Corinth, 
Miss., and the battle of Perryville, Ky., 
Stone River, Murfresboro, Holmes' Gaj), 
etc. He was slightly wounded at the 
battle of Stone River. Mr. Groves, in con- 
nection with his implement business, 
also deals quite extensively in live stock, 
and is counted as one of the business men 
of Clear Lake. His wife was Lena 



•<« 15- 



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HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



771 



Wightman, a native of^j^England. They 
have one daughter — Gracie. 

James A. Rice was born in Lake Co., 
111., March 23,1847. He came to Floyd 
county with his father in 1855. The lat- 
ter kept hotel for some years and after- 
ward settled on a farm. Mr. Rice was 
married in 1869 to Laura A. Qiiinby, a 
native of Vermont, born in 1851. Her 
parents came to Floyd county in 1858. 
The children are three in number — Nellie, 
Addie and Carl. The latter died July 30, 
1883. In 1870 Mr. Rice came to Clear 
Lake and began operation in omnibus and 
dray business, which occupied his tirfle 
until his death, April 26, 1883. He be- 
longed to the orders of Odd Fellows and 
United Workmen, at Clear Lake. His 
life was upright and industrious, he was 
successful in business, and his energetic, 
reliable character won general esteem and 
respect. 

John Chapin resides on the south half 
of the northeast quarter of section 2, Clear 
Lake township. He was born in 1833 in 
the town of Otselic, Chenango Co., N. Y. 
He reached manhood's estate in his native 
State, and went afterward with his father 
•to La Crosse Co., Wis. The latter pur- 
chased the farm now occupied by his son 
in the spring of 1871, of Isaac Pizer. The 
senior Chapin died in 1876. Mrs. Chapin 
was Sarah James, of Ohio. Her father 
was an early settler of La Crosse, Wis., 
where he died. Mr. and Mrs. Chapin 
have six children — Charles A., William, 
Frank, Bertha, George and Albert. The 
homestead includes eighty-five acres of 
land under good improvements. 

James Quick resides on section 24. He 
purchased his farm in 1871. He was 



born_in Somersetshire, England, in 1819. 
He was brought up as a farmer. He came 
to the Unitedj^States in 1850. He first 
settled in Onondaga Co., N. Y., in t''e 
town of Marcellus. From New York, be 
went to Ashtabula Co., Ohio. He enlisted 
in 1861, under John Brown, son of old 
John Brown,'"of Kansas fame, and Har- 
per's ferry notoriety. He participated in 
the battle -of Corinth, and other impor- 
tant battles and campaigns. He served 
three years and was severely injured 
while in the service, but has not, as yet, 
succeeded in getting a pension. His wife 
was Mary Ann Reed ; she was born in 
Somersetshire, England. They have had 
nine children, seven of whom are living; 
two boys and five girls. The names of 
the deceased are, Lewis F. and Martha 
Cane. 

Charles E. and Harvey J. Pierce, sons 
of Charles and Sarah ( Leslie) Pierce, are 
both natives of Essex Co., N. Y. The 
family moved to St. Lawrence county, in 
that State, and, in 1858, to Winnebago 
Co., Wis., where the father died, Sept. 6, 
1882. C. E. Pierce was born in 1841. He 
remained in Winnebago county until 1873, 
when he came to Clear Lake and pur- 
chased the property he now owns, consist- 
ing of 120 acres of land on section 8. 
One forty was owned by Samuel Ward, 
another by Alva Goodwin, and a third by 
James Robinson. The combined parcels 
of land constitute a valuable farm. Mrs. 
Pierce was born in Fond du Lac, Wis. 
Of four children' resulting from this 
union, two are living — Florence M.. born 
in Wisconsin and Frank II., born in Clear 
Lake township. The last named is one of 



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772 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



triplets, two of whom were girls and are 
deceased. 

H. J. Pierce was born in 1844. lie 
located in Clear Lake township in 
June 1872, purchasing 112 acres of land, 
eiijhly of wiiich was originally entered 
by a man named Plummer, for Thomas S. 
Gardner. The latter gave it to his son 
Stanton, who sold it to Solomon Gardner. 
l>y another transfer it became the proper- 
ty of George Wetmore, of whom it was 
purchased by Mr. Pierce. The family of 
II. J. Pierce includes his wife and two 
children— Edith M. and Ora J. Mrs. 
Pierce, (Clara E. Bliss), was born in Ver- 
mont in 1841. Her parents, Stephen and 
Angeline ( Pattee ) Bliss, settled in Wis- 
consin in 1849. Mrs. Bliss was a niece of 
the Rev. Elias Pattee, first officiating 
clergyman at Clear Lake. 

Francis Burnham settled on section 32, 
Clear Lake township, in 1868, purchasing 
his farm of William Boyden. Mr. Burn- 
ham was born in Essex Co., Mass., April 
1, 1842. He lived there until the fall of 
1864, when he enlisted in the heavy artil- 
lery and served until July 10, 1865, when 
he was mustered out. Mr. Burnham 
moved to Waterloo, Black Hawk county, 
in 1866, but i-eturned to Massachusetts, 
and came back to Iowa in 1868. He mar- 
ried Susan Grant, a daughter of Francis 
and Margaret Grant, of Cape Bieton 
Island. Mr. Burnham's parents were 
Nathan and Sarah ( Brown ) Burnham. 
M . Burnham's farm consists of eighty 
acres of choice land. 

O. A. Kimball settled on section 9, 
in 1874, where he now lives. He purchased 
his farm of Colonel \yilson, of Illinois, 
and was the first settler on the land, mak- 



ing all of the improvements. His farm, 
which now consists of 120 acres, was 
formerly larger, but a portion of it is now 
owned and worked by his son. Mr. Kim- 
ball was born in Erie Co., N. Y., in 1829, 
and was there brought up. He moved 
west and resided in the Rock River Valley 
for twenty-five years previous to coming 
to Iowa. His wife was Philanda Pike, 
also born in Erie Co., N. Y. They have 
nine children, seven sons and two daugh- 
ters. 

William McFadden, who settled in 1874, 
is a native of Terra Haute, Ind., born in 
lS29. When fourteen years of age he 
went to Louisville, Ky., where he was 
engaged as clerk for about three years. 
He then returned to Indiana. His father, 
William McFadden, was born in Harris- 
burg, Penn. He was an early settler of 
Terre Haute, Ind. His mother was Eli- 
zabeth (Lee) McFadden. The parents of 
Mr. McFadden removed to Keokuk, Iowa, 
in 1848. His father engaged Ln keeping 
hotel in that city, but died in 1850. Mr. 
McFadden kept hotel sometime after his 
father's decease. He was married to his 
first wife at Keokuk; her name was Mary 
J. Heaight, a daughter of Captain S. 
Ileaight. He went to California in 185o, 
where he was engaged in mining for one 
and a half years; then returned to Iowa; 
was engaged in steamboating for a num- 
ber of years. His residence during this 
time was at Galena, III. In 1855 he en- 
gaged as clerk for H F. MoClosky, a com- 
mission merchant at Dunleath. He was 
also engaged in the same capaci y, for 
Charles Merry, at Earlville, Delaware 
county. He removed from Earlville to 
Delhi, and came to Clear Lake in 1874, 



'^5 



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HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



V73 



and since that time has been variously 
engaged. He lost his first wife July 29, 
1 -73 His second wife was Miss A. E. 
ParsonSj born in West Virginia; she died 
here Nov. 6, 1882. Mr. McFadden had 
five children by his first wife, four of 
whom are living — Harry, Willie, Laura 
and May. He had five by his second wife 
— Lena L., Wallace L., Kate, John and 
Leon. During the war Mr. McFadden 
was employed by the government as river 
and railroad transportation clerk. He was 
in this service for about two years. He 
is at present variously engaged, lie is a 
first class auctioneer, and a skillful painter 
and an excellent accountant and book- 
keeper. 

Clark Huntley is located on section (S of 
< lear Lake township, where he has charge 
of the MesSer farm, owned by H. M. Mes- 
ser, of .Milwaukee, Wis. The farm is a 
fine one, containing .'60 acres. Mr. 
Huntley took the management of the 
place in 1«70, and has since been in charge, 
with the exception of two years. Tiic 
bulk of the improvements have been made 
under his care, including the planting and 
cultivation of one of the finest groves in 
the township. Li addition to the pursuits 
common to agrieullure, Mr. Huntley is 
interested somewhat extensively in rnis 
ing stock. He was born in Oswego Co., 
N. Y., in July, 1840. His father died 
during his eaily childhood, and about 
1849, he was taken with his mothei''s 
family to Dodge Co., Wis. Mrs. Huntley 
was Alice JosHti before hermarriage. The 
family circle includes five children — Vin- 
cent, Clinton, Ida E., Nellie and Mabel. 

Edward Shaw is the custodian of the 
c. imping grounds of the Methodist 



Church. He was born in New York, in 
181 3, where he was reared. In 1840 he went 
to steam boating on the Mississippi river. 
On the breaking out of the rebellion, he 
chartered his boat to the government, and 
was placed in command of the gunboat 
Tyler, which joined the fleet under Como- 
dore Rogers, and afterwards became con- 
nected with Comodore Foote's fleet. He 
took an active part in many important en- 
gagements on the Mississippi river and its 
tributaries. His boat participated in the 
bombardment of Forts Henry and Don- 
elson. At Pittsburg landing his vessel 
took an active part in resisting the ad- 
vance of the enemies forces, when the 
army under Grant were apparently over- 
whelmed. After this battle he guarded with 
his boat the mouth of White river, and 
sub.«iequently took charge of Indianola at 
Cincinnati, and af erward of the gunboat 
Joliet, of the Chattanooga, Tennessee and 
Yazoo rivers. While in this service he 
took an active part in all the severe and 
important eng;;gements of the gunboat 
fleet. During I hi' last year of the war he 
was a member of Gov. Morton's stjifl', 
and served as sanitary and military agent, 
stationed at Nashville. Alter the war he 
engaged in the oil business, in West 
Virginia, from whence he came to 
Clear Lake. His wife, was formerly 
Amanda Lewis, a native of New York 
city. She accompanied her husband in 
several expeditions during the war. Mr. 
Mr. and Mrs. Shaw celebrated their gold- 
en wedding Nov. 21, 1882. They relate 
with much enthusiasm many thrilling ex- 
periences in the late war. They have 
tlu-ee children — Sarah, wife of Rev. J. H. 
Lozier, who was correspondent for the 



J 



•*» «- 



774 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



Cincinnati Commercial during the war of 
the rebellion, and later in tlie struggle 
was chaplain in the 37th Indiana regiment. 
He is an eminent clergyman of the Meth- 
odist Church, in which service he located 
and laid out the camp grounds of Clear 
Lake. Their second child, A. B. Shaw; 
resides in London England. The young- 
est, Fra k, who resides in California, is 
engaged in silver mining. Mr. Shaw has 
been a resident of Clear Lake since 187o. 
George \V^. Richardson resides on si c- 
tion 7, wiiere he settled in 1877. Ilebougiil 
his farm of II. Dunlap and Anna Fletchei. 
The farm was entered by Mr. Plummer, 
who sold it to Orville Hubbard, who trans- 
ferred it to Hugh Dunlap, of whom Mi. 
Richardson inirchased. Mr. Richardson 
was born in Jackson Co., Mich., in 1841. 
IIi.s father, A. C. Richardson, was a native 
of Alabama, N. Y. His mother, Sarah 
(Scripture) Richardson, was born in Mas- 
sachusetts. They, however, removed from 
Canada to Michigan. Mr. Richardson 
went to Wisconsin from Michigan and 
thence to Winona, Minn., where he en- 
listed, Aug. 15, 1862, in company D, 7th 
Minnesota Infantry. He served three 
years, or until the close of the war. His 
regiment spent the first year of their term 
of service on the frontier, fighting the In- 
dians. They then went south and joined 
the 16th corps, under A J. Smith; were at 
the taking of Mobile, battle of Spanish 
Fort, Fort Blakely and others. On the 
close of the war he returned to Minnesota 
and in 1869 came to Cerro Gordo county, 
and purcliased a farm in Lime Creek 
township, where he lived until he came to 
Clear Lake township. His wife was Fran- 
ces Hall, a native of Wisconsin. They 



have three children — Alice, born May 12, 
1868; Grace, born Sept. 7, 1869; and 
Edith, born Dec. 25, 1871. 

J. E. Bolton, of the firm of Lindon & 
Bolton, came to Clear Lake in 1877. He 
was born in England in 1842. He came 
to the United States with his parents, who 
settled in the town of Portland, Colum- 
bia Co., Wis. Mr. Bolton has had a good 
deal of experience in buying, selling and 
the raising of cattle. He left Wisconsin 
ill 1871, and went to Kansas and willi .1. 
R. Wheeler, of Coluinliiis, Wis., bought 
and herded a large number of Texas cat- 
lie, but the severe winter that followed 
caused the loss of a large part of their 
held, and the venture was not altogether 
a tiiiancial success. He went lo Franklin 
Co., Iowa, in 18 73, and resided some time 
at Northwood, Worth county. While at 
Northwood he was for a time associated 
with his present partner, Mr. Lindon, in 
buying and selling stock. From North- 
wood he went to Nebraska and came here 
as stated above. He resides in the village 
of Clear Lake where he has erected a fine 
residence. Mr. Bolton does most of the 
purchasing of stock, and is abroad much 
of the time while not employed. Mrs. 
Bolton was formerly Mary A. Vance,born 
in Wisconsin. They have one son — Floyd 
Eugene. 

John M. Robinson,a farmer on section 1 0, 
is a son of the Emerald Isle. He was born 
in August, 1836, and accompanied his 
father's family to Canada in 184U. In 
lS65hecame to Iowa and remained in 
Wright county until 1878, when he bought 
the property he now owns of Joseph Case. 
Mrs. Robinson, formerly Martha Roweii, 
is a Canadian by birth. She is the happy 



-Js 



HISTORY OB" CKRRO GORDO COUNTY. 



775 



motlier of six children— Eva, William, 
Irwin, Ira, Edwin and Fit'ddie. l^otli 
parents are members of the Methodist 
Episcopal C urcli at Clear Lake. Mr. 
Robinson's father died in Canada. 

FIRST EVENTS. 

The first marriage in Clear Lake town- 
shij) was that of Mr. Fletcher and Emma 
Morris, in 1855. 

'l"ho first birth was a son to Mr. and Mrs. 
James McCibbins. 

I he fi St (U^ath was the wife of Levi 
Lawrence who died some time in 1855 or 
1856 

ORGANIC. 

LTpon the organization of the county 
there were but three townships. The one 
on tlie western border was called Lake, 
but soon after sub-divided, and what is 
now known as Clear Lake township was 
organized. 

The first election was held November, 
18.= 6, at tiie house of R. O. Sirrine. 

The first justices of the peace were 
Horace Parker and Alva B. Tuttle. 

In 188.3 the officers were : N. W. War- 
ren, H. E. Palmeter and W. L. Backhus, 
trustees; Charles Johnson, clerk ; I. S. 
Sampson, assessor, S. M. Richardson, jus- 
tice of the peace. * 

SCHOOLS. 

From the time Clear Lake was set off 
from Lake until 1882 it comprised one 
school district, but at that date was made 
into five independent snb-districts, which, 
in 1883, contained eight school houses 
outside of the incorporation of Clear 
Lake. 

TOWN OF CLEAR LAKE. 

During 1855 a large number of new 
SLiilers came in and lands were taken up, 



and a settlement commenced in earnest. 
Jose])h Hewitt entered land and laid out 
the town of Clear Lake City, on the 
south side of the lake, which was surveyed 
by thegovernment surveyor, and embraced 
the first camping ground. The following 
spring James Dickirson commenced a 
town which was laid out on the grounds 
now used for the cemetery, and this was 
called Clear Lake. It was afterward va- 
cated and the town of Livonia laid out on 
the same lands during the county seat 
contest of 1857. Large additions were 
made to Clear Lake City by Hewitt and 
R. O. Sirrine, and the town extended 
from the outlet of the lake to Mr. Calla- 
nan's place, and at one time contained 
twenty-five buildings. 

The present town of Clear Lake was laid 
out in 1856 by James Dickirson and Mar- 
cus Tuttle, wlio owned the land. Twenty- 
three others took an interest with thein in 
this town site. J. Crow came early in 
1856 and built a cabin on the lake sliore, 
near the foot of Main street, and when the 
town was laid out, built the house after- 
ward occupied by William Collins and 
used it for a hotel. The proprietors gave 
away lots the first year, and in the fall of 
1856 there were about forty dwellings, 
and quite a town commenced, but the fi- 
nancial crash of 1857 caused an exodus, 
and, in 1858, there were only fifteen fam- 
ilies left. The town is located on sec- 
tions 12 and 1.3 of township 96, range 22, 
and sections 7 and 8, of township 96, range 
21. The place has about 1,600 population, 
made up mostly of New England people. 

RECORDED PLATS. 

The following plats were recorded for 
Clear Lake and its various additions: 



V o" 



.0 .^ 



776 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



Clear Lake City, platted Sept. 3, 1855, 
by Joseph Hewitt and wife. The survey 
was made by Samuel S. Montague. 

Hewitt's addition was made by Joseph 
Hewitt, Sept. 21, 1855. Irving W. Card 
was the surveyor. 

Sirrine's addition, on section 24, was 
platted by Robert and Clarinda Sirrine, 
Nov. 10, 1855. 

Clear Lake toven, platted by James 
Dickirson and Marcus Tuttle and their 
wives, Sept. 15, 1856. James Crow sur- 
veyed the plat. 

Town of Livonia, filed June 1 1, 1857, by 
E. A. Tuttle, Orissa Tuttle, Marcus Tut- 
tle and Caroline Tuttle. This place was 
located on sections 7 and 18. 

Marcus Tuttle's addition, May 27, 1859. 
Surveyed by John H. Ambrose. 

Eion Tuttle's addition, Jan. 7, 1860; sur- 
veyed by John H. Ambrose. 

Sharp's addition, by Joseph and Sarah 
Sharp, April 23, 1863. 

Allen's addition, Jan. 5, 1865; George 
Frost surveyor. ■ 

Railroad addition, Jan. 4,1 870, by George 
Burden and Benjamin Richards. 

Cheney & Palmetei's south addition to 
Clear Lake, Sept. 28, 1809. 

Dickirson & Hays' addition, April 50; 
1870. 

Richards' addition, July 19, 1875. 

Cam]j Ground addition. May 10, 1876, 
by Rev. John Hogarth Lozier and wife, 
C. F. Vincent surveyor. 

EARLY DATS. 

The initiatory steps toward the devel- 
opment of this locality were taken in 
1855. 

Thomas Palmer built the first ttore and 
brought the first regular stock of goods 



here and opened a store, although Mr. 
Tuttle had brought in and sold a quantity 
of groceries before that time. During 
the summer of 1856 Oscar Stevens and 
Ed Nichols settled at this place and 
erected a steam saw mill and commenced 
making lumber, and supplied the whole 
country around. In 1857 the boiler in 
the mill exploded, demolishing the mill 
and machinery, and it was not repaired 
again until 1862. In 1857 Marcus Tuttle 
erected a large steam mill in this village 
and manufactured large quantities of na- 
tive lumber until the building of the rail- 
road. The old mill still stands, remodeled 
and changed, but still the memento of 
other days. 

Previous to 1856 the nearest postoflice 
was at Cedar Falls, seventy miles distant, 
and the accommodatjng postmaster used 
to send the mail to this region of the 
country by teamsters who were frequently 
passing to and from Dubuque for grocer- 
ies and other supplies. In the fall cf 
1855 J. B. Stewart, of Mason Cily, run a 
weekly express from that jilace io Cedar 
Falls, bringing the mail in a grain sack 
and distributing it all tiie way as be 
traveled. A sjiirit of accomniod; t'on 
was then the rule instead of the except- 
ion, and many a traveler on the roa<l, anx- 
ious to hear from distant friends, would 
get the m lil-carrier to stop and open i he 
bag, and receiving his mail, would go on 
his way rejoicing. During the following- 
winter, one Cummings was employed and 
paid, by subscri])tion from the people, tn 
bring the mail weekly from Cedar Falls 
to Clear Lake. Sometimes in consequent' 
of storms or high water, several weel^s 
would intervene between the visits of the 



^^=^ 



"i ^^ 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



mail carrier. In 1856 the Grovernmeiit em- 
ployed Charles Johnson, of Shell Rock, in 
tliis county, to carry the mail ; and most 
faitlifully did he fulfil his trust. No storms 
or high water, interfering with the trip, 
and the running of his cloth covered ve- 
hicle; he would travel on horseback or on 
foot, with snow shoes, or raft to cross the 
waters, if need be, but guafding the 
United States mail most faithfully as a 
treasure more sacred than lif^itself. And 
though passengers and packages were left 
on the road or lost in the streams, the 
mail must go through. James S. Sirrine, 
of this place, succeeded him as mail car- 
rier. When the railroad came to nearer 
points a semi-weekly mail route was es- 
tablished. A tri-weekly four horse staite 
coach run from Charles City here for 
about a year, but was then followed by 
the iron horse upon the completion of the 
M. & St. P. R. R. to this point in 1870. 

One of the most ludicrous incidents of 
this early settlement, was when stories 
were current of the merciless savages 
butchering whole families in Minnesota, 
and some of our timid neighbors feared 
they might sometime serve us in the same 
manner. One Amos Garrett, with his 
family of small children living near here 
in his cabin, was given largely to boasting 
of his bravery, and telling how he would 
scatter death and destruction among the 
red-skins, should they ever molest him. 
But finally his courage was put to a test. 
A company of hunters camped one night 
some little distance from his cabin, but 
were not perceived by him until he espied 
their camp fire through the bushes. Short- 
ly after, hearing a succession of gunshots 
caused by the hunters emptying their 



guns after their day's hunt, he was con- 
vinced that they were Indians, and had 
commenced their slaughter. lie was not 
slow in ordering his family to follow him 
to a place of safety. The mother snatched 
the infant to her breast, the father took 
the next older one on his back, and the 
others followed, and fled hastily through 
the bru.sh from the enemy. Fear lent 
wings to their footsteps; but the lusty 
child on the back of the redoubtable 
Amos grew wonderfully heavy, and be- 
lieving that the Indians were in hot pur- 
suit at their heels, he dropped the child, 
and without one farewell embrsice, told 
his wife and children they must "take 
care of themselves," and left them to their 
fate, to save his own precious life, and 
next day reached the Iowa river, giving 
a glaring account of the massacre of the 
entire settlement at Clear Lake, and that 
he alone was left to tell the story. Two 
or three days later he came sneaking back 
to his cabin, where he found his family 
safe, but not particularly anxious to see 
the brave father and defender The poor 
fellow never heard the last of the story 
here, and finally emigrated to parts un- 
known, where it is hoped his dreams are 
not disturbed by the yell of the savages, 
or the scarcely less endurable jeers of his 
neighbors. 

EPUCATIOXAI.. 

No record of the first school at Clear 
Lake was preserved, but it has been found 
by old settlers that the first school was 
taught by Elizabeth Gardner, in the log 
house of Joseph Hewitt. This was also 
the first school in the county. Miss Gard- 
ner had one dollar per scholar and her 
board. The school had an average attend- 



Vi>5 ^ 



I '9 



«J« — t^ 



'lis 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



ance of seventeen scholars, and was taught 
in the summer of 1855. Miss Gardner was 
a daughter of Rowland Gardner, who, 
with six of his family, was killed by the 
Indians in 1857 at Spirit Lake. Miss 
Gardner afterward married William Wil- 
son, of Mason City, who froze to death at 
that place. 

Mrs. Stiler taught the next school at the 
Lake. 

The first teacher whose name appears on 
the district record is Reuben Humphrey- 
ville, and his contract bears date, Dec. 14, 
1 857, and was signed by himself and James 
Sirrine, A. B. Tattle and T. S. Palmer, 
directors. The wages paid him for his 
services was $30 per month for a three and 
a half months' school, twenty fourdays re- 
garded a month. 

Tlie next contract recorded was made 
June 1, 1858, with Susan Tompkins for a 
twelve weeks' term, at four dollars per 
week. 

The next teacher was probably W. N. 
Skinner, though nothing on the records 
proves this, but it is well known that he 
was a teacher there about that date. 

The next contract appearing is one 
made with A. K. Howard, on the 29th day 
of November, 1858, for a four montlis' 
school, at $25 per month. 

Miss A. M. Whitney succeeded Mr. 
Howard on the 10th of May, 185t», at five 
dollars per week of five and a half days 
each — until Saturday noon. 

J. M. Brainard was the next teacher, his 
contract dating Oct. 2-3, 1859, for forty 
weeks, for the consideration of $318. 

He was succeeded by George Griffith, 
who taught several terms. 



Nathan Bass, Jean Duncan, Ira Kling, 
Delia Camp, Florine Bloom,John McGraw, 
Miss Sweeney, Jeannette Duncan, Fanny 
Hicks, Alice Rosecrans and several others 
whose names do not appear on record, 
have taught the school in Clear Lake down 
to 1872. 

From that date until the village was or- 
ganized as an independent district, in 1874, 
Professor D. A. Ham, associated with 
Mr. Fluent,* had charge of the schools. 
Professor Ham was a very successful 
teacher and improved the condition of the 
schools in Clear Lake. 

The following named have been princi- 
pals of the Clear Lake graded schools : 
Prof. M. M. Gilchrist, M. F. Miller, F H. 
Hannah, and A. W. Wier. The salary has 
usually been $75 per month. 

The assistant teachers, down to 1883, 
have been : Miss Haskell, Miss Duncan, 
Ella C. Palmer, Miss E. Sober, Florence 
Nichols, Mr. Hall, Miss E. Robertson, Eva 
Donahue, (afterward Mrs. L. G. Ilollister), 
Miss Miner, Miss Bennett, Miss Nash, 
Miss 'Wier, Miss Gardner, Miss Wetherall. 

S. M. Richardson held the office of treas- 
urer of the district from the time of its 
organization to the date of this book. 
M. P. Rosecrans also served as secretary 
since 1877, attending every meeting of the 
board— about 150 in all. About 1880 this 
large'independent district was sub-divided 
into five districts, also of an independent 
character. 

In 1883 there were 324 pupils — 163 
males and 161 females— at which time 
there were six teachers employed, five 
females and one male. 

The public schools of Clear Lake are 
managed by the following corps of leach- 



"-?, 



^1 



:Lii. 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



781 



ers : Adolphus W. Wier, superintendent 
and principal of the High School ; Miss 
Clara B. Wier, grammar department; Miss 
Janet Duncan, intermediate; Marion Dun- 
can, 2d primary ; Florence A. Nichols, 
1st primary. 

Prof. Wier is a native of Prussia, where 
he was born in 1844. He came to the 
United States when thirteen years of age, 
and located in Grant Co., Wis. He was 
educated at the Normal School, at Viroqua, 
Vernon Co., Wis., and at Iowa College, 
Grinnell, where he was a student two 
years. He began teaching in 1865, and 
the following year came to Iowa. Since 
1869 he has been continuously engaged 
in school work. His first term of labor in 
this county was at Rockwell, where he 
continued until the autumn of 1882, when 
he was appointed to hi.s present position. 

A good description of the school houses 
of this village was published in the Clear 
Lake Observer, in 1876, of which the fol- 
lowing is an extract : 

"The old school house, as it is now 
called was built by M. Buragardner, in 
1857, and still stands in this village, and 
could its history be written in full, what a 
record it would yield up. Here our 
schools were kept for years. The young 
of our township assembled here, and with 
few exceptions, acquired their entire 
school education within its walls. Here 
all religious meetings were held, and the 
people of all the country around gathered 
together therein. Although the house was 
but twenty-six feet square, there was room 
for all, for we were few in number, all 
equals; all denominations could listen to 
the same preacher, and the open hand of 



of fellowship, friendship, and pioneer 
equality, was extended to all within its 
walls. Here the teachers of our county 
assembled in their institutes. The politi- 
cian stood on its rostrum and made prom- 
ises to his constituents ; the boys met here 
in their debating clubs ; the Good Tem- 
plars in their lodge ; the girls came to the 
old school house to singing school. On 
its floor stood sixteen of Clear Lake's best 
and bravest boys, raised their -hands to- 
ward heaven, and took upon themselves 
the oaths to serve their country as soldiers 
and protect their country's flag. Here 
they met to exchange a last farewell, and 
bnt few of them ever returned to its walls. 
Here friends met to pay the last sad rites 
to departed friends, and hear words of 
consolation from the minister. Here the 
wife, mother, child, brother and sister, 
met when near the end of a long week the 
anxiously looked for mail was expected to 
arrive and bring tidings from loved ones 
away in the army. Here for nineteen 
years the annual election has been held, 
and the ballot box contest been decided ; 
here courts of justice have been nearly all 
held; forensic eloquence has flowed freely; 
here disputes between neighbors have been 
settled, innocence established, and guilty 
ones started from its walls to prison; here 
young men and maidens have come to be 
made as one." 

Long may the old school house stand 
a relic of the past. The school house 
near the Methodist church was built in 
1869, and the other one in 1872, and dur- 
ing the past winter nearly 200 scholars 
were in regular attendance, and four 
teachers were employed. 



69 



-s V 



J, 



782 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



POST OFFICE. 

The Clear Lake postoffioe was estab- 
lished in 1856, with Joseph Hewitt as the 
first postmaster, who kept the office at his 
residence, at what was late.r known as old 
Clear Lake City. In 1859 he was suc- 
ceeded by Edwin Nichols, and in 1862 
came fieorge E. Frost. The entire re- 
ceipts of the office during Mr. Frost's first 
and second quarters was $9.38. Mr. Frost 
served uutil 1875, except an interval of 
six mouths, during which time Marcus 
TuLtle was postmaster. Frost was finally 
succeeded by Alexander Campbell, who 
served until i877. Mr. Frost was then re- 
appointed, but as he did not desire the of- 
fice longer, he became instrumental in the 
appointment of A. D. Eldridge, who 
was the post master in 1883. This 
office became a money order office in 1873. 
The first order was issued July 12, 1873. 
In January,18-^3,it was made a Presidential 
office of the third class, and the salary fixed 
at $1,200. At this date A. D. Eldridge 
was re-appointed, 

Alfred D. Eldridge came to Clear Lake 
in 1869. He was born in St. Lawrence 
Co., N. Y., in 1843. His parents settled 
in Winneshiek Co,, Iowa, in 1875, and 
subsequently removed to Grundy county, 
aud finally returned to St. Lawrence Co., 
N. Y. Mr. Eldridge is also engaged in 
the drug business, and has been con- 
nected with that business since 1875. His 
store is the oldest drug store in the 
town, having been established by Johnson 
& Sweeney, in 1868. The business has 
changed hands several times since it was 
established. Mrs. Eldridge was a daugh- 
ter of E. C. Johnson, one of the early set- 
tlers of Clear Lake. 



•SOCIETIES. 

The Tom Howard Post, No. 101, of the 
Grand Army of the Republic was organ- 
ized Oct. 15, 18S2. The name Tom How- 
ard Post was adopted in honor of Lieut. 
Thomas Howard of the 23d Iowa, a gallant 
soldier from Clear Lake, who was killed 
at the battle of Pleasant Hill, Louisiana. 

The following was published in one of 
ihe county papers after the preliminary 
meeting held for the organization of the 
post at this place: 

'•The old soldiers of Clear Lake have 
held a preliminary meeting and will 
organize a post of the G. A. R. with the 
above name. No more appropriate title 
could be found for this company of vet- 
erans than that of brave Tom Howard. 
The writer of this and the brave lieuten- 
ant were borne off the bloody battle field 
of Pleasant Hill together, on that terrible 
evening of April 9, 1864; poor Tom shot 
through the bowels and the writer through 
the thigh. We lay side by side until long 
into the night on a grass plat in front of 
one of the houses of the village, and were 
then removed to a pig pen or cow shed 
which had been created into a hospital, 
and we were there separated, never to 
meet again. The brave Howard knew 
that his was a mortal wound, -but not a 
murmur escaped his lips, while his bright 
young life was ebbing slowly away, and 
our conversation was foreign to the hor- 
rors of war. The 23d Iowa contained 
scores of good and brave men, but none 
braver, better or more beloved than Lieut. 
Tom Howard, of company B. When the 
army retreated he was left in the hands of 
the rebels, and his body lies buried in the 
pine clad hills of Louisiana, but his noble 






■'J's i> 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



783 



spirit has received a better reward, and 
the boys ot the Lake are to be commended 
for the selection of so good a name to des- 
ignate their post." 

The charter members of ihis post were: 
J. B. Charlton, H. A. Groves, Ed. Nichols, 
G. W. Richardson, James McLaughlin, 

D. K. Williamson, G. W. Donaldson, 
William H. Shenafelt, William Cox, John 
Phillips, J. Bowers, Fred Sheldon, Charles 
Smith, Benjamin Leonard, K. Landenberg, 

E. Newton, A. Cotterell, A. R. Netley, 
J. Spragiie, J. A. ^mitli, C. A. Hurning, 
George H. Prime. In 1883 the post had 
thirty members, with the following: 
Commander, J. B. Charlton; S. V. C. H. 

A. Groves; J. V. ( !., Ed. Nichols; O. D, J. 
W. Phillips; Q.. M., G. W. Richardson; 
adjutant, J. A. Smith. The commandei- 
is the presiding officer of the post and J. 

B. Charlton has held this position ever 
since its organization. The total member- 
ship in 1883 was thirty. At that date the 
post was a s rong one. 

Verity Lodge No. 250, A. F. & A.M., 
was organized under dispensation from 
grand master John Scott, on Friday Nov. 
30, 1868, with the fo lowing officers: M. 
P. Rosencrans, W. .M.; Marcus Tuttle, S. 
W.; Edwin Nichols, J. VV.; Charles Wal- 
bridge, treasurer; George E. Frost, sec- 
retary; R O. Sirrine, S. D.; F. Folsom, J. 
D.; and James Dickirson, tyler. 

The lodge met in the hall in the third 
story of the Lake House, where the meet- 
ings were held until the June following, 
when they moved to I'uttle & Goodwin's 
Block and from there to Stevens' Hall on 
Main street, at which place they met in 
1883. The lodge meets on Wednesdays 
before the full moon in each month. 



The names of the worshipful masters, 
and the terms they served, are as follows: 
M. P. Rosecrans, two years; Marcus Tut- 
tle, three years; George E. Frost, one year; 
R. O. Sirrine, three years; W. R. Patrick, 
one year; J. O. Davis, four years; A. D. 
Eldridge, one year; G. F. McDowell being 
ill office in 1883, at which time the lodge 
was in a flourishing condition. 

Lake Side Lodge No. 170, A. O. U. W., 
of Clear Lake, was organized May 28, 
1878, by the following charter members: 
O. Stevens, J. O. Davis, W. A. Burnap, J 
H. Baeye, J. H. Woodstock, Georje Stock_ 
bridge, J. H. Salisbury, Charles Miller, 
Elon Hayes, O A. Bishop, H. D. Westei- 
man, C. O. Ingalls, William L. Backhus, 
A. H. Green, James Nolan, E. D. Babcock, 
L. G. Hollister, James A. Rice, (deceased), 
A. Stevens, Marcus Tuttle. The first 
officers of this lodge were: J. O. Davis, 
P. M. W.; W. A. Burnap, M. W.; J. H. 
Boeye, foreman; J. H. Woodstock, over- 
seer; George Stockbridge, recorder; J. H. 
Salisbury, financier; O. A. Bishop, re- 
ceiver. The officers acting in 1883 were: 
J. O. Davis, P. M. W.; A. Nelson, M. W.; 
A. Stevens, foreman; William L Backhus, 
guide; Oscar Stevens, overseer; William 
McFadden, recorder; J. H. Boeye, finan- 
cier; H. A. Palmeter, receiver. When 
first organized this lodge contained thir- 
ty-nine members, but owing to various 
reasons in 1883 there were but twenty- 
nine. Only one death has occurred in the 
lodge from its organization to .August, 
1883; that of James A. Rice. The lodge 
was a flourishing one, and well repre- 
sented by the most prominent men of 
Clear Lake. 



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784 



IIISTOUV OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



Clear Lake Lodge, No. 187, I. O. O. F. 
was organized under dispensation, Feb. 4, 
1870. The charter members were : Jolin 
\V. Phillips, N. VV. Ellis, F. W. Kimball, 

D. S. Dodds, H. P. Manning, John Chap- 
man, L. F. Knapping. The first officers 
were: J. W. Phillips, N. G. ; N. W. 
Ellis, V. G. ; D. S. Dodd, R. S. ; H P. 
Manning, P. S. ; L. F. Knapping, treas 
urer ; C. S. Goodwin, C, George Gilmore, 
\^'., Oscar Stevens and L. J. Thatcher, R. S. 
N. G At the first meeting petitions for 
membership were received from George 

E. Frost, George R. Congdon and James 
Goodwin, all of which were accepted and 
duly installed. The receipts at the first 
meeting were |57. The lodge was incor- 
porated Dec. 16, 1878. The following is 
article second, in the form of their incor- 
poration : 

"The title of said corporation shall be 
Clear Lake Lodge, No. 187, Independent 
Order of Odd Fellows, formed for the 
object of improving the moral and social 
condition of its members and to create, 
hold, manage and disburse a beneficiary 
fund for the relief of the members of 
said corporation and their families under 
such laws, rules and regulation as are now 
and shall hereafter be prescribed by the 
Grand Lodge of the Independent Order 
of Odd Fellows of the United States, and 
the Grand Lodge of the State of Iowa foi' 
its government, and by such rules, by- 
laws and regulations as the corporation 
may establish, not in conflict with the con- 
stitution and laws of the State of Iowa. " 

The by-'aws of the lodge were drafted 
by a committee consisting of C. H. Stan- 
ley, L. F. Knapping and D. S. Dodds. 
The first regular officers were elected June 



•30, 1870, and were as follows : N. W. 
Ellis, N. G. ; D. S. Dodds, O. G. ; H. D. 
Lindley, R. S. ; George E. Frost, treas- 
urer; G. R. Beaver, P. S.; J. W. Phillips, 
G. R. The lodge received its charter 
Oct. 26, 1870. The following have served 
as N. G. since the organization to 188.3 : 

C. S. Goodwin, George Frost, Oscar Ste- 
vens, N. W. Ellis, T. S. Simpson, J. H. 
Boeye, C. S. Goodwin, T. S. Simpson, E. 

D. Babcock, William L. Backhas, D. D. 
Hawe, J. H. Woodstock, A. M. Thayer, 
D. G. HoUister, J. A. Smith, Thomas 
Baker, J. H. Salisbury, J. Thacker, D. R. 
Williamson and J. W. Dawson. In June, 
1883, the following were the oflicers of 
the lodge : J. W. Dawson, N. G. ; W. 
Winnie, V. G. ; J. H. Boeye, treasurer; 
William McFadden, P. and R. secretary. 
The lodge meets every Monday evening, 
and, in 1883, had a membership of fifty- 
four, in good standing At that date 
their place of meeting was at Steven's 
Hall, which they rented in November, 
1 882, for five years ; sub-renting to the A. 
F. & A. M., the A. O. U. W., G. A. R. 
and the encampment of the I. O. O. F. 
In 1883 the lodge owned $300 worth of 
property and has several hundred dollars 
in cash in its treasury. They have suffered 
the loss of but one by death — George Gil- 
more. 

Clear Lake Encampment, No. 107, I. O. 
O. F. worked under the dispensation 
given them June 22, 1882. The first 
officers were : William L. Backhas, C. 
P. ; J. H. Salisbury, H. P. ; J. II. Smith, 
S. R.; J. Thayer, J. W.; J. W. Phillips, 
guide; J. H. Boeye, treasurer; Oscar 
Stevens, scribe. In 1883 the encampment 
numbered twenty-one members ; holding 









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IIISTOUY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



V85 



'*7lfi 



meetings the second and fourth Thurs- 
days of eacli luonlli, in ihe hall of I. O. 
O. F. 

"Tina" Lodge, No. 101, Rebecca De- 
gree of the I. O. O. F., work under 
dispensation granted them April 14, 
1860. N. W. Ellis, N. G.; Minnie 
Stevens, V. G.; William Mc Fadden, 
secretary; Mrs. W. L Bockhus, treasurer. 
The charter members of the society were: 
William McFa.lden, Mrs. A. E. MvF-.id- 
den, J. H. Salisbury, J. W. Phillips and 
wife, Ihomas Baker and wife, N W. 
Ellis, J. Tasker, A. M. Thayer, J. A. 
Smith, Joseph Bowers, Azor Stevens, 
Mrs. S. A. Stevens, Oscar Steveils, J. H. 
Boeye. 'I'he charter was received Oct. 21, 
1880. Tiiey had a membership of thirty- 
si.x in 188.3. The lodge took its name in 
honor of Tina Tasker, a daughter of Mr. 
and Mrs John Tasker, who died March 
•30, 1883, and was buried April ), at 
Clear Lake Cemetery. 

RELIGIOUS. 

The Methodist Episcopal Church may 
justly claim the honor of first sending a 
herald of the cross to Clear Lake, which 
has since become so famous for its relig- 
ious gatherings and church societies. In 
the summer of 1857, Elder Elias Pat*ee 
preached the first sermon ever listened 
to at Clear Lake. The services were" held 
at the house of Joseph Hewitt, near the 
bank of the lake. Elder Pattee died Sept. 
29, 1800, and his remains lie buried in 
the cemetery east of town. A class was 
organized at the time mentioned. The 
following pastors served on the circuit 
in which Clear Lake was situated, from 
the time of the organization of the class, 
until 1870; Rev. W. P. Holbrook, Rev. 



James Hawkins, Rev. Glassner, Rev. John 
Ball, Rev. Gassnre, Rev. Taylor, Rev. 
Cooley, Rev. Burge, Rev. A. S. Groom, 
Rev. Smoy and Rev. VVhite. In 1870 the 
Des Moines district, at its session held 
for such purposes, appointed Rev. James 
Williams to the circuit in November, 
1870. The Rev. J. W. Todd, presiding 
elder of the Fort Dodge district, held the 
first quarterly meeting, of which J. M. 
Davis was recording secretary, and James 
Price, Ira L. Bailey, Marcus Tuttle, Levi 
Lloyd and J. Tasker were elected trustees, 
and Yokum, Lockwood, James Price, J O 
Davis and Dyer were elected stewards. 
The society was incorporated Nov. 20, 1870, 
and the church building was purchased the 
following year. The pastors since 1870, 
inclusive, were: Rev. James Williams, 
Rev. James A. Robinson, A. Jamison, B. 
Webster, M. Conley and Rev. J. Walker. 

In 1883 Rev. J. Walker was pastor, with 
the following church officers: C. B. Chris- 
tian, treasurer of stewards, and T. Carter 
of trustees. At this date the church had 
145 members, with an average attendance 
of 185 at its services. In 1883 the society 
sold their old building and built in a more 
central location. The new church is a 
Gothic structure, costing about $4,000. 
They also have a good parsonage property. 
The Sunday school in 1883 was under the 
management of the pastor in charge, and 
had an enrollment of 165 members, with 
an average attendance of eighty-five. 

Rev J. W. Walker, pastor of the Meth- 
odist Episcopal Church at Clear Lake, was 
born in the province of Ontario, Canada, 
in 1844. In 1870 he went to the United 
States and preached at St. Johnsbury, Vt., 
but feeling the need of a better education 



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786 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



he took a preliminary course of study at 
the New Hampshire Seminary. After re- 
ceiving his diploma he entered the Boston 
University, where he graduated with hon- 
ors, in 1876. The same year he joined the 
New Hampshire Conference and was sta- 
tioned at Amesbury, Mass. Then he filled 
four of tbe best appointments in the Con- 
ference: Keene, Methuen and Exeter. Com- 
pelled by throat troubles to leave the sea- 
coast, lie bade farewell to the classic town 
of Exeter in the autumn of 1882, joined 
the Northwest Iowa Conference and came 
to Clear Lake. Mr. Walker is an impres- 
sive and effective speaker, his sermons hav- 
ing the true ring, and his efforts are 
greatly promoting the religious growth of 
his present charge. A beautiful church 
edifice was being .erected in 1883 under 
his pastorate. Mrs. Walker is a native of 
New Hampshire and received her educa- 
tion at the New Hampshire Seminary and 
Female College. After leaving school she 
passed three years in active temperance 
work and lectured snccessfuUy throughout 
that State, Massachusetts and Vermont. 
She left the platform to become a minis- 
ter's wife, entering heart and hand into 
the work, and is beloved everywhere. 
Two little girls — Ethel and Marion — make 
sunshine in their home. 

The Baptist Church was organized Jan. 
30, 1867, at the Clear Lake school house, 
then situated at the corner of Main street. 
It took the name of the First Baptist 
Church. Revs. Freeman and "Wood were 
present, aiding in the organization. 

The first deacons were: Willard Dort 
and Elon A. Tuttle. The first members 
were as follows: Willard Dort, Elvira Dort 
Rosa A. Howard, Levi Frost, Elizabeth 



Saxby, Emma Bryan, Elizabeth Rider, 
Nancy Pizer, J. S. Saxby, Joel Fay, 
Elon A. Tuttle, Orrissa C. Tuttle, Adel- 
mer Tuttle, Lucian Tuttle, Marcus Tuttle, 
Caroline M. Tuttle, A. Batterson and 
Mrs. Spencer. 

Their house of worship was commenced 
in the autumn of 1872 and dedicated Dec. 
15, 1873. Tne dedication hymn was writ- 
ten by Mrs. L. Boardman. This edifice 
cost about $2,000. The following pastore 
have served: Revs. Morgan Edwards, F. 
H. Hannah, J. L. Coppoc, H. C. Nash, A. 
C. Nicholas and H. B. Waterman. 

In 1883 the Church officers were: li. 
M. Day, Thomas Baker and W. S. Howe, 
deacons; F J. Fisher, James Dawson and 
Wilber Glidden, trustees; H. O. Warner, 
clerk; James Dawson, treasurer At this 
date the membership was about sixty. 

A Sunday school was organized Jan. 1, 
1874. The first superintendent was M. J. 
Hull. In 1883 the superintendent was II. 
M. D^'. The total membership was then 
146. 

The Congregational Church of Cltar 
Lake was organized, in 1870, by Rev. A. 
S. Allen, who continued to be their pastor 
until 1876, when by an accident and old 
age he was obliged to give the work over 
to other hands. His labors were under 
the auspices of the American Home iMis- 
sionary Society. The first organization 
consisted of nine members, and when his 
pastorate closed there were twenty-si. v. 
The Congregational and Methodist socie- 
ties built a union church that finally 
became the sole property of the Methodists, 
after which Rev. A. S. Allen commenced 
to build a house of worship, and succeeded 
in getting a foundation and frame up 



Ja- 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY, 



7a7 



when his labors ceased. In February, 
1876, Rev. R. R. Wood was called to be 
tlieir pastor and served the church until 
1878. His labors resulted in completing 
the building and adding to the church 
a membership of over forty. In August, 
1878, the Rev. A. M. Case was engaged as 
pastor, serving three years. At the close 
of . his work the church numbered 100, 
above losses and removals and deaths. 
Tlie Rev. Cutler was next called, coming 
in February, 1882, remaining one year. 

The following befitting tribute to Rev. 
A. S. Allen, one of the above pastors, was 
published in the Cerro Gordo County 
jRepHhUcan, under the head of "A good 
man fallen — Father Allen:" 

"The people of Clear Lake and Cerro 
Gordo county in general suffered a great 
loss in the death of Rev. A. S. Allen, who 
departed this life Nov. 8, 1876. His death 
was not unexpected to his friends, but when 
tiie final hour came, they were shocked 
and greatly mourned the sad event. Mr. 
Allen was a very remarkable man in many 
respects, and one whose works will live 
long after him, to bless the coming gener- 
ations. He was born in Medfield, Mass., 
in tlie year 1797, and in his youth removed 
to Andover, N. Y., where he practiced 
law and was afterwards elected judge of 
one of the State courts. While under 
dii-ection of Rev. Dr. Hunter he studied 
theology, and in 1833 he entered the 
ministry and preached ten years to Con- 
gregational Churches in that State, at the 
en<l of which time he removed to Wiscon- 
sin, and soon after devoted his entire time 
anil talent to the work of a home mission- 
ary. His benevolence was one of his 



adorning traits of character. When he 
began his ministerial career he was worth 
$30,000, but by his donations to charity 
and benevolence, he expended nearly all 
of it. He was one of the first peace com- 
missioners atPhidelphia. In 1848 he lost 
his wife — t'le choice of his youth — leaving 
a family of small children, to whom he 
was devotedly attached. In 1868 he lo- 
cated at Clear Lake, and afterward served 
Cerro Gordo county as school superintend- 
ent, to the entire satisfaction of all. He 
continued in his work with vigor and 
success until a few months prior to his 
death, when he, by reason of advanced 
years, was compelled to give it up. Mr. 
Allen stood out prominently as one of the 
noble grand old men, who seemed to have 
come down to us, as from the past. His 
heart and soul was in his work, and to do 
good was the chief aim of his life. But 
this grand Christian character has passed 
away, and he has been gathered to his 
fathers, like a shock of ripened grain is 
gathered into the garner to await its re- 
ward. The deceased left two sons and 
six daughters. Of the former, one is our 
well known townsman, Dr. Allen, and the 
other. Gen. Thomas Allen, of Oshkosh, 
Wis., editor of the Nijrthwest, and for four 
years Secretary of that State. The daugh- 
ters are excellent types of pure Christian 
womanhood, whose lives have been de- 
voted to the elevation of their sex and 
race. One was a missionary to Jamaica 
for years, and another a teacher among the 
Freedman at the South. In fact the 
impress of their father's goodness was 
distinctly marked in the life and character 
of all hi-i children. The funeral services 
of this man — this pioneer patriot and 



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188 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



Christian — was conducted by Rev. Mr. 
Adams, of Waterloo, Iowa. 

Rev. R. R. Wood, Congregational cler- 
gyman, was born in Franklin Co., Vt., in 
1819. In 18.37 he went to Grant Co., Wis. 
He entered the ministry in 1842 in con- 
nection with the Rock River Conference 
of the Methodist Church, and labored 
with that body until its division, when he 
became a member of the Wisconsin Con- 
ference. During the period of his labors 
as a Methodist minister, he had the fol- 
lowing charges: Milford circuit in the 
R. R. Conference, the Dundee part of the 
Elgin circuit, Joliet, Black River Falls, 
Mission, Dodgeville, Delavan, Monroe, 
Sylvan i a circuits; thence to La Crosse, 
and was the first presiding elder of that 
district. He went from there to Provi- 
dence, Wis., to Lancaster and Patch 
Grove, in Grant county. In 1861, feeling 
impelled to aid in the suppression of the 
rebellion that menaced the life of the 
Nation, he took temporary leave of the 
pulpit and hastened to enroll himself as a 
defender of the flag of a united people. 
He raised a company of the 2d VVisconsin 
Cavalry which he commanded in the field 
during two year's service, after which he 
resigned. In 1864 he raised company A. 
53d Wisconsin Volunteere Infantry, and 
was its leader until the end of the war. 
He then engaged in mercantile business 
at La Crosse, and a year later resumed the 
ministry as a vocation, joining the West 
Wisconsin Conference and receiving the 
appointment of Leon circuit. His next 
charge was that of Black River Falls, 
where be continued one year. In 1869 he 
came to Iowa and was stationed at Frank- 
ville one year, after which he went to 



Burr Oak, and during the five years next 
succeeding interested himself in farming. 
In 1876 became to Clear Lake and served 
as pastor of theCongregationalChurch two 
and ahalf years. In June, 1878, he went to 
Britt, Hancock county, and in December 
following he organized a Congregational 
society there, continuing its pastor until 
April 18, 1883, when he again resumed 
ministerial relations with the church at 
Clear Lake. Mrs. Wood, formerly Sarah 
Ann Titsworth, was born in Logan Co., 
Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Wood have one son 
and four daughters. 

THE ADVENT SOCIETY. 

At the first or early settlement of this 
place, this society had no representatives. 
The first believer in the doctrine at this 
place, that we have any knowledge of, 
was Mrs. Roxana Crowell. In the year 
1859 Elder Peter S. W. Deyo came here 
and preached a few sermons, but met with 
no visible success, and he became dis- 
heartened and went away. No more 
preaching of this doctrine was had until 
1865 when Elder H. H. Jaynes came here 
and preached a few sermons, at which 
time four persons were converted to his 
faith, to-wit: Caleb Fay and wife, and 
Isaac Pizer and wife; but he didn't or- 
ganize a society. Matters remained thus 
until the 9th day of March, 1867, when 
Elder Deyo returned and commenced a 
series of lectures at the old school house 
on the subject of the prophecies and other 
religious matters, continuing the same 
until the 25th of the montii, the result of 
which was the conversion and baptism of 
many according to the usages and cus- 
toms of that religious denomination. On 
the 20th of this same month, a petition 



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HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



791 



was presented to the Elder, signed by some 
twenty persons, requesting him to organ- 
ize a society of Christians at this place, 
taking the bible as their only rule of faith 
and practice; and accordingly, on the 22d, 
the people met for that purpose, and nearly 
thirty names were registered to the church 
covenant, who then proceeded to the elec- 
tion of officers, with the following result: 
James Dickrison and Isaac Pizer were 
elected deacons, and C. S. Goodwin, clerk. 
The society have employed as preachers 
Elder H. H. Jaynes and wife, F. H. Kin- 
ney, Peter S. W. Deyo, C. C. Ramsey and 
others. 

In 1874 the society determined to build 
a chapel, and commenced work at once, 
and during the summer erected a commo- 
dious building 26x40 feet in size, costing 
$1,000, all of which was paid as they pro- 
gressed with their work. In 1883 regular 
services were not maintained. 

CITY PARK. 

The parks as well as the streets and pub- 
lic buildings of the town bespeak the 
character of its people, and any one visit- 
ing Clear Lake cannot fail to admire the 
taste displayed in both public and private 
grounds. The town park is situated on the 
eastern shores of the lake, gently sloping 
to the waters edge. It was laid out with 
the town in 1856, though but little im- 
provements were made until 1872. George 
E Frost, editor of the Observer, suggested 
that "May Day" of that year be observed 
by planting shade trees in the park. Each 
person was requested to plant one or more 
trees. This timely suggestion was well 
heeded and before sundown. May 1, the 
citizens had planted out 1,500 trees of 
various varieties, each tree bearing the ' 



name of its donor for several months. 
In 188-3 the trees thus planted were in 
deed a charming sight to behold, tow- 
ering thirty, forty and fifty feet, inter- 
locking with the branches of the few na- 
tive trees which had screened the placid 
waters of the lake from the prairie land- 
scape on the east, and had been the camp- 
ing ground of the savage tribes of Indians 
in former years. 

NEWSPAPERS. 

The first newspaper in Clear Lake vil- 
lage was the Indejyendcnt, founded in 1860 
by Silan Noyes and John M. Brainard. 
This paper was continued only one year, 
and moved to Hancock county. 

In 1883 there were two papers, the He- 
cord, published by George E. Frost, and 
the Mirror by Bush & Hum. 

CEMBTBET. 

Another mark of the refinement and in- 
telligence of the people of Clear Lake, is 
the respect paid their dead. The ceme- 
tery was first laid out by James Dickirson, 
in 1857, and re-platted by the town in 
1872. The grounds are located less than 
a mile east of the town. 

TBLBPHONE. 

In May, 1878, Clear Lake was connected 
with Algona and Mason City by a tele- 
phone line. 

INCORPORATION. 

Clear Lake village was incorporated as 
a town in 1871. The following is a list 
of those who have served as mayor, from 
that time to the present: W. H. Stanley, 
two years; M. W. Wood, one year; H. H. 
Schell, one year; T. J. Reed, one year; ^ 
J. B. Charlton, three years; L. G. Hollis- 
ter, one year; Dr. George F. McDowell^ 



70 



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792 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



four years. Mr. McDowell was mayor in 
1883. 

The town has always been cared for in 
a wise, judicious manner by the city coun- 
cil. It is provided with a line hand tire 
engine costing $1,800. Thirty men can 
be used in forcing water with this engine. 
A hook and ladder company work in union 
with the fire department. The supply of 
water is furnished by several large cisterns 
built far enough from the surface so they 
will not freeze. These cisterns are usu- 
ally tilled from the lake. The town may 
well be proud of its tire department, con- 
sisting of sixty members, all equipped 
with uniforms and well drilled. 

BUSINESS IXTEEESTS. 

The first to engage in trade in Clear 
Lake was T. S. Palmer, who opened a 
general store in 1855, and remained about 
five years. The next store was opened 
by P. F. Sturgess, of West Union. He 
built a store building on Main street, and 
sold goods about three years, and then re- 
turned to West Union, where he was liv- 
ing in 1S83. The next general store was 
that of Brainard & Noyes in 1862 or 1863. 
They sold to Tuttle & Goodwin. M. P. 
Rosecrans bought Tuttle & Goodwin out 
in November, 1865, and run the only store 
in the place for the next year and then 
moved his stock to Belmond, Wright 
county. The town was next supplied with 
goods by Tuttle & Goodwin, who sold 
to Walbridge & Hicks in IS'ZO. Leonard 
Stilson opened the next general store, and 
after a year removed to Lake Mills, Iowa. 
In 1867 M. P. Rosecrans again embarked 
, in trade. He continued about six months 
and sold to Mr. Stilson, who removed the 
goods with others which he had to Lake 



Mills. John Chestnut was the next gen- 
eral dealer. He was succeeded by On- 
stine Bros., who closed out the stock. 
Among others in trade were John O. 
Davis, L. Carter, George Emmerson and 
J. H. Salisbury. In 1883 the business was 
in the hands of Hubbard Bros. Halverson 
& Co., Davis & Jaynes, Christian & 
Knudson and Hollister & Howe. 

The firm of Davis & Jaynes, general 
jnerchants, was founded in 1879. Their 
business is managed carefully, and on a 
basis of upright principles, and is de- 
servedly successful. Their stock includes 
complete lines of general goods. 

J. O. Davis, of the firm, came to Clear 
Lake in 1870, and entered upon the busi- 
ness of a merchant tailor. In 1875 the 
concern was merged in the firm of Davis 
& Hubbard, and changed to general stock, 
which was continued until February, 1879, 
when the firm style became Davis, Hub- 
bard & Co. In November following the 
present co-partnership was formed. Mr. 
Davis is a native of Wales, born in 1836. 
His parents left their native land when 
he was a child and located in Lewis Co , 
N. Y. Mrs. Davis was formerly Ada M. 
Phillips, born in New York. They have 
one daughter — Katie A., and one son, 
Clinton L. 

The first exclusive hardware store was 
operated by Mr. Moore, who was succeeded 
by Palmeter Bros. The next in this line 
was Bishop & Davis, who sold to D. 
Knudson in 1881. The business in 1883 
was represented by Palmeter Bros, and 
Knudson. 

The firm of Palmeter Bros., general 
hardware dealers, consists of D. H. and H. 
E. Palmeter, successors to J. H.Sweeney. 



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HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



793 



They have been in business since Febru- 
ary, 1874. 

Their father, Thoron Palmeter, removed 
from Chautauqua Co., N. Y., to McHenry 
Co., 111., remaining there until June, 1863> 
when he settled in Lake township in this 
county, on a farm which he sold in 1882, 
and went to Britt, Hancock county. D. 
H. Palmeter, elder of the brothers, was 
born in June, i846, in Chautauqua Co., N. 
Y., and came in February, 1863, to Cerrt) 
Gordo county. His wife was born in 
Potosi, Wis. She was, before her mar- 
riage, Ada S. Armstrong. Mr. and Mis. 
Palmeter have a son — Roy W., and a 
daughter, Linnie M. H. E. Palmeter was 
bo-rn in 1848. His wife, Emily E., daugh- 
ter of J. A. Fletcher, was born in Rock 
Co., Wis. Her deith occurred in iMay, 
1882. She left two children— John F. 
and Loro E. Palmeter. The Messis. 
Palmeter are successful business men and 
are doing a thriving trade. They own 
40U acres of land in Lake township, eighty 
acres of which were originally a part of 
their father's farm. 

The first e.xclusive grocery stock was 
carried by N. Carpenter, in 1868. He 
sold to T. S. Sampson. The second to 
deal in this line was Mr. Twitchell, who 
remained a short time and removed. F. 
Clement was also among the early dealers 
in groceries. He afterward sold to Bart- 
lett, and he to Knapping & Co., who were 
still engaged in trade in 1883. McLaugh- 
lin & Woodstock bought the store room 
formerly occupied by Tuttle & Goodwin 
and opened the first large grocery estab- 
lisliment in the town. Knapping & Co., 
were the only exclusive dealers in 1883. 



The drug trade was first represented by 
Mayes & Hall, in 1871. They sold to 
Smith & Piime, and a little later Prime 
sold his interest to Smith, and shortly 
afterward Smith went out of business. 
In 1871 M. P. Rosecrans and Dr. McDow- 
ell opened a drug store. After one year 
Mr. Rosecrans sold to Simeson <fc Mc- 
Dowell. J. H. Sweeney started the ne.xt 
drug store, and soon after sold to A. D. 
Eldridge, who was in trade in 1883, at 
which time he and John L. Etzel did the 
drug business of the town. 

'I'iie pioneer agricultural implement 
dealer at Clear Lake was Mr. Manning, 
who came in 1868 and remained two years. 
He sold on commission for a Charles City 
house. H. A. Groves was the next dealer. 
Carlyon Brothers came in 1873; the firm 
was later changed to T. H. Carlyon. The 
dealers in this branch of business in 1883 
were: Carlyon, Boeye, L. G. Holister 
and H. A. Groves. 

The first furniture store was started by 
R. W. Catlin, in 1872. He afterward 
closed out and moved away from the 
place. The next was J. E. Perry, who 
was the sole dealer- in 1883. 

J. E. Perry, furniture dealer, began liis 
business in January, 1881. He is a native 
of Milwaukee, Wis, born in 1838. He 
was brought up in Columbia and Dodge 
counties Wis., and when a young niai', 
learned the trade of carpenter. He came to 
Clear Lake, Dec. 8, 1869, and followed his 
trade until the time mentioned, when he 
established his present business.. His 
wife, formerly Katie McClemend, was born 
in Washington Co., Wis. Ella, Edwin 
and Guy are the nanrt?s of their children. 






'f 



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794 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



George E. Frost opened the first hank- 
ing house in the place in 1866. This was 
tiie only bank in the place in 1883. 

The first man to do wagon work in the 
vicinity of the Lake, was T. S. Gardner, 
in 1862. Mr. Gardner served in the army, 
and upon his return again worked at his 
trade, and in 1883 was running a repair 
shop just south of the town. The next to 
engage in the business was Mr. Berkley, 
who afterwards went in company with 
James Wood. In 1874 Mr. Boeye started 
a shop, and a little later, one was opened 
by M. Bates, who carried on the business 
in 1883. 

Thomas S. Gardner resides on section 
24. His .settlement in Lake township 
dates from the fall of 1859, when he lo- 
cated on section 11, residing there several 
years. In 1863 he enlisted in the 32d 
Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and served until 
the termination of the war. He saw much 
active service and was engaged in a num- 
ber of prominent battles and campaigns. 
After the close of the war he took up his 
residence in Hancock county. Four years 
later he purchased the property he now 
owns at Clear Lake. Mr. Gardner was 
born in Otsego Co., N. Y., in 1822. In 
March, 1854, he moved to Wisconsin. He 
married Edna Amelia Cark. Stanton, 
John, Mary, Harriet, George and Clara 
are the six promising children of a proud 
and happy father and mother. 

John Henry Boeye, wagon maker, was 
born Aug. 18, 1830, at Wesselburen, Hol- 
stein, a province in the dominion of Den- 
mark. His father took part in the revolt 
of the people against the arbitrary rule of 
the king of Denmark in 1848, and thereby 
lost his property, which was considerable. 



He died before the end of the war, leaving 
his family in straitened circumstances. At 
the commencement of this rebellion the 
revolutionists had but one cannon and 
three cannon balls, and those constructed 
for guns of other calibre. They had 1,000 
muskets of a motley character, a limited 
supply of ammunition, and no credit. The 
men armed themselves with scythes, pitch- 
forks and everything that could be adapted 
as a weapon, and for three years the pa- 
triots waged their righteous war under the 
most adverse circumstances, enduring the 
severest hardships with unflinching forti- 
titude. They fought bravely for a cause 
wortjhy their sacrifices and sufferings, be- 
lieving it involved their rights, both hu- 
man and divine. Denmark formed an 
alliance with Prussia and Austria, and the 
weak succumbed to the strong. The king 
made a few concessions to the people and 
peace was restored. Mr. Boeye enlisted 
at seventeen in this war. He was pro- 
moted to the rank of sergeant and served 
in that capacity to the end of the war. 
His father was a carriage maker and he 
had learned the trade, which for a few 
months following the war he pursued. A 
draft into the service of the king, against 
whom he was recently in arms, was im- 
minent, and, concluding that his absence 
from the Fatherland would be to his own 
individual interest, he took passage for 
America in a sailing vessel, and, after a 
tempestuous voyage of eighty-one days, 
landed at the city of New York. He was 
twenty-one years old, in a land of strange 
people, without money or friends, and 
wholly ignorant of the manners, customs 
and language. His courage and resolution 
proved available aids and he obtained em- 



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HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



795 



ployment in the Harlem Carriage Manu. 
factory, wliere lie remained a year. At 
its expiration he removed to St. Louis, and 
after a brief delay there, went to Callo- 
way Co., Mo., and established the business 
of wagon and carriage making on bis own 
account. Here he made the most satisfac- 
tory venture of his life, one which has 
been the most auspicious and of the great- 
est interest — his marriage with Anna 
Katrine Dickop, which transpired Aug. 
25, 1855. He did business in Calloway 
county three years, when he went to Chi- 
cago and worked at his trade six months. 
He then took up his residence at Delhi, 
Delaware Co., Iowa, where he prosecuted 
his business and interested himself gen- 
erally in social and political affairs. Dur- 
ing this time he was warmly interested in 
the Davenport & S'. ±*aul Railroad, in 
which company he now holds some stock. 
In 1 874 he ■ ame to Clear Lake and opened 
his business anew, locating on Fourth 
street where he is carrying on a prosper- 
ous trade in the now celebrated "Boeye 
wagon." Mr. Boeye is a member of the 
Orders of Masons, Odd Fellows, and 
United Workingmen. He belonged three 
years to the town council and has been 
justice of the peace. Mr. and Mrs. Boeye 
have had eight children, live of whom are 
yet living. A. N. Boeye is private secre- 
tary of the N. W. R. R. Co., and lives at 
Eagle Grove. He is an attorney by pro- 
fession and a stenographer. Mary A. is 
Mrs. S. Wilcox, wife of an attorney at 
Des Moines. Frank J., Anna and Ida are 
at home. The two oldest and the young- 
est child are deceased. 

The first blacksmith shop was conducted 
by R ibert O. Sirrine at a very early day. 



The next was Mr. Heath, who purchased 
his tools of T S. Gardner during the war. 
The next were Richardson & Hays. Fol- 
lowing them came Mr. Boeye. In 1883 
this trade was represented by : John Clay, 
J. H. Boeye, P. Pramer, Hitchcock & 
Dawson, and Felt & Co. 

Clayton Tompkins operated the first 
boot and shoe shop in Clear Lake. He 
sold to Mr. 'J'asker. The business was also 
represented in 1883 by H. M. McGowan 
and A. G. Johnson. 

Henry McGowan, boot and shoe dealer, 
established his business here in 1882. His 
assortment of stock comprises a full and 
complete line of wares suitable to the 
local demand. He was reared to manl)ood 
at Johnstown Centre, Rock Co., Wis., but 
is a New Yorker by birth, born in New 
York city, April 12, 1851. His parents lo- 
cated in Rock county, where he learned his 
trade under the supervision of his father, 
James McGowan, who is still a resident at 
Johnstown Centre. Mrs. McGowan was 
formerly Ella C. Palmer, daughter of Dr. 
N. H. Palmer, a pioneer settler of Charles 
City, Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. McGowan have 
one child — James P. McGowan. Mr. Mc- 
Gowan has been engaged many years in 
his present business, and has lived at 
Clear Lake since 1880. 

J. Tasker, dealer in boots and shoes, 
established his present business at Clear 
Lake in 1869, prior to any similar enter- 
prise in the vicinity. He was born in 
England in 1829, and learned the details 
of the shoemaker's craft in Sheffield. 
Some years before he reached his majority 
an elder brother came to America, ami 
settled at Council Hill, 111. He is a clei- 
gyinan by piofessiou. When Mr. Tasker, 



\ 



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796 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



of this sketch, was twenty-one years of age, 
the family started to establish a home in 
this country, leaving behind one son, who 
still lives at Sheffield. The purpose of their 
emigration was never accomplished, as 
the father, mother and eldest daughter 
died of cholera while en route from New 
Orleans. The remaining children settled 
at Council Hill. Mr. Tasker went, after 
a few years, to Wisconsin, residing in 
Grant, and subsequently in Crawford 
counties. He married Cordelia M. Scel- 
linger, a native of New York. Two of 
five children are still living — Josephine 
and Newell. Two children died in in- 
fancy. Tina, an estimable young lady, 
died March 30, 1883, aged nearly twenty- 
three years. She was universally beloved, 
and her name and memory are perpetuated 
in the style of Tina lodge of the Order of 
Rebecca, at Clear Lake. 

The first harness shop was run by Peter 
West, who remained but a short time. 
He was succeeded by various others. In 
1883 the business was in the hands of 
Daniel Gilbert and A. R. Atwooll. 

The first to engage in the livery bu.si- 
ness was John W. Phillips, in 1869. 
He continued only a few years and closed 
out his stock. The next who entered this 
business was O. Sweet, who, in 1876, 
formed a partnership with Charles Calla- 
nan. The firm subsequently dissolved, 
and Mr. Sweet went out of business. 
Charles T. Clark engaged in the business 
in 1870, building a new frame barn on the 
corner, between the Phillips and Lake 
Hotels. In 1880 George Lamson opened 
a livery. The last named and Charles T. 
Clark, were tiie only ones in the business 
in 1M83. 



George Lamson, livery man, was an 
early settler, in Iowa, his residence in the 
State dating from August, 1845. He was 
born in Esse.x Co.,N. Y., Oct. 16, 1829. In 
August, 1845, his father emigrated to this 
State, and settled in Jackson county, ten 
miles west of the present town of Maquo 
keta, where he spent the remainder of his 
life. Mr. Lamson was engaged in farming 
in Jackson county until 1866, when he 
removed to Anamosa, Jones Co., Iowa. 
He remained eight years, operating in 
grain and stock. In 1874 he transferred 
his business to Gai'ner, Hancock county, 
and in 1880 he came to Clear Lake, where 
he entered upon his present business, suc- 
ceeding Roehe & Hall. His brother, E. T 
Lamson, is a prominent citizen of Greene, 
Butler county. Mr. Lamsonwas mairiod, 
in Jackson county, to Nancy Duncan. 
They have two sons and five daughters. 

In 1883 the legal profession was repre- 
sented the following, whose sketches ap- 
pear in the Bar chapter: Lee & Adams, 
Bush & Hurn, M. P. Rosecrans and 
George E. Frost. 

At this date the physicians of that town 
were Drs. McDowell, Charlton, Wright 
and Spaulding. 

The first regular photographer was G. 
II. Roe, who came in 1874. A little laUr 
came S. Slocum. In 1883 the business was 
carried on by H. S. Mather. 

H. S. Mather, photographer, established 
his business here in 1881, and is the only 
representative of his art in the city He 
is a good artist and thoroughly compelcnt 
to excel in all branches of his business. 
He has recently erected a new buildij:g 
with excellent arrangements for first-clFis>^ 
work. He makes a specialty of sterf o- 



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HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



797 



scopic views of Clear Lake and vicinity 
and has constantly on Land an assortment 
of views of the Lake, village and camping 
ground. Mr. Mather is a native of Caz- 
eiiovia, N. Y., and was born in 1836. He 
studied the technique of his art at Morris- 
ville, N. Y., and has pursued his present 
calling since 1865. His wife, Jennie 
(Slocum) Mather, is also a native of Caz- 
enovia. 

The first jewelry store at Clear Lake 
was established by Matt. Simenson in the 
fall of 1869, which he discontinued after 
ten years of active business, in conse- 
quence of ill health. He was a Norwegian 
by birth, born in 1846, came to America 
and learned his craft in La Crosse with 
George E. Stanley. He died at West 
Salem, La Crosse Co., Wis., Sept. 6, 1881. 
He left no family. 

O. R. Simenson, brother and successor 
to Matt. Simenson, was born in Norway 
in 1848. In 1850 his father moved his 
family to the new world and fwund an 
abiding place in La Crosse Co., Wis. Mr. 
Simenson learned the printer's trade 
at La Crosse and in the spring of 1870 
came to Clear Lake, where he was em- 
ployed as a compositor on the Clear Lake 
Observer. He abandoned the printer's art 
to become a jeweler, and acquired the de- 
tails of the business in the shop of his 
l)r()ther to whose interests he succeeded, 
lie married an English lady, Hattie 
^\ esierman. Etta Marie Simenson is the 
only child. 

The United States Express Company 
e.stabliNhed an officeat Clear Lake in 1870. 
Maurice Ronch was the first agent. He 
was also the first station agent. He was 



succeeded by A. R. Chapman, who held 

bo.th olfices in 1883. 

The first to Iniy and ship grain was L. 
O. Huntly. About 1877 the Northwestei-n 
Grain Company erected a large elevator, 
and were doing the principal business in 
1883. 

In the winter of 1869-70 the first lumber 
yard at Clear Lake was established by 
Woodford, Wheeler & Johnson. The 
lumber was drawn by teams from Mason 
City, and the business transactions were 
conducted by the firm as named until the 
retirement of Mr. Johnson in 1873. In 
187'J George G. Woodford was associated 
with the operating parties, VN'oodford & 
Wheeler, when the style became Wood- 
ford, VV heeler & Co. The firm have a very 
extensive lumber trade, and deal largely 
in coal, lime and brick. The senior 
partner of the original copartnership, Tru- 
man Woodford, is a resident of Milwaukee. 
He is a native of New York, and went to 
Wisconsin about 1856. His lumber in 
terests are extensive and cover a period of 
twenty-five years Mr. Wheeler is also a 
non-resident, being in charge of a yard at 
Nora Springs. George G. Woodford is a 
nephew of Truman Woodford, and son 
of Romanta Woodford. He was born in 
Tioga Co.,N. Y., Oct. 19, 18 34. He grew 
to manhood on a farm, but was engaged 
for many years in lumber and stock trade 
in his native State. He came to Clear 
Lake in July, 1869, and purchased his 
present lumber interests, removing his 
family to this place in October following. 
Mr. Woodford was born in Ontario Co., 
N. Y. They have two children — Charles 
R. and Susie, born in Tioga Co., N. Y. 



Vi>=- 



Jl 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



G. B. Haney, of the firm of Gilman & 
Haney, lumber dealers, was born in the 
State of Tennessee, in 1848. His father, 
J. M. Haney, was a native of Alabama and 
his mother, Mary E. Winsett, was born in 
Tennessee.Mr.Haney removed with his par- 
ents to Wisconsin about 1S50. His father is 
deceased, and his mother resides at Osage, 
Michael Co., Iowa. Mr. Haney resided in 
Osage from 1866 till he came to Clear 
Lake, where he was for some time engage.d 
in mercantile business. He came to Clear 
Lake in the fall of 1882, at which time 
the present partnership was formed. His 
wife, Mary Miller Haney, was born in 
Pennsylvania; they have two children — 
Bernard and James. 

HOTELS. 

The first hotel in the town was built by 
Jarae Crow in the winter of 1855. He 
was succeeded by A. P. Harper, E. Cro- 
well and Dr Stansbery. Subsequently the 
Lake House was built by James Dickirson, 
who occupied it, as landlord, for several 
years, when he leased it to J. H. Woolsey 
and then sold it to John Chestnut. The 
Phillips House was opened in 1869 by J. 
VV. Phillips, who was still operating it in 
1883. 

John W. Phillips, proprietor of the 
Phillips House, Clear Lake, was born 
Aug. 14, 1821, in the town of Riga, Mon- 
roe Co., N. Y. He is the eldest of nine 
children, and remained a resident of his 
native State until he was twenty-two 
years of age. He was married to Louisa 
Richmond, a native of Ogden, Monroe Co., 
N. Y., and they removed to Dodge Co., 
Wis., in 1843. They changed their lesi- 
dence to Randolph Center, Columbia 
county, September, 1846. They came to 



Clear Lake in 1869. Mr. Phillips enlisted 
as a soldier in the civil war, Aug. 14, 
1862, in company E, 29th Wisconsin Vol- 
unteer Infantry, serving nine months and 
receiving his discharge for physical dis- 
abiliiy. The Clear Lake Moo7i published 
the following sketch of the army experi- 
ence of .Vir. Phillips: 

"On the breaking out of the war, he 
enlisted in Captain Dunham's company, 
in the regiment commanded by Col. C. R. 
Gills, and took his place in the ranks as a 
private, where he remained until his con- 
stitution, once so robust, gave way under 
the sufferings and trials of a soldier's life, 
and we next hear of him at Helena, Ark., 
prostrated on a bed of sickness, and finally 
the news was brought to his family that 
he was dead, that he had died in the hos- 
pital, but soon after word came that he 
was living The facts of the case were 
these. He left his company sick with 
typhoid fever and grew worse gradually 
until he ceased to breathe, so far as could 
be observed. The physiciBn pronounced 
him dead. He was then removed to the 
dead house, and preparations were made 
for his burial. But the parties whose duly 
it was to bury him, thought they dis- 
covered signs of life. He was taken back 
to the hospital and life was restored, 
although it was many weeks before he 
acquired sufficient strength to be about 
again. From this sickness he never fully 
recovered. Mr. Phillips was one of the 
earliest settlers of Dodge Co., Wis. He 
located on a quarter section of land, which 
he sold three years after for $1,000 and 
removed to Columbia county. He has 
managed a hotel since 1871. Previous to 
1882 he had a number of sail and row 



^' 



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ihL 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



799 



boats on Clear Lake. Mr. and Mrs. 
Philips have had five children, four of 
whom survive — Albertus Z., Alice (Mrs. 
Darian Howk); Mrs. Clarissa Clark and 
George J., and Huldah Ann, wife of 
George Rice, who died in 1880. 

The Felt House once stood near the 
Phillips house, but in 1877 or 1878 was 
moved to a point opposite the city park, 
and there run as a Turkish bath house; 
butin 1881 it was remodeled into a first 
class hotel and operated as such in 1883. 
In 1870 J. M. Emmerson, of Dubuque, 
purchased the island in the lake, and 
erected one of the finest hotels in the 
State, and at a great expense had it fitted 
lip in modern style as a summer resort. 
Mr. Emmerson also had charge of the 
steamer "Lady of the Isle," which made 
connections with all passenger trains. 
This house was leased to Brown & Engels, 
later to a Mr. Burgh, of Xew York city, 
who operated it until the spring of 1875, 
when it was destroyed by fire. The build- 
ing and furniture were valued at $30,000. 
Lake View House was built in 1876 by 
L. V. Davis. It is midway between the 
village and the camp ground park. The 
same year the Park House, located on the 
State camp grounds, was built by the 
Camp Ground Association. Both the 
Lake View and Park House, in 1883, were 
only run as summer hotels, as was the 
Webster House, just east from the camp 
grounds. The regular hotels, doing a 
commercial business in 1883, were the 
Lake, Phillip and Felt Houses. 

The Stevens House was built ready for 
occupancy, May 1, 1882. This hotel is lo- 
cated at .■^tevensLanding,on a high p omon- 
tory, on the southwestern shore of the 



lake, a distance of two and one-half miles 
from the foot of Main street, and about 
the same from the camp grounds. The 
building is a frame structure, about 60x60 
feet, iwo stories in height. It is situated 
in one of the most picturesque and charm- 
ing spots in the region of the lake. It is 
about twenty-five feet above the water 
level in the lake, and in 1883 had become 
one of the most popular places of resort in 
the lake region. The grounds are made 
beautiful by the hand of nature alone; the 
native timber, composed of stately oaks, 
shading the surrounding grounds. 

CLEAR LAKE MILLS. 

In the spring of 1856 Edward Nichols 
and Oscar Stevens built a steam saw-mill 
at Clear Lake — the first erected at that 
place. It was managed by Nichols & 
Stevens about two years, when it was 
partially destroyed by an explosion of the 
boiler, when Mr. Stevens purchased the 
interest of his partner, refitted the works, 
and operated it something like six years. 
The site of the mill was on Sirrine's Addi- 
tion on the east side of the lake. Mr. 
Stevens removed the mill in 1872 to, and 
fixed it just north of his flouring mill, 
where it stood until April, 1883. It was 
then moved to Emmettsburg. A few years 
later Marcus Tuttle built a steam saw- 
mill in the village near the lake shore. It 
was primarily under the management of 
Mr. Tuttle, followed by L. V. Davis. 
These mills afforded much substantial 
benefii to the settlers. The last named 
structure is now the barn of the Lake 
View House. In 1869 Oscar Stevens built 
a small frame structure at the outlet of 
the lake, about twenty lods west of the 
site of the flouring mill now in operation, 



71 



IS) 



ii: 



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800 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



in which was placed the first flouring mill 
at Clear Lake. It had two run of stone, 
and was owned by Z. Luddington. When 
it was finished Mr. Stevens bought a half 
interest in it, and later became its sole 
owner. A short time after it was burned, 
together with a large quantity of grain 
held in store for flouring. There was no 
insurance on mill or contents and,occuring 
in midwinter, was a severe loss to the 
owner, a man struggling to get on in the 
world and heavily in debt to the 
former owner, then resident at Union- 
town, Penn. Mr. Stevens communicated 
to him without delay an account of the 
disaster, and Mr. Ludington replied gener- 
ously deferring his own security until 
Mr. Stevens should rebuild and establish 
his business. Accordingly in the ensuing 
spring Mr. Stevens began a larger and 
better mill, but met with another misfor- 
tune. An accident in his saw-mill 
resulted in a crushed foot which disabled 
liim for many months. Yet without 
money he managed to push the process of 
reconstruciion in which he was engaged 
until completion was reached. Mr. Stev- 
ens still owns and operates the mill. It 
is a frame building with main part two 
stories high above the basement, 30x40 
feet, having an addition 16x40 feet. The 
basement extends under the entire 
building. It is located at the out- 
let of the lake a few rods below its 
mouth, and is run by water-power. It has 
three run of stone and a feed mill. The 
business is extensive and the quality of 
the manufactures most excellent. Mr. 
Stevens is a native of Wayne Co., Penn, 
and was born in 1833, Alfred Stevens, 
his father, was a Vermonter by birth, emi- 



grating with his parents to Pennsylvania 
when a boy. The latter went to Illinois 
with his family in 1836. He afterward 
went to Racine, Wis., where he lived two 
years before his death. Oscar Stevens 
came to Cl.ear Lake May 1, 1855, and has 
been continuously engaged in the milling 
business. In 1879 he built a tower on 
Stevens' Point overlooking the lake. This 
was destroyed by a tornado, and from the 
material Mr. Stevens built the Stevens' 
Park Hotel. 

STATE CAMP MEETING GROUNDS. 

This enterprise has attracted the atten- 
tion and turned the eyes of almost the 
entire Nation toward northern Towa, and 
has done more for Cerro Gordo county 
than any other one thing. 

Upon the organization of the North- 
western Iowa (Methodist) Conference, 
held at Ft. Dodge in the fall of 1871, Rev. 
John Hogarth Lozier, of that conference, 
now presiding elder of Sioux City district, 
was appointed chairman of a committee 
to select a site for a conference camp 
ground. This committee visited various 
points in the conference, including Oko- 
boji and Spirit Lakes, and finally decided 
upon Clear Lake as the most suitable 
place, all things considered, for a camp 
meeting ground and also for a summer re- 
sort. They based their opinion mainly 
upon the fact, that, in addition to Clear 
Lake being bountifully supplied with fish, 
its waters were better sheltered by timber 
from heavy winds, and therefore safer for 
sailing parties; while its extensive shallow 
bathing beach, entirely safe for women 
and children, with water warmer than 
that of most lakes fed by living springs, 
together with other reasons, marked this 



^' 



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ik 



HISTORY OK CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



801 



as fitted by nature for a summer resort 
and desirable location for a camp ground. 

Butbefore this site had been fixed upon 
and improvements commenced, the other 
conferences were asking for a "part and 
lot in this matter" also. It was accord- 
ingly decided to make it a State camp 
ground, instead of limiting to one confer- 
ence. 

As VIr. Lozier had some ready money 
he was requested to purchase the grounds, 
providing against any "fancy price" 
which might have been asked had it been 
known what it was for. The ministers in 
the several conferences agreeing, in writ- 
ing, to help Mr. Lozier to raise the money 
to secure the whole property to the church. 
With this understanding an association 
was formed of which Mr. Lozier was 
made president, Cyrus Spaulding, vice- 
president, Rev. R. \V. Keeler, secretary, 
J. G-armore, treasurer, and Edward Shaw 
superintendent, and constituted the board 
of managers, under whose supervision 
the grounds were cleared, buildings 
erected, and the enterprise carried to a 
high degree of perfection. Unfortunately 
for Mr. Lozier's pocket, the financial 
panic, resulting from the failure of Jay 
Cooke, threw the country into such a con- 
dition that the men who pledged to help 
raise the funds to re-imbui'se him, were 
never able to fulfill their promises, so Mr. 
Lozier had to carry almost the entire 
financial burden, which he did at a great 
sacrifice to himself and family, and he 
never could have tided the enterprise over 
the crisis had it not been for Mr. Truman 
Woodford, of Milwaukee, a heavy creditor 
of the enterprise, and now its honored 
president. 



During Rev. Mr. Lozier's administration 
he was the target of much abuse and 
false accusation, as he was at the time 
being run by the radical temper- 
ance people of Iowa, against Geer, for 
Governor of the State, but a committee, 
chosen by the severally interested M. E. 
Conferences after a most thorough and 
searching investigation, published a com- 
plete vindication of both Mr. Lozier and 
his associates, a copy of which is too long 
for a work of this character. 

After a vindication of the founder of 
of V\'< giant enterprise they all agreed to 
carry out their original purpose, and ac- 
cordingly requested each of the confer- 
ences of northern Iowa, to be equal in 
possession and control of the same, and it 
is now in their hands, as shown by the 
public records of 1882. 

Mr. Lozier was promptly chosen as one 
of the trustees from his district, but de- 
clined any active management of the park, 
and paid his way, and that of his family, 
into the grounds that he virtually origi- 
nated and gave to the church. 

This camp ground association have 
made many fine improvements about the 
Lake. This tract containing several acres 
of land, slopes gradually to the southwest 
to the beach of the prettiest sheet of 
water in all Iowa Their grou ds are 
covered with beautiful oak and hickory 
trees of natural growth, and they have 
streets and avenues like a village, with a 
goodly number of cottages belonging to 
stock and lot owners of the concern. Their 
tabernacle, built in 18*76, has a seating 
capacity of over 1,000; it is an octagon, 
running high enough for gallery rooms 
above. This is nestled in the midst of a 






A 



^ — » 



k^ 



802 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



beautiful heavy growth of oaks on the 
most elevated portion of the plateau. 
Down on the beach there are bath houses 
erected, and docks for the many row and 
sail boats which ply the lake in the sum- 
mer months. They also have a large 
tower and observatory near to and over- 
looking the lake. Total cost of improve- 
ments about $12,000. The Clear Lake 
Park association own about forty acres 
of land, lying between the railroad and 
lake; have it laid out for the accommo- 
dation of summer residents and visitors, 
with special depot, hotel, market, post- 
office, pavilion for meeting purposes, pri- 
vate residences, camp groujids, etc. 

Since the organization of this Camp 
Ground Association, Clear Lake has be- 
come quite noted throughout the whole 
western country, and it has been the great 
gathering place, every summer since then, 
for all the State meetings and conventions, 
especially those of a religious character, 
such as camp meetings, temperance jubi- 
lees, musical concerts, Sunday school as- 
semblies, etc. To these gatherings there 
- has always been a very large attendance 
from all parts of Iowa, and many from out 
the adjacent States. The most noted men 
of the Nation have favored this place by 
lectures, speeches and sermons, among 
which have been Rev. Dr. Newman, of 
Washington, D. C, Dr. Vincent, T. De 
Witt Talmage, the several bishop.s of the 
M. K. Church, and other distinguished 
men who have been listened to by the 
thousands. 

BIOGRAPHICAL. 

Among the early physicians was Dr. M. 
M. Skinner, who was born in Onondaga 
Co., N. Y., April 11, 1825. His father. 



Peter Skinner, though a man of energy 
and intelligence, was unable to give his 
son a liberal education, and be was thrown 
upon his own resources. After receiving 
a common school education, he continued 
his studies without a tutor for several 
years, teaching school winters to pay his 
way. He studied medicine in Fulton 
Medical College at Oswego, N. Y., grad- 
uating at the Medical College of Wood- 
stock, Vt., in May, 1850. He began the 
practice of his profession in Washington- 
ville, Oswego Co., N. Y. Dr. Skinner 
was married to a sister of Hon. H. G. 
Parker, of Mason City. From Oswego 
county he moved to Litchfield, Herkimer 
Co., N. Y., where he secured quite an ex- 
tensive practice. In November, 1856, he 
moved to Anamosa, Jones Co., Iowa, 
where his older brother, Pratt R. Skinner, 
had settled. Early in the spring of 185'? 
he removed to Clear Lake, where his broth- 
er in-law, H. G. Parker, resided At that 
time Clear Lake City was only a small 
cluster of log houses at the east end of 
the lake. Although it was not his inten- 
tion to practice medicine in this county, 
it was soon known that he was a physician 
and he was almost compelled to attend 
the sick. Early in life he had worked at 
the carpenters trade some, and from his 
acquaintance with tools, he constructed the 
first revolving horse hay rake ever used 
in Cerro Gordo county. He delivered the 
oration at the first 4th of July celebration 
in the county, at Clear Lake, in 1857. He 
was appointed county school superintend- 
ent, in 1858, to fill a vacancy. He also 
taught school at Clear Lake City, in a log 
cabin, during the winter of l"57-8. In 
1858 he removed to Anamosa, Iowa, where 



'3 

r. 



,^1 



-» > 



IITSTORV or CERRO C40RD0 COUNTY. 



803 



he was living in 1883. During his resi- 
dence at Clear Lake, he found the skull of 
a human being, near the house of James 
Sirrine; and upon examination it was 
found to liave the mark of a knife, clearly 
indicating that the victim had been scalped 



by the Indians. It was supposed by some 
to be the head of a white man, and by 
some that of Pacheukar, the young Indian, 
who had been shot, beheaded and scalped 
by the Sioux, several years before, near 
R. O. Sirrine's house. 



CHAPTER XXIII 



DOUGHERTY TOWNSHIP. 



This is the southeast township in the 
county. It is bounded on the north by 
Owen township, the east by Floyd county, 
on the south by Franklin county ,and on the 
west by Geneseo lownsliip. It is a prairie 
township, the surface is rolling and the 
soil of a very productive quality. Cold- 
water creek passes through the township, 
running in a- southeasterly course, leaving 
the territory from section 36, entering 
Floyd county. This stream furnishes an 
abundant supply of water for stock and 
drains tlie township in a veiy complete 
manner. 

EAKLY SETTLEMENT. 

Daniel Dougherty made the first settle- 
ment, on section 36, in 1863, upon land he 
had taken up in 1856. In about a year 
from the date of his arrival, a fellow 
countryman, John Humphrey, also came 
on from Clayton county and bought the 
west half of the southwest quarter of sec- 
tion 36, where he lived until 1875, at 



which time he removed to Mason town- 
I ship. 

Daniel Dougherty, the pioneer set- 
tler of Dougherty township, born in the 
county of Donegal, Ireland, Feb. 18, 
1829, came and entered the southwest 
quarter of section 36, township 94, range 
J 9, what is now Dougherty township, and 
made actual settlement on the same in 
1863. He was reared on a farm in his 
native land, and in 1851 came to America, 
landed at Philadelphia and spent two 
years there. He then went to Montgom- 
ery Co., Penn., and labored in an iron 
furnace. In 1856 he visited Cerro Gordo 
Co., Iowa, and after entering his land, re- 
turned and continued work in the furnace 
as foreman until 1858, when, with his 
family, be started for Iowa, traveling on 
the cars to Dunleith, on steam boat to 
McGregor, Iowa, arriving at their destina- 
tion after four days travel. He there 
located in Giard township, where he 



■?! 



•I 



■» v 



td^ 



804 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



] 



rented a farm and later bouglit forty acres. 
In 1860 lie was elected a member of the 
board of supervisors of the county, and 
was re-elected in 1862. In 186.3 he re- 
signed that office and came to Cerro Gordo 
county and settled on his land, being the 
first settler in Dougherty township. He 
built a log house on his land near the 
corner of four counties : Cerro Gordo, 
Floyd, Franklin and Butler He took an 
active interest in the settlement of this 
section, acting as agent for different parties 
in selling land iu his vicinity. The fami- 
ly occupied their log house until 1869, 
when he built the house in which he now 
lives, on the northwest quarter of section 
36, and, in 1 872 he built a barn 40x60 feet. 
He owns 720 acres of land and has the 
finest apple orchard in northern Iowa. It 
contains over 1,000 trees. He was mar- 
ried in 1848 to May Gallagher, a native 
of Donegal, Ireland. They have had 
fifteen children, twelve of whom are liv- 
ing — Hugh, Charles, Patrick, Daniel, 
James, iMary, John, Margaret, Bernard, 
Edward and Catharine T. (twins), Wil- 
liam and Annie. Three children, William, 
William N. and Margaret, died in infancy. 
The oldest son, Hugh, is married and has 
three children and lives on the southwest 
quarter of section 25. Charles is married 
and has three children and lives on the 
northeast quarter of section 26. Patrick 
is a lawyer, is married and resides in 
Mason City. James is married and resides 
on the southeast quarter of section 26. 
I'he rest of the children make their home 
with the parents. Mary is a teacher in 
the public schools. Mr. Dougherty is a 
prominent man and is well respected. He 
started poor but has made himself wealthy. 



He is a life-long democrat, has served 
Cerro Gordo county as county supervisor 
two terms, and in 1880 was a candidate on 
the democratic ticket for register of the 
State land office. He represented the 
State at the Baltimore convention in 1872, 
and is still quite prominent in politics. 

In 1868 Patrick Moran, a native of Ire- 
land, came from Wisconsin and settled on 
the northeast quarter of section 2, where 
he still lived in 1883. In company with 
Mr. Moran came Joseph Kirk, a native of 
Bohemia, and settled on section 2, where 
he died in December, 1876. William and 
James, brothers of Patrick Moran, came 
in 1868 and purchased the southwest 
quarter of section 2, and improved the 
same, but made their home with their 
father in Jefferson Co., Wis. Jolin (>. 
Crapser also came in 1868 from Franklin 
county, and located on section 35, where 
he lived ten years and then returned to 
Franklin county. 

James Jessmore, a French Canadian and 
stone mason by trade, came from Oshkosh, 
Wis., and settled on the northwest quarter 
of section 14, in 1860, where he built a sod 
house, in which he lived until 1870, after 
which he moved to Marble Rock and was 
engaged working at his trade. 

A P. Ames, a native of the State of 
Maine, came to the township in 1868 and 
located on section 12, improved his laud 
and lived there eight years, and remo\ ed 
to Dakota Territory. 

T. H. Harris came in 1869 and settled 
on section 13, where he lived eight yeais 
and then removed to Franklin couiiiy, 
near the town of Sheffield. 

George A. Massee came to Dougherty 
township in 1874, locating on thesoulli- 



1-— 



■s. k- 



UISTOKY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



805 



west quarter of section 10. Though wild 
land when purchased, he has so improved 
and cultivated it, that he now has a de- 
sirable home, having erected a good frame 
dwelling house and barn, and beautified it 
with shade and ornamental trees. He was 
born in Oneida Co., N. ¥., in 1840. When 
twelve years old his parents moved to 
Kane Co., II ., where he made his home 
until 1870, then went to Manchester, Del- 
aware Co., Iowa, remaining until 18*74. 
He was married in 1873 to Julia Ferris, 
born near Columbus, Ohio. They have 
two children — Nellie and Frank. 

William Keenan came to Clear Lake in 
1871. He was born in Pennsylvania, 
Feb. 20, 1849. When but two years old 
his parents moved to Wisconsin and set- 
tled in Wasliington county, where they 
were among the early settlers. They 
crossed Rock river on a log, the father 
carrying the children over one by one. 
The subject of this sketch made his home 
with his parents until eighteen years of 
age, when he went to Fond du Lac county, 
and carried the United States mail for 
fourteen months and then returned home 
and worked at the carpenter's trade. In 
1871 he came to Iowa, first settling at 
Clear Lake, but a year later removed to 
D.iuglierty township, where he had the 
contract of building the Catholic Churcli. 
Ill 1874 he went to Wisconsin and was 
married to Catherine Rice. They re- 
turned to Dougherty township and lot;ated 
o:i section 30, on land previously pur- 
cliased. In 1876 he engaged in the mer- 
cantile business. In 1881 he started 
a wagon shop, .iiid in 1883 was engaged 
in this trade and also in iiinninc; a store. 



They have three children — Ellie, Alice 
and Annie. 

Patrick Broderick became a resident of 
the township in 1877, locating on the 
southeast quarter of sejtion 16, which he 
bought in that year and on which he now 
makes his home. He has erected a good 
set of buildings, set out a grove and put 
his farm in good cultivation. Since he 
came here he has taken an active in- 
terest in matters of education, and is now 
secretary of the school board. He was 
born in Lenox, Berkshire Co., Mass., Nov. 
9, 1847. He was brought up to farming, 
and received a common school educa'ion 
and also four terms.at Marshall Academy, 
in Marshall village. Wis. His parents re- 
moved to that State when he was ten 
years old. He was married Nov. 30, 1871, 
to Hanora Hanifin, a native of Portland^ 
Dodge Co., Wis. Me had bought a farm a 
few years previous on which he settled 
until 1877, when he came to Iowa. They 
are the parents of six children — Ellen, 
John Francis, Lydia E., Mary, Stephen 
and Agnes. 

Jolin Broderick, Sr., is a native of Ire- 
land, and became a resident of section 9, 
township of Dougherty, in 1877. He has 
improved his land, set out trees and made 
an addition to the house in which he now 
lives He was born in Gal way Co., Ire- 
land, April 10, 1818. When twelve years 
of age he went to learn the tailor trade, 
which he pursued in Ireland till 1846, 
when he emigrated to America. He 
landed at Quebec, where he followed his 
trade four months, then went to Massa- 
chusetts and located at Lenox, and opened 
a tailor simp under the auspices of Peek 
& Co., proprietors of the Lenox Iron 



4^- 



"oK * 



4 



806 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



Works. Here he continued until 1850. 
when he removed to Wisconsin and settled 
in Dane county, where he was an early 
settler in Deerfield township. Here he 
opened a tailor shop, which he conducted 
two years, then bought land and engaged 
in farming until 1877, when he came to 
his present home in Iowa. He was mar- 
ried in 1843 to Catharine Maloney, who 
bore him ten children, eight of whom are 
now living — John, Mary, Patrick, Marga- 
ret, Michael, Catharine, Bridget and Law- 
rence. Mrs. Broderick died May 3, 1882, 
being sixty-four years of age. Henora, 
the first child, died in Ireland at the age 
of five; Bridget, the second, died in 
Lenox, Mass., aged two years and three 
months. Lawrence, Margaret and Catha- 
rine make their home with their father. 
Bridget is teaching school in Mitchell 
county, and Michael is married and lives 
on section 9. 

Daniel Campbell, residing on section 
20, is a native of Donegal, Ireland, born 
March 17, 1828, where he made his home 
until eighteen years of age, when he went 
to Ayrshire, Scotland, working until 
1870, when he emigrated to America to 
seek a home. He went to Hazelton, Lu- 
zerne Co., Penn., where he worked at the 
mason trade three years, and in a coal 
mine one year, when he came to Iowa, 
buying wild land in West Fork township, 
Franklin county, which he improved 
nicely and sold, moving then to Dough- 
erty, where he rented one year, then 
bought his present farm, upon section 20, 
upon which he has built a fine residence. 
He was married in 1853 to Bridget Gal- 
lagher, by whom he has had nine children 
— Francis, Marjie, John, Manus, Ann, 



James, David, Mary (deceased at six years 
of age), and Joseph. 

ORGANIC. 

This township was organized in 1870, 
and was named Prairie, but in 1871 it 
was changed to Dougherty in honor of 
its pioneer settler, Daniel Dougherty. 
The first general election was held Oct. 
11, 1870, when the following officers 
were elected: Daniel Dougherty, Hugh 
Dougherty and T. H. Harris, trustees; J. 
McMannis, clerk; K. Conougherton andT. 
H. Harris, justices of the peace; Patrick 
Moran, assessor; Patrick Moran and Hugh 
Dougherty, constables; K. Conougherton, 
road supervisor. 

At the election held at the Center school 
house, Nov. 7, 18S2, the following officers 
were elected: Michael McLaughlin, Fran- 
cis Campbell and Daniel Dougherty, trus- ' 
tees; John Broderick, assessor; William 
Connors, clerk; Daniel Dougherty, Manace 
Gallougher, justices of the peace; W. O. 
Holman and R. Conougherton, constables. 

FIRST THINGS. 

The first white child born in the town- 
ship, was John, a son of Daniel and Mary 
(i-iallaghar) Dougherty, July 1, 1863. 

The first death was Joseph Kirk, who 
died in December, 1870, and was buried 
in the Catholic cemetery. 

The first marriage was that of Thomas 
Conners to Mary Cahill, which occured in 
March, 1878. 

SCHOOLS. 

The' first school house was built in 1R64 
on the northwest quarter of section 36. 
The first teacher was Elizabeth Irwin. 
Daniel Dougherty and John Humphrey 
furnished the scholars. This building was 
used until 1869, Vhen it became too small 



' ■('[s 






k. 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



80'; 



for the accommodation of the district, aad 
a new one was provided on the southwest 
quarter of section 25. The first school 
building was then sold, to be used as a 
church, and in 1870 the township bought 
it back again and moved it to the north 
east quarter of section 23. In 1883 there 
were seven sub-districts and eight school 
houses. The people of this township, 
have always taken a deep interest in edu- 
cational matters, usually having eight 
months of schooling annually. The pat- 
rons of the school have always been fa- 
vorable to home talent for their teachers, 
and been ready to pay good wages, and 



by this method have been enabled to have 
the best schools in the county. 

RELIGIOUS. 

Prior to 1883, there were no religious 
denominations in the township except the 
Catholic. They celebrated their first Mass 
at the school house in 1865, Father Mur- 
phy, of Waverly, Iowa, officiating as Priest, 
at which time, he delivered a very learned 
discourse upon the state of society before 
and after the advent of Christ. Meetings 
were held at the school house until 1870, 
when a commodious church was built, it 
being a neat frame edifice situated on the 
southeast quarter of section 25. 



CHAPTER XXIV- 



FALLS TOWNSHIP. 



Prior to Dec. 17, 1856, the terri- 
tory comprising Falls township was in 
that known as Owen. It is bounded on 
the north by Worth county, on the east by 
Floyd and Mitchell counties, on the south 
by Portland township, and on the West 
by Lime Creek, and comprises township 
97, range 19 west. The land is for the 
most part prairie, and the surface gently 
rolling, with some quite flat land in the 
northeast part. Along the Shell Rock 
river in some places are seen fine native 
groves, however, most of the native tim- 
ber has been cut off and a flourishing 



second growth has sprung up. The soil is 
a rich, dark loam, and very productive. 
Wheat used to be the chief crop, but late 
years it has not been a profitable crop, 
and the farmers have turned their atten- 
tion more especially to other cereals and 
stock raising, in which they have been 
much more successful. In this section of 
the county may be found some of the finest 
horses and cattle in northern Iowa. 

The township is well watered by the 
Shell Rock river and its tributaries. This 
stream enters the township from the nortli, 
on section 5, and takes a general southern 



M- 



72 



bPv 



jj«__«^ 



4 



808 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



and eastern course, passing through sec- 
tions 8, 16, 17, 21, 22 and27, and across the 
corner of 20 to 35, and from thence into 
Portland township. It is a beautiful 
stream, and in an early day supplied an 
abundance of fish. One of the tributaries 
of this pretty rock-bottomed stream enters 
the township from the west on section 6, 
passes through this and cuts across the 
corner of section 7 to section 8, where it 
enters the Shell Rock river. Another 
branch enters the township from Worth 
county, on section 3, and passes west to 
section 4, through that section in a general 
southern course to section 9, thence to 
section 16, into 15, and back into 10, where 
it joins the Shell Rock river. 

SETTLEMENT. 

The first permanent settler in Falls 
township was Elijah Wiltfong, who 
was a native of Ohio. He came from 
Indiana, in 1853, made claim to a 
large tract of land, and built his cabin on 
setion 21, where he lived until 1803, when 
lie removed to Oregon. In 1883 he was 
living in Los Angeles, Cal. His son came 
with him to Iowa, and took a claim on the 
same section with his father,and afterward 
moved to the Pacific coast. 

John Myers came, in the spring of 1854, 
and located on section 0. He built a 
small cabin and lived there until 1850, at 
which time he sold out and went to 
Kansas. 

James Wright, a native of Br ^wn Co., 
N. Y., came to the township in 1854, pur- 
chasing a claim on section 17, but for 
some reason did not prove up, but sold his 
claim in the fall to Lewis Mosher, and 
took another claim, on section 5, where he 
built him a cabin, broke and fenced a few 



acres. In the fall of 1855 he again sold 
to George Frederick, and in the spring of 
1856 removed to Minnesota, and from 
there to Kansas, where he died March 18, 
1859. His widow is now the wife of John 
D. Massey, who lives in Rock Falls. 

Robert Campbell, a native of Columbiana 
Co., Ohio, came here from Porter Co., 
Ind., in October 1854, coming over land 
by teams. He settled on the northwest 
quarter of section 10, lived in a log house, 
14x10 feet, which had split puncheon for 
the floor and was roofed by shakes. It 
was here, in this humble abode, that the 
first white child in this town was born — 
Delphina Campbell. The first marriage 
ceremony was also made sacred within 
this rude cabin home. The family re- 
mained in this house three years and then 
moved to section 17, where they lived un- 
til 1874. Mr. Campbell now resides in 
Mason City. 

Mahlon Brown, a native of New York, 
came in May, 1854, and settled on section 
10, where he built a log house and lived 
for two years then moved to the prairies 
on section 15, where he remained seven 
or eight years then went to Dakota and 
later to Colifornia, after a few years stay 
there, he returned to. Dakota Territory and 
then died. 

George and Peter Clymer came in 1854. 
George settled on section 8, where he lived 
a short time and then moved to Lime 
Creek, where, in a few years he died. 
His brother Peter settled near Worth 
county line and lived there about two 
years, then went to Winnebago county, 
and located. 

Among the few settlers who located in 
the township in 1854 was Richard Mor- 






.fv 



'-k^ 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNIY. 



809 



ris. Upon his arrival, he had but $1.60 
left in his pocket and no funds from which 
to draw. He at once sought employment 
by which to drive the "wolf from his 
door," and he got work on a saw mill, 
which was going up at Nora Springs. 
He sowed some buckwheat and planted a 
small patch of corn, near Xora Springs, 
which provided something upon which to 
subsist during the following winter. In 
October of that year he came to Falls 
township, and bought a claim on section 
22. There was a small cabin on the land, 
but it had no roof, so he at once covered 
it with shakes. He was forced to sell 
one of his horses to raise money with 
which to enter his land, and then had to 
borrow, paying 40 per cent, in order to 
make out enough. His family lived the first 
winter on buckwheat cakes and corn meal 
ground in a coffee mill. The following- 
spring he went to the Turkey river for 
some flour, and paid $6 per hundred after 
going that long journey of sixty miles and 
return. This family contented themselves 
in this cabin until 1879, at which time 
they built a comfortable house. 

Mr. Morris is a Green Mountain boy 
by birth, having first seen the sunlight in 
Bennington Co., Vt., Nov. 28, 1812. Dur- 
ing the first year of his life his parents 
removed to Washington Co., N. Y. In 
1824 they became residents of Cattarau- 
gus county, in the same State, where they 
were early settlers. There his father 
bought government land and cleared a farm. 
Mr. Morris remained at home until twenty- 
one years of age when he was married to 
Fannie Stoddard, a native of Vermont, 
born Dec. 1, 1811. He purchased forty 
acres of land in Erie Co., N. Y., built a 



log house, cleared most of his tract of 
land and held it as a homestead four years, 
when he moved to LaGraiige, Wyoming 
county. Five years later he changed his 
residence to Roscoe, Ohio, and workid 
three years as a carpenter, when he again 
made a transfer to Dresden, sixteen miles 
from Roscoe. Here he bought a te.nm 
and engaged in the transfer of supplies 
and manufactures for a distillery, opera- 
ting between Dresden and Zanesville. Af- 
ter three years he purchased a lot in 
Uhrichsville, Tuscarawas Co., Ohio, built a 
hoii.-e and worked as a carpenter until 
185.3, when he set forth to seek a spot for 
a home in the west. He spent a winter in 
McHenry Co., 111., and the following 
spring came to Iowa. The next fall he 
settled in township 97 north, range 19 west 
of the fifth principal meridian, buying a 
claim on section 22. The record of Mr. 
Morris is eminently creditable to him. 
Coming to the State with nothing but his 
team, he has pushed his way with energy 
and economy, until he owns 420 acres of 
land, well equipped with good buildings. 
The children of Mr. and Mrs. Morris, ten 
in number, were born in the following 
order — Edwin F., Florilla, Charles S., 
Mary J., Ellen, Rebecca, Joseph, Matilda, 
Olive A. and Alice. Ellen died when six 
years old. Mary became the wife of 
Minor Wright, settled in Kansas, and 
died in 1877, leaving four children. 

Chauncy Lugard, said to have been an 
Italian by birth, came from Canada In 
1854, and settled on section [25. He was 
a natural genius and a good mechanic, 
but was addicted to drink. He lived here 
until 1863 when he moved away. 



vr^ 



810 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



Benjamin Sutton, a native of Devon- 
shire, England, came from Wisconsin- in 
1854, and entered 400 acres of land in this 
township. He went to the land office at 
Des Moines to enter the land, making the 
journey on foot. In the fall of 1855 he 
came back from Wisconsin, and spent the 
winter in hunting and rail-splitting — get- 
ting out fencing enough for a quarter sec- 
tion of land. In July, 1856, he sold his 
land and returned to Wisconsin, and in 
1857 he started back to Iowa with some 
cattle, crossing the Mississippi river at 
McGregor with 100 head, ten of which lie 
sold, and the balance he brought through 
to this township. He let them graze 
during the summer, and provided an 
ample supply of prairie hay for them to 
feed upon during the winter months. He 
kept this drove of young stock at the 
grove on section 8, retaining them until 
1861, when he sold them and purchased 
land on section 8, where he erected good 
buildings, and there resides at the present 
time. 

Ira Williams, a native of New York, 
came to Falls township in 1855, from Illi- 
nois. He settled on section IT, where he 
made a liay house and strewed hay u]jon 
tile ground for a tioor. In this abode he 
and his family lived for two years, when 
t'ley built a log cabin, which at first was 
roofed with bark, but later by shakes. In 
1859 he sold out and moved over into 
Lincoln. He served as a soldier in the 
last war, and died in Lincoln township in 
1877. His widow, now the wife of O. E. 
Thompson, still resides in that township. 

Adam Kramer came from Muscatine 
Co., Iowa, in 1855, and entered land on 
sections 7 and 8. He lived there three 



years and then moved to the northwest 
(juarter of section 6, and stil later to Clear 
Lake, where he died. His widow now 
lives in Worth county. 

John Morgan came, in 1855, from John- 
son Co., Iowa, and located on sections, 
where he lived two years and then moved 
to Texas. 

Heman M. Redington was a pioneer 
farmer of Cerro Gordo county, where he 
located in 1855 on section 8, Falls town- 
ship. Soon after he moved to section 7, 
where he died in 1865. He was born 
Nov. 25, 1796, in the State of New York, 
and was married in 1819 to Christian Au- 
renger, also a native of New York, born 
in 1799. In 1842 the family moved to 
Illinois, where Mr. Redington bought a 
farm in Boone county, where he resided 
until he moved to Iowa. Mrs. Redington 
yet survives and lives with her daughter 
at Rock Falls. Two sons, Martin and Wil- 
liam, are residents of the same village. 
The first was the pioneer blacksmith of 
the town. A daughter, Clarissa Reding- 
ton, was married in 1854 to James Wright 
and settled in Falls. He died in 1859 in 
Kansas. His widow was married in 1863 
to John D. Massy, the proprietor of the 
hotel at Rock Falls. 

In the spring of 1855 Charles Tenney, 
a native of Maine, and George Frederick, 
a German by birth, came from Kenosha 
Co., Wis. They came from McGregor on 
foot. Tenney selected the west half of 
the northeast quarter of section 8, and also 
bought the southeast quarter of that sec- 
tion. Frederick chose land in Rock Grove. 
Mr. Tenney walked to the land office at 
Des Moines to enter his land. From there 
he went to Grinnell, Iowa, where he was 



~:Fu 



blV 



Ja_ 



fk^ 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



811 



joined by Frederick and they returned to 
Wisconsin, and in July of the same year 
they started back to Iowa with ox teams. 
In company with thein were John Brown 
and Henry Senior, who settled in what is 
now Portland township. They were four 
weeks on their way Tenney btiilt a log 
cabin on his land which he covered with 
shakes and then laid a puncheon floor. 
He and his comrade Frederick wei'e both 
single men and kept bachelor hall to- 
gether ; but Frederick married the follow- 
ing fall and settled on section 5, where he 
now resides. Tenney married two years 
later. He now lives on section 6. 

Thomas Perrett, a native of England, 
came to Ame ica in 1854 and spent that 
winter in Dubuque and Delaware counties, 
this State, and the following spring (18.t5) 
came to Falls township and entered there 
three "eighties" on section 27, and bought 
eighty acres of timber land on section 16. 
The first season he worked for A. J. 
Glover, and that fall he was joined by his 
brother, J. C. Perrett, and his cousin, 
Joseph. They were all single men and 
they spent the winter in a log cabin on 
section 16. This house wiS called the 
"bachelors' retreat." In the spring, J. C. 
or Charles, as he is better known, and 
Joseph returned to the lakes, where they 
were employed as sailors ; but in t e fall 
of that year they returned to spend another 
winter in their cozy retreat. In 1857 
Thomas built a log cabin on his place, on 
section 27, and lived in it until 1871, 
when he built the stone house in which 
he now resides. In 1860 Joseph Perrett 
settled on section 27, on land his cousin 
had entered for him. He built a log cabin 
in which he lived until 1876, when lie 



built the farm house in which he now 
lives. 

Charles Johnson came in 1855 and set- 
tled on secton 17. He carried the mail 
from Charles City to Mason City for some 
years. At that time he was a single man, 
known as "old bach" Johnson. He af- 
terwards married and raised a family. He 
died in 1868. 

Charles Perrett never made a perma- 
nent settlement, though he is well known 
here from his frequent visits. He now 
lives in Chicago, where he is superintend- 
ent of the Menomonee barge line, and a 
member of the board of trade. 

Edwin Beckwith came in 1855 and set- 
tled on section 36, where he lived until 
1860, at which time he moved to Michi- 
gan. 

A. J. Glover came in 1855 and settled 
at Shell Rock Falls, where he bought a 
mill site of Elijah VViltfong and built a 
mill. He was an enterprising man and 
much liked by all. He remained but 
about four years, when he sold out and 
went to Michigan, where he still lives. 

Thomas Perrett, one of the settlers of 
1855, was born May. 27, 1827, in Somer- 
setshire, England. He received a good 
education and was reared to agricultural 
pursuits. In 1854 he came to America 
and proceeded direct from New York city 
to Iowa. He spent a short time at Du- 
buque, then went to Delaware county, 
where he aided in laying out the town of 
Manchester. In March, 1855, he came to 
Cerro Gordo county and entered land in 
township 87 north, range 19 west. The 
tract was located on section 27, and he 
also purchased land on sections 16 and 21. 
During the summer followini; he was in 



Al^ 



812 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



the employ of A. J. Glover, and aided in 
the construction of a sawmill. Hedr. w 
the first load of sawed lumber into Falls 
township from Charles City. In tlfe fall 
of 1855, he settled on his own land, and 
in 1859 was married to Mary J. Brown, of 
Ohio. He has brought his farm under a 
good degree of cultivation and erected 
thereon substantial .buildings, among 
which is noted the fine stone house in 
whicli he now resides. He owns 450 
acres of land and has filled responsible of- 
ficial positions in his town and county. 
Mr. and Mrs. Perrett are the parents of 
four children — Lizzie, Hattie, Laura and 
Thomas. 

Horace Gregory was a pioneer of (Jerro 
Gordo county, whither he came from 
Kane Co., 111. He was a New Yorker by 
birth, born in Delaware county Aug. 14, 
1805. He there reached his majority and 
married there March 22, 1829. His wife, 
nee Sally Varnald, became the mother of 
nine children, six of whom yet survive. 
Mr. Gregory lived in Delaware county a 
few years after his marriage, and then lo- 
cated in Steuben county. Ten years after 
he removed with his .family to Kane Co., 
III., where he became aland holder in Big 
Rock township. He labored early and 
late and met with the meritable success of 
thrift and industry, settled his family in a 
comfortable house and steadily advanced 
in prosperity until 1855, when he disposed 
of his landed interests and sought a new 
home in this State. With his household 
he made an overland trip, effecting trans- 
portation by the aid of three pairs of o.xen 
and a span of horses, and driving fifteen 
licad of cattle. The journey consumed 
about four weeks, and was by no means 



tedious and wearisome. They settled 
on section 12 of township 96 norlh, 
range 19 west. Their land was wholly 
unimproved, but its culture was an entirely 
different matter from former experience, 
and its progress to a better condition was 
rapid and encouraging under the efforts of 
experience and resolution. Mr. Gregory 
died March 8, 1873, in Rock Co., Minn, 
where he removed in 1869. His wife 
survives him and lives with her sons at 
Rock Falls. Thaddeus W. Gregory was 
born in Delaware Co., N. Y., May 6, 18.32, 
came to Iowa with his parents, and in 
1862 enlisted as a soldier in the civil war, 
but did not live to enter active service. 
He died a month after his enrollment, 
leaving a wife and three children now 
residents in Nemaha Co., Kan. Jasper 
C. is engaged in farming and trading in 
lumber in Washington territory. Elba S 
was a soldier in the 7th Iowa Volunteer 
Cavalry, and now lives in Washington 
territory. Horace A. enlisted in com- 
pany B, 7th Iowa Volunteer Infantry, 
and received a severe wound at the battle 
of Belmont which procured his discharge. 
On recovery he re-enlisted, and was in 
service until the end of the war. He now 
lives in Washington territory, and is 
clerk of the court of Snohomish county. 
Salathiel D. was a soldier in company A, 
21st Iowa Volunteer Infantry, served 
until the expiration of his term, and now 
resides at Rock Falls. Francis M. Grcj;- 
ory was born in Steuben Co., N. Y., Ajiril 
16, 18.39. At the age of twenty-one he 
went to Illinois, and Sept. 18, 1861, en 
listed in the 8th Illinois Cavalry, whicli 
was sent to Washington to join the army 
of the Potomac. He was under fire at 



-o(V 



A 



V 

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HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



813 



Manassas Junction, Yorktown, Williams- 
burg, Gettysburg, South Mountain and 
Antietam, besides participating in minor 
engagements. He was commissioned 
second lieutenant April 11, 1864, pro 
moted to first lieutenant Sept. 18, 1864, 
and raised to the rank of captain Dec. 15, 
1864. His regiment was discharged 'July 
21, 1865, and he went to Portland, Iowa. 
In 1868 became to Falls township where 
lie located, on section 28, buying wild land 
upon which he has made the usual im- 
]M-ovements and erected his present resi- 
dence. He was married Feb. 1 1, 1866, to 
Maggie J. Smith. Mr. and Mrs. Gregory 
have had three children — Marion, Myrtie 
and Mary. Marion was born Feb. 17, 
1867, and died Oct. 15, 1872. Mr. Greg- 
ory has one other surviving brother, 
George B., who is a cooper by trade and 
resides at St. Cloud, Minn. 

George Frederick, a pioneer farmer, set- 
tled in Falls township in July, 1855. He 
entered land in Rock Grove in the spring 
of that year, after which he returned to 
Wisconsin, coming back as stated. He 
was unmarried, and, in company with a 
Mr. Tenney, he operated his own domestic 
affairs until fall, when he changed his 
condition to the married state. His wife 
was Arvilla Campbell, and theirs was the 
first marriage in the township. In the 
autumn of 1855 Mr. Frederick purchased 
laud on section 5, of which he took pos- 
session the following spring, occupying a 
log house until 1870, when he built the 
frame house his family now occupy. He 
owns 172 acres of well wooded and 
watered land. Their are eight children 
belougiiig lo the household — Amzie, Elln, 
Leslie, Mary, George, Charlie, Belle and. 



Orlin. Mr. Fredei'ick was born in Ger- 
many, June 25, 1825, where he was trained 
to agricultural pursuits, and educated in 
the pTib'ic schools. He came to America 
in 1850, landed at New York, and pro- 
ceeded to Tarry town. He was employed 
two months on a farm, and then went to 
Kenosha Co., Wis., where he followed 
farming for a livelihood until 1 855, when he 
became a citizen of Iowa. 

William Sherick, a native of Pennsyl- 
vania, came here from Illinois, in 1856, and 
settled on section 36, where he remained 
until 1872, at which time he removed to 
Oregon, where he now lives. 

William Wilson, a native of South Car- 
olina, came from Illinois in the fall of 
1859 and settled on section 36, where he 
died two years later. He was buried at 
Spring Grove, Floyd county. His widow 
now lives with her daughter at Wadena, 
Minn. 

Among the number coming in between 

1857 and 1860 were Jacob Frederick, John 
Claus, Joseph Perrett, B. A. Brown and 
George A. Morse. • 

Jacob Frederick was born in Germany, 
Aug. 17, 1836. He was a farmer's son 
and attended school until he was sixteen 
years old, when, fixing upon the trade of 
a wagon maker as a vocation, he appren- 
ticed himself and worked at the business 
until 1857 in his native land. In that year 
he came to America, landed at New York 
and spent nearly a year there, working a 
part of the time at carriage painting. In 

1858 he came to Iowa and settled in Cerro 
Gordo county. He opened a wagon shop 
at Plymouth where he transacted his busi- 
ness two years, when the shop with its 
contents was burned, entailing a loss of 



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^1 



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814 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



He then turned his attention to 
farming, entered land and engaged in 
stock raising. In. 1866 he purchased a 
farm lying on sections 7 and 8 and built a 
house. He is still engaged in raising stock 
and exhibits some fine blooded specimens. 
He was married in 1868 to Adele Alden, a 
New York lady by birth, by whom he has 
four children — Lewis E., Ida M., Carl V. 
and Ada Belle. 

John Glaus, an early settler in Falls 
township, is a native of Germany, where 
his birth occurred June 27, 1820. He was 
trained in his native country to agricultu- 
ral pursuits and educated at the public 
school. In 1850 he sailed for America 
and after a prosperous voyage landed at 
Castle Garden, N. Y. He entered at once 
as an apprentice with a baker in New 
York city, where he remained five years 
and then returned to Germany on a visit. 
He spent a year among the friends and 
scenes of his childhood, coming back to 
Long Island, where he resumed his former 
business. He came to Iowa in 1858 to se- 
cure a home. He invested his savings in 
land on sections 7 and 8 in Falls township, 
residing at Plymouth until 1862, when he 
became the owner by purchase of wild 
land on section 4, and there took up his 
residence. He has improved the land and 
and erected substantial and suitable build- 
ings. July 4, 1858, he was married to 
Cynthia, daughter of Robert and Amanda 
(Baker) Campbell. They have eight chil- 
dren — Frank, Lettie, Jonn, Ernest, Annie, 
Alice, Willie and Clara. 

Joseph Perrett, an early settler in Falls 
township, was born in Somersetshire, Eng- 
land, Feb. 2.= , 1884, where he labored on 
a farm until the age of sixteen, when he 



entered upon his career as a sailor. Dur- 
ing the four years that followed he sailed 
around the world and visited some of its 
principal ports. In 1854 he set out for 
America, landed at New York, from there 
went to Buffalo, where he engaged for 
the season as sailor on the lakes. In the 
autumn of the same year he came to Iowa, 
passed the winter in Dubuque and Dela- 
ware counties, and assisted in laying out 
the town of Manchester. The following 
spring he responded to his longing for a 
sailor's life, and passed the season on the 
lakes, returning to Iowa in the fall. In 
company with his cousins, T. and J. C. 
Perrett, he spent the winter in Falls 
township, and entered a tract of land. He 
was married in Illinois, April 4, 1858, to 
Sarah H. Brown. In 1859 they came to 
Falls township, and became inmates of 
the household of Thomas Perrett, where 
they remained one and a half years. 
Meanwhile Mr. Perrett built a log house, 
14x20 feet, on his land on section 27. With 
the exception of three years, when he was 
engaged as captain of a schooner on the 
line from Chicago to Buffalo, and which 
finished his career as a sailor, this has 
been the home of his family. In 1876 
he erected his present residence. Mr. 
Perrett has met with a fair degree of 
prosperity, being now the owner of .317 
acres of land under advanced improve- 
ment. Two children — Jennie and Mary, 
are members of tie household. 

B. A. Brown, merchant and postmaster 
at Rock Falls, was born at Hampden, 
Geauga Co., Ohio, June 27, 1845. When 
he was an infant of six months, his par- 
ents emigrated to Wisconsin and located 
at East Troy, Walworth county. They 



"fKl 



J, 



'1 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



815 



again ohangod Ihcir rcsidciK^c, when lie 
was eight years of ago, to fjakt' Co., Ill , 
wiiero they romainod uiilil IHOO. In that 
yoar they Hettlod at Rock Kails, Iowa. In 
IHiiO Mr. Brown fixed upon the calling of 
st-ono mason and plasterer as a vocation, 
u'iii<'h he |(iirsne<l r<iiirteen years. In IHHd 
he tiii'iied his attention to niereandle 
operations, in which he is still (engaged. 
In \HH2 he connected the Rock Kal's 
creamery with his othei' Idisiness. IIcmvms 
m.irried Dee. H, I H7l), to Mary A. Sniilli. 
I''r<nn this marriage arc two childr<'n 
Richard and Maggie E. Itrown. 

George O. Morse is a native of the Em- 
pire Stat,e. He was horn in I'itlstown, 
Rensselaer county, Nov. 24, 182((. He was 
a I'armiM-'s son and trained to the [jursnit 
of his I'atlun', receiving also a lair educa- 
tion. At t,l;e age of seventeen he entci-cd 
upon his contest with the world, engaging 
lirst with a farmer at $r>.M) per month. 
lie came west in 1 85.') foi' the purpose of 
ostahlishiiig himself in lifi^, and enterc^d 
land in Cerro Gordo county, townshij) 07 
north, and 19 weet, on sections ao and 27. 
Ho stayctd a nigiit with Elijah Wiltfong, 
and after securing the entry of his land, 
went to Illinois, rented lan<l, honglit 
a eonsiderahhi (lock of sliee)>, and pur- 
sued farming there until IHtiO, when 
he (\anic hack to Iowa and settled on his 
laiiil. lie huilt a log house, in which he 
lived two yi^ars, when he bought a fai'm of 
Elijah Wiltfong, on s(^ction '21, to which 
he transferred his n^sidencn-. In 1H(;5 he 
liuilt anotluu' log house on the place, 
which he occupied until 1871, when he 
i'I'('<U(mI I hi' f r';inic house whiiOi is his pres- 
ent aliode. He is one ol the most ex- 
tensive land-liolders in the township, hav- 



ing 800 acres. Mr. M(U'se was married in 
1858 to Eli/.a A. Williams, a native of 
Saratoga Co., N. Y. The record of the 
chihlren of Mrs. and Mrs. Morse is as fol 
lows— Ella, horn April 0, 1850, died Oct. 
12, 1880; Emma E., horn Aug. 5, 1857, 
died in April, 1882. The othor children 
are George E., Hurl- .and < )scai-. The 
parents are memhers of the M. E. (!hureh. 
I''raiu'.is .loseph liangs(^liadl is a Hohe- 
inian liy hirth. He at.lcndiMl school in the 
celelirated city of Kuttenherg until thir- 
teen ye.ars old, wlien he entered upon a 
(bourse of instruction as a dyer, which call 
ing he pursued until 1852. He l.ahoicd 
a« a farmer six y(^ars, and in IH58 \v.({, his 
native country for America. His liisl- loca- 
tion was in Mahoning Co., Ohio, where he 
worked in a laniu'ry three yeais, and then 
wont back to the land of his hirth, where 
h(^ owned property. Ih^ spent neiiily a 
yoar tln^re, and on selling his farm (^ame 
back to the United Stat(^s. Irj I8(i;! he 
l)ought land in Cerro Gordo county, this 
State, oTi seetions4and 5. II(^ lived Ivvidve 
years in the log hoiiS(^ he liiiilt, and then 
constructed the stoni! residence in whi<h 
h(! now Vwi'M. \U' was m.uried in IHdii 
to Miss l<"it/,l, also a nat/ivi^ of l!ohei|iia. 
They have two children — Erancis and Syl- 
via. Mr. Eangsehadl was born in I8;)0. 

During lH(i5 the following locate<l in 
the township : Tinman Hill, Conrad (iihl 
tier, Vahuitine CJIaiis and Willi.am C. 
Graves. 

Triiin.aii S. Hill was horn Oct. I, IHio, 
in Hooiie Co., 111., where lu^ passed the 
early years of his life in the pursuits com 
moll lo the sous of f.ariners' and as a 
stud(!nt. In I H(15 he came to Cerro (Jordo 
county and was employcHl two months as 



* U> 



[ 



7:i 



^t 



816 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



assistant in a blacksmith's shop. He then 
came to Plymouth and worked as a car- 
penter. In 1870 he opened a wagon shop 
in the new town of Plymouth, the first 
business of the kind established there. In 
IS'O he formed a partnership with T. A. 
Barnes, which relation still exists. The 
firm connected cabinet work with wagon 
making, which they still pursue, and also 
operate as carpenters and builders. Mr. 
Hill was married June 16, 1868, to Ann 
A. Redington, a popular teacher in the 
public schools of the county. Mr. and 
Mrs. Hill rejoice in the possession of two 
promising sons — James M. and Truman H. 
Conrad Gildner is a native of Germany, 
born Feb. 27, 1842. When he was four 
years old his parents bade good bye to 
the Fatherland, and emigrated to America, 
settling in Canada, where the son was 
brought up to agricultural pursuits. In 
ise.") he came to the States and selected 
Iowa as his destined home. He came 
to Falls township, and bought wild land 
on section 25, breaking some of it to the 
plow the same year. The second year he 
harvested the first crop, and built a log 
house. He rented land on section 35, on 
which he lived until 1869, when betook 
possession of his own property, inhabit- 
ing the log house mentioned until 1872,. 
in which year he built a frame house to 
which he made a large addition in 1882. 
Ilis place is now in first class condition, 
being finely improved and set with forest 
and fruit trees in convenient and appro- 
priate places. Mr. Gildner was married 
in 1861 to Julia Schnarr, who died March 
11, 1870, leaving three children — Henry, 
Annie and Nettie. His second marriage 
took place in the fall of 1870. His wife, 



Mary Schnarr, is sister to the lady he first 
married. From the last union there have 
been five children born, four of whom are 
now living — John N., Lydia, Albert and 
Eda. Maggie died when four years old. 
Mr. Gildner is a member of the German 
Baptist Church. 

Valentine Claus was born at Rhein- 
hessen, Germany, July 20, 1845, where he 
went to school until fifteen years old. He 
came to America in 1865, remaining with 
friends in New York about si-K weeks, 
when he made his way to his brother's in 
Falls township. He was an inmate of his 
family until 1871, when he built a house 
and moved on a tract of eighty acres of 
land he had previously bought on section 
18. Two years after he bought eighty 
acres on another section, whither he re- 
moved. He has made fine improvements 
on his farm and it is well stocked with 
every modern convenience for the prose- 
cution of successful farming. Mr. Claus 
is a member of the German M. E. Church. 
He was married in 1872 to Katie Gildner, 
and is made happy by the possession of 
the following named children — Maggie, 
Mary, Clara and Wesley. 

William C. Graves, second son of Dr. 
Charles and Sarah ( Cleveland ) Graves, 
was born in Oneida Co., N. Y., Jan. 1, 
1841, where he passed his youth in school 
and on a farm. He enlisted as a soldier 
in the civil war, Aug. 28, 1862, serving in 
company J,81st New York Volunteer Infan- 
try, and received honorable discharge Nov. 
17,1864. He took part in a number of 
engagements and was dangerously wound- 
ed June 3, 1864, at the battle of Cold 
Harbor. He was shot in the right 
shoulder and was taken to the hospital at 



^- 



iu 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



817 



Washington, where he remained until 
October, when he obtained a furlough of 
thirty days and went home. On liis return 
to Washington he was discharged. In 
1864 he came to Iowa with his parents 
and remained with them until 1870, in 
which year he was married to Elizabeth 
Holden, of Wisconsin. In 1873 Mr. 
Graves located on the farm on section 5, 
where he now lives. He has filled several 
offices of trust in his township and is a 
member of the present board of trustees. 
Mr. and Mrs. Graves have children as fol- 
lows — Asa, Cassius, George, Edwin and 
Carrie. 

Charles Farington, one of the settlers 
of 1866, is a son of the Empire State, born 
at Poughkeepsie, Duchess county, Aug. 
21, 1817. There he was educated and 
reared to the occupation of a farmer. At 
the age of twenty-two he went to Chen- 
ango county and bought a farm in the 
town of Greene, where he remained until 
1856, when he disposed of his property 
and went to Sauk Co., Wis. In 1866 he 
made another change to Cerro Gordo Co., 
Iowa, where he purchased land on sec- 
tions 26 and 35. He built his house on 
the latter in a natural grove near the Shell 
Rock river, the site of his present resi- 
dence. He was married in September, 
1835, to Ellen Hoffman, of Ducliess Co., 
N. Y. Mr. and Mrs. Farington rejoice in 
the possession of six promising children — 
Elmira, Melissa, Charles W., Catharine 
M., Theodore and Commodore. The two 
last named are twins. 

Henry dildner, senior, is a native of 
Germany, and was married there to Anna 
Moke. In 1846 they emigrated to America 
and settled in Canada, where they resided 



until 1866. In that year they eame to 
Cerro Gordo Co., Iowa, and located in 
Falls township, where Mr. Gildner pur- 
chased a farm on section 14, Falls town- 
ship, which is still their home. They 
have five children — Conrad, Catharine, 
Henry, Elizabeth and Warner. Mr. and 
Mrs. Gildner belong to the German Bap- 
tist Church. Henry Gildner, second son 
of Mr. Gildner, was born in the county of 
Perth, Canada, Nov. 11, 1853, where he 
resided with his parents, accompanying 
them to Iowa in 1866. Feb. 19, 1876, he 
was married to Mary Ann Brunner, also a 
iiatiVL- of Perth Co., Canada. He had 
previously, in 1873, purchased a farm on 
section 13, and on his marriage be settled 
upon it. He did the first breaking in 1874 
and raised his first crop the following 
year. He has made the usual improve- 
ments, set out numerous forest and fruit 
trees and built his residence. He has a 
farm of 160 acres, one half of which is 
situated in Mitchell county. The children 
of Mr. and Mrs. Gildner are — William E., 
John H. and Edward E. Mr. and Mrs. 
Gildner are members of the German 
Baptist Church. 

.lames McAdam, a farmer, settled in 
Falls township in 1867, when he at once 
became a land-liolder on section 27, where 
lie improved his farm according to the 
best known methods, and built the house 
in which he now lives. He was married 
in 1853 to Maria Fox. She was born in 
Beaver Kill, Sullivan Co., N. Y. They have 
six children — Elizabeth, William, George, 
Vettie, Rozana and Albert. Mr. McAdam 
was borti Oct. 18, lc31, in Delaware Co., 
N. Y. At the age of fourteen he began 
to work as carpenter with his father, who 



-«"«•- 



Jl 



'^ 



S18 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



was a master builder and millwright. 
When twenty-three years of age, he went 
to Ogle Co., 111., and settled in the new 
town of Polo, where he pursued his trade 
until 1867, the date of his removal to 
Iowa. 

George Helm came to the township in 
1868. He is a native of LaFayette Co., 
Wis. He was born Nov. 25, 1843, and 
passed the years of his early life altern- 
ately on the farm and at school. He re- 
mained at home until 1868, when he went 
to Illinois and spent the summer of that 
year, returning to his native State the en- 
suing fall, and after a brief visit, pro- 
ceeded to Iowa where he bought wild 
land on section 3, of Falls township. He 
put up buildings as he improved his farm, 
and had a good frame house and barn 
which were destroyed by a heavy gale of 
wind in June, 1882. He rebuilt his house 
from the ruins, made an addition and 
again occupied it. Mr. Helm has his land 
under good cultivation, has set out fruit 
and shade trees and has an attractive 
home. In March, 1867, he became the 
husband of Lucretia Lewis, of Coles Co., 
111. Mr. and Mrs. Helm have a son and a 
daughter — Lewis C. and Lilian E. llelm. 

Conrad Krug settled in the township in 
186.5. He was born in Germany, June 18, 
1833. He was raised to agricultural labor, 
attending school until he was fourteen 
years old. In 1856 he left hi.s native land 
for America, drst settling in Canada, 
where he spent his time in farming and 
chopping wood. In 1865 he came to Iowa, 
and in 1866 located on section 36, in Falls 
township. He built a house and stable in 
the fall of that year, and his stable, with a 
pair of horses, togetlier with his farming 



tools were destroyed by fire. He then 
sold the land and went to Portland town- 
sliip where he rented land. In 1868 he 
bought forty acres of land, which, three 
years later, he sold and purchased 160 on 
sections 14 and 15 of Falls township. In 
1883 he had 180 acres of land under good 
state of cnltivation. Mr. Krug was mar- 
ried in 1855. They have five children — 
Henry, Peter, William, Mary E. and Katie. 
He is a member of the German Methodist 
Church. Mr. Krug takes much interest in 
educational matters and has held several 
township offices. 

Christian L. Berlin was born in Ger- 
many, March 13, 1837. At the age of 
fourteen years, he left school to learn the 
cooper's trade, serving an apprenticeship 
of three years, after which he worked as 
a journeyman eighteen months where he 
learned the details of his chosen calling. 
He traveled in Denmark, Norway and 
Sweden, working at his trade at intervals 
during six years, when he made his way 
back to Germany. In 1863 he came to 
the United States. He landed at New 
York and spent a year there and in Hobo- 
ken, when lie went to Cattaraugus county 
and engaged in farming four years. In 
1868 he settled at Rock Falls, Iowa, where 
he found employment at his trade. In 
1872 he bought a tract of land on section 
23, of which, however, he did not enter 
into possession until three years later. 
He made extensive improvements and 
constructed substantial buildings. He has 
now 295 acres of land. Mr. Berlin was 
married in 1863 to Sophia Steinhagen. 
Their living children are — Lottie, Ru- 
dolph, Lizzie, Augusta, Charlie and Sophia. 



sjv 



« ik^ 



Al. 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



819 



'^<r 



Reuben Kinney was born on the sea 
shore in New Jersey. His parents were 
from Scotland, of which country they were 
natives. They settl>;d in New Jersey, 
where Mr. Kinney, of this sketch, grew to 
manhood. He obtained a fair education 
at the common schools, sujiplemented by 
two terms at the liigh school. At nine- 
teen he decided to become a mechanicaiid 
learned the trade of carjjenter and joiner, 
wliich he followed in and around Newark, 
N. J., until 1869, when he came to Iowa. 
'J"he first six months after his arrival he 
lived in the south part of Worth county, 
when he proceeded to Cerro Gordo County 
and bought a village lot at Rock Falls. 
He built a fine frame house, laid out liis 
place to the best possible advantage and 
set out fruit trees and shrubbery. His 
liome is attractive and valuable. Since 
his location here, he has woiked at his 
trade. In \S'i\ he purchased a tract of 
land on section 20, which is tenanted. He 
was married in 18.56 to Julia Spangen- 
burg, born in the Slate of Maine. Mrs. 
Kinney became the mother of twelve chil- 
dren, ten of whom are yet living — Sarah 
A., Margaret, William H., Amanda, Ro- 
sella, John, Rachel, Emma, Charles F. and 
May. The mother died in 1880, and Mr. 
Kinney married, in September of that year, 
Elizabeth Lee. By this Union there is 
one child — Serena. 

Simon Calvert was born in Yorkshire, 
England, Oct. 27, 1836. When he was 
three years old, his parents emigrated to 
America and took up their residence in 
La Fayette Co., Wis. He became a miner 
when only fourteen years old, which 
pursuit he followed until 1859 in Wiscon- 
sin, and in that year he went to Pike's 



Peak, where he operated in the mines 
about one year, going thence to Mexico. 
He passed a few months there in the sil- 
ver mines, and proceeded to California, 
remaining there until 1862, when he went 
to Nevada and engaged in mining eigh- 
teen months near Virginia City. He pro- 
ceeded to Oregon and Vancouver's Island, 
going thence up the Frazier river where 
he passed a summer, returning to New 
York via Panama. His next remove ter- 
minated at Mineral Point, Wis., where he 
settled on a farm he had previously pur- 
chased. Mr. Calvert was married March 
29, 1 864, to Martha A. Vickerman, of York- 
shire, England. In 1866 the family moved 
to Avoca, Iowa county, where they kept a 
hotel one and a half years. Mr. Calvert 
sold his property and entered mercantile 
business in Grant county, where he con- 
tinued to operate until 1869. July 4, of 
that year, became to Mason City, Cerro 
Gordo county, and soon after purchased a 
farm on sections 23 and 26, in Falls town- 
ship, where he now resides and is engaged 
in stock raising. He owns 370 acres of 
land. In the Calvert household are four 
children— Clydie C, Wilbur B., OsmerT. 
and Charles L. 

Henry Calvert, a trustee of Falls town- 
ship, was born May 26, 1841, in Iowa Co., 
Wis. He was a farmer's son, and in the 
early years of his life, his time was passed 
similarly to other boys. He obtained a lib- 
eral education at the district schools. He 
resided with his parents until 1861, when 
he went to Nevada He mined for gold 
two years in Nevada, and then went to 
California, where he was for a time inter- 
ested in mining, and then engaged as 
superintendent of a stock farm. In 1869 



r 



^^ 



^ $ 



\i\ 



820 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



he retraced his steps to .Wisconsin, mak- 
ing a brief stay and then came to Iowa. 
He located in Fails township, where he 
bonght wil /, unimproved land on section 
24. In 1871 he erected a fine frame bnild- 
ing, wliich was destroyed by fire only a few 
months after its completion, and again in 
1878 he had his entire crops of grain, his 
stables, threshing machine, horses and 
other stock burned up. These circum- 
stances, which would have discouraged 
most men, only excited him to more stren- 
uous exertions, which have surmounted 
all difficulties, and placed him as one of 
the solid men of the county, and won for 
him the respect and confidence of all his 
neighbors. He was married in September, 
1871, to Mary A. Short, who was born in 
Philadelphia, but reared and educated in 
Ann Arbor, Mich., and was at that time a 
most successful and popular school teacher. 
Mr. and Mrs. Calvert have had four chil- 
dren, and but two of these are still living. 
Mr. Calvert has his farm under admirable 
cultivation, aud is well supplied with shade 
aud fruit trees, and it is probable that his 
assoi-tment of fruit is as large and as fine 
as any in the county, including apples, 
cherries and plums, and a great variety of 
small fruit. 

George Daney, a sett er of I860, was 
born near the celebrated Honorlaw Heath, 
Middelrie county, England, Dec. 1, 1831. 
When three years of age his father re- 
moved with his family to no less noted 
town than that of Richmond, Surry county. 
When he was ten years of age his father 
died, and two years later his mother died, 
and he was then left on his own responsi- 
bilities for a livelihood. At the age of 
thirteen he went to London, and served 



three years as waiter boy in a hotel, when 
he returned to Richmond and was engaged 
by Col. Sir John Burgoyne, of the Queen's 
Guards, and served with him a short time, 
and receiving from him papers of influ- 
ence, he endeavored to enlist in the fa- 
mous Light Brigade, which was soon after 
cut to pieces in Balaklava, but being one- 
fourth of an inch too short, he was re- 
jected. After two attempts to enlist he 
sailed from Liverpool in the year 1848 for 
the States, landing at New York. He 
went to Montreal and acted as bar tender 
for his uncle a brief period, when he re- 
turned to New York and engaged in vari- 
ous capacities. His first fixed employ- 
ment was with a baker with whom he 
contracted to learn the trade. March 28, 
1852, he set out for Panama, where he 
joined the construction force on the rail- 
road across the Isthmus. He remained 
six months, and, becoming ill, he went 
back to New York. His broken health 
precluded his laboring for nearly a year. 
On recovery he found a situation at New- 
ark, N. J., to work at his trade. He came 
west to Leavenworth, Kan., in 1855, and 
soon after engaged with an Indian trader 
at Sioux City, with whom he remained 
two ye&rs, trading with the Indians on the 
plains. His next move was to Omahii, 
where he spent a season as woodsman, and 
afterwards served as hand in a saw mill 
near Council Bluffs. A year later he 
rented a farm on the Missouri bottoms and 
left it to operate a bakery at New Carlisle, 
Ind. At the expiration of a year he went 
to Buchanan, Mich., where be worked at 
his trade. He then contracted to clear a 
lot of timbered land and next rented land 
and engaged at farming. His crops failed 






r 



^ ^ — - 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



821 



through dry weather and frost and he went 
to Wisconsin, where he found employ- 
ment in a saw mill on the Yellow river. 

. In al)out a year he built a boat and set out 
with his family for Illinois, intending to 
make the route by water. At Belle- 
viie, Iowa, he sold his boat and took ))as- 
sage on asteamboat for Rock Island. Here 
he worked a year at his trade when he 
came to Plymouth. Mr. Daney is a gen- 

• ius, adapting himself to all sorts of labor 
and ready to grapple with any demand 
that presents itself. He was married Nov. 
■3, 1859, to Mary E. Slater, of Michigan. 
They have had eight children — Sarah E., 
William,Hattie, Jennie, Florence, Blanche, 
Pearl (died in infancy) and Ernest. 
Mr. Daney has been identified with re- 
ligious work in Plymouth since his settle- 
ment there. Ha has been deacon of the 
Congregational Society for ten years and 
now belongs to the M. E. Church. He has 
been superintendent of the Union Sunday 
school eight years. 

Joseph Cotey, general merchant, was 
bora in St. James Parish, province of 
Quebec, Canada, Nov. 4, 1831. (The 
name was originally Cote, pronounced as 
now spelled). His parents moved to 
Montreal when he was ten years old, 
when he was sent to the friars' school for 
four years. At the age of fifteen he was 
bound out as a clerk in a dry goods store 
i I is principal failed a year after,and he then 
appientieed himself to a shoemaker. In 
1847 he moved to Rochester, N. Y., where 
he finished learning his trade in 1851. 
He went to Dundee and there at twenty 
years old commenced going to public 
schools. The lolluwing year he attended 
the academy, paying his tuition by teach- 



ing French. In 1855 he wentto Columbus, 
Wis., and opened a shoe sliop in company 
with Samuel Elliott, brother of John A. 
Elliott. He was married in Otsego, Wis., 
to Hannah M. Tompkins, of Dundee, Yates 
Co , N. Y. He prosecuted his business in 
Columbus eleven years, adding general 
merchandise during the last six months. 
He then removed to Mitchell Co., Iowa, in 
1866, and opened a general store at West 
Mitchell. In ISYO he established the first 
store in the new town of Plymouth, occu- 
pying a building now used as a hotel, and 
known as the Plymouth House. The next 
year he pnt up a building, 20x64 feet, which 
he afterward extended to 48x80 feet. This 
was destroyed by fire in 1881 when he 
moved to his present quarters on the south 
side of main street. His stock is large 
and varied, including staple and fancy dry 
goods, boots, shoes, hardware, clothing, 
groceries, drugs, school books, stationery 
and trunks, valises and yankee notions. 
He also has a tin shop connected with his 
establishment. Mr. Cotey has built sev- 
eral structures in the town and devoted 
his energies largely to its advancement 
His oldest son, Clinton D., is engaged in 
the store; his second son, Charles J., is a 
student at Ames' college. His only daugh- 
ter, Emelie Adelle, died in 1871, aged 
eight years. 

John Gootlieb, blacksmith, was born in 
Germany, Aug. 19, 1846. At the age of 
fourteen, he left school to learn his trade. 
After his apprenticeship he worked as 
journeyman until 1865 when he came to 
America. He landed at New York and 
went at once to Maysville, Wis., where he 
remained but a short time, going thence 
to Oshkosh, where he worked at his trade 



Sfv* 






822 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



Al 



for one man three and a half years except- 
ing four months. In 1868 he opened a shop 
on his own account. Two years later he 
sold his business and removed to Iowa. 
After a brief stay in Calmar he went to 
Mason City, where he worked eleven 
months for Samuel Waukel. He then 
came to Plymouth and opened the shop 
where he still prosecutes his business. 
He was married Nov. 13, 1869, to Clara 
Iring, a native of Madison, Wis. Six 
children have been born to them — John- 
nie, Frank, Katie, Delia A., Mary, and 
Bertress D. In 1872 Mr. Gootlieb builtthe 
house in which he now resides. 

George Ward, railroad contractor, is a 
native of Kent Co., England. While yet 
a boy he became interested in railroading, 
and at fourteen years of age was em- 
ployed on one of the railroads of his own 
country. He was married in 1859 to 
Mary Chambers, of Kent county, and the 
same year proceeded to the United States. 
He went from New York to Port Jervis, 
Orange county, and labored as a woods- 
man for a short period, and again engaged 
ill his former capacity. He went to New 
Jersey in 1861 and operated a toll gate on 
the Colesville and Deckertown turnpike. 
He then bought teams and gave his atten- 
tion to teaming one year. In 1805 he 
came to Waterloo, Iowa, and acted as 
superintendent for Elwell, Couch, Glass 
& Co., in excavating for the foundations 
of their great mill. On the completion 
of this he took a contract from the Bur 
lington Railroad Company, whose line 
was in process of building between Cedar 
Rapids and Waterloo. Following this he 
engaged to construct a portion of the road 
between Charles City and Calmar. and 



afterward between Mason City and Al- 
gona. Irt 1870 he took a contract to build 
a part of the road between Mason City 
and Lyle. On the laying out of the town 
of Plymouth, he bought lots and erected 
the first building. In 1874 he purchased 
the interest of the railroad company in 
the town plat, and has erected several 
buildings. In 1881 he built his present 
residence. Mr. Ward was born July 16, 
18.31. 

Patrick Flood is an adopted son of 
America, and is a fine sample of what a 
man may become and accomplish under 
the benefits of republican institutions. 
He was born in county Kildare, Ireland, 
in 1818, and there reared on a farm. He 
was a young man when he first set foot on 
American soil, in New York. His first 
employment was at gardening, in Orange 
Co., N. Y., and his first earnings were 
sent to his native land for the emigration 
of a brother. He stayed a short time in 
Orange county, and went to Albany, and 
from there to Yates county. Soon after 
he sent money home for the purpose of 
bringing out two sisters and another 
brother. He labored as a farmer in Yates 
county about fifteen years, then locating 
in Ogle Co., 111., where he purchased 
property in Polo. He worked as a mason's 
assistant a short time, bought a team, 
rented land and employed himself 
in farming. In 1868 he exchanged 
his property in Polo for land on section 
10, in Falls township, Cerro Gordo Co., 
Iowa, and in 1870 moved here with his 
family. He drew lumber from Nora 
Springs to build his house, and applied 
his energies to improving his farm. In 
February, 1883, he rented his place and 





/A%^^^>7^-^0 . 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



825 



and moved to Plymouth, where he owns 
the finest residence in the village. His 
family consists of his wife, (formerly Katie 
Nolan, of Carlow Co., Ireland), and three 
children — Harriet E., Katie A. and Lulie 
J. Helen M., the oldestchild, died when 
twenty-three months old. Mary A., Ellen, 
Thomas M. and Annie died in infancy. 

Nelson L. Page, grain buyer, was born 
Feb. 12, 1849, in Windsor Co., Vt. While 
he was yet in childhood, his parents went 
to Wiscousiu and located in Dane county, 
where he spent his youth in school and 
assisting on the farm. On attaining his 
majority he came to Mona, Iowa, and ope- 
rated in wheat about six months. He 
then came to Plymouth, and, conjointly, 
with his brother, L A. Page, continued to 
buy wheat. In 1876 he rented Ehlei-'s 
flour mill, which he managed six year.s, 
after which time he resumed his previous 
vocation, and still retains it, being the 
sole operator in grain at Plymouth. May 
12, 1880, he wns united in marriage to 
Nellie Brimson, of Norwalk, Ohio. Mary 
is the name of their only child. 

R M. Todd, mill owner at Rock, Falls 
is a native of "Auld Scotia," and was 
born at Perthshire, July 18, 1836. "He 
was sent to the school in his parish until 
he had acquired a good degree of educa- 
tion, and in 1 852 came to America. Two 
years later he went to California, where 
he engaged in mining. In 1858, in com- 
pany with several others, he made the first 
exploration up the Frazer river in the 
Golden State. In 1863 he left California, 
returned east and settled at Milwaukee, 
interesting himself in commission busi- 
ness. He was married in 1865 to Salene 
Elmore, and three years later went to 



Minnesota, where he bought a farm in 
Freeborn county, near Glenville. In 1871 
he came to Rock Falls and purchased an 
interest in the flouring mill, of which he 
is now sole owner. His fine residence is 
situated on the south bank of Shell Rock 
river. Mr. Todd has a family of three 
children — Charlotte, Helen and Blanche. 
L. Cole, station agent, was born in 
Athens, Somerset Co., Maine, March 1, 
1847. He worked on the farm summers 
and attended school winters until seven- 
teen years of age, when he went to Massa- 
chusetts, and located at Neponset village, 
where he was employed to drive a milk 
wagon to Boston. In the fall he returned 
home, and went to school that winter; 
and the next summer worked at farming. 
In the fall he went to the Penobscot 
river, where he was employed in a mill 
to saw shingles. He worked there one 
year, then started west. He stopped a 
short time at Oshkosh, then went up the 
Little Wolf river, and worked in a shingle 
mill until fall, when he returned home 
and attended school that winter. In the 
spring of 1868 he returned to Oshkosh, 
Wis., where he entered the commercial 
college. He graduated in the fall, and 
engaged with Fletcher & Everett to keep 
books. He was with them until March, 
then engaged as clerk on a steamboat 
running on the Fox river. He then made 
the acquaintance of L. R. Root, superin- 
tendent of the Chicago, Milwaukee & 
St. Paul Railroad, who gave him em- 
ployment in the depot at Berlin. He 
was employed in several places in this 
State until December, 1871, when he 
was appointed station agent at Plymouth, 
a position which he still retains. He 



-^{^—r- 



74 



t 



A 



826 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



was married the '24th of April, 1872, to 
Clara Stevena. They have been blessed 
with five children — Bertie, Levi, Eben, 
Claudie and Clifton D. 

Patrick O'Neil is a native of Ireland. 
He was born in 1822, and reared on a 
farm in that country, making his home 
there till 1841, when he came to America. 
He landed in New York and went to 
Monroe county, where his brother was 
living. He was there employed in farming 
until 1844, when he started west, going 
directly to Milwaukee, which was then 
but a village. He worked at mason work 
there a while, but soon purchased tim- 
ber land on that section, built a cabin 
home and improved some of the land. 
After a short stay there he sold out and 
moved to Washington county, where he 
was among the first settlers. He pur- 
chased 120 acres of timber land of the 
government, built a hewed log house, a 
good-sized barn, and cleared 100 acres of 
his land. He remained there until 18'7]> 
when he sold and moved to Iowa, loca- 
ting in Cerro Gordo county. Here he 
bought wild land on section 30, Falls 
township, erected a frame house, in which 
he was living in 1883. He was married 
in 1844 to Mary Hickey, by which union 
there were nine children — Mark, Catha- 
rine, Mary, Maggie, Patrick, Bridget, 
James, John and Henry. 

Patrick O'Connell was one of the set- 
tlers of 1871. He was born in Ireland, at 
the city of Dublin, in 1821. There he 
received a liberal education in the schools 
of his native city. At the age of eighteen 
he left his native land for America, land- 
ing at New York city, where he found 
employment with a plumber for six months. 



when he engaged in the North River foun- 
dry. Four years later he went to Penn- 
sylvania and settled in Washington county 
and engaged in farming for ten years. In 
1851 he removed to Wisconsin and located 
in Washington county. He bought tim- 
ber land of the Government and erected 
him a log house, cleared his farm up from 
a dense forest and lived there until 1871, 
when he sold out and came to Cerro Gordo 
Co., Iowa, settling on section 30, of Falls 
township. He was married in 1842 to 
Bridget Bergan, by whom he has had 
seven children — Thomas, Mary, John, An- 
nie, A'eshia, Daniel and Catharine. 

J. E. Cole is a native of Broome Co., N. 
Y., born July 14, 1838. When he was 
ten years old his parents settled in Dane 
Co., Wis., where they were pioneers. In 
1856 with his parents he removed to Iowa 
Co., Wis , where they again engaged in 
farming. He was married Dec. 5, 1861, 
to Sarah J. Sanguin a native of Pennsyl- 
vania. In 1834, conjointly with his broth- 
er-in-law, G. G. Hickok, he purchased a 
livery stable and stage route at Lancaster, 
Grant Co., Wis., which business he man- 
aged two years then resumed farming in 
Iowa county. In 1870 he went to Grand 
Tower, 111., where he was in charge of the 
stables belonging to the Grand Tower 
Mining, Manufacturing and Transporta- 
tion Company. He returned to Wiscon- 
sin in 1871. In the spring of 1872 he lo- 
cated on a farm in Cerro Gordo Co., Iowa. 
He bought land on section 36, Falls town- 
ship, which he has put under a high state 
of improvement. He built the commo- 
dious frame house where he now lives in 
1882. Eight children grace the home and 
gladden the parents hearts. Their names 



1' 



w 



*Je- 



^l^ 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUN'IY. 



827 



are— Wilbert E., Ida E., Charles G., Perry 
O., Franklin J., Edith E., Elmer J. and 
Gracie Alice. Mr. and Mrs. Cole are 
members of the Free Methodist Church. 

Levi Helm, assessor of Falls township, 
was born March 13, 1848, in Fayette 
township, LaFayette Co., Wis., and ob- 
tained his education in the district schools 
of his native town. His father was a farm- 
er and, the son was instructed in that vo- 
cation, and in later years of his minority 
he traveled with a thresher. At the age 
of twenty he determined upon the trade of 
carpenter and joiner, at which he worki d 
eighteen months. In 1872 he came to 
Iowa and located in Falls township. }\v 
rented land on section 15 the first year, 
and, the year ensuing, leased a considern- 
ble tract on sections 20 and 21, during 
which time he made a purchase of land 
on section 1, and made a beginning of 
improving it. In 1S74 he raised and har- 
vested his pioneer crop. The next year 
he built a house which he occupied until 
February, 1882, when he removed to the 
Lewis place on section 16, having been 
appointed administrator of that estate. In 
addition to the management of a faiin, 
Mr. Helm has worked at his trade to some 
extent, rie was married Dec. 5, 1871, to Oia 
L. Mosher, of Green Co., Wis., by whom 
he has four children — Jessie, Charles L., 
S. Bernice and Roswold X. 

Fred Ehlers, miller, settled in Plymouth 
and established himself in his present 
business in 1874. He is associated with 
his brother. They built their mill and 
continue sole proprietors. Mr. Elilcis 
was born in Milwaukee Co., Wis., Apiil 
28, 1843, and passed his younger days on 
his father's farm, attending the common 



schools. When seventeen he entered a 
flouring mill at Maysville, Jackson coun- 
ty, to leirn the tiade, where he remained 
one and a half years, going thence to 
Hamilton. He worked there two years 
and went to Trueville. His next move 
was to Milwaukee, to attend Bryant and 
Stratton's Commercial College. Onle;v- 
ing school he went to Chicago and found 
employment as clerk in a wholesale flour 
store and afterward in a wholesale gio- 
cery. After spending a year in Chicago, 
he went to Grafton, Wis., and was occu- 
pitu there in a mill one and a half years, 
going then to Benton Co., Iowa, where 
he bought a flour mill of Jacob Sams, at 
Shellsburg. whicli he operated until com- 
ing to Plymouth. Mr. Ehlers was mar- 
ried in 1867 to Miss M. K. Knapp, of New 
York. Harry, Freddie, Minnie, George, 
Daisy and Arthur are the names of their 
children. 

William H. Moore resides in the vil- 
lage of Rock Falls, where he removed in 
the spring of 1883. He was born in 
Orleans Co., N. Y., I^ov. 28, 1820. His 
parents removed soon after his birth to 
Ontario county, and four years after went 
to Yates county. When he was thirteen 
years old, they settled in Washtenaw Co., 
Mich , where they were pioneers of Yoik 
township. At the age of twenty-one Jlr. 
Moore returned to the Empire State, where 
he remained some time occupied in fann- 
ing in Ontario and Allegany counties. 
He was married in Allegany county, Oct. 
24, 1847, to Hannah A.Potter. In 1865 
he went to Barry Co., Mich., where he 
bought land in the oak openings. He im- 
proved his farm and built a house and 
occupied the same place until 1860, when 



•F 



•xK 



828 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



he sold and went to Minnesota, taking up 
his residence in Freeborn county, where 
lie bought government land in the town- 
ship of Freeman. He built a home and 
made other improvements, remaining 
there until 1876, when he again disposed 
of his land by sale and removed to Cerro 
Gordo county, buying 240 acres of land 
on sections 26, Hi and 35, which hie occu- 
pied until his retiring, when he rented 
this property. His wife died in ISoo- 
leaving a son Edwin G. He was again 
married in July, 1858, to Euphemia A. 
Pickle. From the second marriage there 
are three children — Everett S., Mary 
Luella and Addie. 

Capt. Samuel R. Apker is a native of 
Lycoming Co., Penn., born July 7, 1834. 
Early in life he went to South Carolina, 
where he resided a few years with an 
uncle. He then went to Baraboo, Wis., 
and after a three year.s' engagement in a 
saw mill, he entered into mercantile busi- 
ne.ss. .In December, 1861, he enlisted in 
company H, 17th Wisconsin Volunteers. 
He was mustered into service as first lieu- 
tenant and a few months later was pro- 
moted to the rank of captain. In July, 
1 863, he veteranized and was discharged 
at Louisville, Ky., July 14,1865. He par- 
ticipated in a number of battles, among 
them being that at Corinth, Atlanta and 
the siege of Vicksburg. He marched to 
the sea with Sherman and was under fire 
in the numerous frays of that notable 
campaign. During his period of service 
he led his command in twenty one gen- 
eral engagements. Following is a reprint 
from a Madison paper: 

"The members of company H, I7lh Wis- 
consin Volunteer Infantry, presented 



Capt. S. R. Apker with a^beautiful gold 
watcli and chain as a token of their love 
and esteem foi' him as an officer and a gen- 
tleman." 

On receiving his discharge Capt. Apker 
returned to Madison, and after a month's 
stay came to Iowa. He opened a hotel at 
Conover, Winnesheik county, where he 
did business two years. He was burned out 
and came to Cerro Gordo county. After 
a brief stay at Clear Lake and Mason City, 
he went to Nora Springs and managed a 
billiard hall four years. In 1874 he en- 
gaged in mercantile business in Plymouth 
in which he has since continued. He was 
married in 1866 to Rosa Valley. Ralph 
and Maud L. are the names of their two 
children. 

Peter WallrafF, harness maker at Ply- 
mouth, opened his shop in 1877. He com- 
menced to learn the harness making trade 
when buf three years of age at Cross 
Plains, Wis., where he served two years, 
then went to Milwaukee and worked 
one year, then went to Black Earth. His 
health being poor, he was obliged to leave 
the shop, and do out door work. In 1871 
he went to Kansas, where he engaged in 
farming, at Minneapolis, in that State, one 
year, then returned to Wisconsin. In 1873 
ho went to Minneapolis, Minn., where 
he found employment on the railroad. 
He remained there one year and returned 
to Wisconsin. He was married the 24th 
of July, 1875, to Louisa Strums, and set- 
tled at West Mitchell, Iowa, where he 
worked at his trade until 1S77. He came 
from there to Plymouth. Mr. Wallraff is 
a native of Germany, born on the banks of 
the river Rhine. March 25, 1851. He was 
but three years of age when his parents 



^^ 



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HISTORY OF CKRRO GORDO COUNTY. 



829 



came to America, ancl settled in Dane 
Co., Wis., where lie was reared and edu- 
cated. He is one of the tallest men in the 
county, measuring six feet and four and 
one half inches. Mr. and Mrs. Wallraff 
are the parents of two children — Harry 
and Oscar. 

Daniel W. \\"a]ker, a teacher of the 
public schools of Falls township in 1883, 
is a native of Iowa, born in Louisa county. 
May 28, 1853. His early education was 
received in ihe district school and ad- 
vanced by four years' schoolinpj at Grand 
View Academy, from which he graduated 
in 1873. He completed his education at 
Iowa College in 1880. In the meantime 
he had been teaching school, commencing 
when he was sixteen years of age. He 
was at one time principal of a school in 
Muscatine county for four years. In 1880 
he went to Union, where he was engaged 
as principal of the schools. Two years 
later he was appointed postmaster there, 
the same year purchasing a newspaper, the 
Union Star. In September of the same 
year he sold his paper and resigned his 
position as postmaster and at once came 
to Rock Falls, where he was engaged as 
principal of the schools. In 1876 he mar- 
ried Amanda Jones, of Muscatine county. 
They have three children — Arthur, Albert 
and an infant. His father, John P.Walker, 
•is a Scotchman. He came to this country 
when but ten years of age and settled in 
Illinois. In 1836 he came to Iowa, settling 
in Louisa county, being a pioneer settler 
there. His wife, whose maiden name was 
Rachel A. Dickey, was a native of Ohio. 
She died in 1880. Her husband was still 
living in 1883. 



ORGANIC. 

F:ills township was organized in De- 
cember, 1856. The first election was held 
in April, 1857, at the house of John F. 
Ford, on section 2 of what is now Portland 
township. At this election there were 
thirty-four votes cast for the following of- 
ficers: Thomas Tenney, John M. Hunt, 
Horace'Gregory and A. J. Glover, trustees; 
Frederick Pattee, assessor; L. S. Eager, 
clerk; George L. Bunce and Ciiarles W. 
Tenney, justices of the peace; John 
Brown and Robert Campbell, constables. 
In 1882 the officers were' John Claus, 
William (J. Graves and Henry Calvert, 
trustees; Fred Ehlers, clerk; B. Kenyon 
and S. D. Giegory, constables; Levi Helm, 
assessor; G. H. Waller,'Joshua McAllister 
and A.W. Hadwick, justices of the peace. 

FIRST EVENTS. 

The first birth in Falls township was a 
daughter of Robert and Amanda (Baker) 
Campbell, which occurred July 28, 1856. 
She was named Delphina, and is now the 
wife of Albert Week, and is the mother of 
one child. 

The first marriage in this township was 
thatof George Frederick and Miss Arvilla, 
daughter of Robert and Amanda Camp- 
bell, the ceremonies taking place in their 
cabin Nov. 19, 1&55. Rev. Thomas Ten- 
ney married the couple. It will be seen 
that Mr. and Mrs. Campbell had the honor 
of being the parents of the first child, and 
also of giving the first bride in the town- 
ship. 

The first death in the township was 
that of Thomas Corkerton, who had set- 
tled on section 10. He had been married 
but a few months, and his wife was on a 
vi.sit in Illinois fiom whence he had come. 



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830 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



He was stricken with fever, while board- 
ing at Elijah Wiltfongs, and after a short 
illness died. He was buried on his own 
land — the west half of the southwest 
quarter of section 10. His remains were 
afterward removed to Plymouth cemetery. 
His death occurred some time in October, 
1855. 

a;* incident of hardship. 
In 1855 a man named Ralph, and his 
family, came to Iowa and took a claim in 
Worth county, near the line of Cerro 
Gordo county. They lost their claim and 
moved to Bristol; and in December of the 
same year, he and his wife went to Nora 
Springs with two yoke of oxen and a sled, 
for provisions. On their return they spent 
one day and two nights at the house of 
James Wright, on section 5, Fall town- 
ship. The morning they left Mr. Wright's 
for home was pleasant, but soon began to 
blow and turned extremely cold. That 
night one pair of their oxen returned to 
Wright's, and they, supposing a calamity 
had overtaken them, went in search. 
The following day William Redington 
and Charles Johnson started out, and after 
several hours found the body of the man 
on the sled, about nine miles from Ply- 
mouth. His wife's shawl was closely wrap- 
ped about his bo(Jy. Her body was found 
three miles further on. It ajjpeared tliat 
she had turned the cattle loose and started 
ahead on foot for help, having left her 
shoes on the sled, which can never be fully 
accounted for. She walked three miles in 
her stocking feet. The two bodies were 
brought back to Falls township and bur- 
ied, in one coffin, on the northwest quar- 
ter of section 21. They left five children, 
who were soon taken east to friends. 



In 1862, soon after the Indian outbreak 
at New Ulm, Minn., the news reached 
Falls township, and caused quite an ex- 
citement. J. M. Hunt, Elijah Wiltfong, 
Joseph Perrett, C. W. Tenney and three 
others started on horseback for the scene 
of action. They went as far as Mankato, 
and there learned that the troops had 
arrived, and the Indians were being stead- 
ily driven back, so they returned by For 
est City, Clear Lake and Mason City, and 
informed the settlers there of the situa 
tion and quieted their fears. 

Thomas Tenney started the first sorghum 
mill in the town. It was a wooden roller 
mill; the pan was of wood lined with 
sheet iron. Later this mill was replaced 
by an iron roller mill, and a cast iron rc- 
tary evaporator. About 2,000 gallons of 
syrup were annually made in this mill some 
years. George Daney and J. G. Ball 
each have a mill at the present time. 

CHURCHES. 

The Methodist Episcopal Church held 
their first services in the stone school 
house in 1865. Rev. Z. R. Ward organized 
a society that fall with but a small mem- 
bership, among whom were: Eli lioldcn 
and wife. Dr. Charles Graves and wife, 
Mr. Nicolas, and Daniel Sabin and wife- 
They jontinued to worship in the school 
house until 18'75, when they moved to 
New Plyraouih, and there worshijied in 
the new school house. In 1880 the society 
built a church. It is a neat frame build- 
ing, costing about $2,000. 

The Free Methodist, held their first 
meeting at the school house in district 
No. 3. Thomas La Due, their first preacher, 
came in 1871. He organized a socicly 
with about twenty members, including 



±1^ 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



831 



Jacob Armstrong and wife, Miss Isabella 
Johnson, John Claus and wife, Henry 
Pryor and wife. Meetings were after- 
wards held in private houses. In 1874 a 
chapel was built on the northwest quarter 
of section 10. Henry Pryor donated one 
acre of land on which to erect the build- 
ing. The following have preached here 
since La Due: J. C. Norton, G. C. Coffee, 

C. A. Cusick, J. S Bradley, C. M. Damon, 
J. B. Newvill and H. D. F. Goffin. Their 
chapel was blown down June 19, 18S2, 
and since then the society has worshiped 
at Plymouth. 

A Sabbath school was organized at the 
school house, on section 3, in connection 
with the society. Lawrence McLeo was 
the first superintendent. It was after- 
wards united with the school at Plymouth. 

In 1872 Rev. Thomas La Due organized 
a class of fourteen members at tlie school 
house, on section 36, and among the num- 
ber were: Benjamin Reed and wife, Mrs. 
George Teele and her two daughters, Wil- 
liam Johnson and wife, Benjamin Frost 
and wife, J. E. Cole and wife and Mrs. 
Charles Farrington. Benjamin Reed was 
the leader of this class. In 1882 Rev. E. 

D. Skinner, missionary agent for the Sun- 
day School Union, organized a class here, 
and J. E. Cole was chosen superintendent. 
This class numbered twenty members. 

The German Baptists of this township 
held their first meeting at the school house, 
on section 36, in 1873. Rev. John Crone 
was the first preacher. He organized a 
society here of about fifteen members, 
some of which were from Floyd county. 
The following were from Falls township: 
Henry Gildiicr and wife, Conrad Gildner, 
Henry Gildner, Jr. Conrad Gildner was 



a) _ 



the first deacon. Rev. Mr. Crone was 
succeeded by H. i^hroder, and he by Wil- 
liam Fosching, who was the pastor in 1883, 
at which time there were fourteen mem- 
bers. This church had a branch in Floyd 
county of nine members. 

The German Methodists organized a 
class at the school house in the northeast 
part of Portland township. Rev. R, Fig- 
enbaum was the first pastor, who served 
in 1870. This class met for worship in 
the stone school house at Rock Falls. 
Christian L. Berlin and Conrad Krug were 
class leaders. They continued to worship 
in this building until 1875, when they 
changed to Nora Springs, where they now 
worship. Rev. William Kopp is the pres- 
ent preacher. In 18S2 they met for wor- 
ship at the Plymouth school house and 
also at Valentine Claus' house. 

The first Catholic services in Plymouth 
were held in a private house. The Cath- 
olics at that time were mostly Bohemians, 
and two men of that nationality, named 
Albert Coben and Frank Yarick under- 
took the building of a church in 1878; but 
they did not succeed in obtaining funds 
sufficient to complete the building, and 
some of the Irish of that denomination 
assumed the debt. Father Michael Caro- 
lan was their priest in 1883. 

SCHOOLS. 

The first school in Plymouth independ- 
ent district was taught by Miss Harriet 
Tenney, who is now the wife of Rev 
Henry Craig, of Massachusets. This 
school was held in a log cabin belonging to 
Rev. Thomas Tenney and dates back to the 
winter of 1856-7. The first school house 
built was on the plat, in 1858. It was 
made of grout. C. W. Tenney was the 



-« V 



4. 



832 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



first teacher This building was at first 
furnished with slab benches. In 1867 
this building was torn down and a stone 
structure erected in its place. This was 
used until 1876. The pi esent building is 
located in the village and was built in 
1875 at a cost of 11,500. 'J his is a two 
story frame building, and the school is a 
graded school of two deparlmenls. James 
Bryden was the first principal. Tom B. 
Miller was principal in 1883, with Miss L. 
B. Gardner as his assistant. There are 
135 scholars in the district with an aver- 
age attendance of ninety-five. 

The first school house erected in Rock 
Falh was built in the fall of 1855, and 
was made from slabs. The first term 
of school taught was by Julia Hunt. 
The second building was that erected in 
]859,which was 20x26 feet. Emma Adams 
taught the first school here. This building 
served for school purposes until 1867, when 
it was found to be too small for the accom- 
modation of the scholars, and it was sold 
and a store was afterwards kept in it. A 
stone structure took the place of this. 
Commodore Farington was the first to 
teach in this building. In 1877 this house 
was condemned as unsafe and torn down, 
and three terms of school were taught in a 
store building The present building was 
completed in 1878. It is a frame house, 
28x42 feet, two stories high, with four 
rooms. This building and furniture cost 
$3,000, and is one of the finest school 
houses in Cerro Gordo county, and is a 
great credit to the people of Falls town- 
ship. In this building is a graded school 
of two departments. Duncan Rule, after- 
ward county clerk, taught the first term of 
school in this building. Myra Kling and 



Ella Hoyt were his assistants. Lizzie 
Perrett is the present principal and Lib- 
bie Brown her assistant. There are at 
present fifty-six scholars enrolled; average 
attendance, forty-six. This is a large sub- 
district, and a school has been held the 
past year at a private house in the west- 
ern part of the district. The first school 
was taught in Wm. Peckam's house, in 
1878, by Hattie Perrett. A new school 
house will soon be necessary. 

The first school in No. 3 district was 
taught by Truman Judson, in 1856, at Ed- 
ward Beckwiths house on section 36 This 
was paid for by private subscriptions. Com- 
modore Farington taught school in a 
dwelling house on the southwest qnarter 
of section 36, in 1867. The first school 
house built in the district was erected in 
1869; it is a frame house on section 36. 
Helen Carpenter was the first teacher. 

The first school district No. 4 was 
taught in John Claus granary, in the 
summer of 1866, the teacher being 
Ann A. Redington, who is now the wife 
of T. S. Hill. That same summer a school 
house was built on the southwest (juarter 
of section 3, in which house Belle Rule 
was the first teacher. This building served 
until 1881, when it was torn away and the 
present building erected. In this new 
building Bell Lewis taught the first school. 
In June, 1882, this house was damaged 
by a cyclone, but was soon repaired. 

The first school building in district 
No. 5 was erected in 1874, and was 
located on section 34. Ida Dogan was 
the first teacher. Kate Hemtzleman taught 
in 1883. 

The first building in district No. 6 was 
erected in 1876, located on section 24. 



^k 



\' 



k. 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



833 



Lizzie Perrett taught the first school, and 
D. W. Walker is the present teacher. 

The first school house was built in 
district No. 7^ in 1874, located on the 



30. 



Mary 



southeast quarter of section 
Maher was the first teacher. 

The first school house in district No. 8 was 
built in 1876; but prior to this time, school 
was held in a house belonging to Isaac 
Lewis, for one year, which was taught by 
Lena L. Gardner. The first teacher in the 
new school house, erected in 1876, was 
taught by- Ainnie Teele. This building is 
a frame house located on section 1. 
Religious services have been held here by 
the different denominations, and preach- 
ing by Revs. Nels Jeffers and Long, 
Baptists, and Revs. Bradley and Newvill, 
Free Methodists. 

PLYMOUTH VILLAGE. 

The village of Plymouth was surveyed 
and platted by Stephen Henderson, in 
1858, on land owned by Rev. Thomas 
Tenney and his son Charles W. John 
Morgan and Levi Sliepard also had an 
interest in this plat. There was a log 
house standing on the plat at the time, 
which has since been removed to Worth 
county. This plat was situated on the 
east quarter of the northeast quarter of 
section 7, and a few lots on the northwest 
quarter of the northwest quarter of section 
8. Levi Shepard erected the first build- 
ing tiiat year and opened a general store. 
He remained, however, but a short time, 
and u])on his leaving, the village had no 
store. A postoflice was established at 
Plymouth in 1859. Martin Redington 
was appointed postmaster with the ofilce 
in his house. This was on the mail route 
from Charles City to Mason City, and 



from Rock Falls to Albert Lea, Minn. 
Martin Redington kept the first hotel, 
which he opened in 1859. It was in a 
building constructed partly of logs, the 
remainder being a hard wood frame, 26x- 
42 feet. This was called the Plymoutli 
House. It was run as a hotel about seven 
years. Mr. Redington also started the first 
blacksmith shop in town, in 1860. The 
original town of Plymouth went down, 
and in 1870 a new town was surveyed by 
O. H. Bogardus, surveyor of the C. M. & 
St. Paul Railroad, on land owned by Rev. 
Thomas Tenney and son, and Charles 
Gracie. It is situated on the west half of 
the southwest quarter of section 5, and a 
few lots on the east half of the southeast 
quarter of section 6. This plat was re- 
corded the 23d of December, 1870. The 
town, in 1883, contained about 300 inhabi- 
tants, with three stores, one harness shop, 
two blacksmith shops, two hotels, one drug 
store, a flouring mill, one elevator, one 
school building, three churches, two 
saloons, wagon shop and cabinet manu- 
factory, meat mai-ket and shoe shop. The 
first building was erected by George 
Warde, the upper part of which he used 
for a dwelling, the lower part he rented to 
J. C. Cotey, who put in a stock of general 
merchandise and drugs. He was still in 
the business in another building in the 
town in 1883. This pioneer niercliant has 
indeed achieved success, as he now owns 
a fine store with one of the largest stocks 
in Cerro Gordo county. The first build- 
ing in the place still remains; it was pur- 
chased in 1882 by Benjamin Kenyon, who 
remodeled it and opened a hotel, which 
bears the name of Plymouth House. The 
first hotel in the town, however, was 



75 



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!k 



834 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



*^- 



opened by R. A. Warham, in December, 
1870. 

Dr. Gf. II. Waller opened a drug store 
in 1875, and sold the same in 187 7. This 
store is now owned by Murray Bros. 

The first blacksmitli was Martin Red- 
ington, who opened a shop, in 1870, and 
sold out, in 1883, and moved to Rock Falls. 

Truman S. Hill started the first wagon 
shop, in the fall of 1870. In 1878 he 
formed a partnership with T. A. Barnes, 
and engaged in the manufacture of furni- 
ture as well as wagons. They are also 
contractors and builders. 

The first warehouse was built in 1870, 
by L. A. Page, who commenced buying 
grain that fall. In 1871 he sold to Bas- 
sett. Hunting & Co., who, in 1876, bought 
the warehouse built by C. W. Tenney, in 
1870. In 1878 they erected an elevator 
with a capacity of 10,000 bushels, which, 
with their warehouse room, gives a storage 
of upwards of 30,000 bushels of grain. 
This elevator is run by a fifteen-horse power 
engine. The company is represented by 
N. L. Page. 

In 1874 George Daney started a sor- 
ghum mill, which accommodates the sur- 
rounding country. 

PLYMOUTH MILLS. 

The building of this mill was com- 
menced, in 1874, and completed, in 1875, 
by Fred Ehlers. The building is 36x50 
feet, three stories high, and contains 
three run of stone. In 1883 the rai'l was 
remedeled, and the buhrs,with the excep- 
tion of one run, removed and six set of 
rollers provided, together with all the im- 
proved machinery for making patent flour, 
The mill is run by water supplied from 
the Shell Rock river, through a race 100 



feet long. There is a constant supply of 
water, except in extreme cold winter 
weather. This is a custom as well as mer- 
chant mill, and is a great accommodation 
to the people in this vicinity. 

RAILROADS 

The Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul 
Railroad was completed to this point in the 
fall of 1870, and a station house built. R. 
G. Carter was the first agent, who re- 
mained but a short, and was succeeded 
by A. M. Webster, who in time was suc- 
ceeded by L. C. Cole. 

POSTOFFICE. 

The postoflice was moved from the old 
town in 1871, at which date R. A. War- 
ham was the postmaster. 

CEMETERY ASSOCIATION. 

The Plymouth Cemetery Association 
was organized in May, 1880. The trustees 
were : J. N. Malsbury, L. A. Page and 
Joseph M. Pennell. President, C. W. 
Tenney ; secretary, Dr. G. H. Waller ; 
treasurer, R A. Warham. The cemetery 
was platted in 1880, and was located on 
the northeast quarter of section 6. The 
association purchased five acres of land 
for which it paid $250. The lots were 
sold from three to ten dollars each. The 
first buried on this ground were brought 
from other places. 

A TRAGIC DEATH. 

In the month of February, 1877, a heart- 
rending and fatal accident occurred at 
Page's mill, at Plymouth. Mrs. N. L. 
Page went into her husband's mill about 
dark, either for company to her husband, 
or on some errand Together they started 
across the second story floor, he with a 
lamp in his hand, and she prattling as 
young and buoyant people will. Near 



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HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



835 



their path was a perpendicular shaft, 
which was at the time making a hundred 
revolutions a minute. As she stepped over 
it her skirts were caught by the instrument 
of death. At the very instant she screamed 
for help, he grabbed her about the waist, 
but together they fell to the floor, he 
stunned and she wound around the fatal 
shafting. In the fall the lamp was extin- 
guished, and darkness covered the terrible 
death scene. Mr. Page ran down stairs 
and ghut off the water power; but all took 
time. When the mill was stopped Mrs. 
Page was still in death. Each time the 
shaft carried her over she was brought 
with violence against the floor, bruising 
her body in a shocking manner. Mrs. Page 
was a daughter of C. E. Crane. She was 
married but a few months previous. She 
was buried in the Mason City cemetery. 

EOCK FALLS. 

This village was laid out and platted by 
Elijah Wiltfong, in 1855. It is located on 
tlie northeast quarter of section 21. Soon 
after platting, he sold to A. J. Glover, 
who, in 1855, erected a saw mill. He also 
kept a small stock of merchandise. L. S. 
Eager opened the first general store, in 
1856, and continued in business here un- 
til 18Y6, when he moved to Mason City. 
The postoftice was established in 1855, and 
was on the route from Charles City to 
Mason City. A. J. Glover was the first 
postmaster. He was succeeded by L. S. 
Eager and he by T. W.Lane, in 1870. Af- 
ter this, L. D. Cadwell, who was succeeded 
by the present postmaster, B. A. Brown, 
who has the office at his store. When 
first established, this postoftice was called 
Shell Rock Falls, but when the railroad 
was built through, the station was named 



Rock Falls, and the new postoftice called 
the same on account of a Shell Rock on 
the B., C. R. & N. Railroad. David John- 
son kept the first public house, which was 
opened, in the fall of 1855, by a dance. He 
run this hotel a few months and returned 
to his former home in Delaware county. 

Jesse Clauson was the first blacksmith 
in the village; h& came in 1855 from 
Michigan, stopped but a few months when 
he returned to that State. Frederick Drew 
opened the ne.xt shop in 1856. He was there 
three or four years and then went to Nora 
Springs, where he still resides. This 
branch of business is now I'epresented by 
Martin Redington, who was the pioneer 
blacksmith of Plymouth. 

WATER POWER. 

Here is one of the best water powers in 
Iowa. By nature there was a perpendie- 
ular fall of four feet over a ledge of solid 
rock; but since an improvement has been 
made by a dam, they now obtain a twenty 
foot head, which gives almost an unlim- 
ited water power. As before stated, Mr. 
Glover built a saw mill here in 1855. His 
first dam was built of logs interlocked with 
whole trees laid with their tops up stream, 
and the whole covered with dirt and stones. 
The following spring this dam went out 
and another one was put in and one run 
of buhrs placed in the mill by which corn 
and chopped feed were ground. The sec- 
ond dam was washed out the next spring, 
and Mr. Glover,.after meeting with these 
repeated misfortunes, sold out to Elijah 
Wiltfong, who built a crib dam, which was 
tilled with stone; the mill was also raised 
one story higher at the time. The last 
dam, which all supposed secure, was swept 
down the stream the following spring, and 



r 



^ 



836 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



this time the mill itself, as if by a peculiar 
instinct, followed the current which had 
carried away so many of its dams. Mr. 
Wiltfong then sold the mill site, which, 
after changing hands two or three times, 
fell into the hands of C. W. Tenney. Al- 
phonzo Brown bought the rightof liowage 
on the right bank of the river, from Mr. 
Wiltfong, and on the left side, from Mr. 
Tenney, who gave him the mill site. Mr. 
Brown constructed another dam and built 
another mill farther up the stream. In 
1808 George S. Heaton bought the prop- 
erty and the next year commenced build- 
ing the present mill. In 1871 he sold his 
interest to R. M. Todd. In 187.3 the mill 
was completed. It is a stone building 40x60 
feet, four stories in height. The stone 
from which it is built, was quarried where 
the mill stands. The rock ft'om which 
the lime was burned, came from the 
same locality. This mill was at first fur- 
nished with seven run of buhrs, and the 
necessary machinery. In 1876 Heaton 
sold his interest to Mr. Todd. In 1880 and 
1881, the buhrs were taken out and rollers 
substituted. It is now fui-nished with ten 
double set of rollers and one single set, 
and two run of buhrs and all other neces- 
sary machinery for making first class flour. 
It now has a capacity for making 200 bar- 
rels of Hour per day. In 1882 a frame 
addition was made to the main building, 
22x60 feet, which was furnished with 
three run of stone, for feed, with a capac- 
ity of three car loads of feed per day. 
This is one of the best equipped, as well 
as one of the largest mills in Iowa. 

CKEA.MERY. 

Rock Falls creamery was started in 1882 
by Carney & Co. This business was con- 



tinued by them during the summer of 1 882, 
but failing in the fall, the property was 
sold at sherifl's sale. B. A. Brown pur- 
chased it and operated the same in 1883 
Most of the cream is gathered from Falls, 
Portland and Lime Creek townships, some 
coming from Worth county. In 1883 they 
produced 1200 pounds of butter per week, 
which sold for the highest price of Iowa 
butter in eastern markets. 

R. M. Todd built an elevator in 1878, 
with a capacity of 25,000 bushels. This 
is located 400 feet from the mill on the 
opposite side of the stream. The power 
is derived from the mill power, being con- 
nected by a wire cable. 

The Burlington, Cedar Rapids and 
Northern Railway, was completed to Shell 
Rock Falls in 1872, and a depot built. A. 
W. Weller was the first agent. He re- 
mained but three years and returned to 
Cedar Rapids, his former home, and is 
now in the employ of Stewart & Douglass. 
W. H. Cook succeeded him as station 
agent. 

INCORPORATION. 

The town of Shell Rock Falls was in- 
corporated August, 1882. The first elec- 
tion was held at the school house, the 8th 
of that month, at which time the follow- 
ing officers were elected to serve until the 
March following: Mayor, R. M. Todd; 
councilmen, W. C. Owens, R. Kinney, W. 
C. Baker, B. A. Brown, L. Sumner and 
John Bliem; recorder, A. W. Hadwick. 

The officers elected in March, 1883, for 
that year, were: Mayor, Li. M. Todd; 
councilmen, W. C. Baker and G. A. Ray- 
mond; assessor, A. W. Raymond; record- 
er, A. W. Hadwick. 



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HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



837 



EBLIGIOTJS. 

The first Church organization in the 
town was the Congregational, which was 
perfected in 1856, by Rev. Thomas Ten- 
ney, at Rock Falls. Benjamin Reed and 
David Butts were the first deacons. The 
society flourished for some years. Rev. 
James Mason from Mason City preached 
here for some years, also Revs. Dykeman 
and Brooks. 

A-union Sunday school was organized 
in an early day at Rock Falls, with David 
Butts as superintendent. This school, 
which is still in a flourishing condition, 
is superintended by George Daney and 
meets at the M. E. church at Plymouth. 

At the time of the building of the Con- 
gregational church the ladies formed an 
aid society and raised money enough to 
furnish the church. 

The Congregational church was built in 
1867. Hon. N. W. Cutter, member of 
Congress from Constitution, Ohio, gener- 
ously donated a quarter section of land to 
aid in its construction. B. A. Brown re- 
ceived the land in part payment for laying 
the foundation. It is a stone structure, 
very finely arranged within. The several 
religious denominations donated quite lib- 
erally towards the building, and use it from 
time to time for special meetings. 

The Methodist Episcopals held their 
first services in the school house, about 
1865. Elder Ward, from Mason City, was 
the first preacher. He organized a society 
of a dozen members, including A. Beyrs 
and wife, with some of their children, 
Joseph Cox and wife, George Morse and 



wife, and Thomas Whaley and wife. 
Meetings were held in the school house 
until the Congregational church was built, 
which they then occupied. Elders Ward, 
Cooley, Leslie, Bennett, Garrison, Littler, 
Leonard and Cameron have served this 
charge since its organization. 

SUNDAY SCHOOLS. 

A union Sunday school was organized 
at the church in February, 1882, by Rev. 

D. E. Skinner, of the American Sunday 
School Union. A. W. Hadwick was 
chosen their superintendent. They had a 
membership of sixty scholars in 1883. 

CEMETERY. 

The cemetery at Shell Rock Falls was 
laid out in 1865. One acre of land was 
purchased from David Butts and one half 
acre donated by C. W. Tenney. The 
grounds are beautifully situated on the 
brow of the hill just north of the village. 
David Butts was the first person to be 
buried there. 

LADIES UNION AID SOCIETY. 

This organization dates from the sum- 
mer of 1882, and contains about twenty 
members, among whom are the following 
ofticers : President, Mrs. George Roebuck; 
vice-president, Mrs. Smith ; secretary, 
Mrs. Jennie Burke ; treasurer, Mrs. D. 

E. Skinner. The society holds semi- 
monthly meetings at the school house, to 
which the gentlemen are invited with the 
understanding that they drop a small con- 
tribution into the treasurer's hands ; and 
in this manner quite a sum of money was 
raised, which went toward furnishing the 
church. 



^F 



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\iu 



838 



HISTORY OF CERRO GOEDO COUNTY. 



CHAPTER XXV- 



GENESEO TOWNSHIP. 



Geneseo comprises congressional town- 
ship 94, range 20 west, and is bounded by 
Bath on the north, by Dougherty on the 
east, by Franklin county on the south and 
Pleasant Valley township on the west. 
Beaver Dam creek enters the township on 
section 3, but immediately leaves again, 
re entering at the northeast corner of 
section 4, taking a southern course and 
uniting with the VVest Fork of the Red 
Cedar river, on the southern part of sec- 
tion 21, which takes a southeasterly 
course, leaving the township on the south- 
east quarter of section 35. The surface 
of the tovvnsliip is gently undulating, and 
is well watered by springs and streams. 
The soil is a rich prairie loam. Near the 
streams the lime rock is usually from 
eight to twelve feet from the surface, and 
in scnue localities much nearer. Back 
from the streams at a distance of about 
one mile exists a clay sub-soil. 

Until 1880, wheat was the leading 
cereal raised ; since that time corn 
and oats have been the principal grains 
produced. But little wheat is now raised, 
while much attention is paid to stock 
raising and dairying. 

EARLY SETTLEMENT. 

Jarvis J. Rogers was the first settler of 
the township. He settled on section 3, 



May 2, 1855, where he made claim to 160 
acres of land, but when the land came 
into market it was purchased by other 
parties, of whom Mr. Rogers purchased. 
He and liis family occupied this tract for 
nine and one half years and sold to 
George B. Rockwell. Mr. Rogers built a 
log house on the land, near where the 
residence of Mr. Rockwell afterward 
stood. This was the first house built in 
what was afterward Geneseo township, 
the ruins of which still were to be seen in 
1883. In 1864 Mr. Rogers bought the 
farm of .Mrs. George Fuller, where he 
resided at the time of his death. Jarvis 
J. Rogers was born on Long Island in 
1812, where he lived till he was twenty 
years of age whert he removed with liis 
parents to Erie Co., N. Y. Here he was 
married to Nancy Green, born on Long 
Island, but afterwards removed with her 
parents to Erie county. Mr. Rogers was 
brought up on a farm and followed farm- 
ing during his life. He was one of the 
well known farmers of this county. He 
died Sept. 1, 1871. His widow resides on 
section 10, on the farm her husband pur- 
chased after he sold his original home- 
stead to Mr. Rockwell. Mr. and Mrs. 
Rogers had eight children, three of wliom 
are living— Anna, Francis, of Mason City, 
and Mary E. The homestead farm where 



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HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



839 



Mrs. Rogers and her daughter, Anna, 
resides, contains about 300 acres of land. 

Lyman Hunt settled on section 27, in 
May, 1858. He was a native of Massa- 
chusetts, but came here with his family 
from Illinois. He died Feb. 11, ISiC. 
His widow, afterward Mrs. Daniel Losee, 
still lives on section 27. She has several 
children, one of whom lives in this town- 
ship on section 27. Her daughter, Mary 
E. was the first white child born in the 
township. 

George Alonzo Fuller settled on section 
10 in 1860, and soon after went into the 
army, where he died in 1864, after which 
his family removed to New York. 

Francis Walter settled on section 10, 
in the spring of 1861, and was still resid- 
ing there in 1883. 

Nelson J. Grummon located the same 
year on section 8, and afterward owned 
an adjoining farm on the same section. 

In 1859 John Whitesell settled on sec 
tion 9, but later moved to Franklin coun- 
ty, went into the army, since which but 
little is known of him. 

George E. Lyman came to his present 
home on section 36, in February, 1860. 
He was born in Susquehanna Co., Penn., 
Sept. 18, 1828. His parents removed to 
Wyoming county, where he married 
Sarah E. Kentner, a native of Monroe 
Co., Penn., born Oct. 9, 1834, and who 
had removed with her parents to Wyo_ 
ming county, when an infant. After his 
marriage he removed to Lee Co., 111., 
from thence to Iowa in 1860. He bought 
680 acres, now having but 375 under an 
excellent state of cultivation. Durii g 
the war he enlisted Dec. 15, 1863, in the 
4th regiment, Iowa Cavalry, and served 



until its close, participating in the battles 
of Guntown, capture of Selma, Ala., 
Columbus and Macon, Georgia, and 
numerous campaigns. They are the par- 
ents of seven children, five of whom are 
now living — Lucretia M. wife of George 
H. Felthous, born Dec. 10, 1851 ; Myron 
W. born April 3, 1853, died July 28, 1857; 
an infant daughter born Dec. 23, 1854; 
died Feb. 1, 1855; Mary E. wife of C. W. 
Harris, born July 6, 1856; Eddie W. born 
July 10, 1860; Ehna L. born April 15, 
186-'; and Lena L. born Dec 10, 1863. 

Rev. Loomis Benjamin was one of the 
pioneer preachers of Cerro Gordo county. 
He came to Franklin Co., Iowa, in the 
spring of 1860, and preached both in 
Franklin and Cerro Gordo counties, and 
probably preached the first sermon in 
Geneseo township. He was well known 
and held in high esteem by all who knew 
him. He was born in the >''tate of New 
York, in 1801. He began the ministry in 
connection with the Methodist Episcopal 
Church when twenty-five years of nge, and 
continued in the ministry until the time 
of his death, preaching a sermon the Sab- 
bath preceding his death. He was twice 
married and had ten children, five of 
whom are now living. He died Oct. 22, 
1879. 

George W. Folsom, now a resident of 
Rockwell, came to Franklin Co., Iowa, 
June 7, 1860, buyiiig unimproved land on 
section 5, Ingham, now known as West 
Fork township, which he made his home 
and- improved well until 18S2, wiien he 
removed to the village. He is. the son of 
Joseph Folsom, a native of New Hamp- 
shire, who moved to, and was one of the 
early settlers of Ogle Co., Ill , where 



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840 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



George was born in 1838. The family re- 
moved to Winnebago county, where the 
father died, aged eighty-one years. Mrs. 
Folsom, >iee Benjamin, i.s the daughter of 
Rev. Loomis Benjamin, a pioneer preacher 
of Cerro Gordo county. They have five 
children — Elva, Mina, Lucas G., Jessie L. 
and WilbertB. Their eldest child, Elvira, 
died in infancy. 

Christian Kittell came from Shell Rock, 
Butler county, in 1861, and settled on sec- 
tion 31. He also served in the army dur- 
ing the rebellion, and lost his life in the 
service. His widow afterward married, 
and in 1883 was living in Sheffield. 

Sidney Dillingham came from Cherry 
Valley, 111., and settled in Genesee town- 
ship in 1863. His son-in-law, Joseph 
Barnes, came on at the same time, and 
lived here several years then went to 
Kan.sas. Mr. Dillingham died in 18S-2. 

Benjamin F. Lyman came with his 
family in April, 1861, and purchased a 
quarter of section 36, but died suddenly, 
April 28, 1862. His wife and infant son, 
(born here Dec. 3, 1861), returned to Illi- 
nois; but afterwards she again married, 
and in 1883 was living in Franklin county. 

Daniel Warner settled in 1862, built a 
log house and remained two years, when 
he removed to Kansas. 

George Hunt located on section 35, but 
soon returned to Illinois. 

William Wright settled on the north- 
east quarter of section 36, where he lived 
two years and moved to Franklin county. 

Jeremiah Dodd settled on section 25, 
where he lived about two years and re- 
turned to Illinois. 

N. J. Grummon settled on a farm in 
Geneseo township, in 1861. Having sold 



that farm he settled on section 3, in 18'76, 
where he nosv resides. He was born in 
Chautauqua Co., N. Y.,in 1836. His father, 
Horace Grummon, removed with his fam- 
ily to Winnebago Co., 111., when N. J. 
was a child, his mother dying when he 
was an infant. He lived near Belvidere, 
111., for twenty-one years. He married 
Romelia Quackenbos, a native of Canada, 
whose father settled in Illinois when she 
was a child. Mr. and Mrs. Grummon have 
two sons — Charlie and Willie, both born 
in this township. Their only daughter, 
Myrtie, was born in Illinois in 1861, and 
died here Dec. 16, 1882. She was an es- 
timable young lady, and her death was a 
severe affliction to her parents and a loss 
to the community. 

Francis Walter, son of Nelson and Eliz- 
abeth (AUbridge) Walter, has resided on 
section 10 since 1861. He was born at 
Milton, Saratoga Co., N. Y., Sept. 27, 1823, 
and lived in the same county until 1861. 
He was married Nov. 10, 1847, to Frances 
S. Tiibbs, who was born Sept. 26, 1824, in 
Gal way, Saratoga Co., N. Y. The father 
and mother of Mr. Walter were also na- 
tives of that county. His grandfather 
was a Revolutionary soldier. Mrs. Wal- 
ter's father was born in Saratoga Co., N. 
Y., and her mother in Windham Co., Vt. 
Her grandfather, John Tubbs, was one of 
the six men comprising the guard of gen- 
eral Schuyler, when, in 1781, the British 
commander sent out a party of tories 
and Indians under John W. Meyer, to 
capture him at his home, in Albany N. Y. 
Mr. and Mrs. Walter have two sons. J. N. 
is now living in Oregon, and S A., who fin- 
ished his education at the Iowa Normal 




^&^€^i'W^, &i O^-y^yn^^i^ 



Al, 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



843 



School was, in 1883, a telegraph operator 
in Marsliall Co., Iowa. 

George B. Rockwell, one of the repre- 
sentative men of Cerro Gordo Co., Iowa, 
came to Geneseo township in 1864, and 
purchased the farm of J. J. Rogers. He 
brought his family there in December, of 
that year. The farm which he purchased 
of Mr. Rogers was the first farm settled 
in what is now Geneseo township, and in- 
cludes the present town plat of the village 
of Rockwell. Mr. Rockwell is the pro- 
prietor of the town plat, and the town 
was named in his honor. He was born in 
the town of West Milton, Saratoga Co., 
N. Y., Dec. 6, 1828. When he was four 
years of age his parents removed to Or- 
leans county, and when seven years old, 
to Erie county, same State, and settled 
near the village of Akron, where his 
father died in 1874. George B. Rockwell 
received a good common school education 
at the grammar and high scliool at Akron, 
and at the age of nineteen he commenced 
teaching. He taught several terms in his 
native State, and in 1850 went to Wal- 
worth Co., Wis., and taug^it school the fol- 
lowing winter. In February, 1851, became 
to Allamakee Co., Iowa, where he bought 
land and taught during the summer of 
1851, at Guttenberg, Clayton county. 
He was married Aug. 31,1853, in Erie Co., 
N. v., to Elizabeth Jackson, of Erie county, 
same State. After his marriage he re- 
turned with his wife to Allam.akee county, 
where he owned 200 acres of land, which 
hesoonnfter sold and removed to Kane 
Co., II ., purchased a farm and resided 
there for eleven years, at which time he 
came to J- eneseo township. He is a man 
of more than ordinary ability, energetic 



and fearless in maintaining what he be- 
lieves right as well as opposing wrong. 
The cause of temperance finds in him an 
able advocate, and intemperance a deter- 
mined and unrelenting foe. To him the 
town of Rockwell is indebted for its ex- 
emption from saloons and the liquor traffic. 
In early life Mr. Rockwell was a de: ,o- 
crat, but has been a republican since the 
formation of that party, yet does not 
allow party ties to interfere with his sense 
of duty and justice. By choice and oc- 
cupation he is a farmer. His homestead, 
known as Grasdale farm, contains about 
600 acres, and is one of the finest in the 
county, and is specially adapted to the culti- 
vation of grain and the raising of stock. 
He makes a specialty of shorthorn cattle, 
and has a number of tine specimens of 
that valuable class of stock. He is editor 
of the agricultural department of the 
Phonograph. Mr. and Mrs. Rockwell 
have three daughters — Mary E., wife of 
J. A. Felthous, born in Blackberry, Illi- 
nois ; Julia Ruth and Grace. The two 
eldest were born in Illinois, and the 
youngest in this township. Their sec- 
ond child and only son, David W., was 
born in Illinois, where he died in infancy. 
David S. Trapp settled on section 4, 
May 1, 1869, where he now resides. He 
first purchased seventy acres ef Jose])h 
Barnes, but has since increased his farm 
to 146 acres. He has made nearly all the 
improvements, built a fine residence in 
1878, and set out and cultivated a fine 
grove, mostly soft maples. He was born 
in Tompkins Co., N. Y., in December, 
1826; removed with his parents, Uriah and 
Sarah Trapp, to Wayne Co., Ohio., where 
they lived until their decease. David S. 



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844 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



Trapp was an early settler in Dodge Co., 
Minn., in 1856, where be owned a farm 
adjoining Kasson Village. He married 
Margaret Long, a native of Ohio. They 
have nine children — "William, Theodore, 
Mary, Frank, Alice, Ida, Charles, Minnie 
and Lillie. Their oldest son, William, was 
born in Ohio, and died in Iowa. The young- 
est child was born here. Mr. Trapp has a 
fine stone quarry on his farm, from which 
is obtained all the building stone used in 
the vicinity. 

James Howland is one of the first set- 
tlers on the village plat of Rockwell, 
Geneseo township, Cerro Gordo county. 
He built the first house on the town plat 
in the fall ot 1870. He occupied this 
house until 1883, when he removed to his 
farm in Geneseo township He was born 
in Canada West, in 18.35, but when a child 
removed with his parents to Orleans Co., 
N. Y. His father, William Howland, was 
a native of New York. When James was 
ten years of age he removed with his 
parents to Illinois, remained there till 
1868, when he removed to Fairfield town- 
ship, Fayette Co., Iowa, where he engaged 
in farming. In 1870 he exchanged his 
farm in Fayette county for one in Dough- 
erty township, this county, which he im- 
proved; built a house, set out a grove, and 
made other improvements. At one time 
heowned in that township aboutSOO acres, 
all of which he has since disposed of. He 
owns a farm now of 240 acres in Geneseo 
township, where he at this time resides. 
His wife was Susan Irvine, born in Penn- 
sylvania. Thoy have three children — 
George W., William L. and Charles G. 

Michael Colwell, a prominent and 
respected citizen of Geneseo township. 



located on section 15, in 1870. He pur- 
chased wild land from Sandford Childs, 
and has made great improvements. He 
was born in Cavan Co., Ireland, emigra- 
ting to the United States in 1849. He 
lived four years in Connecticut, then re- 
moved to Illinois, from thence to Dodge 
Co., Wis., where he made his home until 
1870. He married Mary McConlogue, 
also a native of Ireland. They have no 
family. 

Albert Bruce was the first merchant of 
Rockwell. He came in April, 1871, and 
opened a general store in the front part of 
the Putnam House, remaining in trade 
about three years. He was born at East 
Randolph, Vt., May 13, 1833. In 1851 he 
commenced clerking in a store in his 
native village. In 1854 he removed to 
Woodstock, Vt., where he remained a 
clerk in a store until 1857, when he moved 
to Green Bay, Wis., from there to -Mar- 
quette county, thence to Columbia county. 
He was engaged in the mercantile busi- 
ness in Portage City, also at Randolph for 
several years. Feb. 22, 1865, he was mar- 
ried to Sarah E. Blodgett, a native of Ver- 
mont, by whom he had five children — 
Morris E., Helen M., William R, M.-iry 
E. and Harry L. His wife died Oct. 
22, '1877. Nov. 19, 1879, he married his 
present wife, Dolly Dills, a native of Indi- 
ana. They have one son— George Albert. 
Mr. Bruce owns a fine farm on section 2, 
Geneseo township. He is a member of 
the present board of supervisors. 

J. B. Patterson was born in Belmont 
Co., Ohio, in 1830. His father, Jeremiah 
Patterson, removed to Morgan county 
when the subject of this sketch was only 
three years old. From tliat State he 



^ 



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HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



845 



moved to Illinois, and, in 1865, came to 
Franklin Co., Iowa. In 18'71 be moved 
to Rockwell. Mr. Patterson married Miss 
E. J. Short, of Ohio. They have one son 
— Charles A., who is engaged in railroad- 
ing. Mr. Patterson served a year and a 
half in the army, belonging to the 4th 
Illinois Cavalry, and was honorably dis- 
charged for disability. 

J. A. Felthoiis came here in 18V1, and 
worked for his brother in the grain busi- 
ness for a number of years before he went 
into business for himself. He is the hard- 
ware and grain dealer in Rockwell, hav- 
ing succeeded E. P. Nyre, in September, 
187'7. He has a complete stock of goods. 
In 1878 he erected a new store building, 
the main part being '2 2x50 feet, two stories 
high, with basement the same height as 
the upper rooms. The floors are con 
nected by elevators and the store is con- 
veniently arranged. An addition to the 
main building is used for a tin shop. The 
entire cost of building was about |2,000. 
J. A. Felthous and his brother, J. C. Felt- 
hous, are also engaged in the grain and 
coal trade, under the firm name of Felt- 
hous Bros., successors of their brother, 
George H. They are energetic young men 
and possess that business tact which means 
success. J. A. Felthous was born in 
Dubuque county, in 1855. His wife is 
Elizabeth M., daughter of George B. 
Rockwell. His brother, J. C. Felthous, 
of this firm, was also born in Dubuque 
county, in 1859. 

Among the representative business men 
of Cerro Gordo county is George H. Felt- 
hous, a native of Dubuque Co., Iowa, who 
located here in the summer of 1871, a 
few months after the village of Rockwell 



was laid out. He came to Geneseo town- 
ship first in the spring of 1860 and bought 
a farm of 280 acres on sections 17 and 19, 
improved the land the following season 
and took up his residence in Rockwell in 
1871. He has been prominently identified 
with the town since its commencement. 
In 1871 he built the warehouse which is 
now attached to and forms a part of his 
elevator, the latter of which he built in 
1875, which, with the warehouse, has a 
capacity of 15,000 bushels. He engaged 
in the grain business immediately after 
locating here and continued the same un- 
til the fall of 1882, when he was suc- 
ceeded by his brothers, J. A. and J. C. 
Felthous. In 1872 he built a dwelling 
house on the corner of A and Third streets, 
and the same year he sold the farm he first 
bought and purchased another on section 
11. In 1883 he built the finest dwelling 
in the town, at that date, located on A and 
Fifth streets. He has retired for the pres- 
ent from the grain business, but is actively 
engaged in other branches of trade. He 
is highly esteemed as a good business man 
and an e.xcellent citizen. He was born in 
Dubuque Co., Iowa, in 1848. His parents 
John H. and R. C. Felthous, were natives 
of Germany and settled in Dubuque county 
at an early day. His father died in 1869,and 
the mother lives with her children in 
Rockwell. Mr. Felthous married Lucre- 
tia M. Lyman, born in Pennsylvania. She 
is the oldest daughter of George E. and 
Sarah E. Lyman, who reside near Rock- 
well. 

Thomas Federspiel was born in Switzer- 
land, in 1842, and settled in Geneseo 
township, where he now lives, in 1872. 
He bouarht his farm of 160 acres from 






^' ^— ^ 



846 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



Annie Goodrich, of Indiana. His farm is 
located on section 6, and be has made val- 
uable improvements, among which is a 
very fine grove of soft maple and willow 
about his house. He was twenty-tive 
years of age when he came to America. 
He first settled in Dubuque Co., Iowa, and 
resided there until 1812, when le came to 
this county. There were no improvements 
on liis farm here when he bought it, and 
the house which be built in ISTS was de- 
stroyed by the tornado of June 1, 1878. 
Not only was his property destroyed by 
this cyclone, but his little four-year old 
daughter, Rosa, was instantly killed; his 
oldest child, Kunie, had her leg broken, 
and his wife also was considerably injured. 
His house, a frame building 16x24 feet, 
was carried from its foundation to a dis- 
tance of eight rods, and then dashed to 
ruins. He rebuilt his house the same 
season. He married Annie Behr, who 
was born in Dubuque Co., Iowa, and they 
have three children — Kunie, Georgia and 
Modesta. 

C. J. Behr has been a resident on section 
6, since 187.3. He has a fine farm of 320 
acres, well improved, containing the finest 
apple orchard in the township. He was 
born in Dubuque Co., Iowa, in 1847, to 
which place his father, John Behr, had 
emigrated from Germany, in 1846, and 
where he still resides. C. J. Behr mar- 
ried Barbara Conrad, also a native of 
Dubuque county, and has two children — 
Maggie and Charlie H., both born in the 
township. He came to the county a year 
previous to locating on his farm, which he 
purchased from George C. Taimon, a non- 
resident. 



Isaac B. Hathaway was the first dray- 
man of Rockwell. He came in 1873, be- 
ginning business September, 1874. He 
was born in Newport, N. Y., in 1821; 
afterwards moved to Illinois, and in 1863 
removed to Clear Lake, Iowa, working 
for Marcus Tuttle. He taught school a 
number of terms in Cerro Gordo county. 
His wife is a native of Illinois. 

John B. Piersol, general merchant at 
Rockwell, was born Dec. 14, 1843, in 
Park Co., Ind. In 1846 be moved with 
his parents to Green county, and in 1848 
to Winnebago Co., 111., where he worked 
with his father on the farm. In 1852 his 
parents moved to La Fayette Co., Wis., 
where he worked by the month to help sup- 
port a large family of boys and girls. He 
had to chop wood winters instead of go- 
ing to school, as boys usually do. At the 
age of sixteen he enlisted in the 45th 
Illinois Volunteers, under Col. John E. 
Smith. He served four years and three 
months in the army, being in most of the 
great battles of the rebellion, in which 
the Western Army took any part. At 
Fort Donelson he was wounded, and 
notwithstanding he was a mere youth at 
the time, he stood up under his trials man- 
fully. He was with Sherman on his march 
to the sea, and was with the army until 
the close of the war, and was discharged 
in 1865. As his parents were poor, his 
advantages for an education were poor, and 
he thought it time to avail himself of more 
schooling, so he attended district school 
for a year, and then commenced teaching, 
and followed it for five terms, then re- 
moved to Floyd Co., Iowa, and purchased 
a farm. In 1869 Mr. Piersol married 
Sarah Flinn, agirl he had been acquainted 



e %- 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



847 



with from boyhood. In 1875, by advice 
from his pliysioian, lie quit fanu life and 
moved to Rockwell, engaging in trade, 
which was pmall at first, but in 1883 had 
grown to a business of $25,000 annuall}'. 
Besides his store he deals in grain and 
stock, and owns a large farm a half mile 
north, of the town. 

Gabriel L. Secor located on his present 
farm, on section 35, Geneseo township, in 
1876, where he now resides, having bought 
his farm from William Moore. He is an 
old resident of Iowa. He was born in 
Albany Co., N. Y., in 1824. He after- 
ward lived in Oneida and Jefferson coun- 
ties, N. Y., until twenty one years of age, 
then went to De Kalb Co., 111., where he 
lived ten years, then moved to Floyd Co., 
Iowa, in the winter of 1853-4. He is a 
carpenter and builder by trade, which he 
followed for many years. He built the 
first flouring mill at Marble Rock. He 
also owned and carried on a farm in Floyd 
county. His parents, John and Jane Se- 
cor,removed to Illinois with their son, 
afterwards went to Delaware Co., Iowa, 
where the father died. The mother died 
in Cherokee county. Gabriel L. married 
Martha Darland, born in Ohio. They 
have four children — Mary, John F., Ida 
F. and Andromeda. Mr. Secor's farm 
contains eighty acres, and is a pleasant 
home. 

James Bruce settled on section 4, in 
1876, which he purchased from G. B. Rock- 
well. His farm is finely located, contain- 
ing 160 acres, and, being elevated, he has 
one of the finest sites for a residence in 
the township. He is a native of Scotland, 
born in 1825, and emigrating to the 
United States in 1850. He first moved to 



Dodge Co., Wis., where he bought and 
improved a farm, which he sold and then 
removed to his present home. He mar- 
ried Ann Baxter, born in Scotland in 
1831. He has seven children — James W., 
Charles T., William B., Francis A., An- 
nie \y , Maria J. and Kreddie. Mr. Bruce 
and wife, three sons and two daughters, 
are members of the Baptist Church in 
Rockwell. 

Josiah D. Johnson came to the town- 
ship in 1872, bought wild land on section 
8 and located in 1874. He lias so improved 
and beautified it that he now has a most 
desirable farm. He was born in Auburn, 
N. Y., in 1830. When young, his father, 
Robert Johnson, removed with his family 
to Erie Co., Ohio, where his parents re- 
sided until their decease. He enlisted in 
the 96th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, serving 
until the close of the war. He learned 
and followed the carpenter trade a num- 
ber of years. He assisted in the construc- 
tion of several of the principal buildings 
of Rockwell, including the school house 
and Mr. Rockwell's dwelling. He was 
married in Illinois to Eliza Willard, a 
daughter of Joseph Willard, born in 1836, 
and has one son — Henry, born in Ohio in 
1858. 

William Nettleton, one of the largest 
farmers and stock dealers in Geneseo 
township, is located on section 27, where 
he located in March, 1882. His farm con- 
tains 320 acres, which he purchased of 
Frank Andrews. Mr. Nettleton is a na- 
tive of Ireland; he was born in Antrim 
county, in 1836, and emigrated with his 
father, Benjamin Nettleton, to Dixon, 
111., and later to Paw Paw in the same 
State, where his father died in 1851. Mr. 



V 



■V' 



^ s> U> 



848 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



Nettleton enlisted, in 1862, in the 75th 
Illinois Volunteer Infantry, company K, 
and served till the war closed. He was 
at the battles of Perry ville, Chickamauga, 
Lookout Mountain, siege of Atlanta; and 
when Sherman marched to the sea, he 
fought with Gen. Thomas. In the fall of 
1866 he settled in Ingham township, 
Franklin Co., Iowa, where he bought a 
farm of James Allen. He lived on this 
farm and at Hampton for two and a half 
years, when he removed to Cherokee 
county, where he remained till he came to 
this township. He has a fine farm of roll- 
ing land from which a beautiful cold 
spring Hows forth, affording an abundant 
supply of pure water for domestic and 
stock purposes. Mr. Nettleton married 
Maria Miller, a native of Pennsylvania. 
They have three children — Charles B., 
Ernest and Guy C. 

ORGANIC. 

Geneseo township was formerly called 
Linn, and was organized under that name 
Sept. 23, 1859. The first election was held 
at the school house, near Jarvis J. Rogers', 
Oct. 11, 1859, at which there were but 
six votes cast: Lyman Hunt, John White- 
sell, William Holmes, James W. Goheen, 
Jarvis J., and Francis Rogers. The fol- 
lowing officers were elected: Trus- 
tees, John Whitesell, James W. Goheen 
and William Holmes; justices of the 
peace, J. J. Rogers and Lyman Hunt; 
constables, James Goheen and John White- 
sell; assessor, James W. Goheen; clerk, 
Francis M. Rogers; road supervisor, 
Jarvis Rogers. The judges of this elec- 
tion were: William Holmes, J. W. Goheen 
and John Whitesell. 



In 1862 the name of the township was 
changed to Geneseo, at the suggestion of 
George A. Fuller, who came from near 
Geneseo, N. Y. In 1883 the township of- 
ficers were: M. Colwell, Thomas Feder- 
spiel and F. Gauley, trustees; James Bruce 
and C. W. Harris, justices of the peace; 
F. C. Bowe and E. F. Gould, constables; 
J. C. Felthous, clerk; C. J. Behr, as- 
sessor. 

The first couple married in the town- 
ship, were Elihu Brown and Mary Rog- 
ers; the ceremony was performed by Rev. 
Loomis Benjamin, June 3, 1861. 

The first death was that of Benjamin F. 
Lyman, April 28, 1862. 

The first birth was Mary E., daughter 
of Lyjnan and Samantha Hunt. 

The first sermon preached in the town- 
ship, was delivered by Rev. I oomis Ben- 
jamin, early in the spring of 1860. Rev. 
Shofl^er, of the United Brethren, preached 
at about that date, also. 

CEMETERIES. 

The first burying place, in Geneseo 
township, was on the southwest quarter of 
section 36, now but little used. The prin- 
cipal cemetery in 1 883, was on the northeast 
quarter of section 10, which joined the 
town plat of Rockwell, containing two and 
one half acres. It is regularly laid out, 
having many native oaks, with evergreens 
here and there. There are several fine 
monuments in this cemetery. 

SCHdOLS. 

The first school in the township was 
taught by Mary Rogers, in 1859, in a log 
building on section 3. Miss Rogers after- 
wards became the wife of Elihu Brown. 

In 1 883 the township had been organ- 
ized into six sub-districts with six school 



-71 



A 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



849 



houses, located as follows: On southwest 
quarter of section 14, southeast quarter of 
1 8, southeast quarter of 6, northeast quar- 
ter of 33, the center of section 35 and one 
in Rockwell village 

VILLAGE OF BOCKWELL. 

The town plat of this village includes 
the southeast quarter of section 3, town- 
ship 94, range 20 west, in Geneseo town- 
ship. It was named by Charles C. Gilman, 
the first president of the Central Railway 
of Iowa, in honor of George B. Rockwell, 
the owner of the ground on which the 
town is located. It was laid out by Mr. 
Rockwell and the Iowa Valley Construc- 
tion Company. The survey was executed 
by C. F. Vincent, in the fall of 1870, at a 
time when the track of the Central Rail- 
way of Iowa reached this point. The 
original plat, however, only included the 
west half of the present limits. The 
northeast quarter of the plat, lying e.ist 
of the Iowa Central track, was laid out 
several years later, by Newell, Dickson 
and Todd, and called Kirtland. The first 
house was built by James Howland, in the 
fall of 1870. The depot and house for the 
section hands were built the same fall. Tlje 
following spring the Putnam House and 
several dwellings were put up. The first 
store was opened by Albert Bruce, in the 
front part of the Putnam House. He was 
a resident of the place in 1883. The first 
wagon maker was Christian Zeidler, who, 
in 1883, was engaged in the lumber trade 
in Rockwell. The first blacksmith shop 
was opened by James Piatt. The first 
shoemaker was John Winship, who after 
ward engaged in the harness business at 
Chapin, Franklin county. He was suc- 



ceeded by Hans R. Hansen, who repre- 
sented the trade in 1883. 

BUSINESS INTERESTS. 

In 1883 Rockwell had three general 
stores, as follows : Myron Dexter, J. B. 
Piersol and Hugh McLaughlin. 

The first regular grocery store was kept 
by M. V. Todd, who sold to Ford & Fuller. 

The first drug store was kept by Miller 
& Curtis ; and in 1883 the drug business 
of the place was carried on by J. Kinyon 
& Son. 

J. Kinyon & Son, druggists, succeeded 
E Bonner, on the 1st of March, 1882. 
John Kinyon was born in the State of New 
York, July 10, 1826. He went to Portage 
Co., Ohio, with his parents, when he was a 
child, where he grew to manhood. He 
was an early settler of Winneshiek Co., 
Iowa, having settled there in 1857. He 
came to Cerro Gordo county, March, 1877. 
His wife, formerly Priscilla Haughawaut, 
was born in Pennsylvania. They have 
three children — Benjamin, Alice, wife of 

A. B. Willsey, and C. P., who is associated 
with his father in business. 

The first hardware store was kept by 
Harris Bros., who were succeeded by E. P. 
Nye, who sold to J. A. Felthous, the pres- 
ent hardware merchant. 

The grain business of Rockwell, for 
many years after the first location of the 
town, was an extensive and paying branch 
of industry, as all the broad prairies 
are first made to produce wheat and oats, 
they being the most profitable crop, until 
after the soil has been better subdued and 
adapted to corn raising. In 1883 there 
were two good-sized elevators and a ware- 
house in the village ; one was built by J. 

B. Piersol, who still continued to tqierate 



W..- 



A 



850 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



in the grain business. The other was 
erected by George H. Felthous and after- 
ward operated by Felthous Bros. This 
elevator and warehouse combined was 
24x70 feet, and fifty feet in height, 
with a capacity of 15,000 bushels. 
An average of 135,000 bushels has passed 
through this elevator annually. THis 
warehouse was provided with the best of 
machinery for cleaning and grading 
grain. The machinery is propelled by a 
fifteen-horse power engine. Felthous 
Bros, also deal largely in coal, having a 
building holding 200 tons, handling about 
125 car loads annually. 

The lumber interests of Rockwell were 
represented, in 188.3, by Walch & Zeidler 
and William Brett. The grain business 
was then carried on by J. A. and J. C. Felt- 
hous, J. B.Piersol and Wm. Brett. The 
agricultural implement business was, in 
1883, carried on by Bowe & Hutching, 
who also were dealers in real estate, and 
acted as insurance agents. 

The furniture business of the place is 
conducted by C. W. Harris. The first man 
engaging in this business, however, was 
S. E. Nutting, who moved to Iron Ridge. 
Wis., and engaged in the lumber business. 

C W. Harris succeeded S. E Nutting 
in 1877, the latter being the first who en- 
gaged in furniture business here. Mr. 
Harris was born in Canada West, in 1846, 
where he was reared on a farm. His 
father, Thomas H. Harris, was a native of 
Maine, and removed with his family from 
Canada West to Michigan, in the spring 
of 1S62, and now resides in Sheffield, 
Franklin Co., Iowa. C. W. Harris came 
to Jones Co., Iowa, with his father, and to 
this county in 1867. He workec? at the 



carpenter trade at Clear Lake, at Rock- 
ford and elsewhere, until he went into the 
furniture business I ere. The building he 
now occupies as a furniture store, he 
moved to its present site, from Linn 
Grove, and used it as a hardware store for 
awhile, which was also the first hardware 
store in the village, and was kept by 
Harris Brothers. The building was con- 
structed by Marcus Tuttle, and is entirely 
of hard wood. Mr. Harris has been jus- 
tice of the peace since Jan. 1, 1883. His 
wife was Miss M. E. Lyman, a native of 
Pennsylvania. Her father was George 
E. Lyman. They have two children — 
Maud L. and Ada E., both born in Rock- 
well. 

The harness business in 1883 was con- 
ducted by G. P. Utendorfer, who was 
doing an extensive business. 

The blacksmith trade was at this time 
represented by Charles Zeidler and M. F. 
Snider. 

H. R. Hansen carried on the boot and 
shoe business of the place. 

A. Uetz kept the only restaurant of the 
village. 

G. P. Utendorfer is the harness maker 
in Rockwell. He went into business here 
in tie fall of 1876, and is the only harness 
marker ever in the village. He was born 
in Warren Co., Penn., in 1851. His par- 
ents removed to Sauk Co., Wis., when he 
was a' child. His fathe ', George H. Uten- 
dorfer, died in June, 1878; his mother is 
still living. He learned his trade at 
Pnairie du Sac, with James Bailey. Since 
he came here he has built up an extensive 
and lucrative business, is a good workman, 
and possesses the confidence and respect 
of the community. His wife was Sarah 



,p 





y,^c:zyyu^ 



fe^ 



HISTOKY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



853 



Newell, a native of Pennsylvania. They 
have two children — Jay D. and Ada. Mr. 
Utendorfer is also a breeder of thorough- 
bred fowls, and his yard is known as the 
Kirtland Poultry Yard. He has several 
varieties, all of which are of the best 
blood in the country : Plymouth Rocks, 
Black Cochins, Houdans, S. S. Polish, 
While Leghorns, New American and Ham- 
burg He sells eggs from these finest 
blood at low prices. 

Hans R. Hansen, boot and shoe maker, 
located in Rockwell in I8l5. He was 
born in Denmark, in 1846, the family 
emigrating to the United States when he 
was ten years old and settling in Waukesha 
Co., Wis,, where his father lived until his 
decease. His mother now lives in^Ne- 
braska. He learned his trade in Waukesha 
county, and followed it several years in 
Randolph, Dodge Co., Wis. He married 
E. A., a daughter of C. Heyer, a native of 
Wisconsin. They have three children — 
Minnie, Harley and Jessie. 

John S. Hutchins came to Rockwell in 
1876. He is one of the firm of Bowe & 
Hutchins, dealers in farm machinery, also 
insurance, real estate* agents and notary 
public. The firm was established in 1880. 
Mr. Hutchins was born in Winnebago Co., 
111., in 1858. He lost his father when he 
was seven years of age, and until he was 
si.xteen years of age he lived with a sister 
in Missouri. When he came to Rockwell 
his mother, Mrs. Loomis Benjamin, was 
living here. She died in February, 1880, 
and Mr. Benjamin died in 1878. John S. 
Hutchins followed teaching for a number 
of years, mostly in Franklin county, and 
in the meantime attended the Iowa State 
University, where he was a student about 



two years. Mr. Hutchins is a brother of 
Dr. J. H. Hutchins, of Hampton. His 
wife was formerly Mary R. Ashman, born 
in Franklin Co., Iowa. 

POSTOFFICE. 

A postoiRce was established in October, 
1860, at the house of G. A. Fuller, the 
first postmaster. The name of this office 
was Linn. Mr. Fuller enlisted in 1862, 
and his wife continued in charge of the 
office until his death, when she returned to 
New York, and was succeeded by J. J. 
Rogers. In 1871 the office was removed 
to Rockwell, and W. R. Putnam became 
postmaster. It became a money order 
office in 1879, the first order being drawn 
by Dexter Bros., the amount being $18.05, 
in favor of the Davenport Glucose Manu- 
facturing Company. The first order was 
paid to Mrs. Clarissa Bigelow, amount 
$25. Mr. Putnam continued as postmas- 
ter until his death, which occurred Jan, 7, 
1876. His wife, Mrs. Martha Putnam, 
was commissioned as postmistress, May, 
16, 1876. Mr. Putnam was born in Ston- 
ington. Conn., Jan. 22, 1812. At the age 
of four years he removed with his parents 
to Oswego Co., N. Y., where he was reared 
to manhood. Mr. Putnam was twice mar- 
ried; first in 18.'!9 to Mary A. Crary, of 
Onondaga Co., N. Y. She died in 1852, 
leaving four children — Addle, now Mrs. 
O. A. Sutton; Eliza, deceased; D. C. and 
L. W. He subsequently married Miss M. 
L. Reynolds, of Cazenovia, N. Y. They 
removed to Hardin Co., Iowa, in 1864, 
settling at Xenia, engaging in the mercan- 
tile business. He came to Rockwell in 
1871, and built the Putnam House. Mr. 
Putnam left three chi dren — Mattie L. 
wife of Dr. Miller; Thomas N., who in 



77 



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ij! 



'k. 



854 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



1883 lived at Brainard, Minn., and Fred 
R. They lost a son, Frank L., who was 
killed by accident on the railroad in 1873. 

The first attorney in the place was P. J. 
Dougherty, afterward of Mason City; the 
second was James H. McConlogue; but in 
1883 the town had no representation of 
the legal fraternity. 

The first physician was Dr. J. C. Le 
Fevre, who removed to Randall, Wis. In 
1883 the medical profession was repre- 
sented in Rockwell by Dr. E. C. Miller 
and Dr. Thomas A. Smith. 

The Rockwell Creamery, located a half 
mile west of town, was established in 
1882 by a joint stock company, composed 
of the citizens of Rockwell. J. A. Felt- 
hous, J. B. Piersol and Wm Henderson 
were the first directors. It was after- 
wards leased to R. I. Jakway, of Nora 
Springs, who had much experience in but- 
ter making. The creamery was run by a 
four-horse power engine, and had all the 
modern improvements for butter making. 

SCUOOLS. 

The first school in Rockwell was taught 
by Prof. S. W.Cilley, a graduate of the Uni- 
versity of Vermont, at Burlington. He 
taughtdnring the winter of 18*71-2, and was 
a very successful teacher. In 1883 he was 
practicing law at Minneapolis, Minn. He 
taught in the present school house, which 
was erected in the summer of 1871. 'J'he 
main part of this building is 26x40 feet, 
and two stories high. It is a frame build- 
ing divided into two rooms above and one 
large room on the first floor. The build- 
ing is also used for church purposes. The 
building and furniture cost about $3,000. 
The school is graded, including a high 



school department. In 1883 the average 
attendance was 100. 

The following are the names of the 
principals since the village was started : 
Prof. S. W. Cilley, one year ; Prof. 
Charles Hemming, one year ; Emma 
Hemming, one year ; Prof. J. C. Kling, 
three terms ; D. D. Ford, one term ; Miss 
Humphrey, one term ; Prof. D. A. Ham, 
one term; Libbie Webster, one term; 
Prof. A. W. Wier, fifteen terms These 
principals have been assisted by numerous 
teachers. 

SOCIETIES. 

Fraternity Lodge No. 344, I. O. O. F., 
was organized April 18, 1877, by D. D. G. 
M., U. R. Jeflfers, of Hampton, Iowa. The 
charter members were : E. C. Miller, W. 
J. Todd, J. B. Piersol, Charles J. Behr 
and Samuel Vandervoort. The first offi- 
cers were: E. C. Miller, N. G. ; Samuel 
Vandervoort, V. G. ; Charles J. Behr, R. 
Secretary ; W. J. Todd, treasurer; J. B. 
Piersol, P. Secretary. 

The following is a list of the noble 
grands, with the time they served : E. C. 
Miller, eight months ; S. Vandervoort, six 
months; W. J. Todd, one year; J. B. 
Piersol, one year ; H. R. Hansen, one 
year ; C. J. Behr, one year ; G. Uten- 
dorfer, six months ; C. W. Harris, six 
months. At one time the lodge numbered 
thirty-three, but in 1883 it had but twenty- 
five. Only one death had occurred pre- 
vious to June, 1883, at which date the fol 
lowing named officers were serving the 
lodge : K. C. Miller, N. G. ; J. W. Combs, 
V. G. ; C. P. Kenyon, secretary ; G. P. 
Uteudorfer, treasurer. 



:7r. 



^K 



Al^ 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



855 



CHURCHES. 

Rev. W. P. Bennett, a Congregational 
minister, preached tlie first sermon. The 
discourse was delivered in the school 
house. He organized a society here. The 
Rev. Loomls Benjamin preached a dis- 
course at about the same time. 

The religious organizations here, in 
188 i, were the Methodist Episcopal, Con- 
gregational, Roman Catholic, Christian 
and Baptist. The Congregational and 
Roman Catholic denominations each have 
buildings. The Methodists in 1883 wor- 
shi]>ed in the Congregaiional church, as 
did the Baptists, i'he Christian denomi- 
nation held services at this date in the 
school house. 

The Congregational Church of Rock- 
well was organized April 26, ISTS, by 
Rev. W. P. Bennett. The membership 
at first were : C. Carriel and wife, 
Lura Carriel, Mrs. Caroline Felthous, J. 

A. Felthous, Hattie llutchins, Mrs. Nancy 
Rogers, Anna Rogers, J. A. Barnes, Mr. 
and Mrs. G. B. Rockwell and Miss M. E. 
Rockwell. 

The meeting for organization was at 
the residence of Rev. C. Carriel. Mr. 
Carriel was a carpenter by trade and 
preached occasionally. He was an early 
settler of the village, but afterward moved 
to Minneapolis, where his wife died and 
he then moved to Hardin Co., Iowa, where 
he lived in 1883. The first ofticers of the 
church were : J. A. Barnes and Mrs. G. 

B. Rockwell, deacons ; J. A. Felthous, 
clerk ; C. Carriel, George B. Rockwell and 
Mrs. C. Felthous, trustees. The first 
regular pastor was Rev. W. P. Bennett, 
of Mason City, who preached semi-month- 
ly for two years, from the date of organi- 



zation. The next pastor was Rev. George 

B. Adams, who remained but two months, 
during his vacation of 1876, and who 
afterward graduated at Yale Theological 
School. Succeeding him came Rev. W. 
T. Blakesley, semi-monthly, from Mason 
City. He was a native of Ohio and a 
graduate of the Western Reserve College, 
also of Andover. He was pastor for si.\ 
months from November, 1876. The 
society was without a pastor during the 
greater part of 1877. In May, 1878, Rev. 

C. J. Richardson served the Church. He 
was a graduate of Dartmouth College and 
Yale Theological School. He remained 
with the church until the fall of 1879. 
The church building was erected while 
he was pastor, he being instrumental in 
the work. He was succeeded by W. H. 
Brooksome, from Lime Spring, who 
preached semi-monthly for one year. The 
society was then without a pastor fornine 
months. The next pastor was Rev. 
Charles W. Willey, born in Ireland, Nov. 
9, 1847, educated at Cornell College, Mt. 
Vernon, Iowa. He removed to Marshall- 
town after a year's pastorate. He was 
succeeded by Rev. James Alderson, who 
was there in 1883. 

The church edifice, built in 1879, cost 
about $2,200. In 1883 the church offiLicrs 
were: George B. Rockwell, and T. M. 
Brown,dea;cons ; G.B.Rockwell,A.Bruce,C. 
Graham, Mrs. C. R. Felthous, and Margaret 
McMullin, trustees ; J. A. Felthous, treas 
urer ; J. S. Hutchins, clerk. The mem- 
bership at this date was thirty-seven. 

The several protestant churches all 
united in holding a union Sunday school 
of about 150 members. 






9 

r 



856 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



The first Methodist preaching at Rock- 
well, was in the month of October, 1869. 
Rev. W. S. Darwin was the first preacher. 
The first class was organized by Rev. W. 
W. Miller in 1872, and a church organiza- 
tion incorporated Dec. 11, 1875. The 
first trustees of the society were : George 

E. Lyman, George Gibson, Francis Walter, 
Albert Bruce and George H. Felthous. 
The first members were Francis Walter, 
Rev. Loomis Benjamin, Mary Benjamin, 
M.E KenniffandM Kenniff. The first 
services by the society were held in 
the school house at the grove". The names 
of the different pastors down to 1883 are 
as follows: W. S. Darwin, W. Gough, 
W. W. Miller, E. Hoskins, A. J. Griswold, 
G. Crinklow, W. W. Robinson, O. Sprowl. 

F. M. Coleman, E. A. Hawn, C. H. Gram- 
ley and E. Will. In 1883 George Folsom 
was class leader, and George Lyman, Mrs. 
M. Dexter, and Mrs.G. Felthous, stewards. 
At this date the society numbered forty- 
two, and was reported by one of its mem 
bers, as "peaceful and prosperous." In 
connection with the church the society 
have maintained their share of a union 
Sunday school. 

The Christian or Disciple Church was 
organized, in 1876, by Rev. Charles VV. 
Sherwood. The first members were: Silas 
W. Geer and wife, D. S. Trapp and wife, 
Thomas R. Diltz and wife, Jane Dexter, 
Enoch Garrison and wife, William Foster 
and wife, EflEe Geer, Philip Brisbin and 
wife, John Kew and wife, Fannie Sher- 
wood, Harmon Diltz and wife, John Nel- 
son and wife, Joseph Gilchrist and wife, 
Bertha Hemming, Lizzie Hoddow, Joseph 
■ Dexter and John Knesel and wife. Rev. 
Charles W. Sherwood was the first pastor; 



Silas S. Geer and Joseph Gilchrist, elders; 
Thomas R. Diltz and D. S. Trapp, deacons. 
Prior to 1883 they held services in the 
school house, at which time the society 
numbered forty-two. 

The Baptist Church was organized April 
13, 1878, by Rev. Austin Gibb, who was 
the pastor at Mason City at the time. The 
original members were: James Bruce, Ann 
Bruce, Charles T. Bruce, William B 
Bruce, Nelson J. Grummon, Romelia 
Grummon, Hans Hansen, Eda A. Hansen, 
Gifford D. Rice, Emma Rice, German 
Hunt and John Cook, who was deacon. 
James Bruce was the first clerk, and Hans 
Hansen the first treasurer. The Church 
was served by Revs. Button, of Shefiield, 
two years ; W. C. Bryant, a student, six 
months; and J. F. Bryant, who was still 
pastor in 1883. The society numbered 
thirty-seven. They worshiped in the Con- 
gregational church previous to 1883, at 
which date N. J. Grummon was deacon, 
James Bruce, clerk, and Francis Bruce, 
treasurer. 

ROCKWELL COENET BAND. 

This band was organized Nov. 22, 1877. 
E. E. Arquette was chosen president, Al- 
exander Moir, secretary, and Dr. E. C. 
Miller, treasurer. C. E. Densmore was 
the first leader of the band; following him 
were B. F. Kinyon, Ray Densmore and 
C. P. Kinyon. Mr. Densmore, the first 
leader, was chiefly instrumental in forming 
the band; he and C. P. Kinyon having 
previously belonged to a similar band. 
They have from time to time had various 
instructors, and became a well trained 
band, which was the pride of the village. 



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HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



857 



INCORPORATION. 

Rockwell was incorporated in September, 
18S1. The first officers were: James How- 
land, mayor ; Peter Fries, Jr., recorder ; 
George H. Felthous, J. A. Felthous, I. B. 
Patterson, Myron Dexter; B. A. Angell and 
Daniel Newell, trustees; G. W. Howard, 
treasurer; G. M. Strong, marshal. 

The municipal officers in 1883 were: 
E. C. Miller, mayor, J. H. McEwen, re- 
corder ; George H. Felthous, James How- 
land, I. B. Patterson, Daniel Newell, 
George W. Howard and John Kiiiyon, trus- 
tees; E. F. Gould, marshal. 

The town of Rockwell has had a fortu- 
nate experience in dealing with beer sa- 
loons. The dominant sentiment of the 
place has always been hostile to such 
places, and whenever one has started, its 
natural tendency to overstep the bounds 
of the law has been promptly made the 
occasion of its suppression. In this way, 
at different times, five saloons were sup- 
pressed previous to the incorporation of 
the town. Since that event the temper- 
ance party has prevailed at every election, 
and ordinance No. 1 provides a fine of not 
less than fifty dollars or more than $100 
for every sale of beer or other intox- 
icating beverage. This was soon followed 
by an ordinance, with the same penalty, 
prohibiting billiards and other public 
gambling devices. The work of suppress- 
ing the saloons that were started in the 
town previous to its incorporation was 
very easily managed in the first two in- 
stances, but the later ones were more ob- 
stinate, and required a vigorous applica- 
tion of legal suasion, which the people 
were ever ready to promptly administer. 
In the spring of 1878 the third saloon 



was opened, and ran briskly till the eve- 
ning of June 15, when a boisterous, 
drunken brawl in the street in front of the 
building, furnished provocation for a suit 
against the proprietor for selling beer to 
a minor, the offense having occurred a few 
hours before. A judgment in favor of the 
school fund foi- |100 and costs was ob- 
tained against the saloon keeper, and 
nearly enough collected by execution to 
pay plaintitt''s costs. Tiiis saloon closed 
out July 4, ls78. In 18s0 two more sa- 
loons were opened in the place — one each 
side of the railroad. In the fall of that 
year a suit was begun against the keeper 
of one in the west part of town, for selling 
beer to a person who was in the habit of be- 
coming intoxicated, which, after a pro- 
tracted wrestling by the jury, resulted in 
a verdict for the defendant. This defeat 
suggested the need of a better organiza- 
tion of the temperance force, and more 
systematic work in their efforts to main- 
tain the supremacy of law and order. Ac- 
cordingly, in January, 1881, the Rockwell 
Temperance League was organized with a 
stock subscription of about liSOO, which 
was to be assessed and collected as needed 
to defray expenses of the organization in 
prosecuting violations of the liquor laws. 
The officers of the league were: <;. B. 
Rockwell, president ; James Howland, 
vice-president ; J. A. Felthous, secretary 
and treasurer. The first work of the 
league was to employ E. Andrews, a de- 
tective from Alta, Iowa, who came after 
the snow blockade in the latter part of 
March, 1881, and worked up the two sa- 
loons, securing several bottles ol whisky 
and wines, which were properly la- 
beled and filed with the secretary 



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^ 



858 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COXJNTY. 



of the league. On the afternoon of April 
2, two constables, armed with search war- 
rants and a suitab'e posse, divided their 
forces and made simultaneous descent upon 
thequietof the unsuspecting saloon keeper 
The company visiting the east saloon 
was composed of constable George M. 
Strong, assisted by J. A. Felthous, W. 
A. Rugg and J. S. Hutching. 'Jlie force 
for the west saloon consisted of constable. 
F. C. Bowe, attended by William Foster 
and James Howland. To omit these names 
would be to neglect the duty of a faithful 
historian. In each case a warrant for arrest 
for alleged violation of the liquor laws 
was first used to place the saloon keepers 
in custody, after which the premises were 
thoroughly searched and kegs of whisky, 
also bottles and kegs of wine, not "to the 
manor born," were seized in each place 
and soon graced the hands and shoulders 
of the members of the posse, who formed 
in single file procession, and marched with 
their trophies to the temple of justice. 
This novel street parade was witnessed by 
many people, with pleasure by the tem- 
perance people, with chagrin by the drunk- 
ards party, with astonishment by all. A 



few days later nine trials were held, which 
resulted in the condemnation of liquor, 
which was destroyed, together with the 
bottles and kegs. 

The details of the rairf, as well as the 
work of the detectives, were arranged by 
the executive committee of the league. 
The west saloon closed out at once, and 
was followed by the east one on the 1st of 
May, 1881. Some months later the keeper 
of the east saloon was imprisoned in the 
county jail, at Mason City, for non-payment 
of a fine imposed by the district court of 
the county, for violation of law at Rock- 
well. So he was added to the long list of 
those who demonstrate that "the way of 
the transgressor is hard." The proprietor 
of the saloon building contributed Ills to 
the fund of the Temperance League to 
reimburse the expenses it incurred in 
the prosecutions. Thus ended the experi- 
ence of the town of Rockwell with that 
disgrace to Christian civilization — the 
American saloon. Since that time, the 
morals of the town and vicinity have made 
steady and decided improvement, which is 
recognized by all. 







HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



859 



CH AFTER. XXVI 



GRIMES TOWNSHIP. 



This township is bounded on the north 
by Union township, on the east by Pleas- 
ant Valley, on the south by li'ranklin 
county, and on the west by Hancock 
county, and comprises congressional town- 
ship 94, range 22 west. 

Grimes township is all prairie land 
with rolling surface; the upland is a gravel 
loam. There are some extensive sloughs 
with surrounding flat lands that furnish 
an excellent grazing territory, which is 
utilized during the summer months by 
large herds of cattle. Two small streams 
run in a southeasterly course through the 
township. 

The first actual settlement was made in 
1869 by Lorenzo Pratt, who settled on 
section 30, and remained there until 1881, 
in which year his wife died, after which he 
moved to Hancock county. The next set- 
tler was Henry Prescott, who located on 
section 35, where he still resided in 1883. 
Mr. Prescott was born in New York, Nov. 
26, 1828, and at the age of twenty-one 
went to Illinois. In 1856 he married Miss 
E. McNish, and in 1860 came to Floyd 
Co., Iowa, and from there to Cerro Gordo 
county, in 1876. The third settler was 
Peter Severts, who settled on section 29, 
in 1 879. The same year John Hunter came 
and remained two years after which he 
moved to Wright county. 



Charles A. Winter, a prominent agricul- 
tural and stock farmer of Grimes township, 
is located on the northeast quarter of sec- 
tion 24. His farm of 240 acres was pur- 
chased by his father in 1871, and is devoted 
to stock-raising The present proprietor 
has been a resident since March, 1880. He 
has added buildings to the value of $2,0C0. 
and the place is supplied with all first 
class facilities for the business which 
chiefly occupies Mr. Winter's attention. 
His parents, William and Sarah' (Robin- 
son) Winter, settled in Black Hawk 
county, coming thither from Michigan, in 
August, 1859. Mr. Winter was born May 
13, 1856, and grew to manhood in Black 
Hawk county. He was reared to the 
duties of an agricultural life, and was mar- 
ried May 31, 1876, to Ida May daughter 
of E. M. and Mary J. Stead, of Cedar Falls, 
Iowa. Their two children are deceased. 
Mr. Winter is a gentleman of persevei-ance 
and energy, and of upright, trustworthy 
character. In politics he endorses the prin- 
ciples of the republican party, and has 
served his township as trustee ami treas- 
urer. 

George Beck, clerk of Grimes township, 
is a native of the Keystone State; born in 
Cumberland county, (^ct. 18, 1852. He 
is the son of David and Amy Beck. His 
parents went in 1854 to La Fayette Co., 



•V 



860 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



Wis., and in 1864 came to Iowa and set- 
tled in Floyd county, where they still* re- 
side. Mr. Beck was married in 1872 to 
Francis R. Cook, of Wisconsin, at wl^ich 
time he again became a resident of La 
Fayette county, in that State. In 1879 he 
came to Chapin, Franklin county, and in 
the winter of 1880 settled on section 32, 
of Grimes township. Mr. and Mrs. Beck 
have six children — David, William, Fran- 
cis, Christopher, Ida and Ira. Mr. Beck is 
a subscriber to the principles of the 
National greenback party. He has filled 
various township offices. 

S. S. Sauford, township trustee of 
Grimes since its organization, was born in 
Illinois, March 6, 1846. His father, Niriim 
Sanford, was a farmer, and brought up 
his son to pursue the same honorable and 
profitable calling. His mother was Jane 
Austin before her marriage. Mr. Sanford 
was an inhabitant of his native State until 
the age of eighteen, when he went to 
Watertown, Wis., where he obtained a sit- 
uation as clerk in a general store. He 
was there employed two years, when he 
Went back to Illinois and resumed farm- 
ing. In 1867 he came to Fayette Co., 
Iowa, where he lived until 1880. Since 
that year he has been a resident of Cerro 
Gordo county and of Grimes township. 
He was married in 1869 to Martha, daugh- 
ter of William and Eliza Wells. Mr. and 



Mrs. Sanford have one son — Lester. Mr. 
Sanford is an adherent of the republican 
party. 

ORGANIC. 

Grimes township was organized in 1880, 
and the first election held at the house of 
J. H. Hunter, in April of that year, at 
which time the following officers were 
elected: S. S. Sanford, George Beck and 
Jonathan Mann, trustees; J. H. Hun- 
ter, clerk; Henry Prescott, assessor; 
Lorenzo Pratt, justice of the peace; A. H 
Prescott, constable. 

Upon the constitutional amendment in 
June, .882, there were nine votes cast for 
and two against the proposed amendment. 

In 1883 the following officers were 
elected: S. S. Sanford, R. W. Henning 
and L. T. Lillie, trustees; George Beck, 
clerk; L. T. Lillie, justice of the peace. 

SCHOOLS. 

The first school in Grimes township 
was held in the house afterward occupied 
by C. A. Winter, in the winter of 1879-80, 
which was taught by Jonathan Mann. 
There were two school houses in the 
township, in 1883, costing |!4.50 each. 

The first death in Grimes township was 
Cecil M., son of Charles W. and Ida May 
Winter, who died April 2, 1880, aged two 
years and eight months. He was buried 
on the farm. 



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^l 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



863 



CHAPTER XXVI 1 



GRANT TOWNSHIP. 



Grant township is bounded on the north 
by Worth county, on the east by Lincoln 
township, on the south by Clear Lake 
township and on the west by Hancock 
county, and comprises congressional town- 
ship 97, range 22 west. This township 
was originally well timbered, but it was 
mostly cut off by the early settlers of the 
county. About onefourth of the territory 
in this township is lowland. The upland is 
a sandy loam, with here and there a 
gravel knoll raised far above the com- 
mon surface. The principal stream is 
Lime creek, which enters the township on 
section 19, crosses 20, 17, 8, 9, 4 and 3, 
where it enters Worth county. Willow 
creek is a small tributary of Lime creek, 
rising on section 11, flowing north through 
section 2 into Worth county. 

SETTLEMEXT. 

The first settler of the township was 
Abram Bennett, who settled on section 
36 in 1855 or 1856. He was a trapper 
and hunter, to which he gave nearly all 
his time and attention. He went from 
Grant township to Colorado, where he 
shortly afterward died. He erected a log 
cabin which served to accommodate trav- 
elers. Mr. Bennett broke the first land in 
the township. James Spear broke the 
next land on section 16, in 1860, and 
George Frost broke thirty four acres on 
section 34, raising 600 bushels of wheat 



which he hauled to Waverly and sold for 
thirty-five cents per bushel, and with the 
money paid fifty cents per yard for cotton 
cloth. 

James Spear came to the township in 
1858. He was born in Pennsylvania in 
1796, but at two years of age his parents 
removed to Ohio, where he was reared 
and married. Four years after his mar- 
riage his wife died, and in April, 1852, he 
married Mrs. Beatrice Emsley, who had 
six children by her first husband, two of 
whom are now living — Thomas G. and 
Margaret, wife of Charles Meddaugh. In 
1857 Mr. Spear came to Iowa and made ar- 
rangements for his land, engaging Abram 
Bennett to build him a cabin. He then 
returned to Ohio and brought his family 
on in the spring of 1858, coming as far as 
McGregor, Iowa, by steamboat, and from 
there by team to what is now Grant town- 
ship, landing May 7. He had traded Iiis 
store property in Ohio for 400 acres of 
land, and at once set about improving tlie 
same. He carried on farming until his 
health failed by reason of over work, and 
in 1865 he moved to Clear Lake village, 
renting his farm. After a lingering ill- 
ness of six years he died at Clear Lake, 
May 3, 1809. They had six children, two 
(>f whom are now living — John and Jen- 
nie, wife of E. Rosecrans. Mr. Spear was 
a strong demojrat in politics. Mrs. Spear 



V\<S 



78 






jyj 



864 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



still lives at Clear Lake, where she is es- 
teemed by all. 

The next settlers came in I860. Among 
their number were J. W. Cook, , Messrs. 
King and Thompson, also Silan Noyes 
who sold to James Goodwin land which 
he first improved on section 31. McReady 
Martin and Mr. Faulp settled in 1866 on 
section 32, and a year later, Charles Boothe 
came to the township. 

J. W. Cook became a resident of Cerro 
county and Grant township in 1865. He 
brought S!450 with him, and he invested 
$300 in land, devoting the balance to im- 
provements. His property now includes 
226 acres of land, in the best condition, 
one of the best planned barns in the coun- 
ty and a good residence. Mr. Cook was 
born in Locke, Cayuga Co., N. Y., Jan. 14, 
1831. The year following his birth the 
family moved to Ohio. There Mr. Cook's 
mother died in 1846, leaving seven chil- 
dren. His father still lives on the home- 
stead in the Buckeye State. Mr. Cook, Sr., 
was born in the year 1800. His children 
are — Mrs. McCauley, James, the custodian 
of his fathei''s interests; Nathan, settled in 
Lincoln township, Cerro Gordo county, 
and died in 1867; Lois, Mrs. Ezra Scoville, 
of Hebron. Neb.; Betsey, Mrs. Helsel, of 
Hillsdale Co., Mich.; Joseph W. and 
Euphemia, now Mrs. Henry B. Ogram, of 
Kossuth county. Mr. Cook shared in the 
family labors on the homestead farm until 
1854, when he went to Columbia Co., 
Wis. There he married Zelia E., daughter 
of Frank and Elmira Folsom. Their chil- 
dren are — William M., Fremont E., Flor- 
ence E., Sheridan G., Permelia E., 
Robert E., Bertha May and Maud E. 
James H. Dickerson, a member of Mr. 



Cook's family and associatng with him in 
his farming interests, was born in Ver- 
mont, April 10, 1832. He went to Wis- 
consin in 1853 and en'isted in February, 
1865, in company E, 50th Wisconsin Vol- 
unteer Infantry and was in the service of 
the Union one year He came to Iowa 
immediately after his ,discharge and has 
since been a resident of Cerro Gordo 
county. 

McReady Martin purchased his present 
property, in Grant township, of James 
Goodwin and Silan' Noyes, Nov. 2, 1865. 
He is finely situated on section 32, and 
has put his farm under valuable improve- 
ments. Mr. Martin was born in Crawford 
Co.,Penn., in 1832. He is the son of Jacob 
and Martha (Mason) Martin, of Pennsyl- 
vania, where his father still resides. His 
mother is not living. In 1860 he went to 
LaFayette Co., Wis., and came from there 
to Iowa. He married Margaret Galbraith, 
also of Crawford county. They are the 
parents of four children — Mary E., Ida A., 
George C. and Jessie A. 

William Fisher was born in the State 
of New Hampshire, May 18, 1808. His 
parents are Israel and Cuziah (Blood) 
Fisher. In 1817 the family emigrated to 
New York State. Here Mr. Fisher was 
reared on a farm. In 1834 he married 
Pleopa Horton. In 1844 he emigrated to 
Sheboygan, Wis., afterwards to Fond du. 
Lac county, and followed farming princi- 
pally. He also worked at the carpenter's 
trade. His wife died in Wisconsin, leav- 
ing four children — Homer E., Hayden, de- 
ceased; Horace W. and Frank J. He came 
to Iowa in 1874 and now resides with his 
sons. 



VI <5- 



» V 



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Lit. 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



865 



Homer E. Fisher, son of William Fish- 
er, was born in Onondaga Co., N. Y., Dec. 
20. 1837. He removed with the family to 
Wisconsin, where, in July, 1865, he mar- 
ried Lucy E. Thompson, daughter of E. O. 
Thompson. He came to Cerro Gordo 
county and settled where he now lives in 
1866. He owns 160 acres of well improved 
land. The children are — Lillian S. and 
Hattie May. In politics Mr. Fisher is a 
republican. 

C. W. Booth settled in Lincoln township 
in 186? , and Grant township in 186?. He 
was born in Kentucky, Sept. 9, 1823, and is 
the son of W. S. and Elizabeth (Witt) 
Booth, the former of Virginia, the latter 
of Kentucky. In 1827 the family emigrated 
to Illinois, and in 1835 to Iowa Co., Wis. 
December, 1848, C. W. Booth married 
Susan Leach, daughter of Oliver and 
Susan (Knight) Leach, and came from 
Wisconsin to Iowa in October, 1865. Their 
cliildren are — Aurelia, now Mrs. S.E. Rood; 
Annie, now Mrs. George Osborn; Minerva, 
now Mrs. Andrew Hennis; W. Oliver, 
Charles, Alard and Dora. In politics Mr. 
Booth is of republican persuasion, and in 
religious matters he is an adherent of the 
United Brethren Church. 

Andrew Hennis was born in Washing- 
ton Co , Iowa, Nov. 19, 1858. He was left 
fatherless when a child and was reared in 
the family of David Fisher, with whom he 
came to Cerro Gordo county. March 19, 
1878, he married Minerva Booth. They 
have two children — Clarence and Ger- 
trude. 

Henry Garlock came to the county in 
1869 and settled on section 24, of Grant 
township, where he still resides. Mr 
Garlock has made good improvements 



on his farm. He was born in Jeffer- 
son Co., N. Y., Oct. 22, 1839, his parents 
being Joseph and Nancy Garlock. In 
1846 the family removed to Wisconsin, 
and lived five years in Milwaukee, then 
settled at Milton, Rock county. Here 
Henry helped till the soil, and in 1863, at 
Janesville, Wis.', married Hannah Hard, 
a daughter of Denois and Mary Ann Hurd. 
In 1869 he came to Iowa as above stated. 
They have eight children living — Sarah, 
Dora, Henry D., Mary, Maud, Josephine, 
Sherman and Bertha. 

David Garlock, a brother of Henry, also 
came to the county, in 1869, and purchased 
land on section 25, which he improved 
and still owns. 

Ellsworth H. Sampson settled in the 
county in 1869. He first lived at Clear 
Lake and followed the carpenter's trade. 
In 1872 he engaged in farming in Lincoln 
township. In 1875 he settled on section 
34, Grant township, where he still resides, 
owning 160 acres. He was born Nov. 15, 
1848. rtisparetxts wereT. S. and Electa L. 
Sampson. In 1853 the family emigrated to 
Illinois; four years later to Kansas, after- 
wards to Wisconsin, and in 1869 to Iowa 
and settled on Clear Lake where the par- 
ents still reside. In January, 1872, be 
married Mary L. Goodwin, daughter of C. 
S. and Rosanna Goodwin. They have 
four children — Zelma, Clara, Rosanna and 
Clyde. 

H. L. Brown settled in Cerro Gordo 
county in 1856, and thus establishes his 
claim as a pioneer of the county. He was 
born in Rutland Co., Vt., Dec. 18, 1824. 
His parents were Hiram and Phebe (At- 
kins) Brown. They removed soon after 
his birth to the State of New York, and 



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866 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



when but three years old he was left moth- 
erless. He returned to Vermont and was 
reared under the care of his grandfather, 
Philip Brown. He was reared on a farm, 
but on reacliing his majority he learned 
the moulder's trade. In 1848 he maxried 
Harriet L. Ward, and three years later, 
went to Whiteside Co., 111., and interested 
himself in farming. In 1856 he came to 
Iowa and located in Lime Creek township. 
He settled in Grant township in 1870. His 
farm was located on the southeast quarter 
of section 18, and he made many improve- 
ments while he occupied it. In 1877, his 
health becoming impaired, he sold out and 
retired from active life, taking up his res- 
idence with his son, whose sketch follows. 
His children are — Albert G., Hiram E. 
and Warner J. In politics Mr. Brown is 
a republican, and has held many official 
positions in the township. He is now jus- 
tice of the peace. He belongs to the M. E. 
Church. 

Hiram E. Brown was born in Whiteside 
Co., 111., Oct. 16, 1853. He has resided in 
Cerro Gord® county since the date of his 
father's settlement. He was married Dec. 
25, 1874, to Sarah B. Miller, born in Cook 
Co., 111. Mr. Brown is one of the oldest 
teachers in the county and has taught thir- 
teen terms; twelve in Grant township. He 
now lives on section 9, and owns 200 acres 
of land. 

J. R. Carr, stock farmer, has resided in 
Grant township since November, 1870. 
At that date he purchased eighty acres of 
land and has since increased his real es- 
tate to 320 acres, which is located on sec- 
tion 9. The entire tract was unbrofeen 
prairie, but it is now all under good im- 
provements, and is beautified and in- 



creased in value by one of the model 
farm houses of the county. Mr. Carr was 
born in McHenry Co., 111., July 25, 1838. 
His parents, Darius and Thankful ( Spen- 
cer) Carr, were both natives of the State 
of New York. In 1854 the Carr family 
removed to La Fayette Co., Wis., where 
the elder Carr engaged in farming. In 
1859 Mr. Carr, of this sketch, was mar- 
ried to Mary Donneough. Her parents, 
Edward and Mary Donneough, were resi- 
dents of Ireland and came to the United 
States when Mrs. Carr was only six years 
old. Mr. Carr returned to his native 
county in 1869, and the next year came to 
Iowa. Of eight children born to Mr. and 
Mrs. Carr, seven still survive — Edward, 
William, Ella, George, Etta, Benton, 
Florence and Lester, born April 29, 1883. 
Mr. Carr endorses the principles of the 
republican party but takes little active 
interest in politics. He is chiefly inter- 
ested in his own business and is a success- 
ful and e.xtensive dealer in fine stock. 

Mark Dexter is the name of one of the 
most prominent and conspicuous figures 
in the local history of Grant township, 
and also bears the same relationship to 
Mason City, in which latter place he set- 
tled in Februar}', 1856. He was a wagon 
maker by trade, and finding his knowledge 
in that line in requisition, he opened a 
shep and manufactured the first wagons 
made in Cerro Gordo county. He devoted 
part of his time and energies to the call- 
ing of carpenter and builder, and also to 
bridge building. He built the first school 
house in the county, and hung the first 
bell, whose tones summoned the school 
children to duty. Mr. Dexter was mar- 
ried in 1859 to Amanda, daughter of Alva 



u^ 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



867 



L. and Miranda ( Hartwell ) Whiting. In 
1863 be settled on the west half of the 
northwest quarter of section 16, in what 
is now Grant township. He made his 
purchase of the claim in 1864, holding 
possession until 1866, when he sold to J. 
C. Thompson and removed to his present 
location on section 8. He is now proprie- 
tor of 240 acres of fine land. Mr. Dexter 
has at intervals, as occasion demanded, 
given much attention to building and has 
erected several school houses. Mrs. Dex- 
ter died in December, 1880, leaving seven 
children — Olive (Mrs. J. L Hooper), 
Dwight, Whiting, Amanda, Mary Jane, 
Selee and Thomas. Mr. Dexter is a native 
of Canada, and was born July 27, 1834. 
His parents were John and Margaret 
( Dudgeon ) Dexter, the former a Cana- 
dian, the latter a native of Scotland. The 
family came to the States in 1835, settling 
in Lee Co., 111. Mark Dexter was reared 
on a farm, but at the age of eighteen 
learned his trade, and followed it as avoca- 
tion in Lee county until 1855, when he 
started for Iowa, driving a team for J. B. 
Long, who brought the first steam engine 
to Cerro Gordo county. The same engine 
supplies the power in a mill at Forest 
City. Mr. Dexter is a republican in poli- 
tics, and has received the support of the 
voters in the town and county where he 
resides for ofticial positions nearly all the 
time of his residence here. He is a fine 
sample of the material that has placed 
Iowa in a fair rank among the western 
States. 

Horace W. Fisher, son of William 
Fisher, was born in Oswego Co., N. Y., 
Oct. 30, 1843. He was a resident of 
Sheboygan, Wis., some years, whither he 



accompanied his parents. In 1866 he 
came to Iowa and fixed his residence at 
Charles City. In 1873 he came to Cerro 
Gordo county, and now owns 160 acres of 
land with valuable improvements on sec- 
tion 28, of Grant township. He was mar- 
ried in March, 1878, to Hila, daughter of 
George Hayes. Mr. and Mrs. Fisher have 
two children — Cora May and Ida Mabel. 
Mr. Fisher is a republican and active in 
local politics. He has held several town- 
ship oflices. 

George Hayes, a large stock farmer, 
was born in Addison Co., Vt., March 13, 
1832. His parejits were John and Perme- 
lia (Devine) Hayes. In 1835 the family 
removed to New York. Here George 
was reared on a farm, and in 1853 mar- 
ried Helen Heath, a native of Canada, 
daughter of John and Evaline ( Brown ) 
Heath. In 1854 he emigrated to Illinois, 
and settled in De Kalb county. Thence 
he came to Iowa, in 1876. They have had 
twelve children, eleven now living — Ed- 
win, Bennett, Hila, Permelia, Herbert, 
Servilla, Endora, Frank, Harvey, Harry 
and Nellie. 

L. O. Sanderson resides on the north- 
west quarter of section 3 in Grant town- 
ship. He was born in Norway, Nov. 23, 
I8o9, and is the son of Ole and Gro 
Sanderson. The Sanderson family came 
to the United States in 1847, and settled 
in the township of Moscow, Iowa Co., Wis., 
where the father died in 1853. The 
mother subsequently married Kittel Paul- 
son, and lived on the old homestead until 
1882, when they moved to Fertile, Worth 
Co., Iowa, where they now reside. L O. 
Sanderson was brought up on the farm, 
and acquired a good education. He com- 



.■V' 



'k 



868 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



menced teaching school at the age of 
eighteen, a vocation he has pursued win- 
ters upwards of twenty-five years. He 
was married Dec. 17, 1862,to Sarah Gullick- 
son, also a native of Norway. Her parents 
came to the United States when she was 
but four years of age. Her father was 
Gulliok, and her mother Aase Gullick- 
son. She was born Aug. 20, 1840. Mr. 
Sanderson settled in Worth Co., Iowa, in 
1876. He located in Grant township, 
Cerro Gordo county, Sept. 15, 1877. He 
is a republican in political principles, and 
while in Wisconsin held the office of town- 
ship clerk nine years, assessor one year, 
and has also officiated as justice of the 
j)eace. Mr. and Mrs. Sanderson have had 
eleven children, ten of whom are now 
living — Anna Marie, Gunhild Louisa, 
Sophia Marline, Berget Matilda, Grethe 
Otilia, GuUick Olaus, Amanda Helene, 
Sander LaMartine, Louis Samuel and 
Olena Amelia. Their first child, Ole 
Guntierius, died at the age of one year, 
four month and eleven days. The family 
belong to the Lutheran Church. 

FIRST EVENT.S. 

The first marriage in Grant township 
was George Osborne and Annie Booth. 

The first birth a son to James and 
Beatrice Spear, who was born March 29, 
1861. He lived only two years; his re- 
mains were first buried on grounds belong- 
ing to Mrs. Osborn, but later removed to 
Clear Lake. 

The first deaths which occurred were 
three children of Mr. and Mrs Spear, who 
died in June, 1873 — James, aged ten years, 
died June 3; William, aged five years, 
died June 6, and Mildred, aged two years. 



died June 7. These three children all 
died of diptheria. 

ORGANIC. 

The first general election in Grant 
township occurred Nov. 3, 1868. The 
meeting was called to order by Frank 
Hartshorn, clerk of the district courts, 
who appointed Wm. Owen, M. C. Martin 
and J. W. Cook judges of the election. 
Abram King and H. Humphery were 
clerks of the election. At this election 
the following officers were elected: J. W. 
Cook, L. F. McMillen, McReady Martin, 
trustees; Abram King, clerk; Harrison 
Humphrey, assessor; Squire Humphrey. 
supervisor; Abram King, Wm. Owens, 
justices; Charles Booth and Squire Hum- 
phrey, constables. 

In 1883 H. E. Fisher was elected as 
township trustee; J. White, clerk, and 
Joseph Dawson, assessor. H. L. Brown 
and Joseph Lingle, justices of the peace. 

SCHOOLS. 

The first school in Grant township was 
held in a log cabin built for the purpose 
by Mr. Spear, who made application to the 
township for a school in 1862, whereupon 
an arrangement was made by which he 
was to furnish a building, and the town- 
ship was to hire the teacher. Ellen Tuttle 
taught this school, and had but four pu- 
pils — Maggie, James, John and Willie 
Spear. Her wages were $2.50 per week, 
$1.00 of which she j)aid Mrs. Spear for 
her board. 

The school building in district No. 1, 
is situated on the northeast quarter of 
the southeast quarter of section 11. It 
was built by Mark Dexter in 1879. It is 
a frame building costing $540. 



-^F" 






HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



8G9 



The third school house was built in 
what is now sub-district No. 2, in 1878. 
It is a stone building, costing $540. The 
first teacher was Jackson White. 

The school house in district No. 3 was 
built in 1871, and stood on the southwest 
quarter of section 19, but has since been 
moved to section 17. Mark Dexter built 
this house also; cost, $487. The first 
teacher was Irine Hubbard. 

In 1868 a stone school house was erected 
in district No. 4, on the northwest quarter 
of section 16, at a cost of $700. This was 
a very substantial one, and is still used for 
school purposes. Harrison Humphrey 
taught the first term of school in this 
district in the winter of 1868-9. 

The school building, for district No. 5, 
is situated on section 25. It was built by 
Mr. Dexter in 1871, for $487. 

In district No. 6, the school house is 
situated on the southeast corner of section 
30, in a frame building which was re- 
moved from Clear Lake township, in 
1878. The first teacher was Miss Pence 



RELIGIOUS. 

The first society which was organized 
in Grant township was that of the Chris- 
tians, who first met as a body in the spring 
of 1869. Their meeting place was at the 
school house in district No. 4. Rev. Cot- 
te ell, of Clear Lake, was their pastor for 
two years. There is no society now there, 
as most of the members have moved 
away. 

The Free Methodists organized in dis- 
trict No. 4, in 1874, with Rev. Greenup 
as pastor. This society went down in 
1881. The United Brethren have a soci- 
ety in this district. Rev. H. H Shields 
was their first pastor. He was succeeded 
by Rev. John Fulcumer. Rev. Johns is 
their present pastor. They iiave a mem- 
bership of twenty-five, also a good Sun- 
day school. 

CEMETERY. 

The Grant township cemetery was plat- 
ted on the southwest quarter of section 9, 
in 1870. In 1883 there were only five 
graves within this cemetery. 



CHAPTER XXVIII. 



LAKE TOWNSHIP. 



•."1^- 



Lake township originally took in all 
the northern part of Cerro Gordo county;- 
embracing a territory twenty-four miles 
north and south, by nine miles east and 
west. In 1865 Clear Lake township was 
set off from Lake, and in 1883 the town- 



ship contained congressional township 96, 
range 21 west, and was bounded on the 
north by Lincoln, on the east by .Mason, 
on the south by Mount Vernon and on the 
west by Clear Lake township. Lake is a 
beautiful agricultural district, which in 



— ^9 



A 



870 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



1883 contained some uncultivated land, 
but was fast developing. Willow creek 
and its numerous tributaries water the 
township. The main stream being the 
outlet of Clear Lake, passes through the 
township, from section 18, in a northeast- 
ern direction, making its exit from sec- 
tion 1, and from there runs southeast to a 
point just east of Mason City, where it 
unites with Lime creek. 

There are beautiful native groves on 
sections 7 and 18, besides a portion of 
what is called east grove, which is situated 
about three miles southeast of the lake. 
At an early day there was considerable 
timber in the northern part of the town- 
ship, a portion of which was cut off by 
early settlers. There are now many cul- 
tivated groves in the township which serve 
admirably as wind breakers in winter 
time, and lend picturesque beauty to the 
scene in the summer. The Chicago, Mil- 
waukee and St. Paul Railway, passes 
through the township from east to west, 
with a station near the line between Lake 
and Clear Lake townships, at the town of 
Clear Lake. 

SETTLE MSNT. 

The first actual settler, in what is now 
Lake township, was James Dickirson in 
1852. He settled on section 7, and built 
the first house in the township. 

James Sirrine, of Clear Lake, is one of 
the oldest settlers, not only of Clear Lake, 
but of Cerro Gordo county. He came 
here in 185?, and entered six forties, four 
of which were on section 13, at the east 
end of the lake, where he now resides. Mr. 
Sirrine was born at Peekskill, N. Y., in 
1811. His father removed to Pennsyl- 
vania, when James was a child, and settled 



in Pike county in that State. He was 
reared in Pennsylvania, married and re- 
turned to the State of New York, where 
he lived thirteen years. He then removed 
to Illinois, where he lived two years, then 
came to Iowa. His father settled near 
him, where he resided until 1878, when he 
removed to Minnesota. But few families 
were living in Cerro Gordo county when 
Mr. Sirrine came here. Dickirson and 
Hewitt, the earliest settlers of the county, 
had been here but two or three years. One 
by one, the pioneers are passing away and 
Mr. Sirrine is one of the few who are left 
of those who laid the foundation of a home 
here thirty years ago. Mr. Sirrine mar- 
ried Susan Reese, born in New York; she 
died here in 1859. His present wife was 
born in Indiana. Mr. Sirrine had five 
children by his first wife, three of whom 
are living — Robert, Frederick and Ste- 
phen. James and David were soldiers 
in the army of the Union during the re- 
bellion; the former was a member of the 
12th United States Regulars, and was 
killed at the battle of the Wilderness; the 
latter was a memberof the same regiment, 
and was killed accidentally at Fort Ham- 
ilton. Robert Sirrine, the oldest son, was 
born in McHenry Co., 111., in 1837, and 
came to this county with his father. He 
is one of the most prosperous and sub. 
stantial farmers of Lake township. He 
resides on section 16, where he has a fine 
farm of 160 acres; he also owns another 
farm of 160 acres on section 21. He mar- 
ried Martha Denslow, daughter of John 
Denslow. She was born in Linn Co. 
Iowa. 

The next to come in were Mr. Rice and 
Mr. Alloway. No others came until 1855, 



f 



r 




»* 




Sd^ e^.SLa^i^ 



^, 



■-'4. 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



873 



daring which year the following became 
settlers: Hiram A. Stiles, Rowland Gard- 
ner, Harvey Luc<i, E. A. Tuttle, Andrew 
Buttcrfield, William Wilson, Abram Ben- 
nett, Peter Parrisb, James B. Wood and 
Charles A. Meddaugh. 

Hiram Stiles settled on section 6, where 
he remained about five years and removed 
to Hancock county and later, to Wabaun- 
see Co., Kan. 

Elon A. Tuttle is one of the pioneers 
of Cerro Gordo county,' and resides on 
section 9, of Lake township. He was 
born in 18-2:3, in Herkimer Co., N. Y., 
where he grew to manhood, and was 
married, after which he went to Cort- 
land county, and there resided twelve 
years. In 1855, in company with iiis 
brother Marcus, and their respective 
families, Mr. Tuttle removed to John- 
son Co., Iowa, remaining there but a brief 
period, and the same season they made 
their way to Cerro Gordo county. Here 
Mr. Tuttle purchased forty am-es of land 
on section 7, of James Dickirson, the first 
he owned in the township and which was 
the nucleus of a farm including 300 acres 
on which he was resident many years, and 
which, under his nfenagement,became one 
of tlie model places in the county, adorned 
with a most enviable home. Associated 
with his brothers, Marcus and A. B. Tut- 
tle, he entered a claim of 500 acres, and 
the same season drew the lumber for his 
first house from Iowa City. The same 
fall he built his residence and moved his 
family from Johnson county. This was 
the first frame house in what is now Lake 
township. The wife of Mr. Tuttle was 
Orrissa C. Humphreville, born in Herki- 
mer Co., N. Y., in 1823, and died May 14, 



1880. Six of Mr. Tuttle's seven children 
are living — Nellie, wife of A. H. Hotelling; 
Hattie (deceased) ; Sylvia, wife of Rev. 
George A. Cressey, resident at Huron, 
Dakota; Adelmer M., practicing physician 
at Britt and Lucien, also living in Britt, 
Hancock county ; Nettie, wife of D. D. 
Howe, of Britt ; Sophia, wife of David 
Howe, a resident of Mandan, Dakota. Mr. 
Tuttle and his brothers are popularly and 
widely known as pioneers of Cerro Gordo 
county, and rank among the promoters of 
progress and growth to a fair position 
among the best counties of the State. A. 
B. Tuttle resides at Mason City ; Marcus 
Tuttle has settled in Clay county. After 
the death of his wife, Mr. Tuttle sold his 
homestead farm, and has since resided on 
a quarter section of which he became pro- 
prietor in 1855, and on which he built 
a pleasant home. 

Joseph Wood was born in Fayette Co., 
Penn., in 1804. His parents were not pos- 
sessed of much of this world's goods, 
and the untimely death of his father left 
his mother with five little children depend- 
ent upon her for support. She fulfilled 
this duty as best she could and kept her 
family together until her son Joseph was 
eight years old, when she was obliged to 
place him according to circumstances. He 
spent his life in this way until nearly 
fourteen years old, when he put into prac- 
tice a resolution to test the innate man- 
hood he believed himself to possess, and 
set out to meet more than half way his 
struggle with life. The small pack of his 
possessions placed on his back was lighter 
than his heart, as he bade good-bye to his 
friends and youthful associations, and set 
forth for a foot journey of more than 200 



79 



^rv" 



S'- 



•liL 



874 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



miles. He had but a few shillings, and 
made the route with the utmost possible 
self-denial, eating but four meals. Reach- 
ing Perry Co., Ohio, nature succumbed ; 
he was too nearly starved to make further 
progress. Thi.s was in 1817 ; the country 
was well nigh a wilderness of primeval 
forest, and the settlers had but little to 
eat save corn and the wild meat which re- 
warded the hunter's toil. But they divided 
food and hearthstone with the forlorn boy, 
and he resolved to rest his travel-weary 
feet for a time, if he could find anything 
to aid in self-sustaining. He engaged to 
work for a shoemaker for the necessaries 
of life, in order to learn the trade. Food, 
clothes and instruction ranked alike in 
value, but he managed to go to school for 
three months of the year he stayi-d with 
this man, and obtained a slight knowledge 
of reading and spelling. He believed 
the future held a better fate for him, and 
once more he essayed a foot journey, with 
his knapsack on his back. He baited at 
Johnstown, Licking Co., Ohio, and woi-ked 
there for eight and ten dollars a month 
until he was twenty-four years of age. 
He was married at twenty-one, and in less 
than three years, he was a widower with 
two young children to care for. His small 
savings were exhausted by the expenses 
of his wife's illness and burial, and he 
was forced to begin anew. After a time he 
again married. At thirty-two, having saved 
a litttle money, he removed with his family 
to Indiana. He was frugal and industri- 
ous, and in 1855 was enabled to come to 
Iowa. He made his claim on section 25, 
township 96, range 22, about a mile from 
Clear Lake. The severe winter of 1856-7 
discouraared him and he went to Missouri 



and Kansas, where he stayed about two 
years, when, impelled by sickness, he re- 
turned and re occupied his claim, of which 
happily, he had not disposed, and here has 
his lot been cast. He stands among the 
best citizens. The traits which character- 
ized his independent spirit in boyhood, 
have made him a valuable acquisition to 
the community where he has spent the 
strength of his manhood's years. His 
farm is under fine improvements, stocked 
with horses and cattle he has abundance 
of small and other fruits, and in his trans- 
actions with the community he is deserv- 
edly popular and trusted. Of a family 
of ten children, resulting from his second 
marriage, but three are living — James B., 
Mrs. Eunice Hayden and Mrs. Sarah Ste- 
vens, all of whom are settled near their 
father, and are in easy circumstances. 
Mrs. Catharine McKinney is a daughter 
of Mrs. Wood by a former marriage. 
Peter R. Wood, another son, laid his life 
upon his country's altar. He was ser- 
geant in the 32d Iowa Volunteer In- 
fantry, and was mortally wounded at 
the battle of Pleasant Hill, La. Father 
Wood is a fine sample of the element that 
forced its way into the western wilds, 
and hewed success from the resources 
of the wilderness. His history proves 
the folly of the times. Nearly eighty 
years old, his judgment is still sound, his 
mental and moral strength firm, and tlie 
iron resolution that cast aside the misfor- 
tunes of his youth, is still unbroken. He 
lives with his wife in a green old age, 
passing down life's western slope, flooded 
with a brightness reflected from his noble 
and well-spent life, as fresh and rosy as 



^-* 



M '* « ' 



k. 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



875 



the halo of the dawn that blesses the 
world in the mornings early June. 

James B. Wood, of the firm of Wood 
& Berkley, wagon makers, was born in 
Henry Co., Ind., Nov. 10, 1839. He mar- 
ried Mary Denslow, whose father was 
among the first settlers of Cedar county. 
He died at Council Bluffs about the year 
1850, while en route for California. 

Charles A. Meddaugh is the son of 
Peter Meddaugh, who settled with his 
family in Cerro Gordo county, in June, 1855. 
The elder Meddaugh was a native of 
Poughkeepsie, N, Y., born July 4, 1795. 
He was of Dutch descent; his grandparents 
having come to this country from Hol- 
land many years prior to thg Revolution. 
He was a harness maker and saddler by 
trade, and was engaged in this occupation 
before coming to Iowa. On his arrival in 
the State he bought a quarter section 
claim in the present township of Lime 
Creek, whose present owner is John D. 
Glass. His wife was also born in Duchess 
county, and after the death of her husband 
returned to the State of New York. She 
died there in Tompkins county, Feb. 20, 
1882. Four of the six children of Mr. 
and Mrs. .Meddaugh are still living — 
James resides in Florida; Mrs. Rebecca 
Robinson in Broome Co,, N. Y.; Mrs. 
Lydia Bull, in Tompkins Co., N. Y.; and 
C. A. Meddaugh, of this sketch. The 
latter is third in the order of succession, 
and was born in Tompkins county in 1841. 
He married a daughter of the Buckeye 
State — Margaret G. Emsley. Her father 
died in her childhood, in Ohio, and her 
stepfather, James Speers, was an early 
settler in Cerro Gordo county. He died 
in Clear Lake township, in 1869. Her 



mother lives at Clear Lake. Mr. and 
Mrs. Meddaugh have two sons — Lofton A. 
born in Florida, Aug. 19, 1870, and Karl 
E., born Oct. 30, 1879. Thomas G. Ems- 
ley, of Mason City, is a brother of 
Mrs. Meddaugh. Mr. Meddaugh has been 
much of his life engaged in teaching, and 
is still interested in all educational mat- 
ters. He deals to some extent in school 
furniture, although his chief occupation 
is farming. In 1866 he went to Florida 
where he passed four years. He resides 
at Clear Lake, and owns a fine farm of 200 
acres in Grant township, also a 430 acre 
farm in Florida. 

During 1856 E. A. Tuttle, A. B. Tuttle, 
Charles Gillespie and Elnathan Crowell 
located. 

Elnathan Crowell was born at Cape 
Cod, Mass., in 1812, which was his home 
until he was thirty years of age, as it was 
that of his father and grandfather, who 
passed their entire lives there. Mr. Cro- 
well went to sea at twelve years of age. He 
shipped on a merchantman and during his 
nautical life saw much of the world. He 
visited the principal seaboard cities of 
America, as well as the chief places in 
France, Spain, St. Domingo and other 
countries. When he abandoned a sea- 
faring life he followed the vocation of 
carpenter and worked at Boston and 
Southbridge, Mass., and at Keene, N. H. 
He first located in the west near St. 
Mary's, Ohio, and came to Mason City in 
1856. In June of the next year he became 
a resident in Lake township. Mr. Cro- 
well has been married three times. His 
first wife was a native of North Dana, 
Mass., and died eighteen months after her 
marriage. Her successor was Roxanna 






876 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



Gibbs, who died after coming to Lake. 
The third wife, Mrs. Sarah (Dickerra) 
Hall, is still living. One of three chil- 
dren of the second marriage — Lewis C. — 
still survives. Mr. Crowell owns a valua- 
ble farm of 120 acres, on section 26, and 
resides at Clear Lake. 

Mrs. Elvira F. (Gibbs) Dort and her 
daughter, Mrs. R. A. Howard, are the 
representatives of two prominent pioneer 
settlers of Clear Lake, who came here to- 
gether in 1857. Mrs. Dort was born, in 
Sullivan, N. H., in 1813. She married 
Willard Dort, with whom she lived forty- 
seven years. Following is a sketch of 
Mr. Dort, published at the time of his 
death. Mr. Dort was born at Gilsum, N. 
H., April 5, 1807. He received an ordinary 
country school education and was engaged 
in farming and carpentering all his life. 
He married Elvira F. Gibbs, April 24, 
1834, who survives her husband after a 
pleasant companionship of forty -seven 
years. They have three children, two 
sons who reside east, and one daughter, 
Mrs. Rosa A. Howard who has always re- 
sided with them. Mr. Dort and family 
came to Clear Lake from Keene, N. H., in 
1857. Mr. Dort was one of the few pio- 
neers of Clear Lake who spent the best 
part of their lives in improving and build- 
ing up our town. He was a remarkably 
industrious man, and, though he had at- 
tained the age of seventy-four years, sel- 
dom passed a day unemployed till his last 
sickness, or six days previous to his death. 
He joined the Haptist Church at Sullivan, 
N. H., in 1838, and lived a consistent 
Christian life. Li 1867 he with others or- 
ganized the First Baptist Church at Clear 
Lake, and was elected the first deacon of 



this Church, a position he held to the day 
of his death. In 1872 he began the erec- 
tion of a church for the society. He cut 
and hewed and hauled all the timber for 
the frame, and stone for the basement,'and 
during the following summer, with the 
help of others, built the church, paying 
nearly one half of its cost, and donating 
all his labor, and by his zealous labors the 
denomination have a church that is an or- 
nament to the town and a credit to the 
society. "When the building was nearly 
finished he, unfortunately, fell from its 
roof and received injuries from which he 
never fully recovered. He was an earnest 
temperance man, and did all in his power 
to forward whatever tended to elevate the 
people morally or religiously. Generous 
and hospitable, his doors were always 
open, and in pioneer days the tired and 
hungry were always sure of a generous 
welcome, and found rest and refreshment 
without money and without price." He 
died at his residence at Clear Lake, April 
16,1881. 

Mrs. Rosa (Dort) Howard became the 
wife of Thomas O. Howard in December, 
1856. They accompanied Mrs. Howard's 
parents to Clear Lake. Herself and two 
children survive the husband and father. 
A daughter, Nettie L., wife of O. J. Hub- 
bard, resides in Lake township. The son 
is the namesake of his father. Mr. How- 
ard was born in Marlow, N. H., Dec. 13, 
1832. He was a resident of Keene in 
that State some years previous to coming 
to Iowa. He was a carpenter and builder 
by trade, and, with characteristic energy, 
identified himself with a new and grow- 
ing country, and soon became well and 



efv" 



it 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



877 



widely known and universally esteemed 
for his manly and noble qualities. He en- 
listed in August, 1862, in company B, 32d 
Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and received a 
mortal wound at the battle of Pleasant 
Hill, Louisiana, April, 9, 1864, and died 
two days after at the hospital at that 
place. The following account of this 
brave soldier was published in the Sketches 
of Iowa Soldiers. "Thomas O. Howard, 1st 
lieutenant of company B, 32d regiment, 
Iowa Volunteer Infantry, was born in the 
State of New Hampshire, and was thirty 
years of age at the time of his death. He 
was made orderly sergeant on the organi- 
zation of the company, and upon the death 
of Lieut. Lane in December, 1862, was 
promoted to a second lieutenantcy, and 
subsequently was made .first lieutenant, 
which position he held at the time of his 
death. He served with the regiment on 
all its marches and campaigns, except in 
the expedition to Meridian, when he was 
absent on sick leave. It is said that death 
loves a shining mark, and the truthfulness 
of this saying is well illustrated in his 
death. Lieut. Howard was the idol of his 
company, and, perhaps, it might in truth 
be said, of the regiment. Tall, well 
formed and comely, with a dignified bear- 
ing and a winning, open countenance, 
truthful and honest in all his dealings, 
courageous, brave, firm, yet kind and gen- 
erous, he was every inch a gentleman and 
a man. As an officer, he had no superior 
among the officers of his regiment. There 
was the material in him of which success- 
ful generals are made. During the long, 
weary hours of waiting, preceding the 
battle of Pleasant Hill, he commanded 
the skirmishers in front of the right wing 



of the regiment, and his bearing on that 
occasion was worthy of all praise." 

The first settlers on the prairie were 
Abram Bennett and Mr. Gardner. Ben- 
nett located on section 6, in 1855, and 
Gardner on section 9. Gardner remained 
a year or two and removed to Spirit Lake, 
where he and all but two of his family 
were killed by the Indians in the spring 
of 1857. Bennett removed to Colorado 
and died. 

E. A. Tutlle brought his family on and 
moved on his place in 1856. About the 
same time Caleb Hubbard and Mr. Piser 
settled on the prairie. 

During the years of the war but few set- 
tlers came in. About the next settlement 
was made, in 1868, by R. O. Sirrine, Wil- 
liam Jackson and Myron Barton, all of 
whom located on section 16. 

C. B. Seabury resides on section 10, 
Lake township, on a farm of 100 acres. 
He was born in Chautauqua Co., N. Y., in 
March, 1832. He married Susan Case and 
in 1869 they came to Iowa. Mr. Seabury 
sen this family by direct route and made the 
journey himself with teams. Mr. and Mrs. 
Seabury have three daughters — Florence, 
Irene and Lena. Mr. Seabury was elected 
supervisor in 1873, held the position three 
years and has also been township trustee 
several terms and acting justice of the 
peace three years. 

Joseph Case came to Iowa in 1869, mak- 
ing the route overland with his teams and 
personal property. He was born in the 
eastern part of the State of New York and 
when a boy, in 1807, went to Chautauqua 
county. He died at Clear Lake in Sep- 
tember, 1880. Mrs. Case, his widow, re- 
sides with her daughter, Mrs. Seabury. 



>^\s- 



rr 



jdt 



^ s> 



^ 



878 



fflSTORY OF CERRO GOEDO COUNTY. 






She was formeily Patty Fairbanks and 
was born in Vermont in 1810. 

Rodney Palmer was born in St. Law- 
rence Co., N. Y., in 1848. He came to 
Iowa with bis father, who is a resident of 
Lake township, in 1869. He is located on 
section 26, on a farm he bought of C. Pat- 
rick, a non-resident land-holder. It com- 
prises eighty acres and Mr. Palmer has 
made all its improvements, it being wild 
land when he purchased it. He was mar- 
ried to Lizzie, daughter of George Carlton, 
and the children are — La Fayette,Clarence 
W., Merwin and Alice E. 

Osnian Burdick located on section 4 of 
Lake township. He is a resident on a tract 
of land originally entered by E. A. Tut- 
tle. Mr. Burdick purchased of Moses 
Stewart in January, 1869. He was born 
in 1840 in Madison Co., N. Y., and came 
with his father, Perrin Burdick, to Rock 
Co., Wis., when eight yeais of age His 
father lives with him. His mother died 
when lie was but two yeais of age. The 
family removed from Wisconsin to Clay- 
ton Co., Iowa, and soon after to Bremer 
county. They next moved to Floyd county 
and eventually settled as stated. Mr. 
Burdick's farm contains 160 acres. He 
married Adeline Rice, sister of James A. 
Rice. She was born in Illinois. Their 
children are — Elmer and Clara. 

J. G. Lindon, of the firm of Lindon & 
Bolton, stock dealers, was born in England 
in 1850 and was there trained to the voca- 
tion of farmer. In 1869 he came to the 
United States and spent a year at Water- 
town, Wis., coming to Clear Lake in 1870, 
and at once entered into his present busi- 
ness. The copartnership of Lindon & Bol- 
ton was formed in 1877. The house is 



ranked among the most extensive in the 
State, and enjoys a large degree of public 
confidence. At the present writing, May, 
1883, they have in stock 3,000 head of cat- 
tle, all of which were wintered within a 
radius of a few miles. Mr. Lindon has had 
large experience in the management of 
stock, and is versed and practiced in the 
details of business. The interests of the 
firm are extending, and have every pros- 
pect of far outstretching their present di- 
mensions. Lindon & Bolton own a fine 
farm of 400 acres near town, and Mr. Lin- 
don owns individually a quarter section 
His fine residence is situated in the east 
part of the village. Mrs. Lindon was 
formerly Carrie E. Quick, a native of 
Ohio, of English descent. She is the 
mother of two children — Adella and Vida 
Belle Lindon. 

James D. Freeman settled in Cerro 
Gordo county in June, 1871. He pur- 
chased forty acres of virgin prairie, 
erected a good house and set out shade 
trees, which gives the place an appear- 
ance of having been much longer occu- 
pied. He has added forty acres to his 
original purchase. Mr. Freeman was 
born in Plainlield, Vt., July 19, 18-27. 
His parents, Natlian and Esther ( Con- 
verse ) Freeman, were both of New Eng- 
land origin. He was the youngest of six 
children, and, at thirteen, he found him- 
self comparatively homeless. His brothers 
and sisters were married, and his mother 
being in a hopeless state from consump- 
tion, the home was broken up, and James 
went to Lowell, Mass., finding employ- 
ment in a cotton mill as extra hand. In 
nine months he had secured the confidence 
of the owners and an expert knowledge 



r 



•Vla- 



^ 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



879 



of the machinery, and was put in the 
position of assistant overseer of several 
hands, and also attended to card grinding. 
He operated in this manner nine suc- 
cessive years. He then went to Manches- 
ter, N. H. and assisted in the opening of a 
new cotton mill, where he remained two 
years He was married in that city, in the 
fall of 1849, to Martha Straw. He had 
an illness of several months duration in 
1851, and left his position. In the fall of 
that year he returne<l to Vermont. A 
year later he went back to Lowell, and 
again entered a cotton mill. In 1853 his 
wife died, leaving a son — Le Roy A., and 
in 1854 Mr. Freeman was married to 
Maria L. Vose. He then removed to 
Milwaukee, Wis., and followed the voca- 
tion of painter. In 1855 he went to 
Columbus, Wis. Later he took his family 
in a prairie schooner and set out for Chat- 
field, Minn , where he followed his trade. 
When his country called for the aid of 
her faithful sons, Mr. Freeman responded, 
and in 1862 enlisted in company D, 8th 
Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, serving 
three years. His regiment was on the 
frontiers of Dakota one year, where it 
did good service defending the territory 
from Indian depredations. Mr. Freeman 
was in action at Murfreesboro and other 
important battles. As a result of ex- 
posure incident to a soldier's career, his 
eyes were seriously injured and he was 
discharged and sent to Chicago for treat- 
ment, after which he went to Springfield, 
Mass., where his family had gone. He 
again obtained employment in a cotton 
mill at Holyoke, and acted as third over- 
seer. At the end of six months he was 
tendered the position of second overseer, 



but was obliged to leave the mill from 
failing eye-sight. He then went to 
Waverly, Bremer county, where he be- 
came totally blind. After a year of dark- 
ness he partly recovered sight and can 
now read with the aid of magnifying 
lenses. He next removed to his present 
home. By his second marriage, Mr. Free- 
man had nine children, five of whom 
died of diptheria while he was in the ser- 
vice. Those remaining are — Oilman, 
Frank, Leon and Myron. Mr. Freeman 
belongs to the G. A. R., and in religious 
belief is a Congregationalist. He is a 
republican in politics. 

E. Howard purchased his farm on sec- 
tion 11, of Palmeter Brothers, and took 
possession in the spring of 1872. He is a 
minister of the Church of the United 
Brethren, but in consequence of advanced 
years and impaired health has retired 
from active labors. He was formerly con- 
nected with the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, and assisted in the organization 
of its first conference in the State of 
Iowa, about the year 184-t. Mr. Howard 
Was born in the State of New Hampshire, 
emigrated to Illinois and thence to Iowa. 
His first wife died in 1840, in Illinois. By 
this marriage he had four children. The 
present Mrs. Howard was Merilda 
Hoyt. She was born in Hroome Co., 
N. Y., and went witti her parents to 
Illinois She has three children. The 
eldest, Martin Luther, was born in Alla- 
makee Co., Iowa, in 1852; Emma Jane is 
now Mrs. J. A. Weller, of Toledo, Tama 
Co., Iowa ; Nellie A., is a teacher in Cerro 
Gordo county. 

N. W. Warren resides on section 19, on 
a farm purchased of E. C. Johnson, and 



0^ 



880 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



on which he settled in 1873. He was 
born in Massachusetts in November, 1835. 
When a boy, he accompanied his parents 
to Riishford, Allegany Co., N. Y., where 
his father died. In 1853 Mr. Warren 
emigrated to Columbia Co., Wis., and en- 
gaged as clerk in a general store. He 
subsequently bent all his energies toward 
farming, which has occupied his attention 
the greater part of his life. His wife, 
Olive J. Williams, was born at Rome, N. 
Y. They have six children — Frank, Car- 
rie, Fred, Charles, Rosa and Myra. Mr. 
Warren owns 130 acres of land. In reHg- 
ion, he belongs to the M. E. Society. 

Joseph Thada owns eighty acres of 
land on section 7, which he has put in 
creililable condition. Tiie improvements 
are first class and buildings good. He 
purchased the property in 1874, of Fred 
Langenberg. Mr. Thada was born at 
Mecklenberg, Germany, in 1842. At the 
age of fourteen he came to America with 
his father, John Thada. His mother, 
Sophia Thada, died in Germany. The 
senior Thada, located at Green Bay, Wis., 
where he yet lives. Joseph Thada mar- 
ried Agnes Schiller, born in Germany, in 
1853. Her parents came to America in 
1-^58 and settled near Green Bay, Wis. 
'I'hey now live in Lake township, Cerro 
Gordo county. Mr. and Mrs. Thada have 
five children — Nathalie E., Hattie E., 
Bertha M., Sylvia A. and Oscar V. 

Benjamin Leonard, Jr., came to Cerro 
Gordo county in 1875. His farm is on 
section 6, Clear Lake township, on which 
he took up his' abode in the fall of 1882. 
He was born in Niagara Co., N. Y., April 
4, 1836. When he was fourteen his 
father, Benjamin Leonard, Sr., removed 



to Wisconsin, and is still living in Green 
county in that State. Benjamin Leonard 
became a soldier in the hour of his coun- 
try's sore need, enlisting twelve days 
after the firing on Fort Sumter, in the 3d 
Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. He was 
with General Pope in the Shenandoah 
Valley, and received a severe gun-shot 
wound in the right arm at Antietam, two 
years after his enrollment. The result 
was his discharge. He went to Wiscon- 
sin, where he was married to Lavina 
Brayton, a native of Illinois. In 1871 he 
went to Kansas, where he resided four 
years. Mr. and Mrs. Leonard have four 
children— Walter J., Flora A., Lily May 
and Imogene. Mrs. Leonard's brother, 
Charles Brayton, resides on the same sec- 
tion. In 1878 he bought his farm of W. 
G. Ettles. He is a native of McHenry Co., 
111., born in 1838. He went to Wisconsin, 
and, in 1862, enlisted as a soldier of the 
civil war, in the 31 st Wisconsin Volunteer 
Infantry, and was in the service three 
years. In 1868 he located north of the 
lake from which the township is named. 
Mrs. Brayton is a native of Illinois. They 
have three children — Ed, Elna and Hattie. 
James B. Heath is a resident on sec- 
tion 32, Lake township, where he fixed 
his abode in 1875, on a farm of 160 acres. 
He is a native of England, born in August, 
1848. His father, James Heath, made a 
number of trips to this country before his 
final emigration in 1840. He landed at 
New Orleans, whence he proceeded to St. 
Louis, going thence to Delaware Co., 
Iowa. He had become thoroughly Ameri- 
canized when the rebellion threw the 
Nation into consternation, and adopting 
the ill as well as the good fortune which 



' ^M e 



IS 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



befell the land, he enlisted in her defense 
in the 21st Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and 
served about eight months, when he was 
discharged for physical disability. He 
returned to Delaware county, where he 
passed the rest of his life. His death 
occurred Se|)t 8, 1868, at the age of forty- 
two years. He was a grain and provision 
merchant, a calling to which he was 
trained in his native country. His widow 
resides at Delhi, Delaware county. Mr. 
Heath, of this sketch, married Eliza, 
daughter of Thomas C. Helm, a native of 
Kentucky. Mrs. Heath was born in Del- 
aware county. She is the mother of two 
children — 1 larry C. and Nellie Maud. 

Milton Young Moore settled on section 
15, in the spring of 1876, having purchased 
the farm of Theron Palmeter. He was 
born in Centre Co., Penn., in 1835. When 
he was nine years old his parents, Thomas 
and Sarah (Richards) Moore, removed 
with their family to Clinton Co., Ohio. 
The mother died in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 
1856. The father went to West Virginia, 
where he died in 1876. From Ohio Mr. 
Young, of this sketch, went to Indiana, 
remaining there two years. He came to 
Lee Co., Iowa, in 1858. He married 
Lydia E. Cook, a native of Salem, Henry 
Co., Iowa, They are the parents of six 
children — Mary Ida, eldest, is the wife of 
James McLaughlin; Lizzie married R. W. 
Clark, of Clear Lake. The others are 
Edgar T., Ethel L., Arthur C. and Milton 
W. Mr. Moore's farm contains 177 acres. 

Sylvester Hill resides on section 28. 
He took up his residence here in October, 
1877, but purchased the place in the 
spring of 1875, of George W. Hyde. At 
the time of the purchase the farm had few 



improvements. About forty acres had 
been under the plow, and the house was 
a small structure of logs. A comfortable 
and commodious house replaces the primi- 
tive abode, 125 fruit trees are in position, 
and the place now has other valuable im- 
provements, and many others in prospect. 
Mr. Hill was born in Barford, Stanstead 
Co., Canada, in 1840. His father, Aaron 
Hill, was born in New Hampshire, and his 
mother, Caroline (Goodspeed) Hill, was a 
native of Vermont. In 1859 Mr. Hill emi- 
grated to Randolph, Columbia Co., Wis. 
He became a soldier during the last year 
of the war, and was enlisted in the 51st 
Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. In the 
spring of 1868 he came to Clear Lake, and 
at once turned his attention to carpenter- 
ing, and was soon after employed in rail- 
road bridge building. Mrs. Hill was, in 
her girlhood, Mary M. Allen. She was 
born in Vermont. Her parents, Oliver 
and Orpha Allen, removed to Wisconsin 
when their daughter was eight years of 
age, where they passed the remainder of 
their lives. Mr. and Mrs. Hill have Ihr&e 
children — Edgar S., Nina E. and Freddie. 
Mr. Hill's farm contains eighty acres. 

Nelson Hanson purchased the farm 
where he resides, in 1880. It is located 
on section 27, and contains 12,0 acres. He 
is a native of Sweden, born in 1836. At 
the age of eighteen he came to this coun- 
try, leaving his parents in their native 
land, where they completed the period of 
their existence. On coming to America, 
in 1854, Mr. Hanson went to Darlington, 
Wis., where he attended school for a time, 
afterward becoming a student at Beloit 
College. He learned the trade of mason, 
to which pursuit he has devoted many 



VA. 



80 



^1 



882 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



years of his life. Mr. Hanson is a man of 
education, an extensive reader and well 
versed in all general subjects. Mrs. Han- 
son (Jennie A. Moody), was born in Penn- 
sylvania. The Hanson family includes 
four sons and three daughters. 

Lakeview Creamery is located on sec- 
tion 16, Lake township, two and a half 
miles east of Clear Lake village. It was 
built by Orville J. and Orrin R. Hubbard 
in 1882. The establishment is furnished 
with all facilities for first-class products. 
The cream is collected from the surround- 
ing country for many miles. In 1882, the 
first season, the product was about 90,000 
pounds of butter, and the probable results 
of the season to come, will greatly exceed 
that amount. The butter is shipped to 
New York and commands the highest rates 
of that market. The Hubbard Brothers 
are natives of Otsego Co., N. Y. O. J., 
the elder, was born in 1851; the second, 
O. R. Hubbard, in 1854. Caleb N. Hub- 
bard, their father, came to this county in 
1867 and settled in Lake township. He 
died in July, 1877. Their mother is yet 
living. Orville J. Hubbard was associated 
in the mercantile business with J. C. Davis 
at Clear Lake, from 1875 to 1880. He 
married Nettie L., daughter of Thomas 0_ 
Howard, July, 1876. She was born at 
Clear Lake in 1858. The children are 
three in number — Howard C, born in 1 877; 
Ethel E., born in 1880; and Floy D., born 
in 1882. Orrin R. Hubbard married Hat- 



tie L. Bates, a native of Blue Earth, Minn., 
July, 1876. They have three children — 
Vera B., Yeta L. and Merton E. 

OEGANIC. 

Lake township was one of the three 
original townships of the county. The 
first election was held on the first Monday 
of April, 1857, at the house of James Sir- 
rine at Clear Lake, when the following of- 
ficers were elected: Marcus Tuttle and 
Horace Parker, justices of the peace; Peter 
P. Wood and Hiram Stiles, constables; 
Joseph Turner, clerk. 

In 1883 the officers were: George P. 
Smith, Robert O. Sirrine and Samuel 
Bool, trustees; J. H. Boeye and C. B. Sea 
bury, justices of the peace; M. P. Rose- 
crans, clerk: J. B. Heath, assessor; Wil- 
liam Evans, constable. 

FIRST EVENTS. 

The first marriage' was that of Michael 
Callanan, Jr., to Mary Ann Gray. 

The first birth was Joseph Dickirson, 
son of the fiist white man who came to the 
lake for settlement. This occurred in 
May, 1855. 

The first death was a little girl of Mar- 
cus Tuttle, who died Jan. 3, 1857. 

SCHOOLS. 

The pioneer school of Lake township 
was taught by Mrs. Lutz, at her own house 
in 1856. The first public school was 
taught in the winter of 1857-8, on section 
9, by E. A. Tuttle. In 1883 the township 
bad seven school houses. 



^^ 



iJs= 



^14- 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



883 



CHAPTER XXIX. 



LINCOLN TOWNSHIP. 



Lincoln township was set off from Mason 
and Lake townships by the board of 
supervisors at their June session, 1861, 
and now comprises congressional town- 
ship 97, range 21 west. The township is 
well watered by Lime creek and Callamus 
creek. The former furnishes a good 
water power. Originally there was a 
good supply of timber along these streams, 
but it is fast disappearing before the ax 
of the settlers. There is but little wet 
land in this township, the greater part be- 
ing a beautiful rolling prairie land, with 
the richest soil found in the county. 

EARLY SETTLEMENT. 

To Abel Clark belongs the honor of be- 
ing the pioneer of what is now Lincoln 
township, settling here with his family in 
1854. 

Ira Williams first settled on the west 
side of the Shell Rock river, between 
Rock Falls and Plymouth, from where in 
May, 1856, he came to Lincoln township 
and located on section 24. 

In 1856 Gabriel Pence, accompanied by 
his son, John, came to Cerro Gordo county 
and purchased several hundred acres of 
laud in the northwest portion of Lincoln 
township. In May, 1857, Mr. Pence, wife 
and seven children removed from Jackson 
county and settled in their new home. 
The oldest daughter was married and did 



not come to the county until 1859. Gabriel 
Pence settled on section 6, and his sons, 
two of whom were married, locate<l near 
him. 

Gabriel Pence was born April 18, 1806, 
in Ohio. His father, John Pence, was the 
owner of a flouring and woolen mill in the 
State of Ohio, which property he sold and 
removed with his family to Indiana, 
where he built new mills. He operated 
these a number of years, and finally because 
of impaired health and a desire to see his 
family settled in life without being scat- 
tered, he sold out and went to Illinois, 
where he purchased a large tract of land, 
established his children on farms, and 
there resided until his death, which oc- 
curred in 1844. He was twice married 
and reaied a large family of children. 
Gabriel Pence was trained to the vocation 
of his father. While in Indiana he mar- 
ried Nancy McConnell, and about 1836 
emigrated to Illinois. Six years after he 
moved to Jackson Co., Iowa, where he 
purchased land and resided until 1857. 
In that year he came to Cerro Gordo 
county, and actuated by the inherited 
desire to preserve his family in one un- 
broken circle so far as possibly, he bought 
a large tract of land in Lincoln township, 
and distributing it among his children, 
had the satisfaction of seeine: them all 






i 



^ 



88-1 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



settled in the same neighborhood. At a 
surprise party given in his honor, every 
lineal descendant was present including 
children, grand-children and great-grand- 
children — four generations, about fifty- 
three in number. He died Feb. 7, 1880, 
and his wife followed him Oct. II, 1882. 
Of the ten children, Mr. and Mrs. Pence 
reared to maturity, seven still survive, 
John, Elizabeth (Mrs. George Goodell); 
Hannah (Mrs. Wi liam Rhodes); George, 
Allen W., Eliza (Mrs. B. G. Richardson), 
and Lydia, now the wife of Benjamin 
Diiell. Mr. Pence was a man of sterling 
traits of character. He was a fond father, 
and built a substantial and permanent 
reputation in the township where he ex- 
pended his fortune. He bore the highest 
character as an old-fashioned Christian 
gentleman. John Pence, his oldest sur- 
viving child, was born May 7, 1828, in 
Indiana. He settled in Iowa at the date 
named in his father's sketch, and in 1849 
was married to Louisana Lock. He set- 
tled in Cerro Gordo county in 1857, on 
section 6, Lincoln township, where he is 
the proprietor of 500 acres of land. His 
children are as follows — Levinna, now 
Mrs. Umbarger; Nancy, now Mrs. Booth; 
Sarah, now Mrs. Lavanway; Charlotte, 
now Mrs. Yokom; Lizzie, now Mrs. Taylor; 
Ella,now Mrs.Umbarger; Arthur C.,Rachel 
A., John I^. and Lawrence W. 

A. W. Pence was born April 11, 1835, 
in Henderson Co., 111. He was reared on 
a farm and settled in Cerro Gordo county 
in 1857, and has since been a resident of 
Lincoln township, where he owns 158 
acres of land. He married Caroline, 
daughter of J. B. Cobb, of^ Jackson Co., 
Iowa. Following are the names of their 



children — Mary M., John E., Lincoln G., 
Phebe J., Cora F., Carrie A., Alice N. 
and Wallace S. Mr. Pence is an adherent 
of the republican party, and belongs to 
the Church of the United Brethren. 

George Pence was born Oct. 14, 1832, 
in Indiana. In 1857 he came to Cerro 
• Gordo county with the members of his 
father's family. In the fall of the same 
year he returned to Jackson county and 
was married to Susanah Kegley. She 
died Nov. 9, 1879, leaving seven children, 
three of whom have since followed their 
mother to the unseen land. Those who 
still survive are — Nancy, Mrs. D. A. 
Zokom, Lenora, Laura and Susanah. Mr. 
Pence is engaged in farming, and inter- 
sperses his agricultural labors with that 
of a sportsman's life. He is a republican 
in politics, and in religious views adopts 
the creed of the M. E. Church. 

Among other earlier settlers was Rich- 
ard Osborn, who settled in 1859, on sec- 
tion 5. Milton Goodell also settled on the 
southwest quarter of section 9, in 1859. 
He was a single man, but built a log house 
and went to farming. Upon the break- 
ing out of the civil war he enlisted in 
the service, was wounded and taken pris- 
oner on the Red River Expedition and 
sent to a hospital, where he died from the 
effects of his wound. 

B. G. Richardson has been a resident 
of Cerro Gordo county since 1860. He is 
a farmer and a man of fine faculties, well 
read, genial and courteous, and a public 
spirited citizen of his township.. Since 
the date of his residence he has been con- 
tinually in local oflice, and is now secre- 
tary of the school board, and has been 
justice of the peace for the last fourteen 



V|« 



\ 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



885 



years. He is an adherent of the republi- 
can party. His parents, S. M. and Looe- 
nia Richardson, emigrated from New 
York to Wisconsin, and in 1860 to Cerro 
Gordo Co , Iowa, where they settled with 
their family. Mr. Richardson was born 
Aug. 3, 1840, in Cortland Co., N. Y., and 
became a resident of Lincoln township in 
1863. While a young man he was engaged 
summers in farming, and in teaching 
winters. He was married in 1863 to Eliza 
J., daughter of Gabriel Pence. Mr. and 
Mrs. Richardson have the following chil- 
dren — Seth G., Ida M., Ralph, Roy, Rosa, 
Grace and Byron P. The homestead in- 
cludes 1V4 acres of land. 

George Goodell, a pioneer of Iowa, 
came to the State in 1854 and first settled 
near Iowa City. Two years later he went 
to Bristol, Worth county. The next sea- 
son he went to Illinois and afterwards to 
Kansas. He returned t« Iowa in 1860 and 
has since been a resident of Lincoln town- 
ship. He was born in Ohio, July 4, 1839, 
where he spent his boyhood. He is finely 
located on 160 acres of land on section 5. 
Mr. Goodell has been twice married. 
His first wife, to whom he was united in 
1863, was Marietta Pence. SRe died in 
18*72, leaving three children — Lydia, 
Gabriel and Haven. The present Mrs. 
Goodell was Mrs. Elizabeth (Pence) 
Osborn, sister of Mr. Goodell's first wife. 
In political principles Mr. Goodell is a 
republican. 

Thomas Law, Sr., is a son of "Auld 
Scotia," born in 1806. In youth he learjied 
the weaver's trade, which occupation he 
followed in his native country. He was 
married in 1830 to Mary Hamilton. In 
1849 he came to the United States and 



took up his residence in Oneida Co., N. 
Y., and was employed in the dyeing de- 
partment of the New York Mills. He 
brought out his family in 1850. In 1855 
he went to Columbia Co., Wis., and en- 
gaged in agriculture. Some time after he 
went to Dodge county in that State. He 
came to Iowa in the fall of 1863 and lo- 
cated on section 16, Lincoln township, 
where he died in 18'i'8. His wife is still 
living. They reared a family of twelve 
children, eleven of whom were born in 
Scotland, and seven are still living. Fol- 
lowing are the names of those surviving — 
Thomas, Jeanette, Mary, John, James, 
Elizabeth and Isabella. 

Thomas Law, Jr., was born in Scotland, 
Dec. 3, 1830, and was instructed in the 
weaver's trade. He came to the LTnited, 
States in 1350 with the other members of 
his father's family, and worked in the 
New York Mills, of Oneida Co.,N. Y. He 
went to Wisconsin in 1855 and in 1861 to 
Michigan. In February of that year he 
was married to Mary Bishop, daughter of 
William and Janet Bishop. In 1862 Mr. 
Law went back to Wisconsin, and came to 
Iowa in the same year in search of a per- 
manent location, and after some prospect- 
ing fixed upon Cerro Gordo county. In 
1863 he brought his family to Iowa and 
established a home, where lie now resides. 
Mrs. Law died Oct. 3, 1878, leaving five 
children — Jessie C, William H., Mary E., 
Annie M. and Thomas B. Mr. Law was 
a second time married. His second mar- 
riage was with Mary Ann, daughter of 
Thomas H. and Susan French, and oc- 
curred Nov. 27, 1879. They have one son — 
John S. Mr. Law belongs to the republi- 
can party and has been township clerk, and 






I— ♦- 



k^ 



886 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



was townsliip treasurer for a period of six 
years. The family attend tlie Congrega- 
tional Churcli. 

Emory Osgood Thompson has been a 
prominent citizen of Cerro Gordo county 
since 1866. He was born in St. Lawrence 
Co., N. Y., Aug. 22, 1814. He wns brought 
up on a farm and received an excellent ed- 
ucation in an academy. In 1836 he went 
to Wisconsin and was there engaged eigh- 
teen months in surveying. In 1838 he re- 
turned to New York and was married to 
Lucinda Hildreth. In 18.53 he again went 
to Wisconsin, where he followed farming, 
in Green Lake county. He enlisted in 
the Union service in 1861, enrolling in the 
57th Illinois regiment,Volunteer Infantry, 
and after serving a year was discharged 
on account of physical disability, tie was 
under fire at the battles of Shiloh and Fort 
Donelson. Mrs. Thompson died in 1880, 
leaving eight children — Julius, Julia, 
Alice, Lucy, Emma, Rozella, Mary and 
Nellie. Mr. Thompson was afterwards 
married Dec. 2, 1882, to Mrs. Nancy Wil- 
liams. He has been actively interested in 
local and county politics most of his life. 
He has acted as county supervisor and has 
held several township offices. Among 
other positions of prominence, he has oc- 
cupied that of postmaster at Rockwell for 
fourteen years. In religious sentiment he 
has been a Baptist from youth. Ira Wil- 
liams, the first husband of Mrs. Thompson, 
was the second settler in Lincoln town- 
ship. He was born in Montgomery Co., 
N. Y., in 1809, and was reared on a farm. 
He was married in 1834 to Nancy Rich- 
ardson, and emigrated, in 1845, to Illinois. 
In 1855 he came to Cerro Gordo Co., 
Iowa, and lived one year on the west bank 



of the Shell Rock river, in Falls township, 
and then took up his residence on section 
24, Lincoln township. He was a soldier 
for the Union three years. He died in 
1877. Mr. and Mrs. Williams reared nine 
children, seven of whom are living — Cyn- 
thia, Reuben, Ellen, David, Lemuel, Mary 
and Gilbert. 

Amos Thomas, a settler in Cerro Gordo 
county, is a son of Rufus and Mary (Ford) 
Thomas, the former a native of New York 
and the latter born in Connecticut. He 
was born in Herkimer Co., M. Y , Jan. 
8, 1834. The family transferred their resi- 
dence to McHenry Co.,' 111., in 1837, and 
in 1854 to Winona Co., Minn., where the 
senior Thomas died, in 1877. The mother 
died in Cerro Gordo county in 1882. Of 
the children, brothers and sisters of Amos, 
four are still living — Louren, Rufus, 
Charles and Lorenzo. Mr. Thomas was 
brought up a farmer, and 1857 went to Mc- 
Henry Co., 111., and was married to Mary 
Westcott. After that event he returned to 
Winona. In 1864 he enlisted in company 
K, 11th Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, 
and remained in the Union service until 
the close of the war. Resettled on section 
16, Lincoln township, in 1866, wliere he 
now owns 160 acres of land which is in an 
excellent state of cultivation. Mr. and 
Mrs. Thomas have six children — Janette, 
Polly, Clara,Cora, Alice and an infant son. 
Mr. Thomas is a republican in politics, 
and is warmly interested in educational 
matters. 

C. U. Phillips owns and resides on a 
farm of 168 acres of land in Lincoln town 
ship, every detail of which gives evidence 
of the good sense, thrift and energy of its 
proprietor. His residence was erected at 



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HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



ss"; 



a cost of about $1,200. He was born in 
Ontario Co., N. Y., April 27, 1820. His 
parents, Abiatlier and Hannah (Ranney) 
Phillips, were natives of Missacluisetts. 
Mr. Phillips was brought up on a farm, 
and in 18.54 was married to Almira, daugh- 
ter of Edwin H. and Cynthia Blackmore,, 
of Ontario Co., N. Y. They remained 
residents of that county until 1865, when 
they moved to Ripon, Wis., and the next 
year to Lincoln township,Cerro Gordo coun- 
ty,Iowa. The children who yet survive are 
— Lambert, Lester, Norman, Edwin, Nina, 
Albion and Dora. Mr. Phillips takes 
little interest in politics save in the dis- 
charge his privileges as a citizen of the 
United States. 

James Ferrier is a native of Scotland, 
born May 1, 1826, and growing to man- 
hood among the lochs and mountains of 
"Auld Scotia." He was married in 1847 
to Joanna Lumsdale, and eight years later 
turned his faoe to the new world, reaching 
the United States in 185.5. His first tarry 
was in Co umbia Co., Wis., going thence 
to Dodge county, in that State, and from 
there to Iowa. In the spring of 1866 he 
purchased 200 acres of land in Lincoln 
township, on section 15, where he took up 
his resi'.ience the same fall. He now owns 
440 acres of land in first class condition. 
Mr. and Mrs. Ferrier have been the parents 
of ten children, and have eight now living 
— Catharine, Joanna, Jane, William, Ellen, 
James, George and Martha. Mr. Ferrier 
is a Presbyierian in his religious senti- 
ments. He has identified himself with 
the republican party, and held the various 
township and school offices. 

C W. Fuller is fully entitled to be 
enrolled among the prominent and worthy 



citizens of Cerro Gordo county. He has 
received the best evidence of the confidence 
of his townsmen in their support for local 
offices, has fought for the integrity of his 
country's flag, and made a meritorious 
record as a citizen. He was born in Alle- 
gany Co., N. Y., July 13, 1841, where he 
attained his majority on a farm. In 1861 
he went to Columbia Co., Wis., returning 
to his native State in the fall of 1863. He 
enlisted in January, 1864, in company F, 
4th New York Heavy Artillery, which 
command was attached to the Armv of 
the Potomac from the battle of the 
Wilderness to the surrender of Lee. On 
the mustering out of his regiment he re- 
turned to Wisconsin. He was married in 
1866 to Marion, daughter of Gideon and 
Rachel Aldrich. He moved to Iowa and 
located on their present home in the spring 
of 1>67. They have two children — Wal- 
ter E. and Leslie C. Fuller. Mr. Fuller is 
a republican in politics, and owns a farm 
of I 60 acres of fine land on sections 1 7 and 
21. 

H. J. Willis became the owner of 120 
acres of land in Lincoln township in 1868. 
At the date of his purchase it was an un- 
broken prairie, but he has placed it under 
fine improvements and erected a good resi- 
dence, suitable and commodious bai-ns and 
other buildings. The farm now includes 
190 acres. Mr. Willis was born in M.assa- 
chusetts,Aug. 18, 1821. His parents were 
.John and Elizabeth (Newcomb) Willis. 
Ele was left fatherless at eight years of 
age. His mother went, in 1832, to Onon- 
daga Co., N. Y., and five years after to 
Wayne Co., Ohio. In 1842 she went to 
McIIenry Co., 111., where she died in 1854. 
At the age of fourteen Mr. Willis com- 



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HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



menced his struggle with the world as 
clerk in a ruercanlile establishment. When 
he attained his majority he adopted farm- 
ing as his vocation in life. He was mar- 
ried in 184-1 to Fannie Bun, and in 1863 
came to Iowa. He first went to Winne- 
shiek, county, where he lived two years, 
and then made another transfer to Rich- 
land Centre, Wis. In 186*7 he returned 
to this Slate and made a brief stay in Floyd 
county, after which he fixed his residence 
in Corro Gordo county. To general agri- 
culture he has added stock farming, and 
exhibits fine samples of thoroughbreds. 
Mr. Willis is a leading citizen of Lincoln 
township, and is valued by his townsmen 
on account of his meritorious character. 
He is a Royal Arch Mason and a republi- 
can in politics. 

W. H. Moffett settled in Lincoln town- 
ship in 1868. He was born in Chenango 
Co., N. Y., Nov. 6, 18.39, and emigrated 
with his parents to Walworth Co., Wis., 
in 1859. In 1861 he enlisted in company 
A, 4th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, 
serving under Gen. Banks until May, 
1866, when he returned to Wisconsin and 
in 1868 came to Iowa, and has since that 
time lived in this township. In 1860 he 
married Susan Hill, daughter of William 
and Mary Hill. They have eight living 
children — Delos P., Fred, Clarence, Bert, 
Hubert, \Vayne, Maud, Edna and May. 

D. Taylor, who has been a resident of 
the township since 1868, was born in St. 
Lawrence Co., N. Y., Feb. 24, 1817. His 
parents were Nathaniel and Eunice (Dra- 
|ier) Taylor. He was reared on a farm 
and married to Amelia A. Braydon. In 
1844 he moved to Columbia Co., Wis., and 
in 1868 came to Iowa. His wife died Jan. 



12, 1876, leaving three children, one of 
whom was living in 1883 — George D. He 
married Clarissa Whitman, Dec. 25, 1877. 
In politics he is a republican. He has 
been a member of the Methodist Church 
over forty years. 

Rev. H. H. Shields connected himself 
with the denomination of United Breth- 
ren at the age of seventeen, and when 
twenty years old began his labors as an 
itinerant preacher. He was actively en- 
gaged in that capacity through a long 
term of years. In 1867 he was stationed 
in charge of the United Brethren Church 
in Lincoln township. He was born in 
Clinton Co., Ohio, Sept. 27, 1838. His 
father's family removed to Huntington 
Co., Ind., in 1852. They moved to Win- 
neshiek Co., Iowa, in 1855, and went af- 
terwards to Clayton county, and thence to 
Jones county, where the mother died, leav- 
ing nine children. The father is now a 
resident of Lincoln township, and is in 
hale old age, able still to work at his trade, 
shoemaking. Mr. Shields still acts as local 
preacher, but devotes himself chiefly to 
agricultural pursuits^ His farm is located 
on section 6, of Lincoln and Grant town- 
ships. He was married in 1863 to Nancy 
J., daughter of Isaac and Barbara White. 
The family includes four children — Bar- 
bara E., John W., Edith M. and Ira H. 

S. H. Conrad Class owns 200 acres of 
land in Lincoln township, where he has 
been a resident since 1873. He is engaged 
to some extent in dairy and stock farming, 
to which his farm, fixtures and belongings 
are well adapted. Lincoln Springs Creamery 
is located on Mr. Class' farm, and he is 
one of the interested partners. He was 
born Dec. 25, 1835, in Germany. His 



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HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



889 



t 



parents were Conrad and Dorothy Class. 
In 1857, at twenty-two years of age, he 
entered the Prussian army and after two 
years service, hired a substitute and emi- 
grated to the United States where his 
brothers, Fred and William, had settled 
some years previous. His younger brother, 
Simon, accompanied him and they went 
first to Oconto, Wis. Mr. Class went to 
Michigan in 1860, thence to Pennsylvania, 
and afterwards settled in Holmes Co., 
Ohio. In 1862 he was married to Nancy 
Frazier, a native of that county, and daugh- 
ter of John and Mary (Cassidy) Frazier. 
Two years after his marriage, in 1864, he 
enlisted to fight for the Union in company 
K, 178th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, serv- 
ing one year. He returned to Ohio and 
operated a saw mill vmtil 1869. In that 
year he went to Henry Co., 111., and en- 
gaged in farming, coming to Iowa four 
years later. The children of Mr. Class' 
family are — Almon P., John W., Joel F. 
and Phebe J. Mr. Class is a republican 
in political faith and is at present town- 
ship clerk. He is a member of the Ma- 
sonic fraternity and holds a high position 
in tlie esteem of his townsmen. The fam- 
ily attend the Christian Church. 

L. R. Harding has been a resident of 
Cerro Gordo county since 1873. Repassed 
a year in Mason township, lived three 
years in Lake, and has been a citizen 
of Lincoln township six years. He owns 
240 acres of land on section 22. He is the 
son of David H. and Fannie (Reeves) 
Harding, and was born in Orange Co., N. 
Y., April 2.S, 1832. He was bred to the 
calling he now follows, and, March 11, 
1858, married Bannah, daughter of Daniel 
and Hannah (Hallock) Mapes, of Orange 



county, born Aug. 25, 1836. He resided 
in the Empire State and interested him- 
self in farming until his removal to Iowa. 
In politics Mr. Harding is a republican, 
but was formerly a democrat. He com- 
mands the respect and good will of all 
who know him, for honesty and integrity 
of character. Mr. and Mrs. Harding have 
three children — Alva, born Feb. 18, 1860; 
Edgar, born July 15, 1862; Harry T.,born 
April 3, 1864. 

Jacob P. Hill, of the firm of Hill Broth- 
ers, proprietors of Lincoln Flouring Mills, 
is a prominent business man and a leading 
citizen of the township of Lincoln. He 
was born in Rockland county, N. Y., Jan. 
8, 1855, and the same year his father's 
family emigrated to Whitewater, Wis., 
where Mr. Hill, Sr., followed the business 
of a cooper until tlie year 1862, when he 
enlisted in the United States service, 
where he remained until his death, which 
occurred in the fall of 1864. The wife 
and mother then removed with her chil- 
dren to Jefferson Co., Wis., where she 
lived till her family grew up and com- 
menced life for themselves, when she re- 
moved to Rockford, Iowa, remaining there 
till 1881, when she removed to Clear Lake, 
this county, where she now lives. Four 
of her five children are now living — Geor- 
giana, now Mrs. William Hill, James, 
Jacob P. and Susie, now Mrs. Franklin 
Ayers. 

Jacob P. Hill resided in the State 
of Wisconsin until 1873, when he came 
to Floyd Co., Iowa, and followed the 
cooper business till 1877, when he made 
the acquaintance of and married Rebecca 
Hiller. He then, with his wife, removed 
to Cherokee, Iowa, and engaged in the 



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HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



milling business with P. F. Fassler under 
the firm name of Hill & Fassler, merchant 
millers. The same year Mr. Fassler with- 
drew from the milling business and it was 
continued then under the firm name of 
ITiller & Hill, with J. P. Hill manager 
until 1881, when Mr. Hill sold out and 
came to this county. Their two children 
are — Edward Leroy and Nora Zuella. 

James Hill, of Hill Brothers, mill pro- 
prietors, is son of George and Ann Conk- 
lin Hill. He was born in Rockland Co., 
N. Y., in 1852, and accompanied his 
father's family to Wisconsin, and in 1870 
came to Rockford, Iowa, where he en- 
gaged in coopering until that business be- 
came unprofitable, when he interested 
himself in milling, which has since occu- 
pied his attention. In 1882, conjointly 
with his brother, he purchased Lincoln 
Mills, where he is still engaged in busi- 
ness. He was married April 23, ISTG, to 
Alma Walker. Their sons are named 

George and Guy. 

Daniel Watts was born in England, in 
1822, and received the training and in- 
struction required for the duties of a 
bailift, general auctioneer and appraiser. 
He is a man of unusually fine business 
qualifications and exhibits the rare qual- 
ification of ambidexterity, using both 
hands in penmanship with equal facility. 
He is highly esteemed by his fellow citi- 
zens and is prominent in all public inter- 
ests. He married Mary Ann Ind, and in 
1854 emigrated to Canada, where he man- 
aged a meat market and afterwards a 
hotel until 1863, when he engaged in 
farming. Two years later he came to the 
United States and purchased a farm in 
the vicinity of Milton, Wis., where he 



resided, in order that his children might 
have the advantage of good schools. His 
wife died Sept. 27, 1868, leaving seven 
children — George A., James, Henry, Dan- 
iel, Fannie, William and Saiah. Mr. 
Watts married his present wife, formerly 
Mrs. B. A. Sumner, in 1871. He came to 
Iowa in 1875 and settled on section 28, 
Lincoln township, where he now resides. 

George A. Watts, eldest son of Daniel 
and Mary Ann (Ind) Watts, was born at 
Bristol, England, April 26, 1849. He 
came to Canada with his parents and in 
1865, to Wisconsin, where he followed 
the trade of machinist in Milwaukee and 
Racine and afterwards at Chicago. He 
became a residentjof Lincoln township, in 
Cerro Gordo county, in 1874. He pur- 
chased unimproved land, but has now a 
fine residence and a farm under good im- 
provements. He was married in 1869 to 
Mary J., daughter of Thomas and Jane 
Giddings, of Dane Co., Wis. Mr. and 
Mrs. Watts have three children — George 
Wilbert, Harry Earl and Lavergne G. 
Mr. Watts 'n a man of good business 
qualities and is highly respected as a citi- 
zen, having been honored with several 
offices in his township. 

Thomas H. French was born in Eng- 
land, July 16, 1851. His parents, Thomas 
A. and Susanna (Pitman) French, came to 
America in 1855, and after a stay of one 
year in the city of New York, went to 
Rock Co., Wis., and afterward to LaFay- 
ette county, in that State. The motlier 
died in August, 1863. Five children 
reached maturity — Henriette, Thomas H., 
Mary Ann, Martha and Florence. The 
father died in Texas. Thomas H. French 
was reared a farmer, and remained a resi- 



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HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



891 



dent of Wisconsin until 1875, the date of 
his settlement in Lincoln township, Iowa. 
Tie pursues the vocation to wliioh he was 
trained, and has a valuable farm of eighty 
acres, located on section 10, of this town- 
ship, and under good improvements. He 
was married in 1878 to Ella, daughter of 
Ross and Ellen (Bentley) Whitman. Le- 
roy, Claude and Luella, are the names of 
the children of this household. Mr. 
French is a republican. 

E. S. Winans first came to Cerro Gordo 
county in 1855, but as he was a single 
man, he remained but a short time. Af- 
ter leaving he followed boating on the 
Mississippi river. In 1862 he enlisted in 
company C, 3rd Wisconsin, and served 
twenty-nine months, and was discharged 
on account of disability, caused by a 
wound received at the battle of Chancel- 
lorville. He returned to Iowa and en- 
gaged in farming in Worth county. In 
1879 he came to Cerro Gordo county, set- 
tling where he now lives in Lincoln town- 
ship. He owns 180 acres of excellent 
farm land. His residence was erected in 
1880, and is the best in Lincoln township. 
He was born in Ohio, Nov. 0, 1829. His 
parents were H. S. and Rachel Winans. 
He resided in his native State until 1854. 
In 1857, at Berlin, Ohio, he married 
Amelia Faukell. They have three chil- 
dren — Henry S., Edward W. and O. B. In 
politics he is a republican. He served as 
county supervisor of Worth county. He 
is member of the Masonic fraternity. 

ORGANIC. 

Aug. 20, 1861, the clerk of the board of 
supervisors issued a call for the first elec- 
tion on the second Tuesday in October. 
The voters met at the house of John Rus- 



sell. Gabriel Pence was chosen chairman, 
John Pence and James L. Fry, judges. 
This election resulted as follows : Gabriel 
Pence, supervisor ; A. W. Pence, John 
Pence and Abel Clark, trustees ; James 
Speers, clerk; Gabriel Pence, assessor ; 
James Fry and Ira Williams, justices of 
the peace; George Pence and Abel Pence, 
constables. Officers serving in 1883 were: 
D. Bryson, John Pence and George P. 
Dempsey, trustees ; S. H. C. Class, clerk; 
G. W. Aldrich, assessor. 

SCHOOLS. 

The first school was taught by Nancy 
Williams, in 1857, in the house of Mr. 
Williams The pupils were the three 
daughters and one son of John Russell, 
two of Mr. Robinson's, three of Abel 
Clark's, and five of Mr. Williams', also a 
son of Henry L. Brown. 

This township is made up of seven 
school districts. 

District No. 2 was provided with a 
school house in 1865, and was located on 
section 9. It is a frame building, costing 
$450. The first teacher was Mrs. John 
Law. 

In district No. 3 a school house was 
provided in 1869, at a cost of $950. This 
is a frame structure, located on the south- 
west quarter of section 29. The first 
school taught here was by Ellen E. Willis, 
who had fourteen pupils enrolled. 

Districts No. 5 and 6 each have good 
school houses. The former is situated on 
section 21, and the latter on section 11. 

District No. 7 was formed in 1875. The 

present school house, erected at a cost of 

$550, is on section 18. Alice Cobb, now 

I Mrs. Andrew Brown, taught the first 

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893 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



school. She had about twenty scholars 
enrolled. 

POSTOFB-ICE. 

Rock postottice was established in 1863, 
with Gabriel Pence as postmaster. He 
was succeeded by B. G. Richardson, W. 
P. Yokum, E. O. Thompson and J. H. 
Hazelbarger. 

CEMETERIES. 

The first burying place in Lincoln town- 
ship was located on the northwest quarter 
of section 5, and known as the Osborn 
cemetery. The bodies buried there have 
all been moved to other grounds. The 
present cemetery is located on section 8. 
The first interment was George Clymer, 
who died in 1871. 

RELIGIOUS . 

The first religious services held in the 
township was at the house of Gabriel 
Pence, in 1858, by Rev. James Hawkins, 
who was a Methodist clergyman ; there 
was no class formed, however, as there 
were not members enough in the vicinity 
to warrant it. The first organized society 
was perfected at the house of Gabriel 
Pence, in 1860, by Rev. Musselman, a 
United Brethren preacher. The first 
members were : A. W. Pence and wife, 
John Pence and wife, Richard Osborn 
and wife, and Mrs. George Pence. Meet- 
ings were held at Gabriel Pence's resi- 
dence for nearly a year, and in the school 
house until 1876, when a church building 
was erected. Rev. Musselman was suc- 
ceeded by Revs. Murphy, Preston, Potter, 
Martin, Kanouse, Lash, Morris, H. H. 
Shields, Howard, Hall, Laughlin, Fulcun- 
ner and Rev. Mr. John, who was pastor 
in 188.3. 



The class in 1883 numbered about 
twenty-five. The society have a parson- 
age near the church. 

The Methodists had preaching at vari- 
ous times, but no organized class until 
1872, at which time a protracted meeting 
was held by Rev. Mallory, in the school 
house. In 1876 they built a church edifice. 
In 1883 Rev. Elliot was the pastor in 
charge. The society also maintained a 
good Sunday school. 

LINCOLN SPRINGS CREAMERY. 

This branch of industry was established, 
in the spring of 1883, by S. H. C. Class 
and John Johns. It is situated on sec- 
tion 9, at a point where gushes out a 
large cold spring, forming a steadv stream 
almost ice cold. The size of the Cream- 
ery is 18x24 feet, two and one half stories 
high, costing Si, 250. Both butter and 
cheese are manufactured here under the 
direction of Mr. Johns, whose long ex- 
perience has made him an expert at the 
art of butter and cheese making. 

MILLS. 

The Lincoln Mills were located on the 
right bank of Lime creek, which furnishes 
a nine foot head. These mills were built 
by N. C. Carpenter, who commenced to 
operate them in 1879, but were not com- 
pleted until 1882. In March, 1882, Mr. 
Carpenter sold to J. P. and James Hill, 
who now operate the same under the firm 
name of Hill Brothers. It is run as a cus- 
tom mill. This mill is 26x40 feet, besides 
wheel house, and is two stories high, con- 
taining three run of buhrs. The power is 
derived from a forty inch turbine wheel. 
The cost of the property was $4,500. 



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HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



893 



A WINTER NIGHT S EXPERIENCE. 

In the winter of 1856-V two sons of Ira 
Williams, Reuben and David, aged twenty 
and fourteen years, respectively, went 
over to Horace Green's, a neighbors, to 
water his cattle. They left home about 
10 A. M., and owing to the extreme cold 
weather, they had to go up the stream in 
search of another place at which to water 
the stock. They finally succeeded in water- 
ing them, but while doing so a violent 
storm arose with such fury that they 
could not get the cattle to return, and in 
their attempt they themselves were lost, 
and compelled to remain out all night. 
After wandering some time they found a 
small grove, in which they took shelter, 
and kept on the move all night to keep 
from freezing to death. They finally 
thought the storm had abated sufficiently 
to admit of their venturing home, but they 
again soon lost their way, and were also 
unable to return to the clump of trees, 
around which they had tramped so many 
long hours as their only refuge. David 
became exhausted and Reuben gave him 



his left hand, keeping his right one in his 
pocket, as he knew the one exposed would 
be frozen soon, and he took the precau- 
tion to save the right hand. In this man- 
ner they moved along not knowing whither 
they journeyed, keeping pace across the 
stormy prairies, until tlie bitter night had 
passed away, and the sun had made its 
cheerful appearance in the eastern horizon, 
when they found, to their utter astonish- 
ment, that they were near Mason City. 
They were overheard by two men, who 
were cutting wood and who came to their 
relief, taking them on into Mason City. 
Reuben could still walk, but David was 
completely exhausted. David, very nat- 
urally, was the first to receive medical 
attention, and thus was saved from much 
suffering endured by Reuben, who lost 
his right foot, and half of the other, also 
a finger on his left hand. David lost a 
part of his right foot and two toes from 
the other foot. The latter resided in 
Worth county in 1883, and Reuben was a 
resident of Minnesota. 



CHAPTER XXX. 



LIME CREEK TOWNSHIP. 



This is in the northern tier of town- 
ships in Cerro Gordo county, bounded on 
the north by Worth county, on the east 
by Falls township, on the south by Mason 
township and on the west by Lincoln, 



comprising congressional township 97, 
range 20 west. This township is mostly 
a prairie township, with an occasional 
natural grove, around which the first settle- 
ments were made. Lime creek, the prin- 



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894 



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HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



cipal stream, is one of the finest water 
courses in the county. It enters the town- 
ship on section 19, and passes througli its 
territory in a southeasterly direction, 
making exit from section 34, into Mason 
township. Some of the best tilled i arras 
of the county are situated along this 
stream, and the passer-by cannot help 
admiring the beautiful farm houses, large 
barns, well cultivated lands and apple 
orchards. 

EABI.T SETTLEMENT. 

The first settlement in what is now 
Lime Creek township was the second in 
Cerro Gordo county, and it was effected 
by David and Edward Wright, who set- 
tled on the northeast quarter of section 
28, sometime during the month of Sep- 
tember, 1853. They were natives of the 
State of New York. David Wright after- 
wards removed to section 29, where he 
resided for several years. At this early 
date deer were plenty, and one day while 
Mr. vVright was out hunting his dogs 
gave chase to a deer. The frightened 
animal becoming tired in his race for 
life, sought refuge in the creek near Mr. 
Wright's house, whereupon Mrs. Wright 
rushed bravely to the spot, and with a 
hatchet killed the animal, which was half 
buried in the creek. The family subse- 
quently removed to Northwood, where 
Mr. Wright died in 188], and Mrs. Wright 
died in May, 1883. Edward Wright re- 
moved to the State of Oregon, where he 
died. His widow resided in that State 
in 1883. 

In 1854 Wellington Benton settled on 
section 28, where he resided until 1869, 
then removed to Newton Co., Mo. 



Henry Martin, a native of Vermont, en- 
tered the northeast quarter of section 21. 
In 1855 he erected a log cabin on the 
same, which served as a residence until 
1866. He then built a stone dwelling, 
and in 1882 erected his present spacious 
farm house. 

Stephen Wright, a brother of David 
and Edward Wright, in the same year 
settled on section 28. 

James G. Beebe, came from La Salle 
Co., 111., and resided on section 28 until 
1870, then removed to Mason City. In 
1883 he resided near Motley, Minn. 

A. Beebe settled on section 27, and re- 
mained a resident of the township until 
some time during the civil war. He then 
returned to Eldora, Hardin county, where 
he has since died. 

Seth B. Stevens also came from La 
Salle Co., III., and has since resided on 
section 22. 

Jacoli Van Curen came from Indiana, 
in 1854, and resided on section 27 until 
1862, then emigrated to Oregon.* 

Mr. Van Patter and family came from 
Illinois and settled on section 28, where 
Mr. Van Patter, while plowing in the field, 
suddenly fell dead from heart disease. 
His son, John Van Patter, resided on the 
homestead until 1882, then went to Dakota, 
and now lives near Chamberlain. 

Seth B. Stevens, another settler of 1854, 
became a resident of Lime Creek^ town- 
ship when it was still designated in the 
official papers as township 97, range 20. 
He was born in Cayuga Co., N. Y., June 
20, 1824. His parents settled in La Salle 
Co.. 111., when he was fifteen years old. 
In 1854 he came to Cerro Gordo county 
and settled on section 22, of this town- 



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HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



895 



ship. He belongs to the long catalogue of 
the Union's defenders, having enlisted in 
the 14thlowa regiment, in company C, Oct. 
24, 1861. He went with the regiment to 
Dakota, on frontier duty, and veteranized 
in the spring of 1864. In April, 1865, he 
was prostrated by disease, and discharged 
from the hospital in August, 1865, when 
he returned home. He has been a pros- 
perous farmer and is now the proprietor 
of a half section of land. 

In 1855 John Russell came to Cerro 
Gordo county, remoying from Jackson 
Co., Iowa, with seven or eight yoke of 
oxen, and at the same time bringing about 
forty head of cattle. When he arrived in 
the county he purchased more stock, thus 
increasing his herd to over sixty head. 
The following winter, 1855-6, was very 
severe and as his stock was not properly 
sheltered over forty head perished in the 
storms. Mr. Russell first settled in the 
timber near Lime creek in a log cabin 
20x32 feet It was covered with the fash- 
ionable roofing of that day, shakes, 
which was made by himself. This spa- 
cious cabin had a wide doorway so as to 
admit a yoke of yearling steers, with which 
he used to haul large logs into the cabin to 
be burned in the fire-place. In 1856 he 
came to Lime Creek township and settled 
on section 30; one year later he removed 
to section 29. He now resides in Mason 
City. 

John J. Russell is the son of John and 
Matilda (Ferguson) Russell, pioneers of 
Cerro Gordo county. He was born in 
Knox Co., Ohio, Nov. 5, 1838. His par- 
ents became residents of Iowa, and he 
reached man's estate under the persona' 
care and guidance of his father. In Octo- 



ber, 1861, Mr. Russell made the cause of 
the Union his own, by enlisting in the 
14th Iowa Volunteer Infantry. His com- 
mand went to Fort Randall, Dakota. In 
1864 he was transferred to the 41st Iowa 
Volunteer Infantry, and later to the Yth 
Iowa Cavalry. He received an honorable 
discharge Oct. 31, 1864, and returned to 
his home. In 1867 he located upon the 
farm he has since occupied, on the 
northwest quarter of section 33, in 
Lime Creek township. He was mar- 
ried in 1866 to Miss Hartshorn, 
of DeKalb Co., III. William Arthur, 
Hester H., Charity, Mary E., Mannie, 
Julia and Bettie are the names of their 
seven promising children. Mr. Russell 
has been several times chosen by the 
votes of his townsmen to fill offices of 
trust, and is the present asssessor. 

Thomas B. Wilson, a native of Ver- 
mont, came to Iowa from LaSalle C ., 111., 
and in 1855 settled on section 27. He 
died in 1871, and his wife died in 1878. 
Paul Dennis, a son-in-law of Mr Wilson, 
came at the same time. He first located 
on section 27, and afterwards removed to 
section 20. In the same year Timothy H. 
Parker, a native of Pennsylvania, came 
from Indiana. He left his family in 
Dubuque while he came to Cerro Gordo 
county, purchased land on section 34, 
Lime Creek township, and made necessary 
preparations for his family, which he 
removed to their new home in the spring 
of 1856, where he still resides. Mr. Par- 
ker brought five horses, one wagon and a 
car iage to the county. 

Ambrose M. Bryant is one ol (he pio- 
neers of Cerro Gordo county. lie came 
in -1855 and pre-empted the southwest 



vvj. 



it 



896 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



quarter of section 9. For many years his 
house stood alone on the prairie, the set- 
tlement in the early days being along 
Lime creek, and it was twenty years before 
any improvement was made in the north- 
ern part of the township. He macJe a 
spendid selection of land, upon which 
there are never failing springs of good 
water. He is a native of New York, born 
in Chenango county, Oct. 2, 183.3. His 
younger days were spent on the farm, 
where he remained until 1855, then came 
west. He has engaged in grain and stock 
raising in which he has been successful. 
In 1883 he had 400 acres of improved land. 
In 1860 he built a frame house, and in 
1872 a large barn. He was married in 
1860 to Mary Dennis, a daughter of Paul 
and Mary Dennis. They have been 
blessed with five children — Paul, Jessie, 
Seth, Jethro and Walter. 

Timothy H. Parker is a leading repre- 
sentative of the pioneer corps of Cerro 
Gordo county. He settled here in 1855. 
Mr. Parker was born in Broome Co., N. 
Y., Nov. 16, 1818. His parents went to 
Erie Co., Penn., in his youth and a few 
years later to Trumbull Co., Ohio. Their 
final move was to Jay Co., Ind., where 
they were pioneers. Mr. Parker was 
married in Mercer Co., Ohio, Oct. 17, 
1839, to Elizabeth De Hayes. She was 
born in Preble Co., Ohio. They settled 
in Jay Co., Ind., where they remained 
until 1855, when they set out to find a 
new home farther west. In the spring of 
1856, they pitched their tent on section 
34, which has ever since been their home, 
Mr. Parker having come the previous 
year They have nine children — Betsey 
A., Martin B., Margaret J., Ellie C, 



Francis S. and Frances E. (twins ) Lydia 
L., Mary L. and Willie H. 

A. L. Whitney, a native of Delaware 
Co., N. Y., and a blacksmith by trade, 
came to the county in 1858, and first loca- 
ting at Mason City, he opened a shop and 
pursued his trade for about ten years. He 
now resides on section 28, where he has 
also erected a shop. 

David Dunbar, a native of Pennsylva- 
nia, took up a claim, on section 16, some 
time previous to 1860, as in that year he 
sold to Levi Parker, who still resides on 
the place. 

Leonard Hill, a native of Putnam Co., 
N. Y., came from Linn Co., Iowa, in 1860, 
and settled on section 34, where he tilled 
the soil until his death, which took place 
in 1882. His family still reside on the 
homestead. Leonard Hill settled in Cerro 
Gordo county in 1860, and was a pioneer 
not only of this county but of the State, 
of which he became a resident in lb56. 
He was born in Putnam Co., N. Y., June 
6, 1821. He passed his early life in school 
and on his father's farm, but when he was 
seventeen, was thrown upon his own re- 
sources by the death of the latter. He 
went to the city of New York, and served 
three years learning the trade of a mason. 
He acted three years in the capacity of 
foreman with his employer and then came 
west. He stayed two years in Wisconsin 
working at his trade, going back to New 
York at the expiration of that time. He 
invested his money in a sloop and engaged 
in the Hudson river traffic. But he had 
imbibed a strong regard for the west, and 
in his own words " never saw a train start 
for the west, without a desire to go." At 
the expiration of two years he sold his 



'•^is 




iWE 









1 /■>,-'■ ( 



St^t^r^ ^. 7^^/. 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



901 



sloop and turned his face toward the set- 
ting sun. He settled in Linn Co., Iowa, 
where he took the contract to build the 
Western College in that county. He was 
married Jan. 15, 1857, to Lorinda Berger, 
a native of Stark Co., Ohio. The family 
resided in Linn county until 1859, when 
they came to Cerro Gordo county. Mr. 
Hill bought land on section 34, and also 
on section -3, of Mason township. Hi.s 
first house was built of plank and lined 
with stone. In this the family lived seven 
years, then going to Mason City, where 
Mr. Hill worked at his trade. In 18'74 ho 
built a tine two story brick house on sec 
tion 34, Lime Creek township, and took 
possession in November of the same year. 
He died there April 27, 1882. Mr. Hill's 
entire life was characterized by industry, 
energy and perseverance. He left to his 
family the fruits of a life of thrift, and 
to his townsmen the record of his honest 
and upright career. He is survived by his 
widow and five children — Laura, William 
F., Byron, Kate and Carrie. 

Levi Parker, a representative of the pio- 
neer element of Cerro Gordo connty, is 
a son of the Green Mountain State. He 
was born in Franklin Co., Vt , April 2, 
1822. His parents removed to Illinois in 
1 840 and were pioneers in Lake county. 
His father bought government land which 
he put under first class cultivation and oc 
cupied until his death. Mr. Parker also 
bought government land, built him a home 
and resided there until 1860, when he sold 
out and moved westward. He bought 
school land on section 16, Lime Creek 
township. The family occupied the log 
house first erected for several years, when 
their present frame building was built. 



Mr. Parker was married in 1845 to Martha 
C. Vandermark, a native of the Empire 
State. The family iucludes seven chil- 
dren — Martha C, aged 37; Silas G.,aged 35; 
Stephen F., aged 33; Albert L., aged 31; 
Alonzo M., aged 28; Obed H., aged 25; 
John W., aged 21. 

Josephus Cooper was a native of that 
portion of the State of Virginia which is 
now West Virginia. He was born in De- 
cember, 1808, and when twenty-one years 
of age went to Illinois, where he settled 
in Stephenson county. The land he there 
purchased became his through government 
patent and he is in a double sense a pio- 
neer. He put his farm in good condition 
with improvements and in 1857 sold out 
and came to Iowa. He tarried one year in 
Dubuque county and set out for Bremer 
county, then in its primal state. He lo- 
cated twelve miles north of Waverly, re- 
maining until 1860, when he removed to 
Floyd county. Four years after he came 
to Lime Creek township and purchased a 
farm on section 1. On this place he put 
excellent buildings and first-class improve- 
ments, and here he passed the remainder 
of his life. He died March 6, 1879. He 
was a kind-hearted, generous spirited man, 
and left a splendid record among his fellow 
men. His wife, Ibbie (Tucker) Cooper, 
died in 1860. Six of their eight children 
are living — Jane, Emeline, Jesse, Emery, 
Rebecca and Josephus. Eliza died in 1866; 
Elizabeth, in 1876. Josephus, youngest 
son, occupies the homestead. His brother 
Emery and a sister reside with him. 
Emery Cooper owns a farm in Worth 
county. 

Charles H. O'Neil, trustee of Lime Creek 
township, was born in Clinton Co.,N. Y., 



82 



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Jt 



1^ 



902 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



March 11, 1844. His parents became resi 
dents of Marquette Co., Wis., when the 
son was seven years old. In two years they 
went to Fond du Lac county, where they 
were pioneers. When at the age of 
twenty-two years Mr. O'Neil went to Min- 
nesota, and stopped in Dodge county, 
where he was married Dec. 24, 1866, to 
Marcella Beidleman. They went to Fond- 
duLac county, where they passed the next 
two years, then came to Lime Creek town- 
ship, and purchased unbroken land on sec- 
tion 19. They lived on this land five years 
and then bought their present farm of 160 
acres on section 8, on which they have 
since lived. Mr. O'Neil has built a house 
and put his farm under good improve- 
ments. In 1883 he built a barn, 30x40 feet, 
with 16 feet posts, and has besides a gran- 
ary, 16x24 feet. Mr. and Mrs. O'Neil have 
three children — Melville J., Ella M. and 
Leslie D. George A. O'Neil, brother to 
C. H. O'Neil, was born in Clinton Co., N. 
Y., Jan. 17, 1848. He was married Nov. 
25, 1875,10 Lucinda B. Whiting. They 
came to Lime Creek township in 1878, and 
purchased a farm of Dwight Brown, on 
the southeast quarter of section 7. Tlieir 
children are — Arthur and Lucia. 

L. A. Pefck, who came to Lime Creek 
township in 1869, was born in Rock Co. 
Wis., Nov. 26, 1847, and was there reared 
to agricultural pursuits and received a fair 
• education at the common schools, and af- 
terward was advanced by three terms at 
the Milton Academy. In 1869 he came to 
this township, where his father had a large 
tract of land. He improved some of the 
land, staying on it part of the time and 
spending the remainder in Wisconsin. In 






1881 he located permanently on section 
27, where he still lives. 

Dwight Brown came to Cerro Gordo 
county in 1870, and settled on the east 
half of section 7, in the northwest portion 
of Lime Creek township. He was born in 
Windham Co., Vt., June 1, 1823. At the 
age of eighteen, he went to Chicopee, 
Mass., and was there employed several 
years in a cotton mill, going thence to 
Lowell, Mass. He there engaged as an 
operative in a factory. His stay in Lowell 
was brief and he proceeded to Fitchville, 
Conn., where he worked three months. At 
the expiration of that time, he went to 
Clinton, Mass., and acted as overseer of 
the weaving department in the Lancaster 
Mill, some twelve years. His first inde- 
pendent business venture was in the gro- 
cery and provision trade, which he operated 
a year, sold out and moved to Wisconsin. 
He bought a farm in Linden, Sauk county, 
where he lived ten years, and then moved 
to Madison. He lived there a short time 
and went to Charles City, Iowa. Here he 
engaged in farming and dairy business 
three years, then came to Cerro Gordo 
county as stated. He has interested him- 
self quite extensively as a wheat grower. 
His crop in 1876 was 3,220 bushels. Mr. 
Brown was married Aug. 11, 1844, to Maria 
M. Ingalls, born in Caledonia Co., Vt. 
They have children as follows — AdeUert 
D., Frank M., Emma M., Hattie J. and 
Carrie E. The first child died in infancy. 
Frank was born in Massachusetts May 26, 
1858, and died Dec. 21, 1874. Hattie was 
born July 23, 1859, and died Dec. 11,1874. 
Ansel Harroun is a pioneer in the strong- 
est sense of the term, having changed his 
location with the westward progress of 



-n~ 



( 



k. 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



»03 



civilization three times. He was born in 
Genesee Co., N. Y., Dec. 23, 1818. When 
he was two and a half years old his parents 
went to Pennsylvania, and settled in Craw- 
ford county, near Meadville. He was ed- 
ucated in the common schools and reared 
to a farmer's vocation. In 1844 he came 
west and located in Darien township, Wal- 
worth Co., Wis., and two years later went 
to Fond du Lac county where he was a pio- 
neer. He took up government land in 
Springdale township, built a log house and 
proceeded to make the customary improve- 
ments preparatory to successful farming. 
In 1856 he became a pioneer in Olmstead 
Co., Minn. He bought land in Dover 
county and engaged in wheat culture. In 
1870 he sold his property and came to 
Iowa, settling on the northeast quarter of 
section 24, Lime Creek township. His 
farm shows all the improvements comhion 
to the first-class homesteads of the county. 
The buildings are good and Mr. Harroun 
has a fine grove of trees of his own plant- 
ing. He was married to Delilah Crossly, 
a native of Crawford Co., Penn. Mr. 
Harroun is an indefatigable reader and is 
one of the best informed men in the 
vicinity. 

Patrick Reynolds settled in the town- 
ship in 1m73. He was born in Ireland in 
1830 When seven years of age, his par- 
ents moved to America, settling at To- 
ronto, Canada, where they lived seven or 
eight years and then moved to Wisconsin, 
living a year at Milwaukee, then removed 
to Washington county, ilis father pur- 
chased timber lands of the government. 
He assisted his father in clearing up three 
good farms. In 1856 his father gave him 
forty acres of land and he, at the same 



time, purchased forty acres adjoining, thus 
making him an eighty acre farm, which 
he sold in 1869, and came to Iowa, pur- 
chasing land on section 2, Lime Creek 
township. He returned to Wisconsin and 
in 1873 made another purchase of land 
in this township, on section 34; this 
time moving his family on the place. 
His farm is well improved and shows ev- 
ery mark of being cared for by a thrifty 
farmer. He was married June 21, 1858, 
to Susan Short, a native of Carroll Co., 
Ohio. They were blessed with nine chil- 
dren — John, Eliza, Frank, Maggie, Thom- 
as, Lizzie, Eddie, Ella and William. Lizzie 
died when two and a half years old. 

Henry Matley, a settler of 1876, was 
born Feb. 17, 1836, in Lancastershire, Eng- 
land. At the age of ten years he entered 
a cotton mill, where he worked four years. 
At fourteen he came to America with his 
parents. His father bought a farm in 
Columbia county, near Portage City, Wis., 
and he resided there until twenty-one 
years of age, when he went to Monroe 
county, and bought a farm near Sparta. 
He enlisted Aug. 15, 1862, in company C, 
23d Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry and 
served until the termination of the strug- 
gle for the Union. He was honorably 
discharged July 4, 1865. Vicksburg, Ar- 
kansas Post, Cyprus Bayou, Greenville, 
Miss., Champion Hills and Black River 
Bridge, are among the engagements in 
which his command was actively engaged. 
At Vicksburg he received a Minnie ball in 
the fleshy part of his arm which inflicted a 
severe wound. He was in action at Jack- 
son, at Carrion Crow, Miss., and was taken 
prisoner at the last place, Nov. 3, 1863. 
He was exchanged June 6, 1864, at Jack- 



^ 



^a 



904 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



son. The war end&d he returned to his 
former employ of farming, at Sparta. In 
June, 1867, he sold his farm and went to 
Minnesota, where he bought a place in 
Buford township. Blue Earth county. He 
put it under good improvements, erected 
valuable buildings, and in 1876 sold out 
and came to Lime Creek township, where 
he bought his present property on section 
6. He has made extensive improvements, 
built a brick house, barn and sheds and 
has a beautiful and valuable homestead. 
He has a large number and variety of 
shade and ornamental trees, and an assort- 
ment of fruit trees, all of which enhance 
the worth and beauty of the location. Mr. 
Matley was married Jan. 27, 1870, to Ann 
Draper, a native of Derbyshire, England. 
Bessie Matley is the only child. 

Among the settlers of 1876 was George 
R. Miller, a native of Vermont, born in 
Alburgh, Grand Isle county, Feb. 10, 182.3. 
When but a few years of age his father 
died, and soon after his mother moved to 
Canada and located in the province of 
Quebec. When he was seventeen years 
old, he commenced to learn the blacksmith 
trade. After a few months of hard work, 
he and the trade had a falling out, as he 
remarked to a friend, and he then turned 
his attention to farming. He was married 
in 1849, to Mary Wilsey, who was a na- 
tive of Canada He settled at Russell- 
towij, where he remained until 1854, at 
which time he moved west. He made 
the trip to Chicago by lake, and from there 
he took a team and drove to Minnesota, 
locating in Fillmore county. He built a 
log house which he covered with shakes. 
He remained in this until 1869, when he 
built a good frame house. In 1876 he 



sold out and removed to Lime Creek town- 
ship. Mrs. Miller died in January, 1879. 
In 1883 they had three children living — 
Sabra, George E. and Lucinda. His sec- 
ond wife, to whom he was married in 
November, 1873, was Helen Maning. By 
this union there were two children — Julia 
W., and Ethel E. Mrs. Miller also has 
three children by her first husband — Hat- 
tie H., Lottie L. and Eddie M. 

Lewis C. Neidermyer came to the town- 
ship in 1877. He is a native of Germany, 
born June 6, 1850. When four years old 
he came, in company with his parents, to 
America, settling in Orange Co., N. J. 
When but fourteen years of age, he en- 
listed in company H, 39th New Jersey 
Volunteers, and was with the regiment 
until its discharge in July, 1865. He par- 
ticipated in the battles of Hatch's Run, 
Pittsburg Landing, Stone Creek, and 
many other engagements. When dis- 
charged he returned home. When he 
was only seventeen years old he started 
out in life for himself, first going to 
Indiana, where he engaged in farming one 
year, and then went to Colorado, and there 
engaged in mining and farming for about 
eighteen months, after which he returned 
as far as Kansas, and spent four years 
near Atchison, and from there went to 
Illinois, spending one year,thence to Pierce 
Co., Wis. He was married in 1876 to 
Miss L. Thing. They have four children 
— Florence E., Clarence C, Chester A. 
and Frank. 

Mrs. Sarah Fisher, daughter of John H. 
and Rebecca (Cross) Vandermark, was 
born in Tompkins Co., N. Y., Jan. 17, 
1817. She was married May 2, 1836, to 
J. B. Nickerson, a native of the Old Bay 



vi; 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



905 



State, born near Boston. He was a machin- 
ist by trade, and settled at Owego, 
N. Y., where he opened a machine shop in 
1839. He afterwards went to Chicago, 
which was at that time but a small place. 
In 1854 they went to Danby, DuPage 
county, where Mr Nickerson died of 
cholera, July 4 of the same year. Mrs. 
Nickerson was married in 1856 to Daniel 
Fish, a farmer near Danby. After a resi- 
dence there of nearly eight years they 
went to Wheaton, where Mr. Fish died in 
1873, leaving one son — Daniel. Mrs. 
Fish had four children by her first mar- 
riage. William Henry died of cholera at 
Danby three days before his father. 
Robert C. died in Chicago in his fifteenth 
year. James D. was born in Chicago, 
where he obtained a good education in the 
public schools. He was graduated from 
Bryant & Stratton's Commercial College, 
and enlisted in the 141stIllinois Infantry, 
and afterward re-enlisted in the 9th Illi- 
nois Cavalry. He lost his health and set 
out to travel. He has been absent sixteen 
years and the family have had no intelli- 
gence from him in fourteen years. George 
Albert, youngest son, died at the age of 
twenty-two months. Mrs. Fish owns a 
residence in Wheaton, 111., which she left 
in 188 i to reside in Lime Creek township 
where she has a farm, managed by her 
son Daniel, who was born May 8, 1858, at 
Danby, 111. 

ORGANIC. 

This township was set off from Mason 
in 1870; but the records of the first elec- 
tion were lost. The following served as 
township officers in 1882: C. H. O'Neal, 
D. H. Simons and John Pedalty, trustees; 
Lorenzo Thompson, W. H. Kling, con- 



stables; B. F. Gibbs and James Draper, 
justices of the peace; J. J. Long, clerk; 
J. J. Russell, assessor. 

FIRST DEATH AND MARRIAGE. 

The first death in the township was Mrs. 
Corington, who died in the winter of 
1855-6. She was buried in Mason town- 
ship. 

The first marriage was that of Charles 
Lutz to a daugiiter of Ale.xander Long in 
the summer of 1855. They were married 
by 'Squire John McMillen at the house of 
the bride's parents, on section 34. He 
obtained the license from Floyd county. 

SCHOOLS. 

The first school in Lime Creek township 
was taught in the summer of 1855 by 
Eliza A. Gardner, who was one of the 
family whom the Indians captured at 
Spirit Lake. This school was taught in a 
log house owned by Wellington Benton, 
which was a rude cabin covered with 
shakes, and was situated on the northeast 
quarter of section 28. In the summer of 
1856 Frank E. Temple taught in the same 
building. 

The first school house built by public 
money was erected in 1857, on section 34. 

There are now nine sub-districts, eight 
having a school house, and one having 
three — making eleven school houses in the 
township. 

In district No. 1 the first school house 
was built in 1874 on section 2. Miss 
Cummings taught the first school. 

District No. 2 was provided with a 
building in 1878, on section 10. 

District No. 3 held its first terra of 
school in a building situated on section 6, 
erected in 1872. Fannie Dexter, after- 
ward wife of Julius Thompson, of Worth 



"*7]s 



^ 



slJ- 



906 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



county, was the first teacher. Nellie Dex- 
ter taught in 1883. 

In district No. 4 the first school was 
held in a 'og cabin owned by Stephen 
Wright, located on section 19, in the win- 
ter of 1858-9. 

In 1860 a school house was built from pub- 
lic money, on the same section; but in 1864 
it was being moved to the southeast part 
of that section, and while on the way was 
damaged by lightning, but was finally re- 
paired and in use in 1883. 

In district No. 5 the first school house, 
built in 18.57, was located on section 
2-2. Elizabeth Hoyt taught the first school. 
This house was afterwards enlarged and 
converted into a church for the several 
denominations worshipping in the neigh- 
borhood, and was used for such purposes 
until 1880, when it was changed into a 
dwelling house. The next building in the 
district was erected in 1865, and located 
on section ^1. It was a stone building, 
and used for school purposes until 1875, 
at which time it was torn down. In 1882 
the district had no school building. 

The first building in No. 6 was con- 
structed in 1878, situated on section 13. 
Edith Crane taught the first school. 

In district No. 7 a school building was 
provided in 1871, which stood on section 
25. Emma Russell taught the first schools. 

District No. 8 has three school houses. 
The first was built in 1857, on section 34. 
Henry Gray and Frank Temple were 
among the early teacher. During the 
years of the war this house was destroyed 
by fire and another reared on the same 
site. The other two are located on sec- 
tions 27 and 28. 



In district No. 9 the school house was 
erected in 1878, on section 31. Cora Bab- 
cock taught the first term of school. 

RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES. 

The first services in the township were 
held by the United Brethren at the house 
of Alanson Beebe. Rev. Musselman con- 
ducted the services. 

The Free Methodists organized a class, 
in 1873, at the house of Mr. Van Palter. 
Rev. Thomas LaDue had charge of the or- 
ganization, which consisted of the follow- 
ing named members : H. W. Shuraaker, 
Mrs. Calvin Parker, William Jellison, 
William Hulet and Mrs. Ellen Hulet. 
H. W. Shumaker was chosen class leader. 
Meetings were held at the chapel on sec- 
tion 22. They were supplied with a min- 
ister from Plymouth. D. H. Simons 
was leader in 1883, and the society num- 
bered but ten members. Religious meet- 
ings had been held at the school house in 
district No. 3, in 1873. Rev. Bennett, a 
Congregational minister, was the first 
preacher, and a little later. Rev. George 
Rogers, a Baptist clergyman, preached for 
this society. Early in 1879 the Evangeli- 
cal Association organized a class in the 
school house. Rev. C. W. Anthony, with 
eight members, constituted the society, as 
follows : Mr. and Mrs. Henry Matley, Mr. 
and Mrs. Lewis Snell, Mrs. Peter Trainor, 
Mrs. Mary Anderson and J. J. Long. The 
last named was class leader. Elder T. J. 
Fink was the first preacher. He remained 
about two years and was succeeded by 
Rev. D. W- Brown. In 1883 the society 
numbered fifteen members. A union Sun- 
day school was formed in 1876. Rev 
George Rogers was elected as its superin- 
tendent. 



a) 



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'J^ 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



907 



SORGHUM WOEKS. 

In an early day the people turned their 
attention towards, the raising of sorghum 
or sugar cane. At that time mills with 
wooden rollers were in use, to crush the 
juice from the stalks; and they employed 
large kettles in which to boil it down. 
But in 1880 Henry Martin commenced to 
make sorghum by the improved plan. He 
made large quantities, which found a 
ready sale at a fair price. 

LIME CREEK BRICK YARD. 

In 1871 N. M. Nelson and Henry Brick- 
son estsblished a brick yard on section 34, 
Lime Creek township. They continued 
in business until 1877, when Mr. Nelson 
became sole proprietor, and has since 
operated alone. The bulk of the brick 
used in Mason City hare been the pro- 
duct of this yard. In 1882 about 400,000 
brick were turned out. Mr. Nelson was 
born in Norway, March 4, 1841. He was 
reared to the age of nineteen on a farm, 
when he determined upon a seafaring life. 
He was a sailor four years, and the for- 
tunes of his wandering life made him ac- 
quainted with the chief entry ports of 
Russia, Greece, Turkey, Adusa on the 
Black Sea, and other harbors of the East- 
ern Continent. He came to America in 
1864, landing at Quebec. He went directly 
to Chicago, and during the first year spent 
his time prospecting. In 1865 he went to 
Jacksonville, 111., where he was employed 
four years in a brick yard. His next move 



was to Ackley, Iowa, and there he was 
engaged in the same calling two years. 
In 1871 he came to Mason City and 
founded his present business, as stated. 
He was married in 1872 to Nellie Gates, a 
native of Norway. They have four chil- 
dren—Annie, Jennie, Gilbert and Hanna 
Elisa. 

GLENWOOD CREAMERY. 

This was the first creamery started in 
this section. Leonard Hill built in the 
spring of 1880. Cream was gathered from 
Lime Creek, Mason and Lincoln town- 
liips. In I 881 he started another creamery 
at Clear Lake. The first year he made 
30,000 pounds of butter, and in 1881 busi- 
ness had increased one-third. In January, 
1883, Messrs. Lamb & Babbitt, of New 
York, through their agent, Frank S. 
Chnpin, bought the property and operated 
it on an extensive scale. 

BOULDER CAVE. 

A natural curiosity appears in this town- 
ship — a boulder cave, discovered in 1875 
by Will Dennis and John Elder, who were 
drilling for a well near the cheese factory 
on the Robert's farm. After going down 
eight feet, the drill suddenly dropped four 
feet, and, upon examination, it was found 
that there was a cave containing about 
670 square feet, entirely ceiled over with 
I'ock, and the bottom covered with boul- 
ders about the size and shape of a gallon 
jug- 



-71F 



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^. » 



k 



908 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



CHAPTER XXXI. 



MOUNT VERNON TOWNSHIP. 



This comprises congressional township 
05, range 21 west. It is bounded on the 
north by Lake township, on the east by 
Bath, on the south by Pleasant Valley and 
the w^st by Union township. The soil 
of this township is of an excellent qual- 
ity, producing in abundance all the crops 
common to this latitude. Beaver Dam 
creek enters the township on section V, 
and flows southeast, leaving tlie township 
from section 36. In 1883 there was a 
large quantity of wild land in the town- 
ship. 

SETTLEMENT. 

The first man to break sod in this town- 
ship was Edwin Nichols, in 1858,atwhich 
time he broke nine acres of his present 
farm. He raised his first wheat in the 
summer of 1860. He made improvements 
from time to time, and in 1866 erected a 
house, which was the first dwelling in the 
township. Mr. Nichols did not live on 
the farm himself, but rented it. 

Edwin Nichols came to Cerro Gordo 
county, in company with Oscar Stevens, 
and brought the machinery for a steam 
saw mill which they established at Clear 
Lake. After operating the mill two sea- 
sons, Mr. Nichols sold his interest to Mr. 
Stevens. He had, on coming to the 
county, purchased 400 acres of land, and, 
on disposing of his mill property, he gave 



his landed estate his undivided attention. 
When the rebellion shook the country to 
its remotest limits, Mr. Nichols responded 
to the Nation's cry for help by enlisting 
in company B, 32d Iowa, and after active 
service through three years was dis- 
charged for physical disability. He re- 
turned to Clear Lake, but impaired health 
precluded his engaging in any active busi- 
ness. He managed the improvements on 
his land and put it in first-class condition, 
and, in 1880, established his residence 
thereon. His farm now includes 300 
acres, and is one of the most valuable and 
desirable homestead.^ in this part of Iowa. 
His principles are those of the democratic 
party. Edwin Nichols was born in Mass- 
achusetts, Marcl) 7, 1827. He is a son of 
Charles and Fanny (Coomes) Nichols. 
They left the Bay State in 1846 and set- 
tled in Dane Co., Wis., where the father 
died Aug. 26, of the same year. The 
mother died in 1850. Of their family of 
eleven children, six only are living. The 
brothers and sisters of Mr. Nichols are 
Emmeline, Mary, Susan, John and Harriet 
E. In 1852 Mr. Nichols connected him- 
self with the westward tide flowing with 
increasing volume toward the Pacific 
slope, and spent two years in the mining 
ventures of California, meeting with sig- 
nal success. His domestic history dates 



-<" 



v>- 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



909 



from May, 1856, when he was married at 
Portage City, Wis., to Elizabeth Hend- 
rickson. Mr. and Mrs. Nichols have had 
five children — Florence A., Edwin J., 
Charles B., (born Oct. 16, 1859, and died 
March 9, 1860), Charles L. and Wilfred 
C. Mr. Nichols belongs to the Grand 
Army of the Republic, and is a member 
of the Masonic fraternity. 

The next to make improvements was R. 
T. Lane,' who located on section 29, in 
March, 1870. 

Scribner Chadbourn came from Wis- 
consin in 1870, and broke land on section 
11, and in 1871 brought his family. In 
1883 he was living at Clear Lake. 

Richard T. Lane claims to be the first 
permanent settler in Mount Vernon town- 
ship. He is a man of decided character 
and influence, and is warmly interested in 
all public or private enterprises, calculated 
to add to either general or individual pro- 
gress. He was born in Prince Edward's 
Island, June 1, 1827. His parents, Joseph 
and Elizabeth Lane, with eleven children, 
came to the States in 1857, and settled in 
Bristol Co., Mass. His father died in 
1862; his mother still lives on the home- 
stead. Nine of the brothers and sisters of 
Mr. Lane are yet living— Samuel, Edward,' 
George, Philip, John, Ann, Rachel, 
Joseph and Herbert. Martha is dead. 
Mr. Lane was married July 29, 1857, to 
Abbie A. Carpo. She died July 22, 1859, 
leaving two children, one of whom is now 
living — Harriet. Mr. Lane was married 
again April 1, 1860, to Amanda R. Staples. 
Five of six children born from the second 
marriage are still living — Abbie, (Mrs. 
George Babcock), Petronella, Dora, Annie 
and Claudia. In 1864 Mr. Lane settled 



in Wisconsin, and in 1869 fixed his resi- 
dence in Mount Vernon township. 

Following Mr. Lane came David K. 
Babcock, from Wisconsin, who settled on 
section 10, in 1871, where he resided 
until 1882, when he returned to Wiscon- 
sin. 

After him came John Hawks, in 187 I, 
locating on section 31. He afterwards 
sold and moved to LeMars, Iowa. 

In 1872 Mr. Shafer settled on section 
31, where he was living in 1883. 

OBGANIC. 

.June 3,- 1878, the board of supervisors of 
Cerro Gordo county set apart the territory 
embraced within the limits of congres- 
sional township 95 north, range 31 west of 
the 5th principal meridian, and thereby or- 
ganized the civil township of Mount Ver- 
non. The first election was held at the 
school house located on section 11, Oct. 
8, 1878, and resulted in the election of the 
following named officers: 

Trustees, M. Kennison, R. T. Lane and 
Barnard Campbell; clerk, C. R. MoFarlin; 
assessor, Ellis Barlow; justices of the 
peace, W. R. Winter and Barnard Camp- 
bell; constables, D. R. Babcock and Wil- 
liam Bray; road supervisor, C. R. McFar- 
lin. When the polls were closed, the 
judges of election, E. O. Gregory, R. T. 
Lane and C. R. McFarlin, oast lots to de- 
cide the respective length of terms the 
trustees elect were to serve, and thus Bar- 
nard Campbell was chosen for the term of 
three years, R. T. Lane two years, and M. 
Kinnison one year. C. R. McFarlin was ap- 
pointed to deliver the election returns to the 
county auditxjr, .which was done on the 9th 
day of October, 1878. The first assess- 
ment showed the valuation of real estate 






83 






M'. 



'li 



910 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



to be $113,039, and personal property 
amounted to $5,943 At the election held 
Oct. 14, 1879, the following officers were 
elected: 

Trustee, M. Kinnison; derk, Z. Quincy; 
assessor, H. Harmon; justice of the peace, 
David Sullivan and constable, Joseph Bar 
low. The officers for 1833 are: Trustees, 
R.T.Lane, M.Schowand Francis Latham; 
clerk, C. R. McFarlin and assessor, H. 
Harmon. The persons elected justices of 
the peace and constables refused to quali- 

FIRST EVENTS. 

The first marriage was that of George 
Babcock to Abbie A. Lane. The ceremony 
was performed by Rev. Milton Franklin. 

The first birth in the township was 
Anna, daughter of R. and Amanda Lane, 
born June 25, 1874. 

The first death occurred in the spring of 
1874. It was the wife of Jonathan Brown. 
The next death was Mary, a daughter of 
David R. Babcock, who died in the fall of 
1874. 



SCHOOLS. 

The first school in Mount Vernon town- 
ship was taught in R. T. Lane's house, by 
Mrs. R. T. Lane, in 1869. The only pupils 
that term were — Harriet L., Abbie A. and 
Petronellia Lane, the children of the 
teacher. This was when Mr. Line lived 
on the Nicholas farm. The second term 
taught, Mrs. Lane was again the teacher, 
at their own house on section 29. Here 
there were four pupils, two of Mrs. Lane's 
children and two of Samuel Johnson's. 
The first school building was built on the 
section line between sections 2 and 3. This 
was erected in 1872, at a cost of about 
$400. The work was done by Oscar Ste- 
vens. The first teacher here was Miss Hen- 
rietta Sirrine. 

RELIGIOUS. 

The Methodists organized a society in 
this township at an early date, holding 
meetings at the Chapman school house. 
The meetings were at first conducted by 
Rev. Thomas Forber. In 1883 the organ- 
ization had been abandoned. 



CHAPTER- XXXII 



yf 



OWEN TOWNSHIP. 

This township is bounded on the north j surface of the northern part of Owen 

by Portland township, on the east by township is slightly rolling, and there are 

Floyd county, on the south by Dougherty some of the finest farms in the county in 

township, and on the west by Bath town- that locality. The southern part is more 

ship, and comprises congressional town- flat. The soil is a dark, rich loam, with 

ship 95 north, range 19 west. The a yellow clay sub-soil, underlaid by lime 



ik 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



911 



rock, which in many places comes to the 
surface. 

EARLY SETTLEMENT. 

Alonzo Willson, of New England, came 
in 1855 and settled on the northeast quar- 
ter of section 6, where he remained until 
1818, when he moved to Mason City. 

Abiel Pierce, of Massachusetts, a second 
cousiu of President Pierce, came to the 
township and entered land on the north- 
west quarter of section 5. He improved 
this place and remained thereon until 
1869, at which time he sold to Jesse Hill, 
and moved to Iroquois Co., 111., where he 
was still living in 1883. 

C. W. Wicks, a native of Massachusetts, 
come to Owen township in 1855, and en- 
tered the southwest quarter of section 5. 
He was frozen to death in December of that 
year. 

In 1856 a man named Willson, known 
by all of the pioneers as Chicago Willson, 
in distinction from Alonzo or Yankee 
Willson, who came about the same time, 
came from Chicago and settled on section 
3, where he died a few years later. His 
widow lived in Mason City in 1883. 

Brazil Updike settled in 1858-9 on the 
northwest quarter of section 12, which he 
improved and lived upon for some years, 
but now lives at Shobe's Grove, Cerro 
county. 

But little settlement was effected in the 
township during the years of the war. 
Among the settlers coming prior to 18'76 
were Rial Barney, Jesse Hill, M. C. An- 
drews, Judson Quackenbush, G. S. Armi- 
tage, W. A. Wells. Neil Fullerton, E. W. 
Jacobs, A. M. Stephens and H. P. Meloy. 

Rial Barney was born in the town of 
Grafton, N. H., June 8, 1831. When but 



two years old he moved to Lowell, Mass., 
remaining there two years, thence to Maine 
and spent two years. From there he moved 
to Manchester, N. H., where he remained 
until he was seventeen years old and then 
removed to Illinois. In January, 1853, he 
was married to Elizabeth Prickett, a na- 
tive of England. He bought a farm in 
McHenry county, and resided there till 
1866, then moved to section 34, of Port- 
land township. He remained there until 
1882, when he built a frame house in Owen 
township on the southeast quarter of sec- 
tion 3, on land that he had previously pur- 
chased. In June of that year he moved 
to this place. Mr. and Mrs. Barney are 
the parents of eight children —Belle, Hen- 
rietta, Frank, Warren, C lyde, li^atie, Del- 
ton and Clarence. 

Jesse Hill, an early settler in Owen 
township, is a blacksmith by trade and has 
interspersed the labors of a farmer with 
those pertaining to that calling, and has 
made both a success. He was born Dec. 
21, 1827, in Licking Co., Ohio. He ob- 
tained a fair education and developed in 
manly strength on the farm until eighteen 
years of age, when he entered upon his 
apprenticeship for his trade, at which he 
served three years. After spending two 
years as a journeyman, he opened a shop 
in Hancock county. He operated there 
two years and in 1851 bought land in 
Clayton Co., Iowa, where he settled as a 
pioneer and spent a year improving his 
property. He then engaged in blacksmith- 
ing in Garnavillo, the county seat. In 
1855 he decided to go to Minnesota and 
accordingly made a claim of government 
land in Eyota township, Olmstead county. 
He was a pioneer there, and with his 



- ■ 19 



3 



e ^k. 



^ 



912 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



characteristic energy pushed the improve- 
ments on the place he bought and built a 
log house. In 1855, associated • with his 
brother, he bought a saw-mill which they 
managed five years. He sold out and 
went to Marion, Minn , where he worked 
at his trade one and a half years. In 1865 
he again bought land in Frankville, Win- 
neshiek Co., Iowa, on which he lived four 
years and in 1 869 came to Cerro Gordo 
county. He purchased land on section 5, 
of Owen township, where he now resides. 
His farm includes 440 acres. In 1849 he 
was married to Sophia A. Barnumof Han- 
cock Co., Ohio. Mary M., Frank, Simon, 
Willie and James are the names of Mr. 
Hill's children. 

Malcom C Andrews came to Cerro 
Gordo county in 1869, and bought the 
northeast quarter of section 5, Owen town- 
ship. Here he erected a comfortable frame 
liouse, improved his land and made this 
his home until his death, which occurred 
July 24, 1877, leaving his wife and eight 
children. He was born in Middletown, 
Conn., May 15, 1830. When he was quite 
young his parents located in McHenry 
Co., 111., where he grew up on the farm, 
receiving a common school education. He 
was there married in 1855 to Phoebe D. 
Bailey, born in Cambridgeshire, England. 
They lived on his father's farm in Mc- 
Henry Co., III., until 1861, when they 
moved to southern Illinois, bought a farm 
in Shelby county and spent the summer 
there, but in the fall of the same year sold 
out and returned to McHenry county, 
where he remained until 186-3, when he 
came to Iowa. Upon arriving here he 
rented a farm in Delaware county on which 
he lived until he came to his home in 



Owen township in 1869, and on which his 
widow still lives. His children are — 
George W., James B., Walter S., Richard 
J., Andrew J., Nellie A., Frank, John R., 
Harriet A., (died in Illinois, aged two 
years and eight months), Cora E., died in 
infancy. 

A. H. Quackenbush was born in Orange 
Co., N. Y., Jan. 4, 1813. He moved to 
Chemung county in 1818, at the age of 
fifteen. He was married to Catharine Ed- 
mister, Nov. 22, 1838. They moved to 
Columbia Co., Wis., in 1856, from there 
to Cerro Gordo Co., Iowa, in 1869, where 
he died, Sept. 22, 1880. They raised 
eight cliildren — Mary, Charles, Arvilla, 
Nancy, Judson, John, Ann and Byron. 
His widow now lives in Rockford, Iowa. 

Judson Quackenbush, son of Amos' 
Quackenbush, is a farmer on the southwest 
quarter of section 2, where he is pleasantly 
situated on a finely improved and well- 
stocked farm. The buildings on the place 
are in every way suitable to the necessi- 
ties and comfort of an Iowa agriculturist. 
Mr. Quackenbush was married Oct. 30, 
1873, to Ermina Watkins, of Floyd Co., 
Iowa. They have two children — Bertha 
and Robert. Charles Quackenbush is a 
coal and lumber dealer at Rockford. By- 
ron is a land-holder in Owen township, 
but is spending some time in Dakota. 

Garret S. Armitage, trustee of Owen 
township, is a farmer by vocation, and is 
a pioneer settler of the township where 
he resides. He was born in Hoosick, 
Rensselaer Co., N. Y., and was there 
brought up a f armer,and obtained a fair edu- 
cation at the district schools. He was 
there married to Mary Randall, of Berlin. 
Three years after marriage he settled in 



'I. 



ji'. 



« ft^ 



^ gj^ 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



913 



Wisconsin, where lie was a pioneer of 
Dodge county. He bought a farm in Hus- 
tisford township, improved tlie land and 
built a house. He resided tliere fifteen 
years, when he sold and located in Hamp- 
den, Columbia county. Five years later, 
in 1867, he came to Iowa and rented a 
farm nea^' Osage until 1869, when he came 
to Cerro Gordo county and spent the sum- 
mer of that year in the Owen House at 
the grove. That fall he moved on to 
his farm, which he purchased in 1868, in 
Owen township, on section 9. He made 
first-class improvements from the be- 
ginning. He has a comfortable house and 
granary and temporary outbuildings, and 
a large number of shade and fruit trees. 
lie has added to his real estate at times, 
by purchase, until he own 440 acres of 
land. Mrs. Armitage died Feb. 23, 1859. 
Mr. Armitage was married again, Jan. 23, 
1861, to Polly Wells, a native of the 
province of Ontario, Canada. The fainilv 
includes two children. 

W. A. Wells, one of the oldest settlers 
of Owen township, located on section 20, 
in 1871. He is engaged in a dairy, raises 
stock and herds cattle. He was born in 
Canada., Sept. 7, 1834, and when eight 
years of age, his parents moved to Dodge 
Co., Wis , and were there among the early 
settlers. W. A. remained there until 
1865, when he came to Iowa, settling first 
at Osage, where he lived six years, then 
removing to his present home. He was 
married in 1860 to Mary E. Burgess, of 
New York, by whom he has had si,\ chil- 
dren — Hattie, Amy, Diadama, Clara, Cora, 
Martha and Robert E., an adopted son. 
Hattie was born and died in September, 
1862. 



Neil Fullerton, son of James and Janet 
(Muschie) Fullerton, was born in Inverness, 
province of Quebec, Canada, Dec. 10, 1831. 
His parents, natives of Scotland, settled 
at that place years previous to his birth. 
When he was fourteen years old his 
mother died and two years after he went 
to Coos Co., N. H., and was bound out to a 
farmer to serve until he was twenty-one 
years of age. He redeemed his obliga- 
tion and received $100 as had been stipu- 
lated, when he returned to Canada. A 
year later he went to llillsboro Co., N. H., 
and engaged in farming one summer, and 
the following winter worked as lumber- 
man. In the spring of 1856 he bought a 
team and engaged in supplying milk in 
the city of Manchester. In April, 1857, 
he was married to Mary Kerr, who was 
also a native of Inverness. About that 
date he bought a farm in the town of Bed- 
ford. The ne.xt year he sold the milk 
route and devoted his attention and ener- 
gies to farming, remaining thus employed 
until 1863, when he sold his farm and 
bought government timber land in Canada. 
He took possession of his purchase, made a 
"bee," and in one day the logs were cut 
for ahouse, 16x18 feet, and the house built. 
He cleared forty-five acres of the primeval 
forest and remained a resident until 1871. 
In that year he settled in Cerro Gordo 
Co., Iowa. Until 1876 he rented land in 
Portland township, when he purchased 
the southeast quarter of section 25, in 
Owen township Since that dale he has 
rebuilt the house, erected a barn and 
made valuable improvements on the land. 
Mr. Fullerton has occupied a number of 
offices of trust, and is a member of the 
board of trustees. In 1867 himself and 



/^t 



914 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



wife joined the Presbyterian Church, and 
are now communicants of the Congres^a- 
tional Church, at Rockford, there' beinjj no 
society of the denomination to which they 
originally belonged in the vicinity. They 
have nine chihiren — John K., James E., 
Charles A., Peter G., Neil A. Robert, 
Angus M., Henry J. and Nettie. 

E. W. Jacobs, a prominent citizen of 
Owen township, was born in Springfield, 
Ohio, Aug. 11, 1840. When he was four 
years of age his parents removed to Colum- 
bus, where he lived until he was fifteen, 
when they moved to Mt. Carroll, Carroll 
Co., 111., where his parents are still living. 
In 1S5S he went to California, prospect- 
ing, exploring the Pacific coast from 
Lojver California to the Jiritish posses- 
sions. After an absence of eight years, 
he returned to Mt. Carroll, staying until 
1870, when he came to Cerro Gordo 
county and engaged in burning lime at 
.Mason City, putfing up the first patent 
lime kiln in that city. He continued in 
the business about three years, when he 
came to his present home on section 5, 
where he is extensively engaged in dairy 
farming, also in raising cattle, sheep and 
hogs. In l.SSl he erected one of the 
largest barns in the county, having a stone 
basement and all conveniences. He was 
married in 1866 to Mary Sheldon, of Illi- 
nois, who died in ISVO, leaving one daugh- 
ter — Lulu. He married, a second time, 
Maria L. Bradley, Nov. 26, 1871, by whom 
he has four children — Ray G., Mabel C, 
Guy G. and Ethel Gertrude. Mr. Jacobs 
has been active and prominent in town 
affairs, is the present assessor and justice 
of the peace, and is a worthy citizen. 



Asher M. Stevens, township clerk, was 
born in Wayne Co., Penn., July ?1, 1835. 
He is the son of Silas and Julia (Kellogg) 
Stevens. His parents settled in McHenry 
Co., 111., when he was eleven years old ; 
and there he spent his youth and fitted for 
the duties of life. He was married in 
McHenry county, in 1857, to Johanna 
Chesley. The year following he was en- 
gaged in farming, and in 1858 went to 
Pike's Peak. There he engaged in mining 
until the fall of 1860, when he pushed his 
way to Mexico and passed the winter in 
the same occupation. He returned to 
Pike's Peak in the spring of 1862. He 
returned to Illinois in the fall and re- 
sumed his former occupation. In 1867 he 
came to Cerro Gordo county and located 
at Owen's Grove and lived in the Owen 
House eighteen months. He rented land 
in Portland township until 1874, when he 
purchased land on section 4, of Owen town- 
ship, where he has made valuable im- 
provements and built his house. Mrs. 
Stevens was born in New Hampshire, Aug. 
26, 1842, and died April 10, 1876, leaving 
seven children — Charles, Marcus, Clara, 
Katie, Herbert, Silas L. and Dollie. 

H. P. Meloy is one of the most energetic 
and reliable of the citizens of Owen town- 
ship. He has had double the experiences 
of most early settlers, having made several 
changes in his location during a period of 
less than twenty-five years. He was born 
in Otsego Co., N. ¥., Feb. 22, 1839. His 
parents went to Wisconsin when he was 
five years old and settled in Rock county, 
where they were among the pioneers. 
Mr. Meloy was married Aug. 2.5, 1859, to 
Clarinda Keech, a native of that county. 
In 1860 he located in Mitchell Co., Iowa, 



■^Id ^^ 



^ 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



915 



and bought wild land near West Mitchell. 
McGregor was the market and nearest 
point for .supplies, and from there, a dis- 
tance of 115 miles. Mr. Meloy drew the 
lumber for his home, and there took his 
wheat to market. A trip consumed seven 
days He remained on the place but two 
and .. half years, returning to Rock Co., 
Wis., and two years later he settled at 
Charles City, Iowa. He stayed there two 
years and removed to Floyd county, buy- 
ing wild land near Rockford. He made 
the usual improvements and built a house. 
He sold again in 1876, and became the 
owner of a farm on section 2, Owen town- 
ship, in Cerro Gordo county, where he has 
since pursued his chosen calling. In 
1882 he built his present neat and com- 
modious residence. Lyman B. and Bertha 
L. are the two children of Mr. and Mrs. 
Meloy. 

ORGANIC. 

The eastern one-third of Cerro Gordo 
county was organized into a township in 
1854, and called Owen in honor of Anson 
C. Owen, one of the original settlers of 
the county. At an election held at 
A. J. Glover's. April 7, 1856, A. J. Glover, 
Adam Kramer and George Bence were 
the judges, and Charles W. 'Penney clerk. 
The following is a list of the voters at that 
election: Ira Williams, Daniel Reed, 
Robert Campbell, C. W. Tenney, Herman 
M. Redington, A. J. Glover, J. M. Mals- 
berry, H. G. Gregory, Judson Ford, John 
Morgan, Oliver Ford, George W. Clymer, 
John Clymer, Adam Kramer, Joseph 
Gregory, Richard Monis, Elijah Wiltfong, 
Hiram Smothers, David Smothers,Chauncy 
Lugard, Enoch Wiltfong, Henry Day, 



Charles Bootan, Wm. Redington, George 
Frederick, Malam Brown, George S.Burrel. 

At this elcition Adam Kramer and 
Horace Gregory were elected trustees; 
Charles W. Tenney and George S. Bunce, 
justices of the peace; A. J. Glover, clerk; 
Jasper Gregory and Henry Day, consta- 
bles; Charles W. Tenney, assessor. 

The first Presidential election in which 
the people of this township took part was 
that of 1856. There were thirty-five votes 
cast — thirty-two for the republican elec- 
tors and three for the democratic electors. 

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT. 

At an election held June 27, 1882, to 
vote for or against the proposed amend- 
ment, which was to prohibit the sale or 
manufacture of spirituous liquors within 
the State of Iowa, the vote stood as fol- 
lows: Forty, eight votes for and twenty- 
seven against the amendment. At this 
election the question of voting a tax for 
the purpose of building a court house, was 
also submitted to the people with the fol- 
lowing result: Nine votes for and fifty- 
nine against ta.\ation. At the general 
election held at the Center School House, 
Nov. 7, 1882, the following officers were 
elected: Neal Fullerton, Robert Gray 
and G. S. Armitage, trustees; A. M. 
Stevens, clerk; E. W. Jacobs, assessor; 
C. A. O'Harran ;ind Hugh Coyle, consta- 
bles; Charles Squirer and Robert O'Har- 
ran, justices of the peace. The above 
justices of the peace failing to qualify, 
E. W. Jacobs and Wheelock Mowi y were 
appointed. 

FIRST BIRTH AND MARRIAGE. 

The first child born in the township 
was Charles, a son of Abiel and Mary 
Pierce, born March 3, 1857. 11- is a 



"" a 



_£U 



916 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



teacher in the public schools in Iroquois 
Co., 111. 

The first marriage was Frank Shoiiys, 
to Alice J. Willson, Feb. 10, 1867. They 
now live in Rice Co., Kan. 

.SCHOOLS. 

In 188.3 there were nine sub-districts in 
Owen township, eight of which are sup- 
plied with school buildings. In district 
No. 1, the first school house was erected 
in 18'68, on section 12. It was a stone 
building which served the district until 
187.3. Uelle Barney was the first teacher 
in this house. Religious service have 
been held in this school house from time 
to time. 

In district No. 2 a building was erected 
in 1874, on the northwest quarter of sec- 
tion 9, at a cost of $125. Miss Bowe 
taught the first term of school in this 
building. In 1879 this house was removed 
to section 13, and the present house was 
built on the southwest quarter of section 
3, at a cost of $600. Emily Trevett was 
the first teacher. 

The first school house built in Owen 
township was erected in 1857 ; it was a 
stone house, two stories high, costing 
12,200. There was a belfry on this build- 
ing in which was placed a Troy Bell, cost- 
ing $250. This was hauled from Dubuque 
by ox teams. This building was used 
for church service as well as school pur- 
poses, and it was for this reason that the 
building was provided with a bell. This 
house was used as a school house until 
1873, when it was purchased by Alonzo 
Willson, who converted it into a granary. 
There are many hallowed associations con- 
nected with this building, which is dear to 
the hearts of all the old settlers: and 



could its decaying walls speak, they 
would tell of many a happy incident con- 
nected with pioneer life. In 1873 another 
school house took the place of the Old 
stone school house. This new building 
cost $600. It was located on the south- 
east quarter of section 6. Katie McClement 
taught the first school in this building. 

In district No. 4 a school house was 
built in 1875, at a cost of $450. It stood 
on the southwest quarter of section 20. 
George Curtis taught the first school. 

The first school in district No. 5 was 
taught by Janet McLain in her father's 
house, on section 15. The first school 
house was built in 1870, on the northeast 
quarter of section 16. Kate Belle was 
the first teacher. In 1876 this building 
was removed to section 22. Religious 
services have been held in this house 
from time to time. 

In district No. 6 the first school was 
taught by Alma Harroun, in the winter of 
1879-80. It was held in a building 
removed from district No. 2. The first 
building erected in the district was in 
1881, located on section 14. Julia Saw- 
yer was the first to teach. In 1882 a 
union Sabbath school was formed at this 
house. Robert Gray was chosen superin- 
tendent of the school, which lasted only 
about ten mon'hs. 

John Byrne taught the first school in 
district No. 7, in Neal Fullerton's granary 
on the southeast quarter of section 25. 
There was two terms of school taught in 
this building and two in John Cahills house. 
The school house was built in 1S78 on the 
northwest quarter of section 36. Lyn- 
ford Getts and Sarah Garing were the first 
teachers in this buildinsr. 



*^" 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



917 



District No. 8 had no school 'house in 

1883. 

In 1882 a school house was built in dis 
trict No. 9, on section S2. Mary Wood 
was the first teacher. 



CEMETERY. 



The Owen Grove Cemetery was laid out 
in 1875, on the northeast quarter of the 
northwest quarter of section 5. 



CHAPTER XXXIII. 



PORTLAND TOWNSHIP. 



Portland township is bounded on the 
north by Falls township, on the east by 
Floyd county, on the south by Owen town- 
ship, and on the west by Mason township, 
and comprises congressional township 96, 
range 19 west. The township is well 
watered by Lime creek and its tributaries. 
Lime creek enters the township on section 
18, passes through in a general southeast- 
ern course, leaving the township from sec- 
tion 36, entering Floyd county. The Shell 
Rock river passes across the northeast 
corner of the township, passing through 
parts of sections 1 and 12, thence into 
Floyd county. The surface is rolling and 
the soil a rich, dark loam, which near the 
streams has a slight mixture of sand. The 
soil is of an unusual depth, in some places 
exceeding four feet of loam. On section 
3-t there is a clay bank which is frequently 
visited by curiosity seekers, who may find 
fine specimens of fossils. In the extreme 
northeastern portion of the township 
there is a beautiful natural grove, known 



as Bunce's Grove; also a portion of Owen's 
Grove is embraced in this township. 

SETTLEMENT. 

The first settlement was effected in 1853 
by A. C. Owen, who settled on section 31. 

A. S. Felt settled June 7, 1855, on sec- 
tion 18. 

The second family which settled in the 
township was that of William Felt, who 
came in October, 1855, and took up land 
on section 19. The family lived in Mason 
township until August, 1856, by which 
time Mr. Felt had a cabin built and ready 
for occupancy. Mr. Felt was still living 
on the place in 1883. 

William Felt, eldest son of Horace and 
Susan M. Felt, was born in Lebanon, Mad- 
ison Co., N. Y., Feb. 10, 1822. He has 
been married twice. His first wife, 
Rachel (Conover) Felt, to whom he was 
married Dec. 19, 1844, died in 1848, leav 
ing a daughter, now Mrs. T. J. Turnure. 
His second marriage occurred in 1850. 
Mr. and Mrs. Felt, formerly Sarah M. Lee 



84 



19 



A 



•k. 



918 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



have reared seven children — -Ann Eliza, 
(Mrs. Henry Walden), Mary Jane, (died 
at eighteen years of age). Jay H., Samuel, 
Iniogene, Rosa and Horace. In 1855 Mr. 
Felt settled in Iowa, and is a prominent 
member of the pioneer element that es- 
tablished the prestige of Cerro Gordo 
county, and especially of the township of 
Portland. He was a resident in the town- 
ship of Mason one winter, while preparing 
a suitable home for his family on his own 
land. He has experienced all the pecu- 
liar privations of pioneer life. In politics 
Mr. Felt is a democrat. 

G. L. Bunce came about this date, from 
Incfiana, and settled on section 1, where 
he resided until 1861, after which he was 
the proprietor of the Commercial House, 
at Mason City, but in 1883 he was a resi- 
dent of Wright county. 

In the fall of 1865 Horace and L. Greg- 
ory and their families settled on section 
12. Wallace Gregory, a son of Horace 
Gregory, settled on section 11. The latter 
named died in 1857, and his remains were 
buried in the cemetery near Mr. Reed's, 
in Floyd county, this being the first death 
in the township. 

Louis Boomhover and family set' led on 
section 3, in the fall of 1855, and remained 
there until 1863, when he enlisted in the 
32d Iowa Volunteer Infantry. He was 
taken prisoner at Pleasant Hill. After 
the close of the war he returned to Cerro 
Gordo county, after whidli he soon re- 
moved to Illinois with his family. 

A. S. Felt, whose connection with the 
founding and establishing of the village 
of Portland is elsewhere recorded, made 
his entry into Cerro Gordo county June 1, 
1855. Atthatdate he purchased the south- 



east quarter of section 18, in township 96, 
range 19, and entered at once into posses- 
sion of his property, thus becoming the 
second settler within tlie limits of what is 
now known as Portland township. Mr. 
Felt, with little delay, added to his landed 
interests and, during the years of 1856 and 
1857 he held over 1,000 acres. His home- 
stead estate now includes 365 acres of land, 
to which is given the name of the Portland 
Stock Farm. The property is admirably 
located, and is watered by Lime creek 
and numerous flowing springs. The farm 
and fixtures represent a cash estimate of 
at least $15,000. Mr. Felt received the 
school training common to farmer's sons 
in the section where he was reared, but 
his business experience and contact with 
the world at large, have supplemented the 
rather meagre intellectual culture of his 
boyhood, in a manner that fully supplies 
whatever he lacked in that respect. He 
attained to man's estate on his father's 
farm, and, wlien life opened before him 
with its vested responsibilities, he turned 
his face toward the Far West. After a 
brief stay at Cliicago and Bloomington,Illi- 
nois, he came to Iowa and located as above 
stated. He was married Dec. 1, 1857, at 
Osage, Iowa, to Mary L. Whitaker, a 
native of Orange Co., N. Y. Benjamin 
F., Susan E., Frank S., Lillie D., Charles 
H., Nettie, Maude, Arthur A., Clarence C. 
and Harry are the names of their nine 
children. Mr. Felt has always been an 
adherent of the democratic party, but dur- 
ing the civil war was an inflexible sustainer 
of the integrity of the Union. He has 
discharged his obligations as a citizen in 
a manner consonant with the whole tenor 
of his life. He was born in Lebanon, 
Madison Co., N. Y., Dec. 1, 1833. His 



-^^^ • 



•*y <a_ 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



919 



father, Horace Felt, was bom in Leba- 
non, N. Y., Aug. 19, 1795, and died 
in tbe same house where he was born, 
Nov. 2, 1851. Mrs. Felt, the mother, 
(Susan Maria Weaver before her marriage), 
was born in Stonington, Conn., Jan. 22, 
1798, and died in Providtnce, R. I., .fuly 
27, 1873. Their family included besides 
Mr. Felt of this sketch, eight children, six 
of whom are yet living — William J., 
George J., Polly A., John J., Cynthia A. 
and James H. 

Henry Senior, in July, 1855, erected a 
log cabin on the southwest quarter of sec- 
tion 2, Portland township, the flooring of 
which was sawed at Rock Falls, the first 
saw-mill in Cerro Gordo county being 
located there. He improved his land until 
1863, when he rented it and removed to 
Mason City, where he followed his trade, 
and engaged in the boot and shoe trade 
until 1873, when he returned to his farm. 
He now owns 615 acres, giving his princi- 
pal attention to stock and grain raising. 
He is a native of Yorkshire, England, born 
June 22, 1826. He learned the shoemaker 
trade, and followed it there until 1850, 
when he emigrated to Kenosha, Wis. He 
was married Aug. 5, 1853, to Mary Brown, 
also a native of England. In October, 
1882, he returned to his nativ e country 
and remained seven monllis, visiting old 
scenes and old friends. He is regarded 
as a man of the strictest honor, and one of 
Cerro Gordo's best citizens. The children 
are — Joseph, Frank and Eliza. 

Other early settlers were John and 
Samuel Brown, with their families, who 
located in the summer of 1855 on section 
2 The same year David Reed and his 
family settled on section 3 and there 



resided until 1882, when they moved to 
Dakota territory. 

During 1856 among the number who 
came to the township for settlement were 
Amos Pardee, John and Samuel Jeffords, 
John M. Hunt and John Ford. 

John Jeffords settled on the southeast 
quarter of section 7, and his brother 
Samuel on the southwest quarter of sec- 
tion 8. They built a log cabin and lived 
there about a year and then sold out. 
Samuel died at Forest City, Iowa. John 
is a carpenter and builder by trade, and in 
1883 was living at Mason City. 

John M. Hunt, a native of Indiana, 
located on section 1, in the spring of 1856. 
He came from Floyd county, where he 
had served as county judge. In 1865 he 
sold and removed to Kansas, and later to 
Oregon. 

John F. Ford settled on section 2. He 
was a single man at the time, but married 
soon after. He was killed at the battle of 
Pleasant Hill. 

Amos Pardee first came to Cerro Gordo 
county in 1855. He was accompanied by 
John West. He purchased 200 acres of 
land on section 34, Portland township, re- 
turned to Chicago and brought his family 
in 1856, settled on his land and commenced 
improving it, but as his health was poor 
and the county but sparsely settled, he 
returned with his family to Chicago, in 
1858, and in 1861 he enlisted in company 
D, 8th Illinois Cavalry, and served three 
years, after which he returned to Chicago, 
and soon after came to Iowa and again 
settled on his land where he has since 
lived. Mr. Pardee was born in Michigan, 
Sept. 25, 1834, but when a small child re- 
moved with his parents to northern Illinois. 






J^ 



920 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



In 1856 he married Jane Hewitt, born in 
Cook Co., 111., March 30, 1838. They have 
two children — Frank M. and Orrin A. 

In 1857 Isaac Trevettand family settled 
on section 15. Frank and George Trevett, 
sons of Isaac, who were married, also set- 
tled in thi.s township. James Clark, who 
was a son-in-law of Isaac Trevett, also 
came with the family. In 1858 Demos 
Cutler settled on section 25, resided there 
a few years and then moved to Floyd 
county. 

Benjamin Frost settled on section 27, 
Portland township, in 1861, purchased 
about 500 acres and cultivated the same 
untill 1871, when he rented his land and 
removed to Kansas. In 1874 he returned 
and again had charge of his farm until 
1882. He now resides in Wilson Co., Kan. 
He was born in 1814 in Massachusetts, 
where he lived with his parents until he 
was seventeen years of age, then for sev- 
eral years was engaged in the lead mines 
in Wisconsin, Illinois and Iowa. In 1845, 
in Dubuque Co., Iowa, he married Eliza- 
beth Filbric, and then engaged in farming 
in the same county, until he came to 
Cerro Gordo. They have had three chil- 
dren, two now living — William F. and 
Benjamin T. 

William F. Frost came with his parents 
to Cerro Gordo Co., Iowa, in 1861, and 
has since been a resident of Portland 
township, with the exception of three 
years spent in Kansas. He was born in 
Dubuque Co., Iowa, Dec, 12, 1846. On 
the 23rd of May, 1868, he was married to 
Sarah J. Frost, a daughter of Frederick 
and Adaline Frost. By this marriage 
they have three children — Eva E., Flor- 
ence D. and Frank E. 



S. Meacham became a permanent set- 
tler of Iowa in 1864, and lives on section 
34, Portland township, where he owns 135 
acres of good land. He was born in Os- 
wego Co., N. Y., Oct. 26, 1834, his par- 
ents being Sylvester and Eliza E. (Knowl- 
ton) Meacham. The father died shortly 
before he was born and the mother eight 
years subsequent, and the son lived with 
his grandfather, James Knowlton, until 
he was seventeen years of age, when the 
family emigrated to Cook Co., 111. In 
1855 he married Martha Pardee, daughter 
of Stephen and Olive (Stilson) Pardee, 
who was born in McHenry Co., 111., on 
the flth of April, lt38. In 1857.they came 
to Iowa and settled at Nora Springs, Floyd 
county, but the fall of the same year re- 
turned to Illinois. In September, 1861, 
Mr. Meacham enlisted in the 8th Illinois 
Cavalry, and served three years, at the 
end of which time he returned home, then 
came to Iowa, and has since resided here. 

John G. Bailey is an early settler of 
Cerro Gordo county. He resides on sec- 
tion 33, Portland township, and now owns 
160 acres. He was born in Cambridge- 
shire, England, May 22, 1838. His parents 
were John and Pha>be Bailey. About the 
year 1853 his father's family came to the 
United States, and settled in McHenry Co., 
111., where the father died in 1866, and the 
mother in 1881. There were eleven chil 
dren in his father's family — Pha'be, now 
Mrs. Andrews; Amelia, now Mrs. James 
Coleman; Ruth, now Mrs. John Sutton; 
John G., Mary Ann, deceased; Richard, 
who enlisted in company H, 95th Illinois, 
was wounded at the battle of Vicksburg, 
and was afterwards killed in the battle of 
Guntown, Mississippi; Frederick, Hattie, 



*7|. 



a ^ 



HISTORY OF CKRRO GORDO COUNTY. 



921 



now Mrs. Abner R. Stilson; Emma, now 
Mrs. C. R. Franklin; Charles and Fuller. 
John G. Bailey enlisted in 1862 in com- 
pany H, 95th Illinois, and served three 
years. On his return from the war he 
married Miss L. L. Stilson, daughter of S. 
S. and Eleanor Stilson. They have two 
daughters — Lillie and Ella. 

Samuel Buckingham came to Iowa in 
1865, locating on section 26, Portland 
townshij:!, and engaged in farming until 
his death, which occurred in Chippewa 
Falls, Wis., where he was visiting at the 
time. He was born in New York, on the 
22d of February, 1802. His parents dying 
when he was very young, he lived with 
his grandmother, who lived to the age of 
105 years. When she was 100 years of 
age she could read without the aid 
of glasses, having obtained her second 
sight. He received a common school ed- 
ucation. He seemed, as the phrase goes, 
a natural born mechanic. He learned the 
blacksmith's trade at an early age, and for 
a number of years was engaged in the manu- 
facture of edged tools. He also acquired 
the trade of mill-wright, which he followed 
in Pennsylvania from 1841 until 1865, 
when he removed to Iowa. He was thrice 
married. In 1824 to Persie Fairchild, by 
whom he had eight children, four of whom 
are living — Lucinda, Eliza, Esther and 
Andrew J. His wife died in 1867. His sec- 
ond wife died in three weeks after marriage. 
He subsequently married and was living 
with his third wife at the time of his death. 
He was successful in business, leaving at 
his death an estate of 200 acres of land and 
considerable personal property. He was 
a republican in politics, but took interest 
enough only to vote. 



A. J. Burlingham, a resident of Port- 
land township since 1865, is the possessor 
of a line stock farm of 320 acres. He was 
born in Chenango Co., N. Y., Nov. 11, 
1836. His parents removed to Pennsyl- 
vania, where he was bred to farm life, but 
received a good education, remaining there 
until 1863. He then went to Wisconsin 
and two years later came to Iowa. He 
married in September, 1868, Olive E., a 
daughter of John West. She died Aug. 
5, 1880, leaving one daughter — Mary May. 

Abner R. Stilson resides on section 33, 
Portland township, where he purchased 
and settled on 160 acres of land, in 1866. 
He now owns 280 acres and has good im- 
provements. He was born in McHenry 
Co., 111., June 9, 1838. His parents were 
Sylvester S. and Eleanor E. (Bishop) 
Stilson, the former a native of New York, 
and the latter of Ohio. There were eight 
children in his father's family, six now 
living— James M., W. B., A. R., O. H., 
Laura, now Mrs. J. G. Bailey; and 
Ellen, now Mrs. John A. McMullen. 
Abner Stilson, in 1861, enlisted in com- 
pany A, 7th Wisconsin Volunteer Infant- 
ry, and served fifteen months, when he was 
discharged on account of disability caused 
by a gun shot wound received at the battle 
of Gainsville. In 1866 he was married to 
Harriet Bailey, daughter of John and 
Phebe Bailey. They have four children 
— Carrie, Lincoln, Scott and Arthur. Mr. 
Stilson is a republican in politics, also a 
member of the Masonic fraternity. 

M. E. Bitterman is a prominent and 
reliable citizen of Portland township. 
He is closely associated with the progress 
and best interests of the community of 
which he is a member ; has held most of 



^'. 



-9 M- 



922 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



the local offices of trust, such as township 
trustee, treasurer, assessor and school 
director. He has been a resident of the 
county since March, 1870, when he settled 
ou section 11, of this township, on eighty 
acres which he had purchased fifteen years 
previous. He has added to his posses- 
sions until he now owns a tract of 280 acres 
under a good degree of cultivation, where 
he is operating to a considerable extent as 
a stock farmer. He was born in Ohio, 
Aug. 26, 18+3, and is a son of Frederick 
and Margaret Bitterman. At the age of 
seventeen years he went to Illinois and 
engaged in farming, and also bought and 
shipped hay — at ihat time a prominent 
article of traffic. In 1866 he was married 
at Lockport, Will county, to Sarah, daugh- 
ter of George and Catharine Heinselman. 
They have six children — J. Calvin, Ed- 
ward, Jennie, Trullie, Mary and Clinton. 
Mr. Bitterman is a republican and is con- 
nected with the Evangelical Association. 

Daniel W. Haynes, whose vocation is 
farming, has been a resident of Portland 
township since the fall of 1870, residing 
on section 1:3. where he owns 120 acres of 
fine land. He was born in Cortland Co., 
N. Y., Feb. 26, 18.38, his parents being 
William and Phebe ( Webster) Haynes. 
He was bred to farm life, and in 1857 was 
married to Jane Alice. In 1860 he emi- 
grated to Olmstead Co., Minn., where he 
engaged in farming, then removed to 
Cerro Gordo county, where he has since 
lived. He has three children — Albert, 
Frederick and Belle. Politically he is a 
republican, and is a member of the Evan- 
gelical Church. 

John Bishop has resided, since March, 
1870, on section 14, Portland township. 



where he owns eighty acres of land. He 
was born in Stark Co., Ohio, Oct. 13, 
1842, being the son of Joseph and Eliza- 
beth (Weaver) Bishop. His mother died 
when he was three years of age and he 
lived with his sister, Elizabeth, wife of 
Solomon Miller. At the age of seventeen 
he commenced the world for himself, 
and in 1862 enlisted in company I, 76th 
Ohio Volunteer Infantry, serving one year, 
when he was discharged on account of 
physical disability. He then returned to 
Ohio and in 1865 went to Will Co., 111., 
where he remained until he came to Iowa, 
in 1870. In 1872 he married Lucinda 
Spotts, daughter of Samuel and Sophia 
(Beltz) Spotts. They have six children — 
Nathaniel, Frank, Alice, Edward, Mary 
and Laura. Mr. Bishop is a republican in 
politics, and in religion is an Evangelical. 
A. W. MuUan, postmaster and justice 
of the peace, is the pioneer merchant of 
Portland. He was born in Boston, Mass., 
April 14, 1839. rie is a son of Martha 
and Mary (Whelan) Mullan, and being 
deprived of hi^ mother, by death, when he 
was two years of age, he was oared for in 
the family of his maternal uncle, John 
Whelan. In 1842 the latter removed to 
Waukesha Co., Wis., where Mr. Mullan 
was occupied with agriculture until eigh- 
teen years old, when he learned the car- 
penter's trade. On the breaking out of 
the rebellion Mr. Mullan enlisted. He 
was enrolled in August, 1862, in company 
B, 28th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, 
and remained in the service of the Union 
about three years, receiving an honorable 
discharge in June, 186f . On his return to 
Wisconsin he resumed his trade, and in 
1867 was married to Melvina McCormick. 



-V 






HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



923 



Mrs. Mull an was born in Dodge Co., Wis. 
In 1870 Mr. Mullan came to Iowa and pur- 
sued his trade at Mason JCity until 1877, 
at which date he established his present 
business at Portland. He has one son — 
Charles Mullan. .^^He is a republican in 
political sentiment, and a member of the 
Grand Army of the Republic. 

H. S. Sabin is a son of New England by 
birth and descent. His father, Daniel 
Sabin, was a Baptist clergyman, and the 
influences of scholarly culture which sur- 
rounded the son have in a sense directed 
tlie chief object of his life, the education 
and material development of his own sons. 
They are in honorable and lucrative posi- 
tions which they gained and retain through 
their pre-eminent abilities and learning. 
Arthur C. Sabin is accountant in the First 
National Bank, of Glen wood, Iowa. Alva 
Horton Sabin is a professor in the State 
University, of Burlington, Vt., and holds 
the chair of chemistry. Mr. Sabin was 
born in Franklin Co., Vt., April 17, 1821. 
He received a good education, and has al- 
ways maintained his familiarity with books, 
and kept pace with the times in knowl- 
edge of current events. In 1844 he was 
married to Zaida Vernal, and went to St. 
Lawrence Co., N. Y., where he engaged 
in farming, four years. He sold out and 
went back to Vermont, and afterwards, 
accompanied by his parents, went to Ripon, 
Wis. His father died there in July, 1882, 
aged eighty-seven years. His mother is 
yet residing in that place, and is ninety 
years old. Mr. Saljin came to Iowa, in 
1871, and purchased the farm where he 
now lives. During the ten years follow- 
ing his purchase he made many improve- 
ments on his place, when failing health 



compelled him to abandon active life and 
he returned to Wisconsin. In the mean- 
time he lost his wife. In February, 1879, 
he was married to Mrs. Phebe Ann (Smith) 
Delong, a native of Canada West. He 
has returned to and occupies his farm. 

Samuel Spotts has been a resident of 
the township since November, 1871. He 
is located on section 15, owning 185 acres 
of land. He was born in Summit Co., 
Ohio, Sept. 13, 1822. His parents were 
Ludwig and Susan Spotts. He was reared 
on a farm, but also learned the miller's 
trade. In Summit Co., Ohio, he married 
Sophia Belts, in Mai'ch, 1845. She died in 
December, 1854, having had six children, 
but one of whom survives — Luoinda, the 
wife of John Bishop. In 1855 Mr. Spotts 
married Mrs. Margaret Bitterman, a na- 
tive of Stark Co., Ohio, born June 23, 1821. 
Her parents, Abiaham and Elizabeth Bair, 
were natives of Pennsylvania, where they 
lived on a farm. Margaret Bair was mar- 
ried to Frederick Bitterman, by which 
union there were two children, one of 
whom was living in 1883 — M. E. Bitter- 
man. By the present marriage three 
children are living — Abraham L., Mary 
K. and Samuel N., who was born in Will 
Co., III., Jan. ], 1880. Abraham L. mar- 
ried Emma Heinselman, of this township, 
and Mary E. married Levi P. Henrickson, 
of Mitchell county. Politically, Mr. Spotts 
is a strong republican. Both Mr. and 
Mrs. Spotts are members of the Free 
Methodist Church, while their children 
are Evangelical. 

L. M. VanAuken has been a resident of 
Portland township since June 1, 1872. He 
purchased his present farm of 1 GO acres in 
1870, a d now has the same well under 



-rMs 



^p* 



A 



924 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



cultivation. He was born in Cayuga Co., 
N. Y., June 5,1835. His parents were 
Moses and Eliza Ann (Dennis) VanAuken, 
also natives of the Empire State. Mr. 
VanAuken received a common school edu- 
cation, helped till the soil, and, March 
12, 1857, married Mary J. Lawrence. She 
was born in the city of New York, being 
a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Crosby) 
Lawrence. He followed farming most of 
the time, although he was for a time en- 
gaged in running a hotel, and for a few 
years did a large life insurance business. 
They have had seven children, five now 
living — Lawrence, Elmer, Grant, Julia 
and Harriet. Mr. VanAuken is an active 
worker in the ranks of the republican 
party. He is a member of Cato Lodge, 
No. 141, of the Masonic fraternity. 

John Harroun, one of the solid men of 
Portland township, is located on section 
19. His handsome and spacious brick 
dwelling is a decided ornament to the 
township, and gives evidence of the good 
taste and home instincts of the proprietor. 
Among many improvements may be 
named a bearing orchard of 350 fruit 
trees, set out in 1876, which he increased 
in 1883 by setting out 250 more. He hopes 
to prove further that fruit can be grown 
successfully in Iowa, and has every en- 
couragementfrom success already attained. 
Mr. Harroun was born in Meadville, 
Penn., Feb. 24, 1828; is a son of Russell 
and Alvira (Sizer) Harroun. In 1847 he 
left the Keystone State and went to Wis- 
consin, where he remained several years. 
He went back to Pennsylvania in 1856 
and was united in marriage to Lydia B. 
Greenlee, born in that State, and daughter 
of Maxon and Catharine (Compton) 



Greenlee. Soon after Mr. Harroun and 
wife joined the pioneer corps of Olmstead 
Co., Minn., and engaged in farming, in 
which they^'were eminently successful. 
They disposed of^their possessions there 
in 1875, when they came to Cerro Gordo 
county and purchased the homestead they 
now occupy. _,Park B., Alma E., Lizzie 
D., Archie and Carrie are the names of 
the sons and daughters of Mr. Harroun's 
interesting household. He takes little ac- 
tive interest in po itics but votes with the 
republican party on all general issues. In 
religious views he is a Christadelphian. 

Thomas Stanbery settled with his 
mother on section 33, Portland township, 
in 1877, and has since devoted jhis time to 
farming. He came, however, with his 
parents to Cerro Gordo county w^lien he 
was very young, and was educated in the 
schools of Mason City. When he was 
nineteen years of age he engaged in a con- 
fectionery and tobacco store in Mason 
City, and continued in this for one year, 
then having no regular business until 1875, 
when he settled on the farm where he 
now resides. He was born in Vinton, 
Iowa, Jan. 4, 1854, and was the son of 
W. C, and Eliza (Stutler) Stanbery. 

Jacob Bauer came to the county and 
purchased his present farm and has since 
been a resident of Portland township, 
where he owns 160 acres of land which he 
has changed from the raw prairie to a 
well improved farm. Mr. Bauer was born 
in Jefferson Co., Wis., Jan. 1, 1855, his 
parents being John and Barbara Hauer. 
He helped till the soil, and in 1S76 mar- 
ried Minerva Hake. She was also born 
in Wisconsin. They at once came to 
Iowa. They have one son — Arthur. In 



V 



« — »- 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



927 



politics he is a democrat ; in religious 
views, Evangelical. 

A. J. Barker, manager of Rock Rest 
Farm, has been a resident of the estate 
thus designated since April, 1878. It in- 
cludes something over 200 acres of land, 
and is the property of Mrs. Harriet Cra- 
mer, wife of the well known William E. 
Cramer, of Milwaukee. It is located on 
sections 7 and 18, Portland township, 
and was purchased in April, 1878, with 
the purpose of getting it in proper condi- 
tion for a stock farm of the most approved 
character, which project has been devel- 
oped, Mrs. Ci'amer sparing no expense in 
accomplishing her purpose. The attrac- 
tive, simple style of Rock Rest Farm was 
contributed by some young ladies, who 
found rest and happiness in the shadow 
of a large boulder lying on the farm. The 
year following her purchase, Mrs. Cramer 
expended upwards of $5,000 in the con- 
struction of a suitable dwelling and barn, 
and since that time much time, labor and 
money has been consumed in placing the 
farm in the best possible condition. Mr. 
Barker is a brother of Mrs. Cramer. He 
was born in Marquette Co., Wis., in 1857, 
and is the son of C. G. and Alice (Doyle) 
Barker. He was brought up on a farm, 
and was a resident of Wisconsin until the 
purchase of the farm he occupies, by his 
sister, wlien he took possession as man- 
ager. Mr. Barker was married in October, 
1874, to Mary, daughter of L. T. and Mary 
A. Price. 

James Parker, proprietor of the Port- 
land Cheese Factory, was born in Erie 
Co., N. Y., Jan. 2, 1833. His parents, 
David and Esther (Hoag) Parker, were 
both natives of Vermont. The family in- 



cluded eight children, seven of whom yet 
survive. The death of one took place in 
the spring of 1883. They emigrated in 
1845 to Lake Co., 111., where the parents 
died. Mr. Parker was reared as the sons 
of farmers commonly are, but later, was 
engaged in a general store where he was 
in business twelve years. In 1877 he es- 
tablished a cheese factory in Lake Co., 
111., which he operated until February, 
1879, at which date he sold out and 
founded his business in Portland. In 
Feljruary, 1870, Hattie L. G-riswold be. 
came his wife, and they now have three 
children — Jennie, Andrew J. and Edwin. 
C. A. Hawley, a resident of Portland 
since 1882, by trade a blacksmith and 
wagon maker, who is now working at his 
trade, was born in Dane Co., Wis., May 
18, 1855, his parents being Thomas and 
Marion (Ford) Hawley. In 1865 he went 
to Fillmore Co., Minn., then to Osage, 
Iowa. He was married July 3, 1879, to 
Anna M. Everson, also a native of Wis- 
consin, her parents being Oley and Jane 
(Tupper) Everson. They experienced re- 
ligion in 1880. They have two children 
— Arthur H. and Clayton E. 

ORGANIC. 

As now constituted, Portland township 
was organized in 1869. The first town- 
ship officers were: J. J. Ford, A. J. Bur- 
lingham and Joseph Forbes, trustees; F. 

C. Trevett, clerk; H. G. McGregor and 
George Fish, justices of the peace. The 
officers of 1883 were: M. E. Bitterman, 
Philip Dennis and S. Meacham, trustees; 

D. W. Haines, assessor; Arthur Pickford, 
clerk; A. W. Mulla« and Henry Goude, 
justices of the peace. 



85 



^J. 



ii 



928 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



i- 



TWO MEN FROZEN. 

A.J. Abbott came to the county in June, 
1855, and located on section .32, and com- 
menced making the necessary improve- 
ments preparatory to sending for his fam- 
ily, who were still in Vermont. Abbott 
and Charles Wicks boarded with Abiel 
Pierce. On Dec. 22, 1855, Abbott and 
Wicks went to what is now Genesee 
township, with three yoke of oxen, to get 
some logs with which to build a stable. 
When they left in the morning the atmos- 
phere was mild, and a pleasant day was 
expected; but while they were in the 
timber, a violent storm came up, and it is 
supposed they left the timber for home 
about three or four o'clock in the after- 
noon, and at one time must have been 
within two miles of home. But they evi- 
dently had become lost and bewildered, 
probably on account of the wind having 
changed its course. It seems, however, 
that the animal instinct taught the oxen 
to even face the piercing blast and make 
directly for their home, while the men 
urged them in an opposite direction, 
against an almost uncontrolable determin- 
ation upon their part to go home. At last 
they abandoned the cattle and started 
from the sled on foot, taking a southeas- 
tern course. Mr. Wicks being the weaker 
of the two soon',became exhausted. He was 
no doubt, assisted, and perhaps dragged 
along for some distance by his com- 
rade, Abbott, but at last had to succumb. 
Mr. Abbott marked the fatal spot by 
sticking his ox goad in the deep snow 
drift, and hanging an old sack, in which 
was left the remains of their lunch, upon 
it, which could be seen at quite a distance • 
Abbott then proceeded alone until he be- 



came exhausted. No doubt, when he laid 
down, he evidently fully realized that he 
was about to sleep the long sleep of death, 
as he straightened himself out upon the 
snow and folded his arms in order, over 
his breast, as if conscious of the awful fact 
that a terrible fate had overtaken him. 
He was found in this position by Alonzo 
Willson about three days afterward. From 
facts soon ascertained, it was found he 
had wandered fourteen miles from home, 
and at one time was within 200 yards of 
a turnpike road, which had he been fortu- 
nate enough to have gained, would have 
guided him homeward. The following 
day the storm abated about 10 o'clock, a. m., 
when Owen, Willson and Pierce started 
out in search of their friends, Abbott and 
Wicks, and by following the trail of the 
sled, left perceptible in the snow, they 
finally found the sled. This was just at 
sundown the first day of the search. This 
proved to them beyond doubt that the 
men had been lost and turned the oxen 
loose. They resumed their hunt the day 
following and succeeded in finding Wicks, 
who was sitting with his face upon his 
arms, leaning against a bunch of frozen 
weeds and grass. The sight, as described 
by Mr. Willson, who was one of the 
first to discover him, was terrible, indeed, 
as he evidently had been bitterly weeping, 
and his face had frozen in a manner that 
put this beyond doubt in the minds of those 
who saw the frozen form. His body was 
taken to his boarding place and home of 
Mr. Pierce. It was with the utmost ex- 
ertion that his limbs could be stiaightened 
sufficiently to get his form into a coffin. 
On the third day after the storm, the 
neighborhood again went forth to find 



9 



^t. 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



929 



Abbott, and after following dim traces for 
weary hours, they found him as before 
described, laying upon his back, with his 
frozen features but slightly distorted. 
Alonzo Willson went to Mason City in 
search of coffins for the two unfortunates, 
and owing to a scarcity of lumber, was 
obliged to take part of a store counter 
furnished by .Judge Long, out of which to 
make them, and, with the help of a car- 
penter, the rude coffins were finally made, 
and the remains of the poor unfortunates 
were buried at Owen's Grove. 

Of Charles Wicks but little was known, 
save that he was a native of .Massachusetts, 
and a single man who made his home at 
Mr. Pierce's. 

Andrew Jackson Abbott was from New 
Hampshire. He was born in October, 1825, 
and remained with his parents on a farm 
until nineteen years of age, at which time 
he commenced working at the trade of 
stone cutter, following it for several years 
in the New England States. He was mar- 
ried Jan. 3, 1854, in Rutland, Vt, to 
Louisa C. Marsh, a native of the same 
county and State. For a time he was over- 
seer of the stone works on the Wabash 
railroad, in Indiana. In March, 1855, he 
took his wife and daughter back to Ver- 
mont, remaining there a short time him- 
self, then returned to the west, coming to 
Iowa in search of work, meeting the sad 
fate recorded. His daughter, who was a 
mere babe at the time of his death, 
was afterward Mrs. H. M. Vernall. In 
December, 1 857, Mr. Abbott's widow mar- 
ried his brother, Emri Abbott, and by this 
union there were two children — Andrew J. 
and Roberta E. Emri Abbott enlisted in 
the 32d Iowa Volunteers, served one year. 



his health failed him, and after a linger- 
ing illness at his home, he died Feb. 22, 
1866. Mrs. Abbott has since had the 
care of the estate, which included 400 
acres of land in Cerro Gordo county, 120 
of which was deeded to her eldest daugh- 
ter, Mrs, Vernall. 

PORTLAND MILLS. 

The Portland Mills are located on the 
north side of Lime creek, which furnishes 
a twelve foot head of water. The build- 
ing is three stories high, 30x48 feet in size, 
and is provided with three run of stones 
and six sets of rollers. This mill was built 
in 1870 by James T. Graham at a cost of 
$10,000, but it has since been greatly im- 
proved, making the value at present 
about $20,000. Mr. Graham sold to James 
D. Shehan in 1873, and he, in 1877, to C. 
J. Coggin. 

CHEESE FA.CTOKY. 

Among the leading enterprises of Cerro 
Gordo county is the Portland Cheese Fac- 
tory, erected in 1879 by James Parker. It 
was still operated by him in 1883. A. S. 
Felt is deserving of special credit for this 
enterprise as he donated the site for the 
factory. He also furnished the stone for the 
building and did work and gave cash to 
the amount of about $1,000. The factory 
is located on the right bank of Lime 
creek near the Portland Mills. It is 30x60 
feet, and 20 feet high, including basement. 
It is a lime stone structure. Its cost, to- 
gether with the machinery, was about 
$4,000. There is an engine room, 18x18 
feet, which has been added, which, with 
other improvements, makes the property 
worth upwards of $5,000. 



V7 



J« 



An. 



930 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



RELIGIOUS. 

The first sermon preached in the town- 
ship was delivered by Rev. Holbrook, a 
Methodist minister, in a log school house 
on section 1, in 1850. The Baptists and 
United Brethren each had organized 
societies in the township, but only one re- 
mained in 188.3, the Evangelical Associa- 
tion, formed at a school house in district 
No. 4, in 1872. The first members were: J. 
J. Long and family, H. H. Long and family 
Samuel Spotts and family. Their class 
leader was J.J. Long. Rev. George Young 
blood, their first regular pastor, was suc- 
ceeded by Revs. Knoll, Methfersel, Nahar, 
Fink, Kinsberlong and Kletzzing. 

The society in 1883 had twenty members. 
In 1880 a union Sunday school was organ- 
ized and continued two years, when it was 
clianged into an Evangelic school, having 
for its first superintendent Henry Good. 
The present superintendent is William 
Gannon. 

EDUCATIONAL. 

In the fall of 1856 the people of the 
northeastern part of Portland township 
erected a log school house, and in the win- 
ter of ISSO-Y held the first school, which 
was taught by Truman Judson. Among 
his pupils were Isaac, Adaline and Lucin- 
ila Reed, also Samuel and Ellis Brown, 
and four children of Mr. Williams', two 
of Mr. Bunce's and throe of John Brown's. 
There were nine districts in this township 
and ten school houses, in 1883. 

FIRST EVENTS. 

The first death was Wallace McGregor, 
who died in the spring of 1857. His re- 
mains are buried near Benjamin Reed's. 



The first birth was Sarah, daughter of 
John and Ann Brown, which occurred in 
August, 1855. 

The first marriage was that of Mitchell 
Jackson and Sylva Reed, a daughter of 
David Reed. The ceremony was per- 
formed by Rev. Meade, at the home of the 
bride. This couple now reside ip Floyd 
county. 

VILLAGE OF PORTLAND. 

The Chieago, Milwaukee & St. Paul 
Railroad Company put in a side track on 
section 18, and in 1878 A. S. Felt laid out 
a portion of the southeast quarter of 
said section into town lots and called the 
same Portland. He also set out a large 
number of shade trees along the streets. 
The village has not made a rapid growth, 
on account of its proximity to Mason City. 
It, however, has two general stores, two 
ware houses, flouring mill, cheese factory, 
blacksmith shop and postoffice. A. W. 
Mullan was the first merchant. He erected 
a store and commenced business in Octo- 
ber, 1879. His store was destroyed by fire, 
but he soon rebuilt and now occupies a 
store, 20x40 feet, and two stories in height. 
There is a large wing to the building which 
he uses for dwelling purposes. 

The second store building was erected 
by A. S. Felt in the summer of 1880, and 
Oct. 25, of said year, his son opened a gen- 
eral mercantile business which he contin- 
ued until May 1, 1883, when he closed out 
and removed to St. Cloud, Minn., but in a 
few weeks thereafter the store was re- 
opened by D. W. Anderson. 

The first grain warehouse was built in 
1877 by Basselt & Hunting, of McGregor. 
In 1879 the firm removed the same to Clear 



"^iT- 



« i^ 



:±=At. 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



931 



Lake and supplied its place by a larger one 
removed from West Union. 

The second warehouse was erected in 
1880 by A. B. Tredway, of Nora Springs. 
Resold in 1882 to A. W. MuUan. 

A postoffice was established in 1874 and 
James Shehan appointed postmaster. This 
office was discontinued in 1876, and re-es- 



tablished in 1877, since which time A. W. 
Mullan has been postmaster. 

A blacksmith shop was erected by A. S. 
Felt, which was first occupied by William 
McKey. He was succeeded in February, 
1882, by C. A. Hawley, who in the spring 
of 1883 purchased the same. Mr. Hawley 
also does wood-work. 



CHAPTER XXXI V. 



PLEASAN r VALLEY TOWNSHIP. 



This township was organized on the 
29th of September, 1876, and at that time 
comprised congressional township 94 
north, range 21 and 22 west, but when 
Grimes township was formed, in 1880, it 
was reduced to its present limits compris- 
ing congressional township 94 north, and 
range 21 west. The name Pleasant Val 
ley was suggested by Robert Bugher, and 
as the township contains a large amountof 
what is known as "second bottom lands" 
along its streams, the name is very appro- 
priate. The township is well supplied 
with good, pure water by the West Fork 
and Beaver Dam creeks and their tributa- 
ries, and is thereby especially adapted to 
stock farming. The soil is very rich, and 
as there is but little wet, marshy land in 
the township, it ranks among the best in 
the county. The only natural timber in 
Pleasant Valley township is located on 
sections 34, 35 and 36, and is known as 
Shobe's Grove, a name given it in honor 



of John Shobe, who settled in what is 
now Richland township, Franklin county, 
in 1856, and resided there until 1876, when 
he moved across the county line into Cerro 
Gordo and settled on section 34, Pleasant 
Valley township. 

EARLY SETTLEMENT. 

The first man to locate within the pres- 
ent limits of Pleasant Valley township 
was J. W. Goheen, who settled on the 
southwest quarter of section 35, in about 
1856, and remained a resident of the town- 
ship for nearly twenty years. 

Mr. Cortell settled on the southwest 
quarter of section 36, in 1856 or 1857, and 
thus became the second settler. He en- 
listed in the 32d Iowa regiment, and now 
fills a soldier's grave. 

Daniel Warner settled on the southeast 
quarter of section 35, about 1864, and re- 
sided on the same about two years; then 
sold to William Bailey. 



>t^ 



4j_-v. 



-« *> 



l^ 



932 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



M. Austin settled on the southwest quar- 
ter of section 34, about 1870. He now 
resides in Dakota. After Austin came 
Harmon Dilt8,H. W. Rood, William Cath- 
cart, Robert llugher, A. W. Stover, N. E. 
Willard and others of whom sketches ap- 
pear in the following pages. 

Harmon Dilts is the oldest living settler 
of Pleasant Valley township. In 1868, 
while living in Henry Co.,Ill., he purchased 
eighty acres of his present farm, and in 
1869, in company with his wife, came to 
Iowa, resided the first winter with John 
Crapser, and the following spring moved 
into the house with George B. Rockwell, 
and the following season cultivated sev- 
enty acres of land now occupied by the 
village of Rockwell. During this time 
he continued to improve his own land, and 
in 1871 purchased a house, 14x18 feet, of 
Mrs. Dillingham, at Linn Grove, which he 
had moved on his own farm the next Decem- 
ber. In March, 1872, he moved on his 
own land which he has increased to 160 
acres, now under good cultivation. Since 
187.5, in addition to farming he has fol- 
lowed herding, taking care of from 400 to 
1,000 head of cattle annually. He was 
born in Wabash Co., Ind., Oct. 4, 1846, 
his parents being Thomas R., and Jane 
(Grant) Dilts, who, in 18.54, removed with 
their family to Henry Co., 111., remained 
there till 1871, when they came to Iowa 
and settled near Rockwell. In 1868 Har- 
mon Dilts married Mary C. Geer. They 
have three children — Barton, Sophia and 
Elmer. Mr. Dilts is a republican, has 
held township and school oflices, and is a 
member of the Christian Church. 

William Cathcart came to Cerro Gordo 
county, in 1871, subsequently spent two 



winters in the Wisconsin pineries, and in 
1872 bought eighty acres of his present 
farm, which he has increased to 160 acres, 
under good cultivation. He was born in 
Canada, May 30, 1846, his parents being 
John and Ann Cathcart, both natives of 
Ireland. He was reared on a farm, at- 
tended the common school, one winter 
being spent at school in Maine, and for 
several years followed logging and lum- 
bering. In the spring of 1873 he married 
Anna Thompson, a daughter of Judge W. 
E. Thompson. They have had five chil- 
dren, two of whom are living — John W. 
and William D. Mr. Cathcart is a re- 
publican, is now a township treasurer, and 
a member of the M. E. Ciiurch. 

Howard W. Rood came in 1873, and is 
engaged in stock farming, having an 
excellent farm of 280 acres. He was born 
in Dane Co., Wis., July 20, 1849. His 
parents, Abram and Elizabeth (Baker) 
Rood, still reside there. He received a 
good education, attending the State Uni- 
versity, at Madison. He farmed and 
taught until 1870, then spent eighteen 
months in Nebraska, when he returned to 
Wisconsin. In 1872 he came to Iowa and 
purchased eighty acres of his present home, 
then returned to his native State. He 
came to Iowa in 1873 and commenced im- 
proving and enlarging his farm. He mar- 
ried Nettie E., a daughter of W. E. 
Thompson, July 21, 1874. They have 
two children — Arthur and Ida May. Mr. 
Rood is a republican in politics, and has 
held various oflices of trust. They are 
members of the M. E. Church. 

Among the places which deserve spe- 
cial mention, is the Pleasant Valley Stock 
Farm, of William Winter, located on 



Via- 



HISTORY OP CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



933 



sections 33 and 34, in Pleasant Valley 
township. In 1878 Mr. Winter erected a 
house on this land, and settled on it in 
1880. He has now a fine residence, good 
and commodious barns, extensive cattle 
yards, substantial fences, groves, orchards 
and shade trees. The farm is well watered 
by the West Fork, and is one of the 
finest stock farms in northern Iowa. Still 
Mr Winter is not limited to this farm, as 
his real estate numbers about 1,000 acres, 
and his cattle ranches are located all 
along the valley of the West Fork, in 
Pleasant Valley, Grimes and Union town- 
ships. For about ten years he has been 
engaged in breeding shorthorned cattle, 
and now has a herd of 120 full blood. 
He also breeds Poland China hogs, and has 
some good blooded horses. He also herds 
annually about 2,000 head of stock for 
other parties, keeping them in five differ- 
ent ranches. William Winter was born 
in England, Dec. 5, 1832. On the 28th 
day of May, 1852, he married Sarah A. 
Robinson, and some years later emigrated 
to the United States and settled at Buf- 
falo, N. Y. They have six children— Wil- 
liam R., Charles A., Anna M., now the 
wife of W. A. Kaynor, of Sanborn; George 
E., Lizzie A. and Frank O. Mr. Winter 
spent one year in the employ of Lewis F. 
Allen, who is the principal breeder of 
blooded stock in the LT^nited States, and it 
was during this time that he became im- 
bued with a desire to engage in stock 
raising. After leaving Mr. Allen he 
engaged to supply the city of Buffalo 
with shade trees, and followed this for 
two years. The trees along Niagara 
street toward Black Rock and other parts 
of the city are monuments of his work. 



From Buffalo Mr. Winter removed to St. 
Joseph Co., Mich., thence, in 1859, to 
Iowa, and settled near Cedar Falls where 
he engaged in real estate, contracting and 
building, and stock growing until 1873, at 
which time he transferred his interests to 
Cerro Gordo county. He is a man of ex- 
cellent business qualifications, and is 
especially adapted to the business in 
which he is engaged. In politics he is a 
republican, but does not take much interest 
in politics, and is a member of the A. O 
U.W. 

Andrew W. Storer has been a resident 
of Pleasant Valley township since 1873, 
at which time he bought 160 acres on sec- 
tion 23, and at once commenced improve- 
ments, teaching sciiool in winter and farm, 
ing in the summer. He now owns 280 
acres and is one of the leading farmers in 
the township. He is a republican, was 
the first road master of the township, and 
has also held other offices. In December, 
1878, he married Ettie Cannon. They 
have two children — A. Willis and Eunice 
C. Andrew W. was born in Wisconsin. 
Jan. 15, 1851, received a common school 
education, with one term at the State Uni- 
versity at Madison, and remained iti his 
native State until 1873. His paren s, who 
reside in Dane Co., Wis., are Daniel and 
Eunice ( Palmer ) Storer. 

N. E. Wlllard has resided in Pleasant 
Valley township since 1874, and owns a 
fine farm of 240 acres. He is a native of 
Oneida Co., N. Y., born Jan. 5, 1850. His 
parents were Edwin and Alvira( Green 
field) Willard. His mother died in New 
York. Tt^e family removed to Delaware 
in 1868. He received a good common 
school education, and in 1874 removed to 






934 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



Iowa. Dec. 23, 1874, he married Char- 
lotte Tree, of Rockwell, born at Marble 
Rock, Floyd Co., Iowa. They have two 
children — Lillian and Mary. 

Robert Bugher purchased bis present 
home in 1874. He was born in Morgan 
Co., Ohio, Jan. 5, 1825, and is the eldest of 
eleven children, nine of whom are living. 
His father, Isaac Bugher, was a native of 
Pennsylvania, and died in Illinois. His 
mother, Isabelle ( Hailyer ) Bugher, was a 
native of Virginia, and now lives in Adair 
Co., Iowa. Robert learned the carpenter 
trade of his father, but his health being 
inadequate, he became a farmer. In 1845 
he married Elizabeth Lazier, a native of 
Virginia. In 1848 he emigrated to Henry 
Co., 111., where he followed farming and 
was very successful. Being desirous of 
obtaining more land, thus giving his sons 
better facilities, he removed to Iowa and 
secured the south half of section 9, in 
Pleasant Valley township, for which he 
paid f 10 per acre, unimproved. It is a 
most desirable location, being well watered 
and having but little waste land to 
mar its value. When first removing, he 
lived one year on an adjoining improved 
farm, and in the meanwhile built his pres- 
ent spacious farm residence, and has since 
so improved, built and beautified his home, 
that he now possesses one of the finest 
farms in the county. He gives his princi- 
pal attention to steck farming. He is 
democratic in politics. He served as jus- 
tice of the peace fourteen years in Illinois, 
and has held the same office in Iowa. He 
lias also been trustee of township, school 
director, etc. He is highly respected as a 
citizen, and in social life is affable and 
courteous. He has been a member of the 



Masonic fraternity since 1848. Relig- 
iously, he is a Baptist. His children are 
— Nettie, wife of Marshall Carver, Lan- 
der, Isaiah, Isaac, Alpheus, Robert and 
Cemantha. 

Albert Cornell resides on section 36, 
where he owns 160 acres of land. He 
came to Iowa in 1874. He was born in 
New York, June 30, 1842, and is a son of 
Owen and Theresa Cornell, who emigrated 
to Illinois in 1846, where Albert was 
brought up on a farm. In IS 62 he mar- 
ried Esther A. Abrams, daughter of H. J. 
and Rachel (Ray) Abrams. He contin- 
ued to farm in Lee Co., 111., until he came 
here. Mr. and Mrs. Cornell have eight 
children — Mortimer, Emma, Rachel A., 
Harfy, Lonnie, Katie, Ray and Mina. Mr. 
Cornell is a democrat in politics, and has 
been honored with various township 
offices. 

George Pollock and wife came to Cerro 
Gordo county in 1875, and settled in Pleas- 
ant Valley township where they have a 
comfortable home. He was born July 29, 
1832, in Scotland, and at an early age 
commenced work in the mines, which he 
followed in his native county until he was 
nineteen years of age, then went to Ire- 
land where he spent nine months, thence 
to England, where in 1856, he married 
Sarah Royston. She is a consistent, ear- 
nest Christian lady, beloved by all who 
know her, and always ready to extend a 
helping hand to the poor and needy. In 
1862 they came to the United States and 
first settled near Galena, 111. In 1865 they 
went to Colorado, remaining in the west 
until 1875, when they came to their pres- 
ent home in Iowa. 



**1^ 



^pr 




^^^^^v^ 




d::^t'^?yL-t7-7,^t^^ 



^ 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



937 



O. F. Huvey was bovn in Orange Co., 
Vt , July II, 1825. His parents, were Al- 
fred and Abigail (Howard) Hovey. He 
was left motherless when twelve years of 
age, but his father subsequently married 
Sarah Hendricks. At the age of eighteen 
years, he went to Shellsburg, Wis., where 
he was first engaged in staging, then min- 
ing and afterwards engaged in farming 
In 1856 he went to California. While 
there, he had the misfortune to loose his 
right hand and have his left badly crip- 
pled, by coming in contact with a circular 
saw which he was operating. In 1858 he 
returned to Wisconsin, from whence in 
1876, he came to Iowa and settled where 
he now resides. In 1851 he married Sarah 
Halstead, daughter of John and Sarah 
Halstead, and they now have six children 
— Alva F., Alfred E., Eugenia J., now 
Mrs Lorenzo Fousler, Clara M , Charles 
F. and John H. Politically, Mr. Hovey 
is a republican, and was the first assessor 
of Pleasant Valley township. His relig- 
ious connections are with the Baptists. 

J. D. Abrams came to Iowa in 1869,' 
first settling in Franklin county, but in 
1876 located on the nortlieast quarter of 
section :^6, Pleasant Valley township, 
where he has since resided and owns 160 
acres of land. He was born Sept. 24, 1842, 
in Wayne Co., N. Y. His parents, Henry 
J. and Rachel (Ray) Abrarns, emigrated 
with tlieir family in 1857, to Lee Co., 111., 
where J D. Abrams was brought up on a 
farm. In 1862 he enlisted in company K, 
75tli Illinois Volunteer Infantry, served 
three years, participated in the battles of 
Perryville, Stone River, Chickamauga, 
Lookout Mountain and the Atlantic cam- 
paign, after which he returned home and 



resumed farming until he came lo this 
county. In 1867 he married Almira 
Shoudy, whose parents, Israel arid Abi- 
gail Shoudy, were among the earliest 
pioneers of Lee Co., 111. They have three 
children — Fred C, George D. and Le Roy. 
Mr. Abrams is a republican, has been clerk 
of P'easant Valley township since its or- 
ganization, and is a member of the G. A. 
R., and enjoys a social chat with old 
comrades. 

William Hunt located on section 25, his 
present home, in 1877. He is a native of 
England, born Nov. 1, 1848. He emi- 
gra'ed to the LTnited States in 1869, mak- 
ing his home at LaFayette Co., Wis. 
In February, 1875, he married Maria, 
daughter of William and Eliza Cook. They 
at once removed to Iowa, residing at 
Sheffield until 1877, when they purchased 
their present farm of 160 acres, which he 
has well improved and beautified. They 
are the parents of four children — Wil- 
liam, John, Ella and George. 

O. B. Moran located where he now 
lives, in Pleasant Valley township, in 
1877. He was born in Westchester Co., 
N. Y., in November, 1835, resided there 
until 18-18, then went to London, Conn., 
residing there in the family of Staunton 
Hewitt untill he reached his majority, 
then came to Iowa, stopping first in Clay- 
ton county. In 1865 he went into Frank- 
lin county, but soon returned to Clayton 
county. In 1866 he again went to Frank- 
lin county, and engaged in farming in 
Richland township until 1877, when he 
came to his present home. He married 
Mary A. Shobe, daughter of John Shobe. 
They have two children — John A. and 



86 



>^ 



jy 



a ft:^ 



J, 



^ 



938 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



Myrtie L. In politics Mr. Moran is a 
democrat. 

Michael V. Moroney purchased the 
farm on section 1, Pleasant Valley town- 
ship, in 1878. It was then almost wild 
prairie land, but by labor and thrift he 
has converted it into a fine well improved 
farm. He was born in Ireland, Oct. 2, 
1846. When four years of age his parents 
emigrated to the United States, settling 
in Outagamie Co., Wis., where they were 
among the pioneers. He received a good 
common school education, remaining at 
home farming until 1878, when he was 
united in marriage to Margaret Reddin, 
when they at once came to Iowa, locating 
on their present home. He is regarded 
as one of the leading men in the town- 
ship, and has held various offices of trust. 
They have two children — Ellen and Mary. 
His mother lives with them, his father 
being dead. 

ORGANIC. 

The first election was held at the 
Bugher school house, on the 7th day of 
November, 1876. W. E. Thompson, Rob- 
ert Bugher and Harmon Dills served as 
judges, and A. W. Storer and J. D. 
Abrams, as clerks. The following named 
persons were elected as the first ofiicers • 
Township trustees, John Shobe, N. E. 
Willard and George Pollock. The latter 
refused to qualify and Harmon Dills was 
appointed to fiU the vacancy. Township 
clerk, J. D. Abrams ; township assessor, 
O. F. Hovey ; justices of the peace, Rob- 
ert Bugher and W. E. Thompson. 
In 1882 the ofiicers were as follows : 
J. W. Crouse, trustee ; John Toulouse 
was elected clerk, but failed to qualify and 
J. D. Abrams was appointed to fill vacan- 



cy ; W. E. Thompson and M. V. Mo- 
roney, justices of the peace, and Andrew 
W. Storer, assessor. 

EDUCATIONAL. 

The first school in the township was 
held in a small school house erected at 
Shobe's grove. The funds to support the 
school were drawn from Geneseo town- 
ship, of which Pleasant Valley township 
at that time formed a part. 

The second school house, which is known 
as the Bugher school house, was erected 
on the northeast quarter of the southeast 
quarter of section 9, on land donated by 
Robert Bugher, who was the prime mover 
in obtaining the school. Mr. Bugher met 
the school board at Mason City, and 
although there were not the required num- 
ber of pupils necessary to compel the 
board to build a school house, he suc- 
ceeded in getting the unanimous consent 
of the board to erect a school house at a 
cost of $700. This was done in 1875, and 
in the winter of 1875-6 a school was 
taught, Lizzie Eglofl^ being the first teacher. 

In 1876 a school house was erected on 
the southwest corner of section 25, and it 
is known as the Hovey school house. Miss 
E. J. Hovey, now the wife of Lorenzo 
Fausler, was the first teacher. 

In 1878 two school houses were erected, 
one on the southeast quarter of section 28, 
and one on the southeast quarter of sec- 
tion 14. The latter is known as the Pony 
school house, a name given it on account 
of its small size. Lizzie Haddow was the 
first to impart instruction to the pupils 
who attend at this place. The township 
now has six school houses, and its schools 
rank well with the older parts of the 
county. 



^«' 

^ 



Ji: 



VL 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



939 



RELIGIOUS. 

In February, 187V, Rev. VV. H. Drake 
organized a Methodist Episcopal society, 
which now holds its meetings at the Pony 
school house. Rev. Drake was succeeded 
in time by Rev. F. F. Franklin, Rev. E. 
M. Keeling, Rev. W. P. Phifer, Rev. S. 
C. Platts, Rev. B. Webster and Rev. A. 
A. Wilco.Y. The society now numbers 
about twenty members and is in a good 



healthy condition. It also supports a good 
Sabbath school. 

FIRST MARRIAGE AND DEATH. 

The first marriage ceremony performed 
in the township united Abr.im Chase and 
Hattie Hunt, as husband and wife. John 
Piersol, Esq., officiating. 

The first death was a child of Howard 
W. Rood. 



CHAPTER XXXV. 



UNION TOWNSHIP. 



This township is south of Clear Lake 
township, west of Mount Vernon, north 
of Grimes, and is bounded on the west by 
Hancock county. Its territory comprises 
congressional township 95, range 22 west. 
This township is nearly all prairie land, 
the eastern part being quite rolling, but 
the greater portion is flat and wet. The 
higher lands are made up of a light soil, 
while the flat lands are composed of the 
most productive soil in the county, and 
when once drained will be the most val- 
uable for agricultural purposes. 

EARLY SETTLEMENT. 

The first settlers of this township were 
James Smith, Albert Price and his two 
sons, Robert and William, who came in 
1865. Among other early settlers were 
Robert and William Owens, who remained 
here until 1868, at which time they moved 
to C'ear Lake. 



Albert Price remained until 1868, when 
he moved to Sioux City, Iowa. George 
Ward came in 1865 and purchased eighty 
acres of land on section 16, and in 1867 
settled on the same, and still resides there. 
Afterward came the Henry family, who 
arrived in 1869 and were residents of the 
township in 1883. Ip 1867 Joseph Bray- 
ton settled in the township but only re- 
mained about two years, when he removed 
to Wisconsin, his former home. His s n, 
Charles, came in 1867, and was a resident 
of Clear Lake township in 1883. 

Michael Henry, Sr., is a native of Ire- 
land. He married, and in 1857 emigrated 
to the LTnited States. He first settled in 
Rock Co., Wis., where he was engaged in 
farming until 1869 when he oame to Iowa 
and has since resided in Union township. 
He has reared eight children, four now 






^ 

^V 



^? 



940 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



4 



living — Patrick, Mary, Michael and Thom- 
as. 

Thomas Henry, the youngest son, was 
born in Ireland Sept. 25, 1849. He came 
with his parents to the United States, and 
with them to Iowa, and is now engaged in 
farming in Union township. In politics 
he is a democrat. He has served as town- 
ship clerk. Religiously, he is a Roman 
Catholic. 

David W. Hamstreet has been a resi- 
dent of Cerro Gordo county since 1871. 
His parents, "Jonathan and Elizabeth Ham- 
street, were residents of the State of New 
York at the time of his birth, April 11, 
1841. They afterward went to Wiscon- 
sin, removing there with their family and 
interests, and settled on a farm, where 
David grew to man's estate. On coming 
to Iowa he resided at Clear Lake until 
1875, when he settled in Union township. 
Mr. Hamstreet is a republican in politics 
and is at present justice of the peace, 

E. S. Pride fixed his abode in Union 
township in 1872. His farm, situated on 
section 16, proved less valuable for farm- 
ing purposes than he desired, and in June, 
1879, he sold it and purchased 120 acres 
on section 23, where he has met with the 
prosperity his thrift and energy merits. 
He was born in Cleveland, Ohio, Oct. 5, 
1843, and is a son of Ransom W. and Har- 
riet M. (Cary) Pride. His parents went 
to Wisconsin in 1844 where the father, a 
practical business man, engaged in mer- 
cantile affairs and also managed a hotel. 
They are now residents of Fond du Lac 
Co., Wis. Their family of nine children 
grew to maturity, and seven pre now liv- 
ing. The six brothers and sisters of 
Mr. Pride are— E. W., Albert, Helen, 



Adelia, Adelbert and Ida. Eugene S., of 
this sketch, in company with four broth- 
ers, became a soldier for the LTnion May 8, 
1861. He enlisted in company B, 4th 
Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and served 
thirty-nine months, receiving an honora. 
ble discharge. He was married in 1867 
to Lavilla Meagher, born in Waukesha 
Co., Wis. Seven of their eight children 
are yet living — Le Grand, Frank E., 
Emma E., Mina L., Bertha E., Jennie 
M. and an infant child. Mr. Pride has 
served his township as clerk, assessor and 
school director. He is a republican in po- 
litical faith. 

Wesley Benner came to the county in 
1872, stopped one winter in Clear Lake, 
then settled on section 21, where he had 
previously purchased 280 acres. He now 
has 200 acres of the same land under cul- 
tivation, and has a good residence. He 
was born in Licking Co., Ohio, Oct. 10, 
1825. His parents were William and 
Sarah Benner. He was left fatherless 
when only eighteen months old. His 
mother with her two children returned to 
the home of her parents. Here Wesley 
was reared on his grandfather's farm, and 
in 1846 enlisted in the 2d Ohio regiment, 
under Col. Morgan, and served one year in 
the Mexican war. He then returned to 
Ohio but soon went to Miami Co., Ind., 
where his grand-parents had removed. In 
1849 he married Maria L. Bean, a native 
of Ohio. In 1855 he came to Iowa and re- 
sided in Wapello county until he came 
to Cerro Gordo county. They have had 
nine children, four of whom are now liv- 
ing — Sarah E., now Mrs. William Dryden; 
O. A., Celesta J., now Mrs. D. M. Tice, 
and Ida May. In politics he is a republi- 



~s \ 



Ik. 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



941 



X 



can. He has been township trustee and 
president of tlie school board. Religiously, 
he is a Methodist Episcopal. 

Gardner R. Hickok, justice of the peace, 
was born in Allegany Co., N. Y., Feb. 21, 
18.34. His parents, Barzilla and Harriet 
(Wood) Hickok, were both natives of Fair- 
field Co.. Conn., and in 1839 went with 
their family to Indiana. The next year 
they went to Lockport, 111., where the 
mother died in 1840. She left eight chil- 
dren, six of whom yet survive — Harriet, 
Mary, Sylvester, Stephen, Gardner and 
Sarah. Mr. Hickok and his father went 
to Sauk Co., Wis., and in 1852 removed 
to Dubuque Co., Iowa. The father died 
there in 1873. The son was married in 
April, 1857, to Mary Thompson, a native 
of Ireland, but of Scotch parentage. In 
1865 Mr. Hickok enlisted in company A, 
46th Iowa, and was in the service four 
months. There are six children — Samuel, 
William, George, Frank, Sarah, Robert 
and Pearl. In politics Mr. Hickok is a 
republican. 

John G. Parker came to the county in 
March, 1873, and settled on section 9 of 
Union township. In 1874 he removed to 
Clear Lake and run a brick yard two 
years ; also followed his trade as carpen- 
ter. He afterwards followed farming one 
year in Clear Lake township, and in 1882 
returned to his farm in Union township. 
He was born in Saratoga Co., N. Y., Feb. 
20, 1837. His parents are William and 
Abigail (Gibson) Parker. In 1842 the 
family emigrated to Illinois where the 
father died in 1850. The mother subse- 
quently married Amos Brown, and now 
resides near Manning, Iowa. There are 
three children in the family — Simeon S., 



John G. and Silas. John was bred to 
farm life, learned the carpenter trade and 
in 1863 married Mary Walley. They have 
had six children, four of whom are now 
living — Alice, Alnieda, John and Nancy. 
Mr. Parker in 1856 went lo Missouri and 
remained one year, then returned to Illi- 
nois. In 1867 he came to Dallas Co., 
Iowa, but returned to Illinois in 1868. In 
politics he is a republican. 

T. B. Hobbs has been, with the excep- 
tion of a single year, a citizen of Union 
township since 1875. During the year re- 
ferred to he managed a restaurant at 
Clear Lake. He was born in Delaware 
Co., Iowa, Feb. 4, 1842. His parents, C. 
W. and Mary E. A. (Wilson) Hobbs, were 
both natives of Maryland. They settled 
in Iowa in 1836, and two years later 
joined the pioneer element of Delaware 
county. The mother managed the first 
postofiice in that county. She died in 
1855. The senior Hobbs married a second _ 
time, and died in 1878. He was a man of 
prominence in his township, where he op- 
erated in mercantile affairs until 1857. 
He was elected clerk of the district court 
of Delaware county, and afterwards United 
States land receiver when the Govern- 
ment office was located at Osage. Mi-. 
Hobbs was bred to mercantile life in his 
father's store. In 1862 he enlisted in 
company G, 6th Iowa Cavalry, and was 
in active service forty months. On leaving 
the army, he interested himself in farm- 
ing in his native county. He was married 
in December, 1867, to Laura E. Lough, 
and in 1868 went to Madison county. In 
1875 he settled in Cerro Gordo county. 
Mrs. Hobbs died in October, 1873, leav- 
ing two children, of whom one is living — 



942 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



Fannie. Mr. Hobbs is a republican and 
has been the incumbent of the offices of 
road supervisor, assessor, clerk and school 
treasurer. 

Charles B. Hamstreet has been a resi- 
dent of Union township since 1875. He 
was born in Walworth Co., Wis., July 28, 
1851. His parents were Jonathan and 
Elizabeth (Pramer) Hamstreet. In 1852 
the family removed to LaFayette Co., 
Wis. Here, at the age of thirteen years, 
Charles commenced work in a printing 
office, and at the age of seventeen became 
proprietor of the Dorrington Republican, 
and edited and published the same about 
eiarhteen months. He then sold out and 
came to Iowa. In 1871 he purchased a 
half interest in the Waukon Standm-d, 
of Waukon, Iowa, and was connected with 
the same about one year. He then gave 
up the business, on account of poor health, 
and for some time kept a book and music 
store at Platteville, V\'is., thence came to 
Iowa and settled where he now resides. 
In 1870 he married Ella Ilendy, who was 
born in Dodgeville, Wis. She is a daugli- 
ter of Samuel and Ann (Shepherd) Ilendy. 
They have four children — George, Zadie, 
Anna and Bessie. In politics he is a repub- 
lican, and is a well informed citizen. 

Fred Sheldon is a citizen of the United 
State by adoption, his parents, John and 
Louisa Sheldon, having taken up their 
residence in Wisconsin in 1854. -They 
are still living where they first settled. 
Mr. Sheldon grew to man's estate on a 
farm. At the age of eighteen he enlisted 
in the defense of his country's flag. He 
was enrolled in 1862 in company H, 20th 
Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. He served 
three years, and was in action in the en- 



gagements at Prairie Grove, siege of 
Vicksburg, Fort Morgan, Spanish Fort 
and Fort Blakely. On his discharge be 
interested himself in farming and lumber- 
ing in Wisconsin until he came to Iowa, 
in 1876, when he fixed his residence in 
Cerro Gordo county. His first location 
was in the township of Lake. In 1879 he 
purchased his present property, on which 
he settled in 1880. He was born Sept. •.'9, 
1844, and was married in May, 1871, to 
Sarah Hare. They have five children — 
John, Fred, Minnie, Bert and Ida. In pol- 
itics Mr. Sheldon is a republican, and has 
acted as school director. He is a» great 
reader; takes several newspapers and keeps 
pace with current events. 

George Hamstreet, son of Jonathan and 
Elizabeth Ham"street, is a self-made man. 
He was born in LaFayette Co., Wis., Feb. 
18, 1855, and resided in his native State 
until 1878. In that year he came to Iowa, 
and j)urchased forty acres of land in Union 
township. He had little means, but a 
plentiful amount of the more necessary 
article called pluck. He was bent on mak- 
ing his venture successfid, and he accom- 
plished his purpose by sheer determina- 
tion. He now owns a good farm, made 
valuable by the character and amount of 
improvements he has made. In 1882 
he was married to Frances, daughter 
of A. L. and L. Grippen, of Mason 
City. Mr. Hamstreet is a Republican, has 
been in local official positions, and is at 
present secretary of the school board. 

FIRST THINGS. 

The first marriage in Union township 
was O. A. Benner and Emma Chamberlain, 
who were married in February, 1880. 



l^ 



^1 



4 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



943 



The ceremony was performed by David 
W. Hainstreet, then justice of the peace. 

The first birth occurred in September, 
1870. It was a son of Thomas Callanan. 

The first death was a child of E. S. 
Pride. 

EDUCATIONAL. 

Tlie first school in Union township was 
held in a log house on section 16. The 
first teacher was Henrietta Sirrine, who 
had but five scholars — Thomas, Willam 
and Mary Callanan, Edward Brayton 
and Elma Brayton. This was in the sum- 
mer of 1870. The same summer a new 
school house was built on section 1 6, at a 
cost of |300. Miss Sirrine taught the first 
school in this house. The second school 
house was erected on section 6, in 1874, at 
a cost of $400. The first teacher here 
was Mary Hubbard. A school house was 
built on section 23, in the spring of 1880, 
which cost 1350. The first term of school 
was tai'ght by Emma Benner. 

The same year there was another school 
building put up on section 1 1 , at a cost of 



$350, the first school in it being taught by 
William Callanan. 

The Hughes school house was built in 
1876, at a cost of $400. Emma Chamber- 
lain taught there the first term. 

Union township had five school houses 
in 1883. 

ORGANIC. 

Union township was created, by an act 
of the board of supervisors, in .Tune, 1876; 
before that date it was embraced in Clear 
Lake township. Tiie first election was 
held at the school house on section 16, in 
the spring of 1877. The first township offi- 
cers were : Wesley Benner, James Stork 
and John Furse, trustees ; Charles Ham- 
street assessor ; E. S. Pride, clerk ; 
Thomas Henry, constable. 

Those serving in 1883 were : D. M. 
Tice, M. Henry and B. W. Bigelow, trus- 
tees ; C. R. Hamstreet, clerk ; John Par- 
ker, assessor; D. W. Hamstreet and G. R. 
Hickok, justices of the peace. 



CHAPTER XXXVI 



MASON TOWNSHIP. 



Mason township is bounded on the 
north by Lime (reek township, on the 
east by Portland, on the south by Bath, 
and on the west by Lake township, and 
comprises congressional township 96, 
range 2U west. The soil is a dark loam 
underlaid with lime rock. Willow and 



Lime creeks course through the northern 
portion of the township, giving a fine 
water power at Mason City. 

SETTLEMENT. 

The first settlement in Mason township 
Wis made by James Jenkinson, a native 
of Lincolnshire, England. lie came from 



^T<r 



-sPv 






,1> 



944 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



Illinois in 1853, settling on Lime creek, 
where Mason City now stand. Mr. Jen- 
kinsonwasa stone mason by trade, and 
was still living at Mason City in 1883. 

John L. McMillen came to this county 
with Jenkinson, but returned to Illinois, 
where he spent the winter and came back 
again the following spring and opened 
the first store in what is now Mason City. 
In 1883 he was living in Minnesota. 

In July, 1853, John B. Long came here 
from Illinois, and settled on the north- 
west quarter of section 3. He was the 
first county judge of Cerro Gordo county, 
and of a scheming, speculative turn of 
mind, who, before his term of oftice had 
expired, resigned, and removed to Arkan- 
sas. 

Alexander Long came in 1854, locating 
on section 4. He stayed but a short time 
and removed to Forest City. He froze to 
death Dec. 2, 1856, between Forest City 
and Amsterdam. 

Thomas Cassidy came, in 1854, and set- 
tled on the southeast quaiter of section 
36 He did not prove, up, however, on 
his claim, but sold out about one year 
later to N. Casteline. 

Lee L. Brentner was born in Winne- 
bago Co., 111., Nov. 17, 1842, and was but 
twelve years of age when his parents 
moved to Iowa. He enlisted Aug. 22, 
1862, in the 32d Iowa, company B, and 
served with the regiment until the close 
of the war. He was honorably discharged 
with the regiment at Clinton, Iowa, Aug. 
23, 1865. Among the many battles in 
which he participated were the following: 
Ft. DeRussey, Pleasant Hill, Tupelo, Old 
Taner Creek and Nashville. On his re- 
turn from the war, he engaged in farming 



with his father on section 2, and remained 
thereuntil 1878, when he moved to his 
farm which henow occupies on section 12. 
In 1880 he built a large frame house, and in 
1882 built a barn 24x56 feet. He was mar- 
ried Feb. 22, 1807, to Samantha Giddings, 
of Stephenson Co., 111. 'I hey have five 
children living — Luther, Berley, Brooks, 
Warren and Arthur. 

Among those who came in 1855 were: 
Mrs. Lucinda Thompson, C. B. Peabody, 
Silas Card, Elisha Randall, John A. Felt, 
Pierson Jones, Edgar Osborn, E. D. and 
Charles H. Huntley. 

Silas Card came from Ohio in 1855, and 
located in the town plat of Mason City, 
where he lived the greater part of the 
time until his death. 

Elisha Randall came in April, 1855, and 
located on section 3. It 1883 he was a 
resident of Mason City. 

Osman B. Thompson, a settler of 1855, 
was the second son of Benjamin and Lu- 
cina Thompson. He came to Cerro <-iordo 
county with his mother in 1855. He was 
born in the town Gilsura, Cheshire Co., 
N. H., June 9, 1839. He attended the 
common school in his native State. In 
1856 he engaged as a clerk in a store in 
Mason City. Soon after his emplover 
moved to Nora Springs, Iowa, and Osman 
went with him and continued as clerk 
until 1858, when owing to failing health 
he determined to try farming. He settled 
on section 23, Mason township, built a 
house and commenced improving his land 
and making a comfortable home, which he 
still occupies, and is making farming a 
success. He was married March 16, 1861, 
to Emma Adams, of Massachusetts. They 
have four children — Ella, Jennie, Charles 



J. 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



94'7 



and Shirley. Mr. Thompson's farm is 
well improved, and in 1883 he enlarged 
his house. He has taken a lively interest / 
in town affairs, and has filled offices of 
trust in his township. 

Mrs. Lucina Thompson, one of the early- 
settlers of Cerro Gordo county, came here 
in the fall of 1855 and located in Mason 
City. She was born in the town of Sulli- 
van, Cheshire Co., N. H., April 10, 180V. 
Her parents were Dolphon and Aseneth 
Gibbs. She was married June 4, 1830, to 
Benjamin Thompson, also of Cheshire 
county, by whom she had four children, 
three of whom are now living — Adelbert 
M., Osman II and Orrin V. Her husband 
died Feb. 5, 1850. On the 9th of Sep- 
tember, 1856, she married her second hus- 
band, Simon Van Patter, who lived in 
what is now Lime Creek township. He 
died April 7, 1858, and in 1860 she married 
Stephen Miller, who also lived in Lime 
Creek township, on section 33, and died 
there Dec. 3, 1866. The widow continued 
to live here until her death, which oc- 
curred Sept. 23, 1875. Mrs. Thompson, 
at the time of her death, and for several 
years previous, was a member of the Bap- 
tist Church. 

E. D. Huntley came from New York 
in the summer of 1855, and located at 
Mason City, where he lived four years 
and moved on the southeast quarter of 
section 10, where he remained until 1870, 
and then removed to Kansas. During his 
stay in Cerro Gordo county he served two 
terms as county clerk, and was also one of 
the supervisors. 

Charles H., brother of E. D. Huntley, 
came in 1-50. He afterward married a 
daughter of Elisha Randall, enlisted in 



company B, 32d Iowa Infantry, in 1862, 
and was killed at the battle of Pleasant 
Hill, in 1864. 

In 1855 Pierson Jone« and Edgar Os- 
born, natives of Steuben Co., N. Y., came 
here from Winnebago Co., 111. Jones 
entered the west half of the northeast 
quarter of section 36. He died in a few 
years and was buried in Owen's Grove. 
Osborn entered the east half of the same 
quarter section, but he remained only a 
few years and went to Kansas. 

The following were the principal set- 
tlers of 1856 : 

Peter S. Beeber, a native of Pennsylva- 
nia, settled on the northeast quarter of 
section 11, but later removed to Dakota. 

John A. Felt, a native of New York, 
settled on section 12, remained until the 
close of the war and removed to Webster 
City, Hamilton Co., Iowa. 

J. P. Taylor, of New York, came in 
1856, settling on the northeast quarter of 
section 13. In 1869 he sold and removed 
to Charles City, where he engaged in the 
banking business. 

Alfred Taylor, brother of J. P. Taylor, 
a native of New York, came in 1856 and 
settled on the southwest quarter of section 
12. He improved his land and built a 
stone house. He died in Mason City, after 
which his widow moved east. 

Frank E. Temple, one of the early set- 
tlers of Cerro Gordo county, purchased 
his present home in the spring of 1856 on 
section 23, living, however, in Mason City, 
renting land, but in the meantime con- 
tinued improving his farm until 1866, 
when he built a comfortable residence and 
removed to his own home. He was born 
in Gilsum, Cheshire Co., N. H., and was 



87 



A 



)> 

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948 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



-H' 



reared on a farm. When twenty-one years 
of age he worked in a woolen factory at 
Gilsum, and later at Harrisville. He was 
married Feb. 13, 1855, to Lucy A. Rugg, 
born in Sullivan, Cheshire Co. In the 
same spring they emigrated west, remain- 
ing awhile at Whiteside, 111., then coming 
to MaSott. township. Mrs. Temple was 
one of the first teachers in the county. 
Mr. Temple has filled offices of trust in 
the town and is one of the school board. 

Among those who settled between 1856 
and 18fi0 were Bruce A. Bryant, James 
Clark, Elihu Brown, L. A. Franklin and 
Dr. Ogden. 

L. A. Franklin came in 1859 and setr 
tied on the southwest quarter of section 
16, where he remained until 1870, when 
he removed to Kansas. 

Dr. Ogden, of New York, came in 1860, 
settling on section 25, where he lived a 
few years, after which he moved to Mason 
City and practiced medicine awhile, and 
finally removed to Nebraska. 

Bruce A. Bryant is a prominent early 
settler of Cerro Gordo county. He is at 
present engaged in raising Jstock and 
grain, and has a fine farm of .300 acres con- 
taining a new and commodious residence, 
with a large barn, having a stone base- 
ment. He came in 1857 to Iowa, buying 
land on section 9 in what is now Lime 
Creek township, but only retained that 
farm one year. He married Cynthia Cole, 
of Pike Co., Ohio, in 1860. They settled 
in Mason township, on section 16, where 
he built a comfortable house. He enlisted, 
August, 1862, in company B, 32d Iowa 
Volunteer Infantry, going to New Mad- 
rid, thence to Fort Pillow, on to Fulton, 
Tenn., thence to Columbus, Ky., where he 



was taken sick and sent to the Mound 
City hospital. At Davenport, Iowa, May, 
1864, he was discharged on account of dis- 
ability and returned home. In 1865 he 
sold his farm on section 16, when he pur- 
chased a farm on section 2, where he now 
lives. He was a native of Chenango Co., 
N. Y., born Sept. 17, 1835. He enjoyed 
good school advantages and remained on 
the farm until seventeen years of age, 
when he learned the butcher's trade with 
his father, working at it until 1857, when 
he came to Iowa. They have three chil- 
dren — Almond C, H. Maud and Stephen 
Grant. 

James Clark, one of the early settlers of 
Cerro Gordo county, was born in Suffolk 
county, England, Sept. 27, 1830. His 
younger days were spent on a farm and at 
school. In 1852 he left his native land for 
America, landed at New York, went 
directly to Columbia Co., Ohio, where he 
stopped a short time, then went to Waiikee- 
gan and remained there six months, then 
went to Kenosha Co., Wis., where he 
was engaged on the Kenosha & Beloit 
Railroad. In 185S he came to Iowa and 
settled in township 96, range 19. He 
enlisted in September, 1862, in the 32d 
Iowa, company B, and went south. He 
was with Sherman on his Meridian raid; 
also with Banks on his Red river expedi- 
tion; was with Smith's corjis when he was 
following Price through Missouri. He was 
present at the battle of Nashville, and the 
siege of Mobile. He was discharged at 
Clinton, Iowa, in September, 1865, and 
returned to Cerro Gordo county. He had, 
while in the army, bargained for a tract of 
land with one of his comrades, located on 
section 16, and on his return, he settled 



V 



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HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



949 



on this farm. He has improved the land, 
has a fine grove, and in 1882 he built the 
farm house in which he now lives. He 
was married in April, 1857, to (-Jeorgiana 
Frevett, of Dorsetshire, England. They 
have seven children — Harry C, William 
A., Charles I., Cora E , Frank G., Ida May 
and Bertha II. 

Elihu Brown, who came to Cerro Gordo 
county in 1859, was born in the township 
of Barnard, Windsor Co., Vt., Dec. 2, 
1822. When thirteen years of age he 
went with his parents to Oliio, and settled 
in Ashtabula county. He remained with 
his parents until he was thirty-two, then 
went to Monroe Co., Wis., where he was 
em))loyed through the summer on a farm, 
and in the fall went to the Black river 
country and engaged in lumbering. In 
1859 he came to this county and first set- 
tled in Mason City He was married June 
3, 1861. For a few years he rented land 
on section 11 and other parts of the 
county In 1871 he settled on the south 
west quarter of section 11, on land which 
he had previously bought. He has erected 
comfortible buildings, has good improve- 
ments and now makes this his home. He 
has one child — George E. 

There was but little settlement made in 
the township between 1860 and 1870. 
During 1869 the following came in and 
permanently located: Alexander Mc- 
Gowan, John Vernall, Patrick O'-Neil and 
and Henry A. Gillett. 

Alexander McGowan came to Cerro 
Gordo county in the spring of 1869, and 
rented land on section 13 for two years, 
then on section 11 for one year, when in 
1872 he bought a farm on section 36, Mason 
township, where he has since lived, en- 



gaged in grain and stock raising. He was 
born in Saratoga Co., N. Y., on the 23d of 
November, 1842. When he was thirteen 
years of age his parents moved to Jeffer- 
son Co., Wis., where he attended the com- 
mon school and assisted his father on the 
farm, and also in the blacksmith shop, 
until 1868. In that year he went to Min- 
nesota and spent the summer in Sher- . 
burne county. In the the fall he returned 
to Wisconsin, and the following spring 
came to Iowa. In 1866 he was married to 
Melissa Flint, a native of Wisconsin. They 
have been blessed with two children — 
John H. and Ida May. 

Nelson Vernall was the youngest, and 
now the only one living, of eleven chil- 
dren. He came to Iowa in 1869, and 
bought the southeast quarter of section 
25, Mason township. He has improved 
his land and erected the dwelling in 
which he now resides. He was born in 
Franklin Co., N. Y., in 1821. His younger 
days were spent in school and on the farm. 
He waSTuarried Jan. 1, 1845, to Miss E. B. 
Waite, of Vermont, and continued to live 
on the farm with his parents until their 
death, and until 1869, when he sold the 
homestead and came to their present home 
in Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Nelson Vernall 
have three children — Herbert N., Mary S. 
and Charles F. Nelson's father, John Ver- 
nall, was born in Westchester Co., N. Y. 
July 10,1775. HewasmarriedSept.28, 1797, 
to Sophia Sponer, and settled in Franklin 
Co., N. Y., where they lived until 1831, 
then removed to Franklin Co., Vt., and 
bought a farm near St. Albans where he 
lived till his death, July 7, 1857. His 
widow, who was born June 5, 1779, died 
June 3, 1861. 



^3 



k 



J^ 



950 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



Patrick O'Neil is a native of Ireland, 
born in 1843. In 1860 he left his native 
land fdr America, and landed at New 
York, going thence to Ulster county, where 
he was eraployed in farming for one year, 
then went to Phillipsburg, where he en- 
tered the United States' service as team- 
ster, then went to Washington,and joined 
the army of the Potomac. He was with 
the first brigade, second division, eleventh 
army corps. He remained in the govern- 
ment service three years, then returned to 
New York, and from there went to Rock 
Co., Wis., where he was employed at 
farming during the summer seasons, and 
in the pineries during the winters, until 
1869, when he came to Cerro Gordo 
county and bought land on section 1, 
Mason township, where he now reeides. 
He was married in 1875 to Maggie Chala- 
han. They have three childran — James, 
Daniel and Mary. 

In February, 1870, Edwin G. Joy 
started from Wisconsin with a span of 
horses for Iowa,arriving here in nine days, 
and at once settled on section 16, Mason 
township, on land which his father had 
purchased for him the previous year. On 
this farm he has ever since made his 
home. He was born in Booneville, Oneida 
Co., N. Y., his parents being Edward and 
Caroline Griffin. When he was three 
years of age he was adopted by Abiathar 
Joy, of Jeffferson Co., N. Y., with whom 
he lived until he was seventeen, when the 
family moved to Wisconsin and settled 
near Beaver Dam, Dodge county. He 
attended the common schools, worked on 
the farm, and at the age of nineteen went 
into L. E. Piatt's store, at Beaver Dam, 
as clerk, where he remained about three 



years. On Aug. 15, 1862, he enlisted in 
company E, Ist Wisconsin Cavalry, and 
started for Missouri, but at Cairo he was 
taken sick and was honorably discharged 
Nov. 6, 1862, on account of disability, 
when he returned to Wisconsin. As soon 
as health would permit he engaged in 
farming, which he pursued for three years 
then went to Beloit and became traveling 
salesman for a marble firm. Here he was 
married March 19, 1868, to Anna E. 
Ackley, of Beloit, Wis., and after contin- 
uing as salesman for about fourteen 
months, he returned for a few months to 
Beaver Dam, and from there came to his 
present home in Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Joy 
have five children— Earnest, Carrie, Harry, 
Minnie and Mattie. 

Henry A. Gillett bought the southwest 
quarter of section 21, Mason township, in 
1870, and has since resided here. He has 
erected good buildings and has a very 
comfortable home. He has since bought 
other lands and now owns 320 acres of 
improved land. He was born in La Fayette 
Co., Wis., July 14, 1839. His parents 
were early settlers of that county. The 
father, Philo Gillett, was a native of Con- 
necticut, and the mother, Mary (Deboe) 
Gillett, a native of Virginia. Henry's 
younger days were spent on the farm and 
at school. In June, 1861, he enlisted in 
the 3rd Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, 
company I. He re-enlisted Dec. 13, 1863, 
at Wartrace, Tenn., and served till the 
close of the war and was discharged with 
his regiment, July 18, 1865. This regi- 
ment cook an active part in the war, and 
was at the front from first to last, beii g 
in the battle at Antietam, Chancellorville, 
Ge ttysburg, with Sherman on his march 



■(•U — ^ 



«— — H 



HISTORY OF CERRO C40RD0 COUNTY. 



951 



to the sea, and in many other struggles of 
that campaign. After his discharge he re- 
turned to Wisconsin and engaged in min- 
ing one year, then went down tlie Missis- 
sippi and followed boating until the fall 
of 1869, when he returned to Wisconsin, 
spent the winter in La Fayette county, and 
in the spring of 1810 came to Cerro Gordo 
county. In 1869 he was married to Jen- 
nie Rawe, a native of England. They 
have had seven children— James A., Nettie, 
Mary J., Harry, Philo, Ida, who died in 
infancy, and Dasie Alice. 

Stephen Deyoe sought a home in Iowa 
in 1869. After prospecting through north- 
ern and central Iowa, he finally purchased 
land on section 25, Mason township He 
has 240 acres, which he has so improved 
and beautified that he has now a most de- 
sirable and comfortable home, with all 
necessary outbuildings. He was born in 
Columbia Co., N. Y., June 30, 1837. In 
1852 his parents removed to Iowa Co., 
Wis., where they purchased a farm and 
were among the early settlers. His father 
died July 8, 1878. His mother still re- 
tains the homestead in connection with 
two of her sons. Stephen remained with 
his parents until twenty-four years of age, 
when he bought land and settled in Dodge- 
ville, Iowa Co., Wis., remaining until the 
spring of 1870, when he removed his fam- 
ily to their new home in Cerro Gordo 
county. He married Mary A. Watkins, 
of Worcestershire, England. They have 
four children — Albert M., William J., 
George and Clyde. 

Kettle Paulson, who settled in Mason 
township in 1872, was born in Germany, 
at Schleswig, Holstein, Feb. 27, 1845. He 
attended school there until sixteen years 



of age, after which he worked on a farm. 
In 1870 he left Germany and came to 
America, landing at New York city, and 
from there he came to Iowa, stopping in 
Clinton county, where he was engaged in 
farming for two years. From there he 
moved to this county and rented land in 
Bath township for one year, and then 
moved into Falls township and purchased 
land on section 32. Here he lived two 
years, making improvements on his land, 
but finally sold and removed to Mason 
township and purchased land on section 
34. On this place he has erected fine 
buildings, and planted out a beautiful 
grove. He was married in 1872 to Mrs. 
Emma Hansen, by. whom he has six chil- 
dren — Caroline, Johanna, Thomas, Matil- 
da, Emma and Clara. 

Washington Brentner was born in 
Muskingum Co., Ohio, Aug. 9, 1829. He 
made his home with his parents until 
1850, when he went to California and en- 
gaged in mining for three years ; then 
was engaged by the California Steam 
Navigation Company, and remained in 
their employ seventeen years. In 1872 
he engaged with the Central Railroad 
Company, and was in their employ six 
years. In 1878 his father visited him in 
California, and he returned with him to 
Iowa. He spent the winter at Forest 
City with his sister. In the spring of 
1879 he settled on his farm, where he 
now resides, on section 2. He was mar- 
ried in 1861 to Mrs. Sarah E. Roberts, 
who bore him four children — George G., 
Alfred R., who is now in California, 
Maud E. and Jennie E. Mrs. Brentner 
was born in New York city, in 1839, and 
died in California in 1873. 



^S 



r 



A 



9 fc_ 



^ 9 



\i\ 



952 



HISTORY OF CEERO GORDO COUNTY. 



William Hill bought the farm on which 
he now lives on section 23, and settled on 
it in 1880. He owns a fine farm, well 
improved, rich soil, and well watered by 
living springs. He was one of the early 
settlers of Clayton Co., Iowa, having come 
there from Ohio in lt'50. There he took 
government land near Garnavillo, where 
his wife died, after which he returned to 
Ohio. In 1851 he went to California, 
went into mining, and in company with 
Thomas Strain, opened a blacksmith shop 
and supply store in the mountains, in 
which he continued for three years, then 
returned to Minnesota and bought govern- 
ment land and settled in Olmstead county, 
where he remained twelve years, then 
sold out, came to Iowa and settled in 
Winneshiek county, eight miles from 
Decorah, remaining there until 1880, at 
which time he came to his present home 
in Cerro Gordo county. He was born in 
Muskingum Co., Oliio, Nov. 12, 1823, 
lived on a farm until he was fourteen 
years of age, then went to Franklin coun- 
ty and spent three years learning the 
blacksmith trade; returned to Muskin- 
gum county and worked as a journeyman 
at his trade till 1841, then opened a shop 
in Hancock county and run that until 

1850, when he came to Clayton Co., Iowa. 
He was married in 1843 to Catharine 
Benham, also a native of Ohio. She died 
in 1850, leaving one child — Mary E. He 
was married the second time, Dec. 16, 
1800, to Mary F. Duncan, of Coshocton, 
Ohio. Theyhave six children — Mark W., 
Andrew J., Fred, Alma, Jessie and 
Cleora. 



OEGANIC. 

Mason township was organized Dec. 17, 
1856, and was the fourth township in the 
county, at which time it comprised nearly 
one-fourth of Cerro Gordo county. The 
following were the first set of township 
officers of the township as it was bounded 
in 1883: Trustees, J. M. Dougan, B. A. 
Bryant, H. K.Perry; clerk, S. H. Sheldon. 
In 1883 the officers were II. Keerl, H. K. 
Perry and B. Bryant, trustees, and A. R. 
Sale, clerk. 

SCHOOLS. 

All of Mason township, except that ter- 
ritory belonging to the independent school 
district of Mason City is in what is known 
as Mason township school district at large, 
in which there were nine school houses 
in 1883, at which date the following were 
the directors: Isaac Clark, F. E. Temple 
and S. G. Nelson. J. G. Brown, secretary 
of the board of directors. 

School house No. 7 was built on the 
southeast quarter of section 2, in 18G1. 
Sarah McPeak taught the first school. In 
1880 this building was destroyed by fire 
and another immediately erected upon the 
same site. A. H. Cumming was the first 
to teach in this house. 

The school house in district No. 2 was 
built in 1879 on the southeast quarter of 
the northeast quarter of section 6. Ella 
Miller was one of the first teachers. 

The first school taught in the neighbo:'- 
hood where No. 4 now stands was taught 
by Mrs. Frank Temple, in 1862, in a house 
owned by Dr. Huntley, located on section 
16. A stone school house was built a few 
years later on the southeast quarter of 
section 17, and was in use until 1880, at 
which time a frame building was erected 



Vil 



■Vje — 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



953 



on the northwest quarter of section 17. The 
first teacher in this building was Rushie 
Cilley. 

The first school house in district No. 5 
was first located on section 21, but in 
1870 moved to section 2.3, at which time 
arrangements were made to erect the 
present building. Frank Dunham was 
the first teacher in this house. 

The first school house in the neighbor- 
hood of district of No. 6 was moved from 
section 21, in 1870, and located on the 
northeast quarter of section 23. This 
building was used about three years, and 
another erected on the southeast quarter 
of the northeast quarter of section 23. 
Anna Briglitman was the first to teach 
here. 

There was a stone school house built in 
1857 on the east side of Lime creek, on 
the southwest quarter of section 12; this 
was used for several years. The present 
house was built in 1878, and is situated on 
the west side of Lime creek, on the south- 
west quarter of section 12. Cora Brown 
was the first teacher here. 

The school house in district No. 8 was 
built in 1874 or 1875. It is located on the 
northwest quarter of section 36. Nettie 
Barney was the first teacher in this build- 
ing, but prior to this date a school bad 
been held in .Joseph Rule's house, on sec- 
tion 35, taught by Louise Vandermark and 
Dora Armitage. 

The school building in district No. 9 
was moved from Lake township in 1879. 
Ellen Barton was one of the earliest 
teachers. 

■No. 10 was builtin 1881 on the southeast 
quarter of section 20. Anna Grippen was 
the first teacher. 



QUARRIES. 

. The streams which make glad the 
hearts of the people of this county have 
evidently worn their way through ledges 
of lime rock, and along their banks these 
ledges present perpendicular walls of nat- 
ural masonry, rising in many places to a 
height of more than thirty feet, in regular 
strata, varying in thickness from six to 
ten inches. The stone is of a very supe- 
rior quality for building purposes, and can 
be obtained in almost any required dimen- 
sion. It is easily quarried and exists in 
unlimited quantities, and as there is no 
other building stone between this locality 
and the Missouri river, it is evident that 
these quarries are destined to become a 
literal mine of wealth to their possessors. 

NURSERY. 

A. L. Grippen came from Waukon, Iowa, 
in 1877 and started a nursery on section 
22. His stock was selected from the Iron 
Clad Nursery of Waukon. In 1883 he 
had twelve acres in his nursery, the fruit 
including all the hardy varieties. 

DEPARTED PIONEERS. 

Horace Green, who was born in Cayuga 
Co., Ohio, in 1817, was among the first 
settlers in Cerro Gordo county. He came 
to .Mason City in 1856. The following is 
from the pen of an old settler who expe- 
rienced the struggles and privations of 
pioneer life with the subject of this mem- 
oir: 

"He came to this county in June, 1856, 
and built a little cabin near Lime creek 
timber, and there he'bent his energies to- 
ward the development of his farm. . He 
was then forty years old. lie built his 
camp fire aboutthree miles norih of Mason 
City, but soon after moved their cabin to 



IK^ 



954 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



his farm wliich liel^last j;occii|jied, and 
around the spot where the smoke curled 
gracefully from his lustic cabin, now 
stands the monuments of his faithful hus- 
bandry, and there, like guiding sentinels, 
stand lofty trees of his own planting, and 
fruit trees, each spring time sending out 
their blossoms to his memory. In 1859 he 
moved into Mason City and opened what 
is known as the Waukousa hotel, where 
he and his wife ministered to the wants of 
the eating public. After several years at 
this he changed to other business. He 
spent his last years and was cared for by 
Dr. Noyes." 

Mrs. J. M. Dougan, wife of one of Mason 
City's most prominent citizens, died of a 
cancer at Eureka Springs, Ark., in June, 
1881. She was a noble lady, noble in good 
deeds, and rich in those treasures which 
adorn true womanhood. Tender of heart, 
she gave to the suffering poor unspar- 
ingly of her means. She was public spir- 
ited in a high degree, and active in every 
worthy cause. One of the best mothers 
and noblest wives. From a busy life of 
good deeds she has gone to her reward. 

Robert Clark, or Judge Clark, as he was 
known, was among the old residents of 
Cerro Gordo county, and from an incom- 
plete obituary the following is obtained: 
"He was a native of New York, but came 
to Iowa, where he spent over twenty-two 
years of his life. He was the first justice 
of the peace to receive a commission in 
Cerro Gordo county. For several years 
he lived in Winnebago Co., Iowa, where 
lietilledthe office of treasurer for ten years. 
1 Fe died at Forest City Aug. 12, 1876, aged 
fifty-one. It was estimated that fully 
■J,.tOO peo])le attended bis funeral, the ser- 



vices being held in a grove near Mr Burn- 
• ap's house, at Forest City. Every body 
seemed to regard him as a near, dear, and 
personal friend, and mourned for him as 
such. Winnebago, Worth, Hancock and 
Cerro Gordo counties were all represented 
at this funeral. Mr. Clark was a Royal 
Arch Mason and was buried with Masonic 
honors, over 1 20 members of the order be- 
ing present and taking part in the ceremo- 
nies, which were of the most imposing 
character. 

On the morning of Aug. 14, 1877, at 
Plymouth, this county, Rev. J. B. Burn- 
ham died. He was born Aug. 13, 1809, 
and was consequently sixty-eight 3'ears old. 
He was converted — born again — Sept. 29, 
1830, at which time he united with the 
Methodist Church. In October, IS.Jo, he 
married Clarissa Maria Spink. He was 
admitted to the traveling connections June 
24, 1836. He was ordained deacon June 
10, 1838, by Bishop Morris, and ordained 
elder June 21, 1840, by Bishop Roberts. 
He was an itinerant Methodist preacher 
for thirty years, coming to Iowa about the 
close of his active ministry, and has re- 
sided since at Mason City until the time 
of his death, except a short stay at Ply- 
mouth, where he gave up life's work, de- 
parting in triumphant faith. A pleasing 
incident occurred in early life, which had 
a tendency to confirm his faith in the Di- 
vine call to the ministry, to himself and 
wife, who were journeying to a session of 
the Troy conference. While on the way his 
wife, who had been praying for guidance 
in life's work, as a herald of the cross, said 
to him, "We shall be sent to Joy circuit." 
The reason was asked, and she said she 
had been praying and something told her. 



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HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



955 



They journeyed on and at conference, 
when the appointments were read, the 
bishop reaching the name said, "J. D. 
Burnham, Joy circuit." Thirty years of 
life spent as a traveling minister, years of 
toil, of self denial, of heroism, of incidents 
thrilling, soul stirring and pathetic. The 
old times Methodist had to be on the con- 
stant move. Souls were considered of more 
value and moment than home and family 
surroundings. In those days it usually took 
four weeks to the circuit. Elder Burnham 
left on his trip one time, leaving his 
daughter very sick; while he was absent 
his child died, and as death came stealing 
over the loved one, she looked up into the 
face of her mother and knowing death was 
very near, she said, "Tell papa I am going 
to Heaven — tell him to preach good and 
meet me in Heaven," and thus the sweet 
child passed from death. A few years ago 



he stood beside the open grave of his wife. 
She too departed in the triumphs of faith 
and love. Standing there, while the clods 
of the valley were falling on the coffin, he 
could say, "There will be a meeting soon 
in Heaven." When the elder was pros- 
trate on his death bed, and his body suf- 
fering terrible pains, with a clear mind, he 
would break out singing, "On Jordan's 
stormy banks I stand," and as the twi- 
light of death settled over him, he would 
forget all else save Jesus, whose name 
would quickly arouse him. Thus in faith 
he settled down in death's cold embrace, 
with these as his last words: "lamnearing 
the throne." He left three children — Mrs 
S.J. Waterbury, Mrs.L. A. Page andC. H. 
Burnham. His funeral services took place 
at Plymouth, Rev II. W. Bennett officia- 
ting. The remains were deposited in the 
Mason City cemetery. 



CHAPTER XXXV II. 



MASON CITY. 



^a 



This is the county seat of Cerro Gordo 
county, and is situated on sections 3, 4, 9 
and 10, of Mason township, at the junc- 
tion of Lime and Willow creeks, about 
four miles northeast of the center of the 
county. In 1883 it contained about 4,200 
inhabitants. It was laid out June 28, 1855, 
by John B. Long and George Brentner. 
It is generally conceded that it took its 



name from Masonic Grove, which was 
called so by John D. Long, an early settler, 
who made great pretensions to Free Mason- 
ry, but in fact was a "snide" of that order. 
It was through his influence a post office 
was established. He asked that it be 
called Masonville, but upon finding an- 
other by that name in Iowa, it was changed 
to Mason City. 



88 



ip^ 



J^l 



956 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



Mason City has many natural advan- 
tages, among which are timber, fine build- 
ing stone, potter's clay and good water 
power. There are but few towns of its 
size and wealth that are as well built and 
contain so many elegant and substantial 
business houses and residences. The town 
is settled largely from the eastern and 
New England States, containing but a 
small foreign element. A large, beauti- 
ful stone school building, located in a 
commanding position, is one of the ob- 
jects which attract attention of strangers 
who visit the city for the first time, while 
a number of commodious, elegantly de- 
signed church edifices beautify the appear- 
ance of the city, which indicate that the 
religious and moral wants of the commu- 
nity are not forgotten or neglected. Being 
surrounded on all sides by a rich and well 
improved farming section, it has secured 
an unusually large and desirable retail 
trade, which the generous, enterprising 
and thoroughly honest business habits of 
its tradesmen, will long retain. The place 
has excellent hotel accommodations, and 
being only nine miles from Clear Lake, it 
receives much of the financial benefit de 
rived from that popular watering place, 
throughout the summer months. Three 
lines of railway enter the city— the 
Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul, running 
east and west, across the State, traversing 
the rich agricultural section between the 
Mississippi and Missouri rivers; the Cen- 
tral Railway of Iowa, running north and 

south, connecting St. Louis and St. Paul, 
and the Austin branch of the Chicago, 
Milwaukee & St. Paul line, which runs 
from Mason City to Austin, Minn. 



"^5 



RECORDED PLATS. 

The various plats of Mason City were 
filed for record as follows: 

The original plat for Mason City was 
filed for record in June, 1855, by J. B. 
Long and George Brentner, as proprietors. 
Irving W. Card surveyed the plat. 

Railroad addition to Mason City was 
platted Dec. 13, 1856. The proprietors 
were George E. and E. B. D. Woodward. 
The survey was made by I. W. Card. 

What is known on the records as Felt's 
plat, took in a portion of the original 
plat, and was filed Sept. 15, 1857, by Paul 
Felt. The survey was made by A. Gar- 
ner. 

Bright's addition was made Sept. 15, 
1669, by Nimrod Bright and wife. Charles 
McNany, surveyor. 

South Mason City was platted Oct. 1 9, 

1869, by the following named persons who 
gave a half interest in the same to the 
Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway 
Company as a bonus for locating depot 
grounds thereon. Thomas G. Emsley, B. F. 
Hartshorn,John Pratt, W.W.Allen,George 
Miller, L. J. Waterbury, John S. Stanbery, 
Russell Smith and their wives. This plat 
was surveyed by C. F. Vincent and con- 
tained about 140 acres. 

Stanbery addition was filed Feb. 11, 
ISTO, by W. C. and Elizabeth Stanbery, 
proprietors. 

B. Randall's addition was made August 

1870. C. F. Vincent, surveyor. 

North Mason City was platted March 1, 
1872. 

Mumford's addition was made April 
19, 1873, by J. V. Mumford. 



( V 



_tef.t. 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



957 



James Foster's addition to South Mason 
City was platted April 18, 1882, by James 
Foster. C. F. Vincent was the surveyor. 

Parker & Foster's addition was made 
May 2i», 1882, by Horace Parker and James 
Foster. 

Foster's second addition was platted 
Nov. 27, 1882. James Foster was proprie- 
tor; C. F. Vincent, surveyor. 

Horace Parker's addition was made 
Nov. 30, 1882. C. F. Vincent, surveyor. 

EAELY DAYS. 

James Jenkinson made the first settle- 
ment, in 185.3, on Lime creek, where 
Mason City now stands. He vras accom- 
])anied by John McMillen, who, in 1854, 
built and operated the first store in Cerro 
Gordo county. 

George Brentner entered land on sec- 
tion 0, which is now in the heart of the 
thriving city, Sept. 15, 1854, and B. 
B. Richards entered section 10, October 
10 of t)ie same year. James Jenkinson 
lived in a log cabin on Lime creek, at a 
point now within the city limits. His 
habitation was of the rudest structure, 1 2x 
14 feet in size. Here he spent the winter 
of 1853, alone, as Mr. McMillen and J. \i. 
Long had returned to La Salle, 111., the 
season being one of great severity. He 
had some flour and pork, but the spring 
found him with few provisions. When 
Mr. McMillen and Mr. Long returned 
they started a store, Mr. Jenkinson doing 
the teaming between Mason City and Du- 
buque. In August, 1862, he enlisted in 
company B, 32d Iowa Volunteers. He 
was in active and severe service and was 
taken prisoner at Pleasant Hill and con- 
fined at Fort Tyler, Texas, where he was 
held thirteen months and seventeen days. 



The daily rations were a pound of meat 
and a pint of corn meal. On one occasion 
the mill where their corn was ground 
gave out and they were obliged to eat the 
corn from the cob, a process which gave 
them a better appreciation of firm teeth 
than they had before had. Their coffee 
was made from the siftings of the meal. 
He was mustered out of service at Daven- 
port, Iowa, and returned to Mason City 
and worked as a stone mason. He was 
born in Lancastersliire, England, May 10, 
1833, and came to America in 1846, ac- 
companied by liis sister.. He settled in 
La Salle Co., 111., where he remained until 
he came to Iowa. He was married in 
August, 1868, to Mary, daughter of David 
and Ann (Dingman) Ragan. She was 
born in Joliet, 111., Dec. 6, 1839. They 
had one son — Daniel A. In 1870 the 
family removed to a farm Mr. Jenkinson 
had bought previous to his enlisting, sit- 
uated in Lime Creek townshij) and valued 
at $30 per acre. He is a member of the 
Grand Army of the Republic and belongs 
to the Odd Fellows' order. 

Among the numijer who came in 1855 
wei'e: Thomas Drummond, A. B. Miller 
and F. J. Turnure. 

Thomas Drummond was a young lawyer 
who remained but two years and moved 
to Vinton, Iowa, from which place he en- 
listed, serving in the army of the Potomac, 
and was killed during one of the first bat- 
tles of the war. Prior to the rebellion he 
had been State Senator from his district. 

A. B. Miller, who was in company with 
Thomas Drummond in law and real estate, 
was also killed in the service. These 
gentleman are treated at length in the Bar 
and Representative chapters. 



\\(i- 



958 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



*7|c 



F. J. Turnure is one of the pioneers of 
April, 1855, at which time he located at 
Mason City, working at his trade of car- 
penter, as well as engaging in other em- 
ployments and land speculations. In 1862 
he enlisted in company B, 32d Iowa Vol- 
unteers, serving three y<-ars. He wa.s 
taken prisoner and kept in Tyler prison 
thirteen months and nineteen days. After 
his discharge he resumed his trade, and in 
1876 moved to his present home. He 
has met with some financial reverses, but 
has always retained the confidence and 
esteem of his fellow-men. He was mar- 
ried in 1868 to Miss Helben. They have 
three children — Hattie May, Frank N. 
and Fred P. 

John West, oqe of the early settlers of 
Cerro Gordo county, was born in York- 
shire, England, Dec. 3, 1825. When 
eleven years old his parents emigrated to 
America and located in Cook county, 
where his parents shortly after died. The 
subject of this sketch was then thrown 
upon his own resources, working by 
month and day as he could get work. 
When seventeen years old, having accu 
mulated a little money, he attended 
school, receiving a good liberal education. 
In 1845 Mr. West was married to Mary 
M. Allen. She was a native of New York. 
By this union there were two children — 
A. S. West and Olive Elizabeth, who 
married A. J. Burlingham. She died in 
18S0 at the age of thirty-four. Mr. West 
was the fir.st boy who hauled water into 
the city of Chicago, and the first to 
sprinkle the streets of that city, under 
a contract. In 1847 he commenced grading 
on the N. W. plank road. He also graded 
the principal streets south of Randolph. 



In 1851 he commenced railroading, which 
business he has followed, principally, up 
to 1882. In ] 854 Mr. West came to Iowa 
and traveled extensively over the State. 
In 1855 he moved his family to Portland 
township. During the same year he built 
a saw mill at Nora Springs, where he re- 
mained for two years. In 1856 he went 
to his farm and commenced its improve- 
ment. In 1862 he enlisted in the 32d 
Iowa Volunteer Infantry, company B, and 
was kept principally on guard duty. He 
suffered much from sickness, and was con- 
fined in the hospital for many months. 
He was discharged at Davenport, Iowa. 
Mr. West commenced life a poor boy, but 
by fair dealing and good management he 
has accumulated a fine property, and to- 
day is one of the well-to-do business men 
of Mason City In politics he is a republi. 
can, and while on the farm was elected as 
justice of the peace. He is a member of 
the G. A. R. and K. of P. 

J. H. Valentine was born in Charlton, 
Saratoga Co., N. Y., Sept. 6, 1821. His 
parents, John C. Valentine, born in New 
York and of German descent, and Abagail 
Holmes, born and reared in Scotland, 
were married in Saratoga Co., N. Y., 
where twelve children were born to them, 
seven of whom are living. In 1837 they 
removed to Onondaga county, and in 
1844 to Henry Co., 111., where they lived 
until 1849,going from thence to Marquette 
Co., Wis., where the father engaged in 
farming. He died in 1854. He was a mem- 
ber of the Episcopal Church and an heir to 
the Trinity church property of New York 
city. He was a miller, by trade, which 
trade J. H. also learned and followed in 
connection with farming. Mrs. J. H. 



.^ 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY, 



959 



Valentine is a native of Columbus, Wis. 
They have two children — Richard, a resi 
dent of Mason City, and Lucy, wife of I. 
P. Whitney, of Mason City. Mr. Valen- 
tine came to Mason City in 1860, when it 
was a small village and the country 
sparsely settled, and associated with J. C. 
Cowles in general merchandise, but in a 
year purchased his partner's interest and 
continued alone six years, then embarked 
in agricultural implements, handling 
Buford goods, Moline plows, Minnesota 
chief, etc. He is a member of the Epis- 
copal Church, and a charter member of the 
Masonic Lodge at Mason City. 

Daniel J. Farrell was born in Nova 
Scotia, Sept. 27, 1843. His parents were 
William and Catharine (Walsh) Farrell. 
When he was fifteen years of age his 
parents emigrated to New York, where 
Daniel learned the tinsmith trade, but 
abandoned it and took up that of a stone 
mason. He came to Cedar Falls, Iowa, 
in 1864, but the same fall removed to 
Mason City, where he embarked in the 
stone and lime business. In June, 1871, 
he was married to Eliza Powers, by Father 
Feely. She was a daughter of William 
Powers. By this union there is a family 
of three children — Mary, ^^'illiam and 
Daniel. Mr. Farrell has been identified 
with Cerro Gordo county for many years, 
and has seen the gradual development of 
the surrounding country, from its wilder- 
ness like state to a country made beautiful 
by its well tilled fai'ms, schools and church 
edifices. 

Wm. H. Foster was born in Onondaga 
Co., N. Y., Nov. 1, 1838. He is the son 
of Ransom and Lydia ( Coffin ) Foster. 
In 1853 the family emigrated to Ogle Co., 



111., where Mr. Foster engaged in farming. 
In 1869 he came to Mason City. William 
was reared on a farm and educated in the 
common schools. In March, 1862, he en- 
listed in the 65th regiment, Illinois Vol- 
unteer Infantry, company A, and partici- 
pated in the engagement of Martinsburg 
and Harper Ferry, when he was taken 
prisoner but soon afterwards was paroled 
and sent to Chicago, where he was ex- 
changed Jan. 14, 1S63, when he again 
joined his regiment in Kentucky, and par- 
ticipated in the siege of Knoxville In 
April, 1864, he re-enlisted, received a thirty 
days furlough and afterward joined Gen- 
eral Sherman's command near Atlanta. 
They were left to look after Hood while 
Sherman went to the sea. He was mus- 
tered out in July, 1865, at Greensborough, 
N. C. After leaving the army he re- 
turned to Ogle county. In 1869 he came 
to Mason City, where he has since resided 
He was married, in 1867, at Dixon, 111., to 
Anha Freer, by whom he has had five 
children — William H., Samuel S., Lydia 
A. and Theodore. Mr. Foster is a mem- 
ber of the G. A. R. 

Rodolphus Babcock has been a resident 
of Mason City since the spring of 1870, 
when he established the first gentlemen's 
furnishing store in the city. He was born 
in Cortland Co., N. Y., Nov. 8, 1831. His 
parents. Rouse and Lucinda (Gilbert) 
BaVjcock, had four sons and four daugh- 
ters. The father was a Baptist clergyman 
and spent his life in earnest Christian 
work. He came to Henry Co., 111., in 
1856, and afterwards went to Cedar 
Rapids, Iowa, where he died in 1S63. 
Mr. Babcock, of this sketch, acquired a 
substantial education and was a teacher 



apT^ 



-s M- 



960 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



a number of years. He has been of late 
years engaged in insurance business, and 
was elected secretary of the Farmer's In- 
surance Company of Cedar Rapids, in 
1861, and in 1 868, secretary of the Fire 
and Tornado Insurance Company, of Clin- 
ton, Iowa, and so remained until 1871. He 
has been in insurance business, either as 
local or general agent, since 1859. Mr. 
Babcock was married Nov. 22, 1857, to 
Mary E. Schermerhorn,born in Otsego Co., 
N. Y., in 1837. They have two children 
— Willis A. and Arthur R. 

James Gibson, a settler of 186.3, was 
born in Herkimer Co., N. Y., in January, 
1844. He is a son of John and Rachel 
(Vinton) Gibson, and was trained to the 
jHirsuits of a farmer's son. In Novem- 
ber, 1861, he enlisted in the 81st regi- 
ment, Xew York Volunteer Infantry. He 
was in some severe service at Fair Oaks 
and other engagements, and was dis- 
charge), in 1862, on account of physical 
disability. lie returned to Herkimer 
county, and in 18G3 came to Cerro Gordo, 
locating at Lime Grove. He was mar- 
ried Dec. 25, 1869, to Frances Wilson, of 
Owen township, but formerly of Chica- 
go. They have four children — Minnie, 
Maggie, Milton and Morton. The family 
located at Mason City in 1864. Mr. Gib- 
son is a member of the Grand Army of 
the Republic. 

J. O. Prichard has been a resident of 
Mason City since 1869. He was born in 
Wales, June 22, 1835, but was left moth- 
erless wlien an infant. When sixteen 
years of age, accompanied by a friend, he 
emigrated. to the United States, first stop- 
ping at Racine, Wis., where he learned 
the carpenter's trade, which he has since 



followed, 'in 1862 he went to Cambria, 
enlisting in company II, 36th Wisconsin 
Volunteer Infantry. He was wounded at 
the battle of Cold Harbor, and was dis- 
abled seven months. After his discharge 
he returned to Wisconsin, resuming his 
trade, and in 1869 came to Mason City. 
He has been twice married. In 1864, to 
Margaret J. Williams, who died of con- 
sumption in 1866. In March, 1868, he 
married Florence Dayton, by whom he 
had three children, two of whom are liv- 
ing — Charles E. and Arthur. Mr. Prich- 
ard is a member of I. O. O. F. and of the 
G. A. R. 

J. H. Van Wie has resided in Cerro 
Gordo county since 1869, and has since 
been eng.aged in following his vocation. 
He was born in Cayuga Co., N. Y., Jan. 
24, 1844. He is son of Henry and Lavinia 
Van Wie. His parents went to Wiscon- 
sin in 1850, where he was reared to man- 
hood and received a common school edu- 
cation. At twenty years of age he fitted 
himself for the duties of his present call- 
ing. In 1862 he enlisted in the 19thWiscon- 
sin Volunteers Co. E. He was stationed 
at Newbern, N. C, and was in the serrice 
twenty-three months, when he was dis- 
charged on account of illness. He re- 
turned to Wisconsin. In the spring of 
1883 he formed a partnership under the 
firm naiiie of Van Wie & Kisner. He is 
a member of the Odd Fellows' order, and 
in political faith is a republican. Mr. Van 
Wie was married Jan. 8, 1879, to Addie 
Case, a native of New York. Their three 
children are — Arthur, Mary and Gertie. 

Horace Vinton settled in Cerro Gordo 
county in 1870. In company with Mr. 
Fitch he engaged in the sale of agricul- 



01 

7 



^^=^ 



1^ 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



961 



tural machinery, under the firm name of 
Vinton & Fitch, which soon after became 
Vinton, Ensign & Doiigan. This busi- 
ness contiection continued a few years, and, 
in 1873, Mr. Vinton bought 160 acres of 
land in Lime Creek township, where he 
lived two years and returned to iVIason 
City. Mr. Vinton was born Aug. 27, 1809, 
at Willington, Conn. His father, Seth Vin- 
ton, was one of the minute men of the Rev- 
olution, wlio marched from Stoughton at 
tiie Lexington alarm. The father settled 
in Willington in 1781, where his father 
and friends were located. He died at 
Rockville, in Vernon township. Conn., at 
the residence of Mr. Vinton of this sketch, 
aged ninety-two years. His wife, Polly 
(Ruder) Vinton, died in the same house in 
1853. Horace Vinton was i eared on a 
farm and acquired a good education. At 
the age of twenty he left home and found 
employment at $10 per month in a fac- 
tory. He had to buy his time paying 
from his wages. He bought a site and 
built a mill at Rockville, which is now the 
site of one of the largest factories in Con- 
necticut. He remained in Rockville 
twenty years. In November, 1831, he was 
married to Liicretia Johns. He left the 
land of wooden nutmegs in 1854 and set- 
tled at Rockford, 111., where he was inter- 
ested in a planing mill and sash factory. 
Mr. and Mrs. Vinton are members of the 
Congregational Church, of which he is 
deacon 

C. E Crane was born in Bridport, Vt., 
June 1, 1818. He was reared in his native 
place, trained to agricultural pursuits, and 
acquired his education in the common 
schools. He was married in 1842 to Ellen 
Adams. Of their six children but one is 



e 



living — Delia. Mrs. Crane died in Mid- 
dlebury, Vt., where Mr. Crane was en- 
gaged in mercantile business about six 
years. In 1854 he came to Fond duLac, 
Wis., where he married Frances Parish. 
They had two children — WillE., a gradu- 
ate of Iowa State LTniversity and now as- 
sistant professor in that institution, and 
Edith, wife of F. C. Patton, of Minneap- 
olis, Minn. Mrs. Crane died in Fond du- 
Lac in 1864, and Mr. Crane was married a 
third time, in 1866, to Alice S. Fitch. They 
have six children — Flora, Charles, Fred, 
Eva, Harry and Mary. In the fall of 1867 
Mr. Crane moved to Green Bay, Wis., 
where he was interested in lumbering. He 
became a resident of Mason City in 1870. 
He was an old time whig in political faith, 
in early manhood, and joined the ranki of 
the republican party on its organization. 

George H. Harding has been a resident 
of Mason City since 1871, with the excep- 
tion of a single year, when he lived on his 
farm in Lime Creek township. Mr. Hard- 
ing was born in Orange Co., N. Y., Jan_ 
1, 1836. His parents, David H. and Fan- 
nie (Reeves) Harding, were both natives 
of the same county. The mother died in 
1864; the father died at Mason City in 
December, 1880, at the advanced age of 
seventy-seven years. Mr. Harding was 
raised on his father's farm, and acquired 
his education in the winter terms of the 
l>ublic school. He learned his trade at the 
age of twenty-two, and made it his active 
pursuit until he came west. He was mar- 
ried in Chautauqua Co., N. Y., to Cynthia 
Brightman, who died in March, 1874, 
leaving one child — Fannie. The charac- 
ter of Mrs. Harding is held in loving re- 
membrance by her family as a consistent 



-sfv* 



^1 



♦ 



^ 



962 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



Christian and a faithful wife and mother. 
The present wife is a sister of the former 
Mrs. Harding. She is the mother of two 
children — Edna and Charles H. The farm 
of Mr. Harding contains 240 acres, valued 
at 17,200. In politics he is a democrat, 
and is posted on all the issues of the times. 

J S. Wheeler, one of the enterprising 
stock men of Cerro Gordo county, was 
born in Madison Co., N. Y., May 15, 1821. 
His parents were Joseph Wheeler and 
Sally (Shelton) Wheeler, natives of New 
York State. They were married in Con- 
necticut and emigrated to Madison Co., 
N. Y., where he embarked in farming. 
They were the parents of seven children, 
three sons and four daughters. Mr. and 
Mrs. Wheeler were ardent supporters of 
the Baptist Church, of which they were 
members. In 185.5 the family went to 
Boone Co., 111., near Belvidere, where Mr. 
Wlieeler embarked in farming, and where 
he remained until his death, which oc- 
curred in 1859. Mrs. Wheeler died ten 
years later. J. S. Wheeler, the subject of 
this sketch, was reared as a farmer boy, 
receiving his education in the common 
schools. In 1855 he removed to Illinois 
with his parents, where he became ac- 
quainted with and married Nettie Catton. 
In 1871 they came to Cerro Gordo county, 
settling in Mason City, where he has been 
largely engaged in shipping and raising 
stock. Mr. Wheeler is among the largest 
stock shippers and growers in northwest- 
ern Iowa. In 1883 he had 800 head of 
stock on his farms, his shipments amount- 
ing to 900 ear loads of stock and about 
fifty car loads of hogs. He has 2, .300 acres 
of land ill Cerro Gordo county, valued at 
thirty dollars per acre; 440 acres in Ben- 



ton county, valued at thirty-five dollars per 
acre. He has a beautiful residence in 
Mason City, valued at $7,000. Mr. and 
Mrs. Wheeler are the parents of one child 
— May, wife of James E. Moore. They 
are members of the Baptist Church of 
Mason City. 

Hathorn McCulloch was born in Buf- 
falo, N. Y., Nov. 29, 1838. His parents, 
John H. and Sarah F. (Wells) McCulloch, 
were the parents of three children — 
Hathorn, William and John Allburt. The 
father died in 1845, and the mother was 
afterward married to Luther Buxton. They 
had three children — Emma J., Francis G., 
deceased, and Henry L. Mr. McCulloch 
received a good education, and in 1859 
went to Wisconsin, locating at Oshkosh, 
Winnebago county, where he was occu- 
pied with farming. He was married there 
to Charlotte M. Brown, a native of Penn- 
sylvania, born March 24,1839. Mr. and 
Mrs. McCulloch have five sons — Frank H., 
William A., Alfred H., Jesse H. and John 
R. In 1872 the family removed to Cerro 
Gordo county, where Mr. McCulloch again 
interested himself in farming until the 
spring of 1883, when he established his 
present business, and is proprietor of the 
Mason City Dairy. He has twenty-five 
fine milch cows, and is doing a good busi- 
ness. 

L. S. Eager became a resident of Mason 
City in 1876. He was a citizen of Falls 
township for many years, and has seen the 
development of Cerro Gordo county from 
its earliest settlement. He was born in 
Windham Co., Vt., Oct. 31, 1827. He is 
a son of Nathan and Theda (Sherwin) 
Eager, natives of Vermont. Their family 
included seven children, six of whom 



Vi. 



r 







C7--€^^ 







'I 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. — 



965 



lived to mature years. Mr. Eager grew 
to manhood in the Green Mountain State 
and obtained a fair education. In the 
fall of 1852 lie came west and entered a 
business house at Buffalo Grove, Ogle 
Co., 111. In the winter of 1854 he went 
to Cedar Rapids in the interests of his 
employers, and during the following sum- 
mer traveled through Cerro Gordo county. 
The promise of the country allured him, 
and in 1866 he established a dry goods 
store at Shell Rock Falls. He was mar- 
ried in 1860 to Lydia Wiltfong, and the 
family household includes three children 
— Jessie, Nahum H, and Arthur. Mrs. 
Eager is a member of the Methodist 
Church. 

George W. Brett was born in Boone 
Co., 111., Oct. 13, 1849. His parents, Wil- 
liam and Ellen Brett, were natives of 
England. They came to America about 
the year 1843 and located in Illinois. 
Their children included three daughters 
and one son. Mr. Brett, Sr., went to Bre- 
mer Co., Iowa, in the fa'l of 1866, and took 
up his residence at Waverly, since which 
time he has been interested in land specu- 
lation, and is one of the largest holders of 
real estate in northern Iowa. Mr. Brett, 
of this sketch, settled in Mason City in 
1878, chiefly for the purpose of superin- 
tending his father's business at this point. 
He graduated from the International Busi- 
ness College of Chicago, July 2, 1874. 
He was married in Brandon, Wis., to 
Alice, daughter of Ezra Sheldon, a native 
of Onondaga Co., N. Y., born in March, 
1851. Mr. and Mrs. Brett have two chil- 
dren—Bert ir. and Hattie R. Mr. Brett 
is a member of the Knights of Pythias. 



G. T. Burgess was born in Blue Earth 
Co., Minn., March 12, 1856. His parents, 
J. L. and Miranda (Bell) Burgess, were 
natives of Indiana. They went to Minne- 
sota in 1854, and were among the earliest 
settlers of Blue Earth county. Mr. Bur- 
gess went to school in the log school 
houses of the pioneers, and at fifteen 
learned the trade of carpenter and joiner, 
which he followed some years. He was 
married in 1880 to Mary A. Davidson, of 
Janesville, Minn. They have one child — 
Nellie. In 1882 Mr. Burgess came to 
Mason City. He is a member of the Odd 
Fellows' order at Mason City. 

■John Russell has been a resident of 
Iowa since 1853. In that year he came to 
Cerro Gordo Co., Iowa, to enter land, and 
in 1855 moved his family, settling in Lime 
Creek township. He came to this county 
in company with David and Edward 
Wright. He built a log cabin in which 
his household resided a few years. It had 
a shed roof and no fioqr, and the fireplace 
extended across one end of the building. 
In common with pioneer testimony, both 
Mr. and Mrs. Russell say they never ex- 
perienced happier day.s than there, when 
everybody tried to make the best of every- 
thing. The nearest trading post was In 
dependence, 150 miles distant, a trip to 
which, made with an ox team, occupied 
two weeks, and the family left behind 
were in a region infested with Indians. 
Mr. Russell walked to Des Moines to en- 
ter his land, carrying with him $4,000 to 
enter land for other parties. The houses 
on the route were few and far between, 
and Mr. Russell had several times to sleep 
in the brushwood. He was born in West- 
moreland Co., Penn., Feb. 15, 1809. His 



89 



V 




966 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



-* >^ 



father, John Russell, was a native of Scot- 
land and eniigiated to America early in 
life, with his parents. The grandfather 
of Mr. Russell was a soldier in the Revo- 
lutionary war, and died at the age of 104 
years. His father was a pioneer of Ohio, 
and he received his first rudimentary edu- 
cation in a log school house in the Buck- 
eye State, which building was lighted 
through an aperture cut in the logs and 
shaded by greased paper. Slabs were used 
for floor and seats Mr. Russell was mar- 
ried in 1831 to Matilda Ferguson. Her fa- 
ther was a native of England and her 
mother of Pennsylvania. Mrs. Russell 
was born in Ohio. She became the mother 
of ten children. Four of her sons were 
soldiers for the Union, and two gave their 
lives defending their flag. Following is 
the list — McCollum, of Polk Co., Oregon; 
Harrison P., Jacob, Joseph A., deceased; 
Elizabeth, deceased; William, died near 
Vicksburg; Emily, wife of Dr. Harris; 
Sarah O., Mrs. Thomas Hodges, and Sa- 
mantha. 

Capt. E. D. Doud, a jjrominent citizen 
of Mason City, located here in 1869, buy- 
ing a large tract of land- — 1,440 acres — in 
Cerro Gordo county. He was born in 
Washtenaw Co., Mich., Oct. 11, 1837. He 
is a son of Calvin and Rebecca (Danielson) 
Doud, and one of a family of three sons 
and four daughters. His parents died 
when he was a boy and he was bound to 
a man named Anthony Overacker, who 
deserves kindly mention for the manner 
in which he discharged his obligations. 
The latter settled in McHenry Co., 111., 
where Mr. Doud grew to manhood and 
obtained a good education. In September, 
1861, he enlisted in the 8th Illinois Cav- 



alry, (Jack Farnsworth's big abolition reg- 
iment), company H. His command was 
sent to the array of the Potomac, then 
under the leadership of Gen. McClelland, 
where his regiment was in much active 
service. It was in the advance at Gettys- 
burg and drew first fire from the rebels. 
He was commissioned first lieutenant, 
and promoted to the command of his com- 
pany in August, 1863. He was on the 
stafi' o Gen. Davis three months, and de- 
tailed to a command just before the fight 
at Beverly Ford. Capt. Doud won his 
laurels by meritorious conduct, and was 
honorably discharged in October, 1864, at 
the end of his term of enlistment. He was 
married in May, 1875, to Clara E. Cole, of 
Maine. He has two children — Grace E- 
and Ardine C. Capt. Doud has always been 
actively interested in educational matters. 

ITEMS OF INTEREST. 

The first marriage was that of William 
Willson to Abigal Gardner, who were mar- 
ried by Judge Long, in 1855. 

The first death was Mrs. James Stewart. 
Her remains were buried near where 
Card's block was erected, and were never 
removed. 

The first school in Mason City was 
taught by Mrs. Lizzie Thompson, in 1856. 

The first birth was a daughter of Mr. 
and Mrs. Alfonzo Garner. 

The first store was opened by John L. 
McMillen in 1854. 

The first millinery in Mason City was 
opened by a Miss S. E. Hartshorn, now 
wife of J. J. Russell, in 1864. 

Telephonic communication was effected 
between Mason City and Algona, in May, 
1878, a distance of over sixty miles. 



ik 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



oe^ 



At the first election in Mason City a 
cigar box served as a ballot box; it was se- 
cured by an iron padlock, nearly as large 
as the box itself, as the law provided it 
should be locked. 

Perhaps the club dancers of to-day may 
be interested in knowing when the first 
"dress ball" was held in Mason City. In 
March, 1856, J. B. Long dedicated his 
new store building by a dance. That the 
par:y was a success, may be inferred from 
the fact that there were seventy-five couples 
in attendance. Mrs. McMillen got the 
supper for over 150 persons. They came 
from far and near, and had a royal time. 

In July, 1876, the little daughter of Mr 
and Mrs. William Burge was fatally burned 
by a kerosene explosion, occasioned by 
the child's trying to rekindle a fire to play 
ironing with, her mother having just fin- 
ished her week's ironing and calling on a 
neighboring lady. She only lived four 
hours. 

In the spring of ISTfi an ice gorge was 
suddenly formed in Willow creek, result- 
ing in much damage. After the gorge, 
which caused the high water at the Com- 
mercial street bridge, gave way, it carried 
the heavy mass of ice farther down into 
Parker's mill pond, where the ice had not 
before been broken, piling it up sevei'al 
feet above the level of the pond. As the 
heavy mass was forced by the flood upon 
the thick ice of the pond, it was broken 
up and piled higher yet, making a most 
formidable appearance. It waS' thought 
at one time that Parker's mill must surely 
go down stream with this fearful tide of 
surging, trembling icy mass. Large blocks 
of ice were thrown upon the embankment 
on the west side of the pond, and against the 



heavy earth and stone embankment or ice- 
breaker of the flume, which caused another 
gorge before the mill was reached. Here 
it remained until about 11 o'clock at night, 
when it again broke away, taking a large 
share of the central portion of the dam, 
and materially damaging the ice guard and 
flume The huge blocks of ice grazed the 
mill, breaking the weather boards and 
window sills, which must have been all of 
seven feet above the ordinary level of the 
mill pond. The heavy oak timbers twelve 
inches square, over the flume, fully seven 
feet high, were struck by a cake of ice and 
they snapped like a brittle pipe stem or a 
dead reed. The damage done to Mr. Par- 
ker, upon the occasion,was figured at $500 

CENTENNIAL EXrOSlTION. 

This exposition was given under, the di- 
rection of the ladies of the Congregational 
aid society, on the anniversary of Wash- 
ington's birthday, and of the Nation's one- 
hundredth. There were many curious 
relics among which was one of peculiar 
interest, exhibited by Mrs. Alexander, it 
being a letter written by Richard Henry 
Lee to George Washington, dated "N. Y., 
Nov. 9, 1777." 

Several specimens of continental cur- 
rency were shown, giving a striking con- 
trast between those primitive times and 
the day in which we live. A pipe of 
peace shown by W. V. Ticknor was a 
fine specimen of Indian skill and handi- 
work. 

Among ancient documents was a printed 
proclamation for a day of fasting, under 
King George III. The dry goods mer- 
chants of Mason City had on display a 
large and finely selected stock of fancy 
goods, fabrics and garments, to show a con- 



^9 

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AiL, 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



trast with those arranged by the ladies of 
ancient styles and primitiye manufacture. 

GARFIELD MEMORIAL SERVICE. 

There is perhaps no better index to the 
character of a people than the interest 
manifested on public occasions. No peo- 
ple in Iowa held more befitting ceremo- 
nies over the death of President Garfield, 
than did the citizens in and about Mason 
City. Under an order of the mayor, all 
business was suspended from 10 a. m. to 
4 p. M. Most business houses were deeply 
draped in mnurning, and men of all 
political parties seemed to be pressed 
down under the National calamity. The 
memorial service was held at the city 
park, the Methodist church bell sounding 
the solemn dirge knell. The procession 
was headed in the following order : The 
Band, followed by the officers and speak- 
ers ; the Grand Army of the Republic ; 
Iowa National Guards ; Masonic Frater- 
nity ; Odd Fellows Order ; and following 
these, came five hundred schoolchildren, 
which made an imposing sight. At tlie 
head of each school was born a banner, 
containing these mottoes: "Garfield, 
the poor widows son ; " " Garfield the 
teacher ; " " Garfield the law maker ; " 
" Garfield the statesman ; " " Garfield the 
ruler ; " " Garfield the ideal American, his 
virtues we will imitate;" "I would ratherbe 
beaten in right than succeed in wrong ; " 
"Talent is the power to do hard work ;" 
" His character was as grand and simple 
as a collossal pillar of chiseled granite." 

To show the sentiment which prevailed 
in the hearts of this vast band of mourn- 
ers, we give one of the five resolutions 
offered by the committee, which consisted 



of Hon. I. W. Card,L. L. Klinefelter and 
S. H. Washburn. 

Resolved, That to the affectionate son, 
toiling boy, honest man, faithful teacher, 
tender hisband and father, brave soldier 
»nd master of rulers, James A. Garfield, 
we bid hail and farewell ; and to his long 
enduring and noblest of widows and 
family, his children and grief stricken 
mother, we tender that sympathy which 
meaneth much but availeth nothing ; with 
only this one consolation for a broken 
family, a sorrowing Nation and grieved 
world. " He rests %oell, whose work is icell 
done." 

INCORPORATION. 

Mason City was incorporated as a town 
in 1870, and in 1881, became a city. The 
following named persons have served as 
mayor, in the order in which they came : 
W. C. Stanbery, W. W. Knapp, A. B. 
Tuttle, D. B. Mason, J. B. Dakin, B. F. 
Ilartshoi-n, R. Wilber, John D. Glass, 
W. V. Lucas and John Cliggett. The 
latter was elected in 1880, and was still 
serving in 1883. 

Anson C. Owen, marshal of Mason City 
and a pioneer of Cerro Gordo county, has 
been a resident of Cerro Gordo county 
since 1853. He was born in Tompkins 
Co., N. Y., Jan. 14, 1810. He is a son of 
Jonathan and Betsey (Ludlum) Owen, 
natives of Orange Co., N. Y. They had 
five sons and four daughters born in Tomp- 
kins county, all of whom reached maturity 
and reared families. Mr. Owen, senior, 
served in the War of 1812, in Colonel 
Camp's Cavalry. He was a farmer, 
and in 1828 united mercantile operations 
with agriculture, and maintained his 
doublebusiness eighteen years. Mr. Owen, 



■f\s- 



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HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



969 



of this sketch, was reared on a farm with 
primitive advantages for education. He 
went to Detroit in the spring of 1833, 
tlien a village with one street and a popu- 
lation of 200. Three years later he went 
to Jackson Co., Mich., where he obtained 
emplomyent in a saw-mill. The next year 
he went to St. Joseph on foot, by the old 
territorial road, and on to Chicago by 
schooner. The great city of nearly 600,- 
000 people was then a collection of a few 
shanties. In 1S'31 he took the first stage 
out of Chicago bound for Rockford. He 
made a claim of land in Owen township, 
Winnebago Co., 111., six miles north of 
the city of Rockford, and improved a farm. 
In 1839 he hauled the first load of wheat 
from Winnebago county to Chicago and 
sold it for thirty-eight cents per bushel, 
taking his pay in leather. He was married 
in 1840 to Lorinda Thomas. Mr. and 
Mrs. Owen had four children — Martha, 
Marilda, Robert and May. In the spring 
of 1853 he moved his family to Cerro 
Gordo county and entered a claim at 
Owen's Grove, named in his honor. His 
family lived six months in tents, and in 
the spring of 1854 he removed them to 
the place where he was building a log 
house. July 5, of that year, the Sioux 
Indians drove them from the county, and 
they took refuge at Cedar Falls, where the 
household remained six weeks while Mr. 
Owen returned and finished his house, 
where they set up housekeeping about the 
middle of August. Land came into market 
about this time, and Mr. Owen went on 
foot to Rockford, 111., obtained what 
money he needed at 40 per cent., and in 
September went to DesMoines and pur- 
chased his land. His nearest neighbor, at 



the time he improved his farm, lived ten 
miles away. In 1864 he sold hii! place 
and bought a faim one and a half miles 
north of Mason City, in the town.ship of 
Lime Creek, which he sold in 1868 and 
moved to Mason City. Mr. Owen came 
to Cerro Gordo county with but $5 in 
money, but with determination, hard work 
and economy he has acquired a comforta- 
ble substance. He took the first govern- 
ment mail from Cerro Gordo county to 
Iowa Falls, in 1862. He made the route, 
fifty miles, on snow shoes. Mr. Owen is 
a radical republican, and was one of the 
first supervisors of Owen township. Ha 
has held his present incumbency fiye 
years, and is a popular official. His in- 
formation concerning county and town 
affairs is unlimited. He has been a 
suryeyor many years, and is jirobably the 
best posted man in the county on sectional 
lines. Marcus Owen is the only child, 
born to them at Owen's Grove, this county, 
being the first birth at the grove. Mr. 
Owen was one of the earliest settlers of 
the county, and many a way-faring traveler 
has just cause to remember, with lifelong 
obligations, the kindly treatment and 
hospitality of this old pioneer. Mr. Owen 
is seventy-three years of age, and despite 
advanced years, he is hale and hearty 
still. 

James M. Becker was born in Bradford 
Co., Penn., Aug 8, 1839. He is a son of 
Captain David and Fannie (Benham) 
Becker. His parents emigrated to Car- 
roll Co., 111. in 1843, where they spent the 
last years of their lives. James M. was 
reared in Carroll county, and in 1864 he 
enlisted in the 164th regiment, Illinois 
Volunteer Infantry, company A. His 



"7^. 



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A 



<t V. 



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lA 



970 



HISTORY OF CERRO GOEDO COUNTY. 



J 



regiment was placed on duty at Springfield, 
111. In 1866 he married Ellen C. Cum- 
mings, of Vermont. They have had five 
children, three of whom were living in 
1883 — Fannie, Lorenzo and Ruth. Mr. 
Becker came to Mason City in 1870. In 
politics he is a republican. He belongs to 
the A. O. U. W. and G. A. R. 

POSTOFFICE. 

Before 1857, the people of Mason City 
and the surrounding country obtained 
their mail through carriers paid by private 
subscriptions. Upon one occasion James 
.Tenkinson, the first settler on Lime creek, 
brought the mail on his return from Du- 
buqu^-, and at niirlit it was placed in a 
wash tub, which before morning was full of 
rain water, the letters being all afloat. It 
is related that it was the custom of the 
early settlers to ask every one who came 
from a southeasterly direction to Mason 
City if they had any mail for these parts. 

A posioffice was established at Mason 
City in 1857. Jarvis Church was the first 
postmaster. He was succeeded by A. 
Garner. In 1869 Dr. Silas Card was ap- 
pointed; he held the office till the time 
of his death, in 1874. lie first received 
$25 ])er month, which was hardly enoiigh 
to pay the expenses of running the office. 
Mrs. Card was appointed to fill the 
vacancy caused by her husband's death. 
She resigned in 1877. In April, 1877, I. 
W. Card was appointed and was still hold- 
ing the office in 1883. His salary at first 
was $1,800 per year. It was made a Presi- 
dential office in February, 1872, and became 
a money order office Aug. 1, 1870. The 
first order issued was to Edwin Woodman, 
payable to Caroline Woodman, Monroe, 
Wis.; amount, $25; date Aug. 11, 1870. 



The first order received for payment was 
fromL. L. King, Rockford, 111., to Solo- 
mon Simpkins, bearing date Aug. 12, 
1870. Up to Aug. 27, 1883, there had 
been 16,335 money orders issued from 
this office. The business of the office was 
five times as great in 1883 as it was in 
1877, being quite typical of the business 
interests of the city. The office is fitted 
up in a style that would do credit to a 
much larger city. 

RAILROADS. 

Mason City is not a railroad town in 
the ordinary sense of the term, but more 
than this, it is the center of a grand far 
reaching system of I'ailways, which is to 
bring thither for exchange the products of 
the various sections of our country as 
from distant countries. The construction 
of this vast system of road has but just 
commenced to give vigor and impetus to 
Cerro Gordo county. Mason City has 
felt the boom which is destined to make 
her one of the strongest places in north- 
ern Iowa. These three railways which 
center here were finished in the fall and 
winter of 1870. The year following the 
population of this place nearly doubled, 
and in wealth it quadrupled, and at the 
date of this book, real estate has advanced 
50 per cent within twelve month's time. 
So it will be seen that the railways have 
done much for Mason City and surround- 
ing country, and the speculations as to her 
future are not idle fancies, but rational 
conclusions, drawn from the general sur- 
roundings. 

DAKOTA BRANCH OF ST. PAUL & MILWAUKEE. 

This line was completed to Mason City, 
in 1869, placing the town on a direct line 
with Milwaukee, to which point the large 



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lllSTOllY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



971 



grain crops of the county are annually 
transported, at the same time giving direct 
connection with all points east. The Chi- 
cago, Milwaukee & St. Paul is the most 
thoroughly equipped road in the great 
northwest, and is almost universally 
acknowledged to be such by the teaming 
thousands who avail themselves of this 
royal rout*. 

AUSTIN BRANCH. 

What is known as the Austin Branch of 
the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Rail- 
road, was first built by the Mason City 
and Minnesota Railroad Company, con- 
necting Mason City with the Milwaukee 
line, running from St. Paul to Dubuque 
via. Austin, Minn. Thus it may be seen 
that this road and the Central of Iowa, 
form a complete continuous and almost 
air line from Duluth, on Lake Superior, 
to St. Louis, the great emporium ot the 
south, thus giving Mason City two addi- 
tional outlets for her produce. 

George W. Sanborn, superintendent of 
the Iowa and Dakota division of the 
Chicago, Milwaukee <fc St. Paul Railroad, 
was born in Bath, N. H., Sept. 25, 18.32. 
He is the eldest of live sons ; his parents 
being Martin L. Sanborn and Emeline 
Smith. Mr. Sanborn received a good com- 
mon school education and remained on his 
father's farm until he attained his major- 
ity, wiien he left his native hills to seek 
liis fortune in the great west. He came 
to Milwaukee, Wis., and went to work on 
the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Rail- 
road, which was then in its infancy and 
was known as the Milwaukee and Missis- 
sippi Railroad. For thirty years his time 
and energies have been spent in the serv- 
ice of this great corporation, and he has 



worked his way up from a brakeman to 
his present responsible position. In 1869 
Mr. Sanborn was appointed assistant su- 
perintendent of the northern division of 
the road, and the following year was 
transferred to the Iowa & Dakota divis- 
ion, which at that time extended over 
only 126 miles, but which under his super- 
intendence has grown into 576 miles, with 
its present western terminus resting on 
the banks of the Missouri river, at Cham- 
berlain, Dak. Mr. Sanford possesses great 
executive ability, untiring energy, cour- 
age and endurance. These qualities,coupled 
with his early training in constructing 
and operating the roads under his super- 
intendence, make him one of the most 
practical, experienced, and best equipped 
railroad men of the day in our new north- 
west. Immediately upon receiving his ap- 
pointment on the Iowa & Dakota divis- 
ion, Mr. Sanborn came to Mason City, 
where he has since resided. He has 
always taken a deep interest in every- 
thing pertaining to the welfare of liis 
adopted city, and its healthy growth and 
present prosperity are largely due to the 
fact that he established the headquarters 
of his division here. His services as a 
member of the school board for several 
years, serving a portion of the time as its 
president, have been of great and perma- 
nent value to the community. In political 
sentiments Mr Sanborn is a democrat ; 
he has not, however, taken any active part 
in political affairs, and has never sought ' 
political honors, having found in his legit 
imate business employment for his high- 
est powers. He is very modest and un- 
assuming in his habits and manners; is 
the staunchest of friends and loves to dis- 



lLl 



972 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



pense hospitality with a free and gener- 
ous hand. The employees of the road 
know that if they do their duty they have 
no truer friend than their superintendent, 
who looks carefully after their wellfare 
and is prompt to resent their wrongs as if 
personal to himself. In 1858 Mr. Sanborn 
was married to Miss E. E. Richards, 
daughter of Mills Richards and Amelia 
Humphrey, natives of Connecticut, from 
which State they moved to Ohio. Mr. 
and Mis. Sanborn have four children — 
Harry R., George L., James S. and Anna 
Laura. Mr. Sanborn is still comparatively 
young and is in the full maturity and vigor 
of his powers. 

Dennis H. Cross, foreman of the car 
shops of Mason City, was born in Canada 
East, July 4, 1854. When about thirteen 
or fourteen years of age, he came to Iowa 
and located at Monona, Clayton county, 
where he followed farming. In 1870 he 
came to Cerro Gordo county. In 1880 he 
was appointed foreman of the car shops, 
and has the charge of twenty-five men. 
He was married in 1874 to Mary O'Neil, 
by whom he has had four children — Wil- 
liam H , John J., Mary E. and Aggie. 

THB CENTRAL OF IOWA. 

This line was built into Mason City, 
on its route through Cerro Gordo county, 
from south to north, in 1870, which estab- 
lished a direct communication with St. 
Louis and -St. Paul, without change of 
cars. For a few months Mason City was 
the terminal point of the road, but shortly 
pushed northward to complete the grand 
chain between the south and north. This 
road has V)een of invaluable service to 
the farming class, consequently to all, by 
giving them a southern outlet on east Tia. 



the numerous east and west routes through 
Iowa, all of which are crossed by this 
line. This road does both a heavy passen- 
ger and freight business; for the former it 
is a very popular route, and its manage- 
ment has provided the finest coach equip- 
ment, which can be procured. This rail- 
way did more for the development of 
Cerro Gordo county than any other ten 
factors, as prior to its construction there 
was no way of getting coal for fuel, and 
the scarcity of timber kept settlers away; 
but no sooner had this line been com- 
pleted, than large amounts of coal from 
southern Iowa were shipped to the coun- 
ty, and then heavy settlement commenced. 

RELIGIOUS. 

The first sermon preached in Mason 
City was heard by nearly all the inhab- 
itants of the county, who assembled 
in a newly built house, without a 
floor ; the audience'being seated upon the 
joists, while Rev. Mr. Styles ( United 
Brethren ) addressed them. This occa- 
sion was rendered all the more historic by 
John McMillen shooting a wolf in his hen 
house before service commenced. 

The Baptist Church, of Mason City, was 
organized, Nov. 17, 1866, with ten mem- 
bers : A. Dunham and wife, John Keller 
and wife, Mrs. Williams, Mrs. Miller, 
Harriet Tuttle, Nella Tuttle, Mr. Rennills 
and wife. Rev. George W. Freeman, of 
the Home Missionary Society, was the 
moderator of the meeting, which was held 
in the old stone school house in Mason 
City. A. Dunham was chosen as the first 
deacon, and John Kellar as church clerk. 
The society here took for its name "The 
First Regular Baptist Church of Mason 
City." The society had no regular pastor 






'k 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



973 



until IS"?], but had various ministers 
preach for them from time to time. Rev. 
Mr. Crandall supplied the pulpit a part of 
1869-70, but in February, 1871, Rev. S. C. 
Sale, of Waterloo, Wis., was called to the 
pastorate. Among those who filled the 
pulpit between the years 1866 and 1871, 
was a theological student from Kalamazoo 
— Charles Legg. Rev. Mr. Sale remained 
with the Church, until October. 1872, and 
was succeeded by Rev. Mr. Tucker, who 
remained until some time in 1877. Mr. 
'i'ucker was a man of great foi'ce of char- 
acter, full of religious zeal — just the typo 
of a man the Church in its infancy and 
weakness needed ; and he proved, during 
hifi six years' labor, to be a great power to 
the society, the influence of which is still 
going on. Following Mr. Tucker came 
Rev. Austin Gibb, who remained one year, 
after which Rev. Mr. Sale returned and 
labored with them for two years and a half. 
Rev. W. H. H. Avery was then called, and 
heconti}uied until 1882. During 1882-3 
the Church was without a pastor. In 
August, 1874, the society took the first 
steps towards erecting a church building 
their services having been held at the 
stone school house, Congregational chapel, 
and various places up to that time. Dur- 
ing 1869, while Rev. Crandall was yet 
with them, the ladies' sewing society of 
the church was organized, one too, which 
afterward proved to be an arm of strength 
to the church proper. At a busines.s meet- 
ing held in August, 1874, the following 
building coinmitee was appointed: Messrs. 
Tuttle, Wheeler, Glass, Walling and 
Brown. This committee took no active 
measures until the spring of 1876, when 
they purchased lots and put in a foundation, 



costing $580. Farrell, Lewis & White did 
the Mason work, which was said to be 
the best job in this section of country. 
Soon af teT the superstructure was added — 
a frame building, constructed by W. W. 
Blood, at a total cost of $5, .300. The church 
was completed and dedicated, Nov. 19, 
1876. The dedication services were of the 
most imposing character. Rev. Mr. Hurd, 
of Marshalltown, pireached the dedicatory 
sermon. The presentation was made, on 
behalf of the building committee, by John 
D. Glass, one of their number. His re- 
marks were very appropriate, brief and 
comprehensive. The key was then re- 
ceived by Deacon Dunham for the trus- 
tees, who also made very betitling re- 
marks. The dedication hymn, which was 
composed by the pastor. Rev. C. T. Tucker, 
read, in part, as follows • 

Through weary mouths of toil and care, 
Th}' people, Lord, have wandered alone ; 

The jubilee, at length appears, 
Nor praj'er. nor hopes have been in vain. 

Accept the gift of house and heart. 
Within these walls, O, Ceiga to dwell, 

Let saints rejoice, nor hence depart. 
Till faith and hojie their souls shall fill. 

And when, with house not made with hands, 
At length our weary way we wind. 

Permit us Lord, in fairer lands. 
To sing and praise thee withont end." 

The church is provided with a fine pipe 
organ, valued at $1,500, though not costing 
the Church this amount. The Sunday 
school organization was formed in 1870, in 
the old stone school house, with J. G. 
Brown as its first superintendent, who 
was succeeded by Messrs. Dunham and 
Hughes; al.so Mrs. J. S. Wheeler and John 
D. Glass. At the time of the organization 



^u 



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974 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



the school numbered thirty members ; in 
1883, it had an average attendance of 105 
scholars. The minutes of the Baptist 
Church for 188:2, show a Church member- 
bership of 144. 

In 1883 the officers were : G. R. Miller, 
J. D. Glass, Charles Hughes, J. A. Rich- 
ardson and J. G. Brown, trustees ; O. A. 
Goodhue, E. J. Sleeper, J. G. Brown and 
Charles Tondro, deacons ; J. G. Brown, 
clerk; A. B. Tuttle, treasurer. 

The Methodist Episcopal Church was 
organized by the following named eleven 
members, March 8,1857: Elisha Randall, 
wife and daughter, Mrs. J. B. Long, Mrs. 
George Brentner, Timothy Parker and 
wife, Alfred Taylor and wife, N. M. 
Adams and w^ife. Rev. Freeman was the 
iirst pastor. The tirst quarterly meeting 
was held March 1.5, 1857. The society 
held services for some time in the upper 
story of John L. McMillen's store, and 
afterward at the school house. In 1872 a 
fine brick church was completed just west 
of the Dyer House. The basement was 
built a year or two earlier tlian the 
building proper. Owing to hard times, 
work on the main building was suspended, 
a roof put to the basement, and services 
held therein until building was resumed in 
1872. The basement was finally divided 
into three class rooms, one of which is 
used for a lecture room. The main 
audience room is well planned, and has a 
seating capacity of 400. A rich, mellow- 
toned pipe organ, costing $1,000, has been 
highly prized by the society, who main- 
tain one of the best church choirs in the 
State. In 1883 they were trained by, and 
under the leadership of Prof. Huntley. 
The society built the best parsonage iij 



their conference in 1881. This is a 
spajious two story frame house, situated 
near the public square. The cost of this 
building to the society was $2,300, exclu- 
sive of grounds. This society is indebted 
largely to Elisha Randall for personal 
services rendered in the erection of this 
house of worship. He worked, plamed 
and gave his money freely toward the 
church of his choice. In 1883 the mem- 
bership was 201, and the church was in a 
flourishing condition. Its pastor was Rev. 
J. T. Crippen. A well organized, good 
working Sunday school existed in 1883, 
which had a membership of 174. The 
school had a library containing 400 
volumes. 

The Congregational Church, of Mason 
City, was organized March 7, 1858, under 
the direction of Rev. Tuomas Tenney, of 
Plymouth,who,as missionary of the Ameri- 
can Home Missionary Society,had held this 
as one of his preaching points since 1855. 
As there was no church building previous to 
1868, services were held in private houses 
at first, and afterwards in the school house 
or court house; but more frequently in a 
school house, three miles north, on Lime 
creek. This building was afterward pur- 
chased by some of the citizens and 
enlarged as a chapel. A church edifice 
was completed Sept. 4, 1868. The lot 
upon which it was erected was purchased 
in April, 1866, for $30. The house was 
formally dedicated May 12, 1868. The 
cost of the building as it then stood was 
$4,294. This amount was raised by sub- 
scription, except $500 donated by the 
Congregational LTnion. In 1871 a belfry 
and spire was erected at a cost of $500. 
The following are the names of the 



W 



^ K> 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



975 



several pastors serving the church since 
its organization in the order in which 
they came: Revs. Thomas Tenney, S. P. 
La Due, James D. Mason, James B. Gil- 
bert, William P. Bennett, Newton F. 
Blakesleo,E. C. Moulton,and James R.Kno- 
dell. The latter was pastor in 1883. The 
first members were: Nathiel Adams, 
Emma Adams, Emma E. Adams, Charles 
M. Adams, Simon VanPatter, L. J. Hunt- 
ley, Lucy Temple, Elizabeth Dibble, Jane 
E. Garner, T. Green, Eleanor Florence. Up 
to August, 1883, the register of communi- 
cants showed that 226 persons had been 
members of the church since its organiza- 
tion. The first deacon of the church was 
Simon VanPatter. In 1883 this society 
was in a flourishing condition, being out 
of debt and the possessors of a finely 
furnished church witii a large pipe organ, 
costing over $1,000. 

The Catholic Church, of .Mason City,wps 
organized in 1864, at which time a few 
Catholic people had settled in and about 
the place. Previous to this they had oc- 
casional services at private houses, but no 
regular meeting place or priest, but de- 
^ pended solely on missionaries from 
abroad. In 1870 the erection of a church 
was commenced. The building committee 
were: Daniel J. Farrell and Thomas Ea- 
gan, both of whom did much for the 
church. The first trustees were: Timothy 
Dwan, John Griftin and William Usher. 
The house of worship was begun iu 1870 
and completed in 1871. It was built by 
subscription, at a cost of about 12,000. 

Among the first Catholic families who 
settled here were: Daniel Doughty, 
James Mackey, John Burns, William 
Powers, William Farrell, John Percell, 



Dennis McMorrow, Thomas Eagan, Tim- 
othy Cronan, James Landers, James 
O'Riley, Robert Glass, John Collins, N. 
McKenna, Dennis Cruden, Thomas Cross, 
Martin Solin, John Galligher, Thomas 
O'Rily and David Kelly. Father Feely, 
a missionary located at Charles City, 
deserves much credit for thebuilding of 
the Mason City church. 

In 1873 the mission was divided, and 
Father Fannery, who took in a large terri- 
tory adjacent to this county, was the next 
priest in charge. He remained two and 
one-half years and was succeeded by 
Father Thomas O'Riley, who carried on 
the work two years and was succeeded by 
Father Michel Carolan, who still serves 
the church. 

There are 125 families belonging to the 
society at present. They conduct a Sun- 
day school, which was organized in 1872 
by the priest, and taught by some of the 
members of the congregation. The aver- 
age attendance is about seventy. Much 
credit is due to Mr. Farrell for the ser- 
vices he rendered the church in its infancy, 
when it needed just the kind of aid which 
Mr. Farrell so freely gave. The church 
in 1883 was in good financial condition, 
being out of debt, and the owners of other 
property. The church is 30x50 feet, with 
gallery, giving a seating capacity of 400. 

The Episcopal denomination had a well 
organized society in 1883, at which time a 
new church edifice was being erected. 

Rev. William L. Estabrook,pastor of the 
Episcopal Church of Mason City, was born 
in New Brunswick, Jan. 24, 1827. His 
parents were William L. Estabrook, a na- 
tive of New Brunswick, and J. B. (New- 
comb) Estabrook, of English descent. The 



■^l^ 



^2 



976 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



*^. 



son received his preparatory education in 
St. John Academy, and when about six- 
teen years of age, he commenced reading 
medicine with Dr Fitch, a giaduate of 
Edinburg. In 1847 he graduated at Phil- 
adelphia College. He then practiced medi- 
cine at St. Johns for one year. In 1848 
he went to Bangor, Maine, where he was 
married to Frances C. Hall, daughter of 
Capt. William Hall, of Maine. In 1849 
he went to California, around Cape Horn, 
as surgeon and jjart owner of the vessel. 
In 1852 he returned from California and 
located at Loch Haven, Penn., and en- 
gaged in the practice of medicine. In 
1855 he removed to Albany, III., and in 
1857 to Clinton Co., Iowa. In 1801 he was 
received as deacon in the Episcopal 
Church, by Bishop Lee. In 1861 he was 
commissioned chaplain of the 15tli Iowa 
regiment, and also acted as surgeon. In 
1 863 he was appointed, by Gen. Grant, as 
chaplain of all the regiments at Memphis, 
Tenu., and was afterwards appointed chap- 
lain at Keokuk. In 1864 he was commis- 
sioned surgeon of the 45th regiment, Iowa 
Volunteer Infantry, with the rank of 
major, serving until the close of the war. 
He was ordained a priest in 1847 by 
Bishop Lee, of Davenport, Iowa, and has 
officiated most of the time in Iowa and 
Illinois. In 1882 he came to Mason City, 
Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Estabrook are the 
parents of one child — Jessie R , wife of 
Warren Barnhart, of the firm of Barnhart 
Brothers & Sponseller. Rev. Estabrook 
has for a long time been a member of the 
Masonic order, and also of the I. O. O. F. 

CEMETERY. 

The first cemetery in the neighborhood 
of Mason City, and the one in use until 



1867, was situated about a half mile north- 
east of the city, on section 3, on Lime 
creek. But as the country further devel- 
oped, it was deemed necessary to procure 
other grounds, consequently, in 1867, an 
incorporated organization was perfected, 
known as the Mason City Cemetery Asso- 
ciation, which purchased the present 
grounds laying a half mile to the south- 
west of tlie city, on a beautiful, well drained 
plateau, decendiug towards the Milwaukee 
and St. Paul Railroad. Being somewhat 
higher than the town, the view in either 
direction presents a charming sight. The 
society, after purchasing the land, platted 
it and thus the present cemetery was 
opened; butnot until 1871, was there much 
improvement made upon the grounds. At 
that date the grounds were fenced, lots 
staked off and systematically numbered. 
The Catholic portion of this cemetery is 
in an enclosure just north of the other. 
Among the fine monuments in this ceme- 
tery are two of an imposing character, 
that of Leonard Hill and Mrs. A. T. Par- 
ker. The people of Mason City are public 
spirited, and in the matter of caring for 
tlie city of the dead, they are not found 
wanting. Eaoli recurring springtime these 
grounds are almost daily visited, the green 
carpeting about the graves smoothed down 
and a floral offering left upon tlie sacred 
mounds. A sidewalk runs from the city 
nearly to the grounds. The citizens of 
the place take interest in the annual Dec- 
oration Day of the soldier's graves, always 
having befitting cei'emonies upon that oc- 
casion. 

EDUCATIONAL. 

The first seliool in Mason City was 
taught in 1856, by Mrs. Lizzie Thompson, 



(5 ifc- 



HISTORY aF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



9V7 



wife of A. M. Thompson, who came from 
Keene, N. H., in 1855. The school was 
held in a log house owned by J. B. Long. 

Mason City has ever been progressive 
in educational matters, which speaks well 
for the people. In 1872 the erection of a 
magnificent school building was com- 
menced, and on the tth of July, that year, 
the prominent feature of the celebration 
programme, was laying of the corner stone 
of this school house, which so beautifully 
adorns the city and is the just pride of her 
citizens. A throng of people assembled 
to witness the imposing ceremony. Mr. 
Moulton, county superintendent, delivered 
the address, after which the corner stone 
was placed, and the school board and teach- 
ers each gave expression to some senti- 
ment, as his or her turn came to take the 
trowel. A tin box containing the follow- 
ing articles were placed within the stone: 
A copy of the school laws of Iowa; a copy 
of the E.cjjress; the court calender; Moul- 
ton's address; a half silver dollar each 
from Messrs. Sanborn, Tiffany and Tuttle, 
and an express package, contents unknown, 
from A. J. Benton. 

This building was formally dedicated, 
Oct. 10, 18'74, with appropriate ceremonies. 
The people of Mason City had waited 
long for the completion of this, one of the 
finest structures in the entire northwest, 
and as the day drew near, all were zealous 
to take part in the ceremony. Never be- 
fore had Mason City witnessed such a 
gathering of citizens, the expression of 
whose faces attested the pride and gratifi- 
cation all felt within, over the final com- 
pletion of the union school building. The 
Mason City cornet band opened by an 



overture whioli was followed by "Crowned 
with the Tempest," rendered by Prof. 
Huntley's trained choir. Prof. Gilchrist 
delivered an able address, after which A. 
B. Tuttle, on behalf of the school board, 
presented the building in a formal man- 
ner to the people of Mason City. The 
response in behalf of the citizens was 
offered by Hon. Edwin Flint. 

This building is a three story stone 
structure, built at a cost of $30,000. In 
1883 there were 950 scholars entitled to 
school privileges in Mason City, independ 
ent district. 

MASON CITY PARK. 

But few northern Iowa towns have a 
more desirable park, than Mason City. The 
grounds which are level and smooth, have 
become well sodded, and the lawn in 
the springtime and summer presents a car- 
peting of rich dark green, which, together 
with the hundreds of evergreens, alder 
and maple shade trees, affords a landscape 
most charming to the eye. The park is 
well protected by an encloure of a plain, 
yet very substantial fence. There are 
four gateways of entrance, one at each of 
the four corners, with foot paths running 
diagonally across the grounds The 
city has, at the cost of $300, erected a 
stately observatory, or band stand, in the 
centre of the park, which lends greater at- 
traction to the grounds. This stand is an 
octagon, running up about twenty-five feet, 
capped with a symmetrical, tin topped 
dome, surmounted by a tall flag staff. The 
citizens take a just pride in this park, and 
it is a very popular resort in summer time, 

being used for gatherings of a public 

character- 



"^pS 



•k 



978 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



SOCIETIES. 

The following societies were represented 
in Mason City in 1883: Masonic, Odd 
Fellows, Knights of Pythias, Ancient Order 
of United VVorkman, Grand Army of the 
Republic and Iowa National Guards. 

Occidental Lodge, No. 171, was organ- 
ized May 3, 1878, with the following char- 
ter members: George R. Miller, P. W. 
M.; J. B. Montague, M. W.; R. D. Patton, 
O.; Richard Valentine, recorder; F. M- 
Rodgers, financier; T. G. Erusley, re- 
ceiver; C. P. Shipley, guide; M. H. Kling, 

I. W ; Ed.T; Ely, 6. VV.; Will Ed. Tucker^ 
M. S. Sciiernierhorn, J. H. Caught, Henry 
Kurl, Benjamin Pardon, T. B. McMillen, 
William B. Silson, E. Warbasse, Dr. C. 

II. Smith and James Rule. In 1883 Capt. 
George R. Miller was grand worthy 
master of the State lodge. At the time 
the Iowa branch of the National order of 
the A. O. U. W. withdrew and organized 
an independent lodge of their own, the 
Mason City lodge was the first subordin- 
ate lodge which took action in this di- 
rection. The difficulty arose from the 
fact that the (irand Lodge made extortion- 
ate assessments upon the subordinate 
lodges, for the relief of the yellow fever 
sufferers. M. D. Schermerhorn, a pi'omi- 
nent attorney of the city, opposed the pay- 
ment of tliese excessive assessments, and 
as soon as he opened up the way, he found 
many ready followers. As soon as it was 
made known throughout the State, a gen- 
eral secession followed, and the result was 
the lodges of the entire State withdrew, 
with but few exceptions. In 1883 the 
Mason City lodge numbered fifty-one, and 
was in a flourishing condition. 



LODGE 70, KNIGHTS OF PTTUIAS. 

Was initiated in Mason City on the 
23d of March, 1882, by -the following 
charter members : C. H. McNider, J. B. 
Dakin, J. H. Walsh, J. J. Clark, H. R. 
Lloyd, D. J. Stewart, Duncan Rule, T. W. 
Thompson, A. H. Cummings, E. J. Rosen- 
krans, George Watkins, A. R. Sale, W. B. 
McNider, L.W.Phillips, O. R. Hall and J. 
E. E. Markley. Its first officers were J. 
E. E. Markley, C. C. ; Duncan Rule, V. 
C. ; C. H. McNider, K. of R. and S. ; A. 
H. Cummings, M. of A.; George Watkins, 
M. of v.; J. J. Stewart, M. of F.; J. B. 
Dakin, P. C. ; J. J. Clark, P.; A. B. Sale, 
O. G. 

This lodge is becoming a popular lodge 
in Mason City, notwithstanding nearly 
every other secret society is well repre- 
sented here. They leased for a term of 
years the third story of West's block, on 
Commercial street, and have a lodge room 
proper, 25x56 feet, which is furnished in a 
pleasing manner — with the best of carpet- 
ing, upholstering work, pictures, altar, etc. 
Through their kindness the A. O. U. W.. 
Railroad Engineers' Union and Firemen's 
Union, all use the comforts and convenien- 
ces of this hall, which they sub-rent of the 
K. of P. The total membership of the 
lodge in 1883 was forty -three. 

Company H, 6th regiment, Iowa Na- 
tional Guards, was organized May, 1873, 
as the Ellsworth Zouaves, with forty-three 
men. The officers consisted of S. B. Dex- 
ter, captain : H. G. Shockey, 1st lieuten- 
ant ; W. W. Jones, 2d lieutenant. It was 
afterward reorganized and became a part 
of the 6th regiment, I. N. G. In the 
summer of 1877, this company was called 
to Plymouth to protect the people against 






* 



^1 



Iht. 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



979 



a band of 275 tramps. In 1878 the com- 
pany built their armory, which is 28x50 
feet. This building cost $625, and is 
provided with gun racks, clothing cases 
for each man, and other conveniences. In 
18H3 they had $300 in the treasury and 
were out of debt. The company ranks 
well with any in Iowa, and is made up 
from the best men of the county. 

The following is a complete roster of 
the company: 

J. J. O'Rourk, James Rule, H'. A. 
Marsh, William Burge, Fred Harding, 
William Egloff, G. W.Terrell, B.B. Will- 
son, S. R. Brower, W. B. Henderson, 
James R. Le Sachem, James Gibson, M. 
M. Bradley, G. W. Harding, E. A Kling, 
W. E. Randall, Horace Felt, E. W. Marsh, 
George Smith, Victor Christianson, E. R. 
Bieknell, A. C. Swartz, G. E. Pratt, Will 
Skiff, E. J. Rosencrans, Scott Bagley, 
Charles Hass, James Brooks, H. Rosen- 
crans, A. J. Ostrander, N. Bell, E. Stamp, 
John Baker, George Gale, E. A. Carter, 
Edward Hughes, D. H. Baker, D. McMor- 
^ row, A. E. Jones, Charles Farr, Ebin Cole. 

On the evening of Oct. 12, 1877, the 
members of company A, 6th regiment, I. 
N G., presented their late captain, now 
Major S. B. Dexter, with a splendid sword 
and belt, as a token oi their high esteem 
for him as a commander. The presenta- 
tion speech was made by John Cliggitt. 
The sword, belt and scabbard cost the 
company $40. 

Farnsworth Post No. 42, of the Grand 
Army of the Republic, was organized at 
Mason City, June 12, 1881. The first 
roster contained the following names: 

E. D,_^ Doud, Com.; George C. Poisal, 
Sr. Vice Com.; D. H. Baker, Jr. Vice 



Com.; Henry A. Marsh, Adjt.; J. S. Clark, 
S. C. Ransom, Q M.; J. A. Cotton, O. G.; 
James H. Gibson, O. G.; C. E. Beaker, 
S. M.; William Airheart, 2d M. S.; C. M. 
Adams, Burdette Payson, John Beazor, 
F. B. Florence, Edward Roberts, A. C. 
Bemis, Tim O'Brien, R. S. LiUibridge, G. 
O. Brown, James Jenkinson. 

In addition to these charter names, 
have been added and were members of the 
post in 1883: 

W. H. Mason, H. H. Sbepard, F. M. 
Rogers, J. P. Colman, A. Cummings, G. 
C. Wright, Fred Zubal, R. Whipple, Fred 
Walters, William Dowley, H. H. Schell, 
M. V. Lucas, John West, G. E. Nichols, 
Oscar Van Teasell, G. A. Stearns, W. W. 
Cameron, Matt Emerson, C. M. Gaylord, 
J. M. Woodard, J. M. Becker, L. May, H. 
A. Dyer, L. A. Brown, E. C. Hamilton, 
R. A. Warham, G. H. Shocky, W. W. 
Esterbrook, William Kling, W. 11. Foster, 
Henry Keerl, G. R. Miller, M. Corcoran, 
L. L. Brentner, Ernest Koller, P. S. Pal- 
mer, N. G. Carpenter, Charles Magoon, H. 
J. Smith, W. P. Hurst, S. G. Nelson, J. 
O. Pritchard, John Blake, A. H. Kisner, 
J, F. Crippin, Alexander Baker, Frances 
Van Sone, James McKay. 

Benevolence Lodge, No. 145, A. F. & 
A. M., received its charter June 8, 1860. 
W. C. Stanbery was the first W. M. A 
lodge had been organized as early as 1856, 
but never chartered. The officers of the 
order in 1883 were: I. R. Kirk, W. M,; 
J. Sherman, S. W.; W. W. Cammeron, J. 
VV.; J. H. Valentine, S. D.; F. P. Whit- 
ney, J. D.; C. H. McNider, secretary; 
James Rule, treasurer; George Symes, ty- 
ler. At this date the lodge numbered 






-5>1^ 



M^ 



980 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



9 1- 



ninety-four, and was in a very flourishing 
condition. 

Mr. Gold, of the State Grange of Iowa, 
organized a grange of the Patrons of Hus- 
bandry, in Mason 'City, March 13, 1873. 
The names of the twenty-eight charter 
members were enrolled at that time, from 
which the following oflicers were elected: 
Master, George Vermilya; overseer, H. K. 
Perry; secretary, F. M. Rodger; treasurer, 
L. Hill; steward, D. J. Farrell; assistant 
steward, J. R. Adams; gate keeper, T. H. 
Coggswell; lecturer, George R. Miller. 

With the decline of this order through- 
out the State, this lodge ceased to exist. 

The City Library Association was or- 
ganized in April, IB^e. Prior to this date 
the library was not under the charge of 
the city, but controlled by another society; 
but at this date the books and other projp 
erty were passed over to the city, upon 
the conditions that they make an addition 
of at least SJlOO worth of books annually. 
To the city this was indeed a liberal offer, 
as the library then contained several hun- 
dred dollars worth of books. At the fol- 
lowing city election a vote was taken by 
the people, u]ion such a proposition, .nnd 
was carried, and the tax-payers assessed for 
the support of this library. 

WATER POWER AND MILLS. 

Lime creek and its main tributary. Wil- 
low creek, the outlet of Clear lake, which 
unite a half mile east of Mason City, are 
two very remarkable streams of the purest 
water. The former, in its entire course 
thr()Ugli a supposed circle, dashes over a 
rocky bed, and much of the way is walled 
in by precipitous ledges of lime rock, 
ranging from ten to fifty feet in height, 
whilethe latter stream, through the last 



two miles of its course, forces its way 
with an almost irresistible current through 
similar ledges of rock. The volume of 
water in these two streams affords ample 
supply for mining and manufacturing 
purposes, and so great is this fall that 
dams affording from eight to ten feet head 
may be built every mile of their course, 
without the interference one with another; 
and so high are these rock-bounded banks 
that but very little of the adjacent land 
can be in any case overflowed. H. G. 
Parker, at his flouring mills, on the Wil- 
low creek, ol)tains a fall of ten feet, with- 
out setting back the water more than 
eighty rods. 

To the pioneer there is always much of 
interest connected with the first mills 
built. The first mill in Mason City was 
erected in the summer of 1855, when the 
few settlers were rejoiced to know that a 
saw mill had been put in operation by ■ 
Elisha Randall, who was in company with 
Samuel Douglass, of Vinton, Iowa. This 
mill sawed its first board in October, 1855, 
serving a good purpose in cutting lumber 
for the buildings to be erected the coming 
spring. But in the spring of 185G the 
proprietors were obliged to witness the 
rewards of their hard labor, and the pride 
of the settlement, swept away in a few 
moments by a flood; but with pluck and 
energy they soon rebuilt, adding a corn 
cracker, which was highly appreciated by 
the settlers, whose chief diet was corn 
bread. 

Mr. Randall relates a touching incident 
of pioneer hardship, in which a man named 
Place, living twenty-four miles to the 
north, in Worth county, came in the win- 
ter of 1856-7, over the crusted snow-drifts 



i^ 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



981 



on snow shoes, drawing a sack of corn on 
a hand sled. It was Sunday morning and 
he asked Mr. Randall if he would go to 
the mill and grind it out for him, as his 
family were at home suffering for some- 
thing to eat. Mr. Randall went to the 
mill and turned on the water, ground the 
little grist and sent the man home rejoic- 
ing over liis precious treasure 

A few years later tliismill was enlarged 
and run by E. Randall & Son, and in 
1875 it was rebuilt and machinery put in 
for the new prooess plan of making flour. 
These improvements, together with a new 
dam, cost about $5,000. The following 
year Mr. Randall sold to John T. Elder, 
who was operating the mill in 1883. 

Hon. Elisha Randall, builder of the first 
saw and grist mill at Mason City, was 
one of the thirty-four men who organized 
the county. He is a son of Elisha and 
Betsey (Brown) Randall, of Madison Co., 
N. Y. He was born Sept. 22, 1818, at 
Brookfield, Madison Co , N. Y., where I e 
gained man's estate, receiving a liberal 
education. In the autumn of 1854 he 
came to Iowa, halting a short time at 
Waterloo ; but the following June came 
to Cerro Gordo county to make it his 
home. Soon after he came, he, in company 
with Samuel Douglass, of Vinton, Iowa, 
built the first saw mill at Mason City, and 
two years later, a grist mill. In 1872 he 
patented a lime kiln, known as Randall's 
Perpetual Lime Kiln, which has since 
been sold in all parts of the country, and 
from which he has received a good royal- 
ty. Mr. Randall, better known as Judge 
Randall, from his having been county 
judge of Cerro Gordo county, was the 
first supervisor from Mason township. He 



was also justice of the peace for many 
years. He served the county as recorder 
one term and has held other important 
offices of trust. He belongs to the Masonic 
fraternity and has been a member of the 
Methodist Church since seventeen years 
of age. In politics he was first a whig 
and later a republican. Oct. .31, 1838, 
he married Lucy M. York, of his native 
county. Mr. and Mrs. Randall have reared 
twelve children. At the breaking out of 
the rebellion Mr. Randall had no sons old 
enough to send to the service ; but ho 
sent three sons-in-law, one of whom was 
Charles H. Huntley, adjutant of the 32d 
Iowa, who was killed at the battle of 
Pleasant Hill. Judge Randall is a modest, 
unassuming man, with whom it is a pleas- 
ure to converse, making warm friends 
wherever he goes. In 1883, though sixty- 
five years of age, he was still in possession 
of all his mental and physical powers, and 
comfortably situated, having a beautiful 
home in Mason City, where he was enjoy- 
ing the rewards of a well spent, active iife. 
J. T. Elder, owner of Randall's Mill in 
1883, has been a resident of Cerro Gordo 
county since 1860, when he engaged in 
farming, which pursuit he followed seven 
years. In 1876 he bought the Mason City 
Mills, which he still operates. Mr. Elder 
was born in Center Co., Penn., Feb. 26, 
1820. His parents went to Clearfield 
county, and he was married in 1842 to 
Caroline Sabin. She became the mother 
of nine children, six of whom are now liv- 
ing — James, Emily, Jane, Niles C, George 
W. and John R. Mr. Elder removed to 
Indiana Co , Penn., where his wife died 
in 1862. He afterwards married Susan- 
nah Christman. In 1859 he removed to 



^<^ 



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982 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



Hancock Co., Iowa, where their stay was 
brief. Mr. Elder is a practical millwright' 
and carpenter. He began life a poor man, 
and by hard work and good management 
he has accumulated a competency. Mr. 
and Mrs. Elder are members of the Meth- 
odist Church. 

In 1S70 H. 6. Parker built a flouring 
mill on Willow creek, just east of the busi- 
ness portion of the city. John Knight, 
of Charles City, was the master millwright. 
The water power furnished by Willow 
creek is never failing, its waters coming 
from the outlet of Clear lake. The mill 
is situated on the west bank of the stream, 
the eastern bank being a ledge of lime 
rock over thirty feet high. A strong dam 
is thrown across the stream which gives 
the mill a twelve foot head, sufficient for 
almost any amount of powerful machinery. 
In 1877 H G. Parker sold out to his cousin, 
A. T. Parker, who was still operating it 
in 1883, as a merchant and custom mill. 

BU.SINESS HISTOET. 

In 1854 the first steps were taken in the 
direction of commercial developments. 
John McMillen started the first store in 
Cerro Gordo county, at Masx)n City, that 
year; his combined store and residence 
being the second house in the place, the 
first being built by James Jenkinson, in 
1853, on Lime creek. The next to en- 
gage in business was Robert Clark, who 
came from Rockford, 111., and erected a 
store from native lumber, near where 
Tuttle's store afterward stood. He con- 
tinued two or three years and closed out. 
In 1858 Mr. McMillen built another, and 
more commodious store on the opposite 
side of the street from his first place of 
business. About the same time John B. 



Long erected a frame store building near 
where Iloxie's Block now stands, and 
opened up a general store. He continued 
three years and failed. 

The first to engage in the grocery busi- 
ness were Stackhouse & Belt, in a log 
house, in 1855; they run a year and closed 
out their stock. D. J. Purdy was the 
next to engage in the exclusive grocery 
trade. He first started in a little frame 
shanty near the present site of Warbasse 
& Lee's store on Commercial street. 
*He operated there a year or more and 
then moved to another location, where 
he remained until 1878, then moved 
his stock to Spencer, Iowa. In 1879 he 
returned to his old stand in Mason City, 
and in 1883 he moved into the Hoxie 
Block. In the spring of 1870 M. Tiffany 
& Bro. engaged in the grocery trade. 
After a partnership of eight years Major 
Tiffany sold to his brother, and in 1880 
engaged in trade alone. Among other 
dealers in this branch of trade were: 
Griflin Bros., who opened a store in 1874. 
Edward Griffin sold his share to his 
brother Edwin after a few years, and he • 
was still engaged in trade in 18S3. Next 
after Griffin Bros., came D. McGrigor, 
who rented the Babcock building. Bag- 
ley & Shockey came next, run a while and 
finally Mr. Bagley sold to Shockey. Mr. 
Bagley then engaged in trade alone. 
Charles King and a man named Staples 
were engaged in the grocery trade about 
the same time. 

Major Tiffany located at Mason City in 
the fall of 1869, when the house of 
Tiffany Brothers established a grocery and 
provision trade. Mr. Tiffany sold out, 
and,in company with Wm. Ensign, bought 






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HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



983 



a stock of ready made clothing, but soon 
after be again disposed of bis interest and 
started a dry goods store, associated witb 
Wm. Wright. This relation continued 
three years. In 1881 be began the erec- 
tion of the brick block which be now 
occupies. In dimensions it is 22x80 feet, 
and is two stories above the basement. It 
is a fine, substantial building, and cost 
about «6,000. The stock includes a full 
line of fancy and family grocries. Mr. 
Tiffany was born in Columbia Co., N. Y., 
April 20, 1831. His parents, Robert and 
Sarah (Nicholas) Tiffany, went to Racine 
(now Kenosha) Co., Wis., thence to 
Columbia, and finally to Marquette, where 
the father died in 1882. Mr. Tiffany was 
reared on a farm, and was engaged to 
some extent in lumbering. He was mar- 
ried in Columbia Co., Wis., to Elizabeth 
Steinhait, who was born at Kinderhook, 
N. Y., in 1831. Mrs. Tiffany died Dec. 
1-t, 18S1. She was a faithful and consist- 
ent Christian, and belonged to the Meth- 
odist Church. She is survived by four 
children — Delilah, Mary, George and 
Charles. Mr. Tiffany is a member of the 
Methodist Church, and has been actively 
identified with the interests of Mason City 
since he became a resident here. 

Daniel McGrigor came to Mason City 
in 1865. Arriving here he had ten cents, 
but he found work as a day laborer. His 
first business venture was in the furniture 
trade. Later he interested himself in the 
grocery business, in company with D. J. 
Purdy, which enterprise continued 
eighteen months,during which they started 
a branch store at Northwood, which when 
the partnership ended "^r. McGrigor took 
and run a short time and then sold it out 



to good advantage. Mr. McGrigor had 
previously purchased a farm, and he turned 
his attention to its management for three 
years, at the end of which time he ex- 
changed it for a stock; of clothing, and, 
not long after, admitted Mr. Purdy as a 
partner. They removed the enterprise to 
Spencer, and in addition operated as a 
banking house, which joint business they 
conducted about a year and encountered 
disaster in their financial jiroject, on ac- 
count of devastation by grasshoppers. 
They returned to Mason City with the 
stock of goods and closed it out. Mr. 
McGrigor soon after opened his present 
business, in which he has since continued. 
He was born in Queens Co., New Bruns- 
wick. Oct. 30, 1841. He is a son of 
Samuel and Sarah Ann (Withrow) Mc- 
Grigor, natives of the same place, who 
now live in Ontario. They are the parents 
of fourteen children, seven sons and seven 
daughters. Mr. McGrigor was married in 
1860 in Canada, to Marilla, daughter of 
William Dean. They came to Illinois in 
1864. 'I'hey are members of the M. E. 
Church. 

The first exclusive clothing store in 
Mason City was opened by R. Babcock, 
in the spring of 1870. He continued about 
four years and sold to D. McGrigor, who 
took the stock to Spencer, Iowa. The 
second clothing store was opened by Dan. 
Hay. Following him came Schleshinger, 
Frankel »fc Co., who soon changed to 
Henerick, Schleshinger & Frankel, who 
were the leading dealers in 1883. Soon 
after the railroad came William Ensign 
engaged in the clothing business, and soon 
after the firm took the name of Ensign & 
Tiffany. In 1883 the firm had changed to 



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984 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



Ensign & Rogers. The fourth firm to 
deal in clothing exclusively was S. A. 
Sirrine & Co. In 1883 this line was 
represented by Ensign & Rogers, S. A. 
Sirrine & Co., and Henerick, Schleshinger 
<& Frankel. 

The pioneer dry goods house of the city 
is Pratt Bros., who embarked in trade 
about 1870, continued until 1877, when 
they removed to Greene, Iowa. In 1871 
the dealers were Pratt Bros., William 
Kelley, Lyons & Co., A. B. Tuttle and 
John L. McMillen. Various changes had 
been made up to 1883, when the dry 
good trade was in the hands of M. V. 
Robinson, W. S. Wright, A. B. Tuttle, J. 
Pasedach and Wood & Wilson. 

A. B. Tuttle, a pioneer merchant, has 
been largely identified with the interests 
of Cerro Gordo county since he first set- 
tled within her borders, in the spring of 
1856. He with his two brothers were 
pioneers of Clear Lake township, and his 
residence was the second built in the 
town of Clear Lake, which was then just 
laid out. He operated there as a farmer 
and gave considerable attention to the 
practice of law. In 1863 he removed to 
Mason City and embarked in commercial 
business, and included in his operations 
traffic in merchandise of varied character, 
dry goods, boots and shoes, and groceries, 
but after a time he limited his transac- 
tions chiefly to dry goods. His store is 
among the finest in Mason City, his stock 
presenting full lines of such merchandise 
as his patrons demand. His long and 
intimate association with the people of 
Cerro Gordo county has secured a strong 
support for his business, and a feeling of 
confidence among his fellow citizens, 



which has a sure foundation in his manly 
uprightness and integrity. Mr. Tuttle 
was born in Herkimer Co., N. Y., Jan. 
24, 1825. He is a son of Ira and Lucy 
( Brockett ) Tuttle, both of whom were 
natives of Connecticut. Ira Tuttle went, 
at seven years of age, to reside with his 
grandfather in Herkimer county. He 
there passed his youth, grew to man's 
estate and married. The family included 
four sons and four daughters, all of whom 
attained maturity. Mr. Tuttle, of this 
sketch, the third son, was brought up on a 
farm until the age of fourteen, when he 
became a student at Fairfield Academy, 
and afterwards finished his education at 
Clinton Seminary and Hamilton College, 
at Clinton. He graduated in 1848. He 
paid all the expenses of his collegiate 
course by teaching, and afterward con- 
tinued his labors as a teacher while pursu- 
ing the studies necessary to fit him for an 
attorney. He was under the prece])tor- 
ship of Professor Dwight, of Hamilton 
College. He finished his legal studies in 
1851, and in that year was admitted to 
practice in all the courts of the Empire 
State. He was married in 1849 to Har- 
riet M., daughter of Allen Wightman, of 
Heikimer Co., N. Y. In 1852 he went to 
Lake Co., Ohio, and became principal of 
Madison Seminary, where he remained a 
year, going thence to Ashtabula, Ohio, 
where he held for a time the post of prin- 
cipal of the schools. In 1854 Mr. Tuttle 
removed to Muscatine, Iowa, where he 
was principal of the High School for a 
season, and was also admitted to the bar. 
On his entrance into political life, Mr 
Tuttle was an adherent of the free soil 
party, and on the organizati<in of the re- 






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HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



985 



publicans, as a factor in the political ele 
ment, he joined their ranks and has since 
advocated their principles. About 1860 
he was elected county superintendent, and 
served two years, organizing the first 
teachers' institute held in this county. 
He was the second mayor of Mason City, 
acted as councilman a considerable period, 
and was for twelve years a member of the 
school board. The fine public school 
building, erected at an expense of #30,000, 
is a lasting and creditable memento of the 
labors of himself and compeers during 
his official connection with the educational 
interests of Mason City. Mr. and Mrs. 
Tuttle are the parents of two daughters 
and one son. Minnie E., eldest daughter, 
is the wife of C. H. Hughes, attorney. 
The other.? are Hattie W. and Maynard 
Tuttle. The parents are members of the 
Baptist Church. It seems only just to Mr. 
• Tuttle to state, that he has acted most vig- 
orously and effectively with the temper- 
ance element of his county and Sta'e. 

The first furniture dealer in the town 
was W. S Harding, who opened a store in 
1862. The following named have been in 
this business in the order in which they 
appear : Harding & Allen, Harding & 
Deverau.v, McGregor & Deveraux, Mr. 
Stevens, Stevens «fe Merrill, Merrill, Law 
& Deveraux, and Martin, Ray & Randall. 
In 1883 this branch of trade was 'eft in 
the hands of B. Randall, Hardin Bros, 
and J. H. Harding. 

Benjamin Randall came to Mason City, 
in 1863, and began to work at his trade, 
that of a builder and joiner. After some 
years of successful effort, in 1872 he as- 
tablished his present business, which has 
steadily increased from its inception. He 



was born in Madison Co., N. Y., Nov. 21, 
1837. His parents, Elisha and Betsey 
(Brown) Randall, were both natives of the 
Empire State. They died in his early 
youth and he was brought up by an elder 
sister. He was married in 1859 to Lucy 
A. Smith. They had four children — 
Charles, William, Fred and Ida. Mrs. 
Randall died in 1878. She was an exera- 
p'ary Christian, and a member of the M. 
E. Church. Mr. Randall was married in 
1880 to Mrs. C. N. Crandall. He belongs 
to the M. E. Church, and is an esteemed 
citizen. By his industry and cautious 
management he has prospered. 

Owen Davis opened the first drug store 
in 1865. He sold to Allen & Alexander, 
who continued six months and sold to 
Byron Gamage. Marshall & Kirk were 
proprietors of this stock in 1883. The 
second drug store was started by N. J. 
Betts, who run about a year and sold to 
Luke & Gamage, who finally sold to George 
S Stockwell, who was in trade in 1883. 
The third drug store was started by Dr. 
S. Harris, in 1869. He built a fine brick 
store on Commercial street, opposite 
the city park. Marshall & Stewart opened 
the fourth stock of drugs, in Allen's block, 
where they remained until August, 1883, 
then removed to the Foster building. The 
firm at this time was Stewart & Sargent. 
Warren A. Crosby opened a drug store in 
1883, in the Frink & Weir block. 

The buisness establishment of Stewart & 
Sargent was founded in June, 1882, by Mar- 
shall & Stewart. In March, 1883, Mr. Sar- 
gent bought the interest of Mr. Marshall, 
and became a member of the firm. The 
salesroom of the house is 22x90 feet, and 
the stock is complete in all its departments 






-a V 



986 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



including drugs, paints and oils, wall 
paper and fancy goods. They make a 
specialty of fine perfumeries, handling 
Wright's goods. 

C. M. C. Stewart was born in Appanoose 
Co., Iowa, June 23, 1858. His parents, J_ 
and R. S. (Dukes) Stewart, came to Iowa 
in 1857, and when twenty years of age, he 
was employed by J. S. Taylor & Co., of 
Otturawa, Iowa, where he acquired a thor- 
ough knowledge of the drug business. 
He came to Mason City in 1882, and is a 
member of the Knights of Pythias. 

C. W. Sargent was born in Centerville, 
Appanoose Co., Iowa, Jan. 1, 1862. At 
the age of sixteen he was employed by 
Robinson Bros., of Ottumwa, Iowa, where 
he remained live years, when he purchased 
Mr Marshall's interest in the drug busi- 
ness of JMarshall & Stewart. 

The hardware trade was first repre- 
sented by Lloyd & Wall, in 18T0, in a 
building near where Shokey's building 
now stands. This firm continued about 
three years, when Wall sold to Lloyd, and 
a little latei- Llo\ d sold to Bailey & Co. 
W. VV. Totty was the next to engage in 
the hardware trade. He was succeeded by 
Gloyd & Herrick, who continued the busi- 
ness until the time of Mr. Gloyd's death, 
in the spring of 1883, when Mr. Herrick 
became sole manager of the business. 
Warbasse & Lee entered the hardware 
trade in 1875. Following them came 
Farrell & Whitney. Mr. Farrell pur- 
chased Ml'. Whitney's interest in 1880. 
About the same date J. J. Glasier started 
a lumber yard and carried a stock of build- 
ers hardware. VV. J. Konvalinka came 
to Mason City, in 1882, and opened a large 
hardware store in the Allen block. The 



hardware trade in 1883 was represented 
by W. J. Konvalinka, Warbasse & Lee, 
Gloyd & Herrick and J. A. Farrell. 

George L. Herrick, junior member of 
the firm of Gloyd & Herrick, was born in 
Franklin Co., N. Y., Oct. 19, 1841. His 
parents, L. C. and Lorina (Thayer) Herrick, 
are residents of Sparta, Wis. Mr. Her 
rick's business in early manhood was a 
lumber dealer. He enlisted in 1861 in 
the three months' service, in a regiment 
which on its organization became the 4th 
Wisconsin. As he did not wish to join 
that command, he enlisted in the Wiscon- 
sin 1st Battery of Light Artillery. The 
regiment enrolled at Racine and was sent 
to Louisville, Ky., and finally to New Or- 
leans, when blockake running was in vogue. 
The battery was engaged in the t-^king of 
Arkansas Post and in the siege of Vicks- 
burg. It accompanied the Red River ex- 
pedition into Texas, under Gen. Smith, re- 
turning to New Orleans, where the men 
were discharged. They were mustered 
out at Madison, Wis., numbering eighteen 
men out of 155 who went into the service. 
Mr. Herrick was married in 1865 to Emma 
R. Ilolcomb, of Addison Co., Vt. They 
have two children. Mr. Herrick belongs 
to the order of Masons, Royal Arch Chap- 
ter. The business establishment of Gloyd 
& Herrick is on Commercial street, and is 
a spacious structure, 22x125 feet, two sto- 
ries in height, with a basement. A ware- 
house, 18x26 feet, is attached to the prem- 
ises. Their stock is a complete assortment 
of all goods belonging to the trade. 

W. J. Konvalinka was born in Iowa 
City, Iowa, Jan. 6, 1856. His parents, 
Joseph K. and Anna (Cerney) Konvalinka, 
were natives of Bohemia. Thev emigrated 



Jtt 



,t. 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



987 



to Iowa in 1855 and located in Johnson 
county. His father was a millwright by 
trade. In 1883 he still lived at Iowa City. 
The subject of this sketch was a student 
of St. Joseph's school, and at the age of 
thirteen he was employed by Glenn & 
Pryce, afterward John Glenn. In 1875 he 
entered the employ of Donahue & McCosh, 
with whom he remained about six years, 
traveling in Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska, 
Minnesota and Dakota. In 1880 he en- 
gaged with Kirk's Iron and Hardware Co., 
of Chicago; but in March, 1882, seeing a 
chance to better himself, financially, he 
abandoned the i-oad and has since been the 
manager of the business house of Kon- 
valiuka Bros., of Mason City. June 6, 
1881, he was wedfled to Clara McMillen, 
a daughter of John L. McMillen, one of 
Mason City's pioneers. She was born 
July 9, 1862. 

'John A. Farrell was born in Halifax, 
Nova Scotia, Jan. 5, 1846. When thirteen 
years old he emigrated with his parents 
to Brooklyn, N. Y., when he commenced 
to learn tlie trade of tinner. lie was also 
employed as a clerk in a wholesale store. 
In 1867 he came to Mason City, where he 
embarked in the tin business, in company 
with J. H. Valentine. He was subse- 
quently employed as mail agent on the C. 
M. & St. P-. Railrcad, running between 
McGregor and Canton, Dak., which occu- 
pation he followed for ten years. He is 
at present engaged in the hardware busi- 
ness, in Mason City, and by close attention 
to business has built up a good lucrative 
trade In March, 1875, he was married to 
Miss M. J. Watson, a daughter of Joseph 
Watson, a native of England. One child 
blesses this union — Vincent A. 



John Lee, of the firm of Warbasse & 
Lee, was born in Brooklin, N. Y., Aug. 
15, 188.3. His parents are of Scotch de- 
scent. Mr. Lee was educated in the com- 
mon schools, after whicli for fifteen years 
he engaged in the butcher business. He 
spent the next ten years of his life in specu- 
lation. Following this he was employed in 
the United States custom house,which place 
he resigned and wasaskedby C.A.Arthur, 
the present President of the United States, 
who had charge of such matters, to name 
his successor. In 1875 he came to Mason 
City and embarked in trade. In 1876 he 
was elected as one of the city corporation 
board. He was married in 1868 to Susan 
C. Stryker. Mr. and Mrs. Lee have three 
children living — Susan C, Harry and 
Charles. In politics, Mr. Lee is a staunch 
republican. He was one of the members 
who formed the Grant Club, in Brooklin, 
N. Y. He also belongs to the Masonic 
fraternity. 

The first regular grain buyers in Mason 
City were Valentine and Keerl, who com- 
menced operating in 1870, at the Mil- 
waukee depot. The following year Mr. 
Henr}' built a large evevator on the Mil" 
waukee road. W. W. Cameron erected 
an elevator on tlie Central Railroad of 
Iowa, in 1882. Among others who have 
bought grain are Robinson and Connell. 
In'l883 the grain dealers were: W. W 
Cameron and Bassett «fc Hunting. 

W. W. Camerou established his busi- 
ness at Mason City, in 1873, and w.as the 
first man to handle grain on the Iowa 
Central Railroad from this point. In 1S82 
he built the elevator which he now oper" 
ates, which has a nominal capacity of 
15,000 bushels, and is oiierated by a 



a 



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988 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



twenty-horse power steam engine. Mr. 
Cameron was born in Bristol, Ontario Co., 
N. Y., May ], 1845. His parens were 
Peter and Julia (Patterson) Cameron 
The mother is first cousin of the cele- 
brated Elizabeth Patterson, of Baltimore, 
Md., who married Jerome Bonapart. 
The Cameron family came from Scotland, 
in 180.3, and settled in Steuben Co., N. Y., 
in a township then not organized, but after- 
wards named Cameron, after the head of 
the family. The father and mother were 
married at Rochester, N. Y., in 1825, and 
reared a family of five sons and two 
daughters, all living to rear families. 
The father was an active man with exten- 
sive business relations; was an old line 
whig, became a republican on the organi- 
zation of the party and adhered to its 
fundamental principles until his death. 
Mr. Cameron ot this sketch was educated 
at Franklin College, where he graduated 
in 1861, and immediately enlisted in the 
10th regiment of New York Cavalry. He 
passed through the stormy events of the 
war at Fredericksburg, and many other 
points, and at Gettysburg was taken pris- 
oner and incarcerated in Libby prison at 
Richmond, where he was held seven 
months before being exchanged. He 
served the remainder of his period of 
enlistment at Annapolis, Md., and was 
mustered out of service at Elmira, N. 
Y. On his discharge he came to Iowa 
and located at Independence, Buchanan 
Co., where he was assistant agent of the 
D. & S. C. Railroad, two years. He then 
went to Ackley and under the style of 
West & Cameron, engaged in banking. 
This enterprise closed, he went to Grin- 
nell as station agent of the I. C. Railroad, 



where he remained one year. He came 
to Mason City in the same employ, in 
1872, but established himself in 1873 as 
stated. Mr. Cameron was married in 1870 
in Ackley, to Martha Freeman. She died 
in 1873, leaving two sons — Will. W. and 
Robert B. The present Mrs. Cameron 
was Anna, daughter of Benjamin Field, of 
Monroe Co., Iowa. They have three chil- 
dren — Stella, Nellie and Claudie May. 

The pioneer lumber dealer was George 
Vermilya, who opened a yard in ]S65. 
Wilson & Herrick were the next to en- 
gage in the lumber trade. Following 
these dealers came Benjamin Randall. 

In 1883 the trade was represented by 
N. L. Page, J. M. Elder, J. J. Glasier and 
E. R. Bogardus. 

James Elder settled in Mason City in 
the fall of 1869. He founded his business 
in 1874, and has since prosecuted it with 
vigor. Mr. Elder was born in Clearfield 
Co., Penn., near the Susquehannah river, 
Jan. 14, 1844. John T. and Caroline T. 
(Sabin) Elder, his parents, went to Indiana 
Co., Penn., when he was nine years old. 
He came to Hancock county in 1 869, 
where he remained but a few months. 
In March, 1871, he married Jennie, daugh- 
ter of W. C. Stanbery, a native of Mercer 
Co., Ohio. They have three children — 
Blanche, Bonnie and Howard S. Mr. and 
Mrs. Elder are members of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church. 

L. A. Page came to Cerro Gordo county 
in 1870, where he had previously con- 
nected himself with his present business 
at Mason City. Mr. Page was bon in 
Windham Co., Vt., Sept. 4, 1843. His 
parents went to Dane Co., Wis., when he 
was six years old. There he attained 



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HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



991 



majority and received a good education. 
He went to Decorah, Iowa, in 1865, where 
he was for a time employed in the post- 
office, and afterwards engaged with J. C, 
Blackman in buying grain at Conover. 
Mr. Page was married in November, 1874, 
to Emma Burnham, of New York. They 
have three children — Harry D., Leroy A. 
and Ida Floy. Mr. Page is a member of 
the Masonic order. 

The first to sell agricultural implements 
in the place was John F. Taylor, who 
afterwards removed to Charles City, Iowa. 
He was followed by J. H. Valentine, 
Lloyd, Vinton & Ensign, and Lloyd & 
Dagan. In 1883 the trade was in the 
hands of Mr. Valentine, G. A. Stearns, 
Bush & Bishop and Patton Brothers. 

E. R. Lloyd became a resident of Mason 
City in July, 1868. His initial business 
venture was the leasing of a stone build 
ing, which was then being erected by 
Tucker & Francisco, where he put in a 
general stock of hardware, and in Septem- 
ber of the same year commenced the 
hardware and agricultural machinery busi- 
ness. In 1870-1, in company with A. B. 
Tuttle, he built what is known as Lloyd & 
Tutlle's block and public hall. In 1871 he 
sold his hardware stock, and attended 
more strictly to the agricultural machinery 
business, and in December, 1872, J. M. 
Dougan became associated with him in 
this business. These relations continued 
until near the close of 1875. Mr. Lloyd has 
been active in the progress of Mason City 
ever since he came to live in the county. 
He has erected two fine business houses, 
also several dwelling houses, and is now 
engaged in the real estate business. He 
owns several valuable farms in Cerro 



Gordo county, and town property in 
Mason City. Mr. Lloyd was born in 
Wales, Great Britain When a child he 
came to America with his parents, who 
located in Oneida Co., N. Y. At the age 
of sixteen he removed to Wisconsin, where 
he was variously occupied until 1861, at 
which time he entered into the furniture 
business at Faribault, Minnesota. This 
business he continued for some time, 
when he sold his interest in the business 
and became associated in the hardware 
business with his brother, D. D. Lloyd, 
and W. W. Knapp. This business he 
continued until the fall of 1867, when he 
sold his interest in the business to his 
partners and removed to Mason City. Mr. 
Lloyd is a republican in political senti- 
ment, and was elected a member of the 
first city council after the city was incor- 
porated, and to the same office four subse- 
quent terms. He belongs to the order of 
Masons, Blue Lodge and Chapter. In 
June, 1881, he was married to Delia Dou- 
gan, of Wisconsin. Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd 
have one child. 

J. M. Dougan, of Mason City, was born 
and raised on a farm near Johnsburg, 
Warren Co , N. Y. His birth occurred 
Nov. 2, 1829. John Dougan, his father, 
was of Irish extraction. His mother was 
Elizabeth (McGibberry) Dougan. His 
father went to Dodge Co., Wis., where 
he died in 1873, and his wife died two years 
later. Both were zealous adherents to the 
Baptist Church. Mr. Dougan received a 
ffood education at the united district 
schools, and worked on the farm summers 
until twenty-one years of age, when he 
learned the different trades of carpenter, 
millwright and pattern maker, which he 



VH«^ 



92 



;f^ 



^ 



m ». 



992 



^ e 



fc* 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



pursued variously for eighteen years. In 
November, 1869, he came to Mason City 
and engaged in selling agricultural ma- 
chinery. In the spring of 1872 he con- 
nected himself with E. K. Lloyd, under the 
style of Lloyd & Dougan, which interest 
continued until December, 1875, when 
they commenced operating in real estate. 
Mr. Dougan was married in 1854 to Miss 
E. A. Nickerson. Of their six children 
three are living — Allen D., Frank and 
Archie. Mrs. Dougan died in June, 1881. 
She was a member of the Congregational 
Church, and left an enviable record as a 
Christian wife, mother and friend. The 
present Mrs. Dougan was Etta Vaughan, 
of Montrose, Penn. Mr. Dougan is a re- 
publican and a member of the I. O. O. F. 
He owns 400 acres of land. 

G. A. Stearns is one of the live, active 
business men of Mason City, Cerro Gordo 
Co., Iowa. He established his business 
here in April, 1875. He is located on 
Commercial street, between Fifth and 
State streets, where he keeps a full line 
of agricultural implements. His sales- 
room is 22x100 feet, and his plows, reapers, 
threshers, etc., are from the very best 
manufacturers. By honesty, industry and 
push, he has built up a good business. 

The first hotel, though not advertised 
as such, was a log house built by John L. 
McMillen in 1855. It was the only house 
in which travelers were given shelter. 
Pioneers relate how they spent the night 
there, and upon getting up in the morn- 
ing, had to stoop in order to dress them- 
selves while they stood in several inches 
of snow. 



The first regular hotel was a frame 
building erected by Jarvis Church and 
James Stewart and operated by the latter. 

The next hotel was run by Solomon Zu- 
ver, in 1857, on the north bank of Willow 
creek. Following this the Waukonsa was 
operated by Horace Green, in a building 
erected for a store. A history of this ho- 
tel, which was written for one of the 
county papers, entitled "Removing a Land- 
mark," is here subjoined: 

"This week Marshal Owen and a force 
of men were engaged in removing one of 
the landmarks of Mason City. In the 
year 1855 John L. McMillen built a log 
house, 16x18 feet, on what is now Com- 
mercial street. It stands next to the ex- 
press oftice to-day. In it, before completed, 
was preached the first sermon preached in 
Cerro Gordo county, by a traveling Con- 
gregational minister. After the bouse 
was completed, McMillen put in a stock of 
goods, which were the first brought to the 
county. A short time afterwards, Mr. 
McMillen sold out to Robert Clark and 
J. H. Long, who continued to sell goods 
some time. The building was then rented 
to Horace Green, who converted it 
into a hotel. While Clark and Long 
owned it they built several additions. The 
house was afterwards known as the Wau- 
konsa. Green was succeeded by A M. 
Thompson as landlord, and he by Bum- 
gardner, who gave place to V^'. R.Quincy. 
The part torn down by Marshal Owen and 
men was the north wing used as a parlor 
for the old Waukonsa when at its best. 
In this old time parlor the celebrities of 
northern Iowa, who came here for busi- 
ness or pleasure, were accustomed to ele- 
vate their feet, drink toddy and smoke 



-s V 



'L 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



993 



dark clay pipes. If the old logs in that 
landmark could speak and reason, they 
would unfold a tale that would be rich 
with frontier incidents. Among the noted 
guests who ate hash at the Waukonsa and 
are so well remembered by old settlers 
here are: Judge Porter, and ex-Gov. East- 
man of Eldora, W. N. Davidson and D. W. 
Dows, of Hampton; Judge McFarlan, of 
Boonesboro; Judge Fairfield and J. G. 
Patterson, of Charles City; Timber Wood, 
of Waverly, and W. P. Hepburn, of .Clar- 
inda, with scores of others who came here 
to attend court. Tliose days of rollicking 
good times all came crowding upon the 
the mind, as the old settlers gazed upon 
' the sturdy building as it was being torn 
down under the blows of the advancing 
ax-man. The men who were prominent 
about it in early days are scattered. Long 
in Arkansas, Judge Robert Clark has gone 
to join the throng of the dead; McMillen, 
Green, Thompson, Owen, Quincy and oth- 
ers still remain here, but, time has left the 
traces of'his hand on their brows, and the 
streak of grey that skirt their locks tells 
the story of the conflicts they have met in 
pioneer life. The destruction of the old 
log cabin, the Waukonsa, calls up these 
reminiscences of the past and we pause to 
look back over the history we have helped 
to make, and it seems more like a dream 
than a fact of our life." 

The Commercial House was completed, 
in 1865, by Martin Buragardner, who 
was succeeded by George Bunce. The 
property was owned, in 1883, by George 
Sanborn. 

The Allen House, afterwards known as 
the Dyer House, was erected in 1871 by 
Dr. Allen. The first landlord was B. Sil- 



loway. The same year, the Vermont 
House was converted from a store into a 
hotel. The St. Charles Hotel was built in 
1872 or 1873 by E. A. Devereaux. Mr. 
Jackson was his successor and was propri- 
etor in 1883. The Albion House was made 
from Kirk's photographic building in 1883, 
at which date Mason City had the follow- 
ing hotels: The Dyer, St. Charles, Com- 
mercial, Aluion and Ballard House. 

Henry A. Dyer, proprietor of the Dyer 
House, at Mason City, came here June 14, 
1872, when he became mine host of the 
St. Charles hotel. He operated as land- 
lord there live years, since which time he 
has been proprietor of the Dyer House, 
formerly the Allen House. He was born 
in Somersetshire, England, March 15, 1843 
He is son of James Jr., and Ann (Andrews) 
Dyer, and his parents came to America in 
1847, and located in Dubuque Co., Iowa, 
in 1848. They settled on a farm about a 
mile from the present site of Dyersville. 
The father afterward located the towns of 
Dyersville and Manchester. He died Nov. 
3, 1864, at Dyersville. The mother 
was still living, in 1883, at Dyersville. 
Mr. Dyer, of this sketch, was there reared 
to manhood, and completed his education 
at Alexander College. He enlisted in 1862 
in the 21st Iowa Volunteer Infantry, com- 
pany C. During his first year of active 
service he was taken prisoner near Per- 
kins' Landing, and was held at Shreve- 
port. La. There he contracted camp 
diarrhea and dropsy, and came near losing 
his life. He was sent home on a furlough 
to recuperate, and passed several months 
on a sick bed. While en route to rejoin 
his regiment he received an appointment 
as quartermaster sergeant at Camp Distri- 



ct 



jy? 



99-1 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



^, 



bution, New Orleans, La., remaining there 
six iponths, and was then detailed to Maj- 
Gen. Ed. R. S. Canby's headquarters, 
where he acted as head clerk in the field 
until the taking of Spanish Fort, Blakely 
and Mobile, Ala. M--. Dyer was in the 
war during its severest period, and was 
mustered out at Baton Rouge, La. He 
returned to Dyersville and shortly after 
went to Manchester, Delaware Co., Iowa, 
where he was in charge of the railroad 
eating house, and acted as bookkeeper for 
Congar Bro.s. He was afterward engaged 
four years in the lumber trade. Mr Dyer 
was married in June, 1869, to Hattie Bol- 
den, of Manchester. They have had five 
children, one of whom is now living — 
Harry E. The Dyer House was built in 
1871 by Dr. Allen, at a cost of $14,000. It 
has thirty five rooms, and can accommo- 
date fifty guests. The proprietor is better 
known to the traveling public as "Doc" 
Dyer. 

The first blacksmith was Mr. Peabody, 
in 1855. In 188.3 the trade was repre- 
sented by George Whitney, Tucker & Co. 
Hale & Son, William Knapp and Samuel 
Waughtal. 

S. B. Waughtal came to Mason City, in 
1866, and has pursued his vocation 
here. The first coal he used after 
establishing his business he bought at 
Waverly, at a cost of $50 per ton. Mr. 
Waughtal was born in Fulton Co., 111., 
Jan. 5, 18.34. His father, Frederick 
Waughtal, was a native of Virginia ; his 
mother, Catharine Baughman, was of Ger- 
man descent. They were married in Ful- 
ton Co., 111., and reared six sons and three 
daughters. In 1827 the father went to 
southern Wisconsin and engaged in min- 

— a**" 



ing. He was a soldier in the Black Hawk 
War, and was in action at Gen. Stillman's 
defeat. In i852 he went to Richland Co., 
Wis., where he remained twelve years. He 
made his first entry into Cerro Gordo 
county in 1864, and in the fall of 1868 
went to Missouri, where he died in the 
spring of 1877. The mother is still living* 
Mr. Waughtal of this sketch was raised in 
the mining region of southern Wisconsin. 
At the age of sixteen he started to Cali- 
fornia, making the trip with ox-teams, 
which consumed four months. He there 
engaged in raining nineteen months, and 
returned to Wisconsin. He was married, 
at the age of twenty-three, to Sarah Coney, 
a native of Randolph Co., 111. Mr. and 
Mrs. Waughtal had ten children — Bash- 
ford, George, Catharine, Zillah, Elmer, 
Fred, James, Sadie, Edna and Alta. Mr. 
Waughtal learned his trade in Richland, 
Co., Wis. 

The harness business was first repre- 
sented by George Perkins. In 1883 the 
dealers were: James Wood, J. B Tinker 
and Weigle & McKeen. 

J. B. Tinker founded his business at 
Mason City in 1876, prior to any like es- 
tablishment. His stock is such as the 
trade at this point demands, and his work 
is guaranteed. Mr. Tinker was born in 
Chautauqua Co., N. Y., Jan. 22, 1847. He 
was apprenticed to learn his trade at the 
age of fifteen, and in the fall of 1876 came 
to Mason City. He was married in July, 
1881, to Maggie L., daughter of G. C. 
Wood. She was born in Ontario, Canada, 
in 1859, and died Aug. 27, 1882. Mr. 
Tinker has built up a good business and 
occupies a fair rank among the tradesmen 
of Cerro Gordo county. 



e ^ 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



995 



The first wagon maker was Mark Dex- 
ter, who run a repair shop in 1855. This 
business was conducted, in 1883, by J. 
Wauninger and Tucker & Co. 

Joseph Wauninger became interested in 
the establishment he now owns and oper- 
ates, by purchase in the fall of 1881. It 
was instituted October, 1879, by Samuel 
Northcott, and in the fall of 1881 a com- 
pany was formed, consisting of Samuel 
Northcott, J. Wauninger and 0. F. I^arrer. 
The two last named gentlemen ])urchased 
the interest held by Mr. Northcott and 
continued to operate until Jan. 1, 1883, 
when Mr. Wauninger became sole owner. 
He employs four hands, his principal work 
being the manufacture of single buggies 
and light wagons. His annual manufac- 
ture aggregates thirty-five carriages and 
seventeen cutters. His work is guaran- 
teed to be of a superior make and finish, 
selected from the best material and con- 
structed by skilled workmen. Mr. Waun- 
inger was born in Austria, Oct. 28, 1854. 
His parents came to America when he was 
three years of age, settling in Kewaunee 
Co., Wis. His father was a farmer and a 
blacksmith by trade, and lost his life by a 
falling tree in 1866. The mother is still 
living at the old homestead. Mr. Waun- 
inger learned the trade of a blacksmith 
when seventeen years old, and some years 
later was employed by the Racine Car- 
riage and Wagon Company. He spent 
four years in Milwaukee, one year at 
Cleveland and one in Chicago, when he 
returned to Racine. He is a member of 
the I. O. O. F. 

The first meat market was run by F. 
Stackhouse, in 1856. Among the numer- 
ous persons who have engaged in this 



business were: M. M. Bradley,Dan Collas, 
John Terrell and J. W. Belding. The 
business, in 1883, was conducted by Baker 
& Bradley, Smith Bros., and Baker Bros. 

The first shoemaker in the place was 
William Wake, an Englishman. The 
.first exclusive boot and shoe store was 
opened by Edward Pratt, in 1 873. Among 
others who have, from time to time, hand- 
led this line of goods was S. H. Sheldon, 
who remained in trade from 1877 to 1881, 
when he moved to Nebraska. Jn 1 883 
the business was in the hands of Smith & 
Tichnor, who carried a large and well 
selected stock. 

The first photographer was indeed a 
pioneer, James Stewart, who came in 1 8? 5. 

H. P. Kirk purchased a gallery in 1867, 
of A. M. Thompson, and has been the 
only one engaged in this art since that 
time. He occupies a fine building well 
supplied with modern apparatus, and also 
carries a complete stock of albums, pic- 
ture frames, etc. 

H. P. Kirk located in Mason City at 
the close of the war. He opened his busi- 
ness in 1867, and has prosecuted it suc- 
cessfully since its inception. He was 
born in Mahoning Co., Ohio, May 21, 1843, 
and was raised on a farm, receiving a com- 
mon school education. In 1861 he enlisted 
for three months iu the 14th Ohio Volun- 
teer Infantry, and was stationed in West- 
ern Virginia. In February, 1862, he re- 
enlisted in the 13th Illinois Cava'ry, com- 
pany D, remaining about one year and re- 
ceiving his discharge for physical disa- 
bility. In February, 1865, he enlisted a 
third time in the 2d Iowa Cavalry and was 
in the service until the close of the war. 
He was married in 1870 to Elizabeth R., 



\ 



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996 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



daughter of S. D. Wordsworth, of Lake 
Mills, Iowa. Mrs. Kirk was born in Ohio 
in 1852. They have two sons — Clara L. 
and Verne P. Cerro Gordo county was 
in its infancy when Mr. Kirk came within 
its borders. He has seen Mason City ex- 
pand from a hamlet with three houses to a 
respectable city of 4,000 people. He 
leads his profession in this vicinity, and 
his rooms are a delight to his patrons. They 
are fitted up with admirable taste, and the 
evidences of the artists skill are to be 
seen on every hand. 

The first to engage in the marble busi- 
ness was George Shocky, in 1873, who sold 
an interest soon after to Mr. Gale, the 
firm name being then Shocky & Gale. 
They continued eighteen months, when 
Mr. Roth bought Shocky's interest in the 
business. About the same time Bell & 
Rice engaged in the business, following 
it until 188.3, when Mr. Gale bought Mr. 
Rice out, leaving the business in the 
hands of Gale & Rice. 

T. K. Gale has been a resident of Mason 
City since 1870. He came to Hardin Co., 
Iowa, in 1857, and built some of the best 
structures in Iowa Falls. He was also a 
prominent instrument in the organization 
of the first Sunday school at Georgetown, 
a competing town with Iowa Falls. Mr. 
Gale was born in England in April, 1828. 
When nine years old he began to learn 
his trade of stone mason, and served an 
apprenticeship of five years, walking six- 
teen miles daily. The first four years he 
received 25 cents per day, and during his 
last year of service $3.50 per week. He 
was married in 1843 to Anna Attwooll. 
They have been the parents of seven 
children; one of whom died on the pas- 



sage to America in 1857. Following are 
the names of the sons and daughters of 
Mr. and Mrs. Gale — Jennie, (wife of 
James Rule, vice-president of the City 
Bank), Hattie (Mrs. Mark Bradley), Ab- 
salom, a student at Iowa University, 
George, harness maker at Clear Lake, 
Thomas and Bertie. Mr. and Mrs. Gale 
have been identified with the country for 
a quarter of a century. Mr. Gale has 
built some of the most prominent of the 
buildings of Mason City, among them the 
Dyer House, and the M. E. Church of 
which he and his wife are members. 

C. H Smith established himself in the 
wholesale and retail tobacco business, at 
Mason City, in the fall of 1882. C. H. 
Smith was born in Black Hawk Co., Iowa, 
Jan. 7, 1857. His parents are Allen W. 
and Elizabeth Smith, who emigrated to 
the State in 1853, settling in Black Hawk 
county, where the senior Smith first em- 
barked in the hotel business. C H. Smith 
commenced his trade in Waterloo, which 
he has since followed. In 1882 he came 
to Mason City, where by fair dealing he 
has worked up a good trade. 

The first to engage in the livery busi- 
ness was B. Kirk, who established a stable 
a short time after the war. In 1883 this 
business was represented by S. W. Keeney 
and Mr. Cadwell. 

S. W. Keeney established his business 
at Mason City in 1882. He has some of 
the best turnouts in northern Iowa, and 
keeps sixteen horses. He was born in 
Wayne Co., Ohio, Dec. 6, 1839. He is a 
sonofC. C.andPhebe (Hotchkiss) Keeney, 
natives of Onondaga Co., N. Y. They 
were pioneers of Bremer county, where 
they settled Oct. 13, 1855. Mr. Keeney 






^1 



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HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



997 



was married in 1859 to Roxana, daughter 
of Andrew Dailey. She was born in 
Wayne Co., Ohio, March 25, 1840. They 
have had three children — T. E., Charles 
H. and Jennie. The latter died in 1872. 
Mr. Keeney was engaged in the livery 
business in Bremer county thirteen years. 
A. T. Lien, of the firm of Lien Bros., 
coal and lirae dealers, is a native of Nor- 
way; he was born April 21, 1844, and came 
to America in 1866, arriving June 28. Li 
1870 he located in Mason City, and in 
1876 he and his brother formed a partner- 
ship with Farrell & White, and built the 
Champion Lime Kiln, which they managed 
until 1878, when the Lien Bros, purchased 
Farrell & White's interest. They con- 
tinued the business, and in 1881 added 
coa'. They were still in business in 1883, 
doing a tiade of $18,000 annually. 

COMMERCIAL EXCHANGE BANK. 

This banking house is on Commercial 
street, between Fifth and State, in Mason 
City. It was organized in February, 
1880, with H. P. Kirk as president 
and I. R. Kirk as cashier. They do 
a general banking business, a large 
amount of collections are placed in their 
hands, and they also insure to quite an 
extent -representing some of the leading 
companies. The bank fixtures are very 
complete; a Diebold safe, with improved 
Yale lock, etc., guarantees safety to their 
depositors. They draw all kinds of 
foreign and domestic drafts, and do a large 
amount of local discounting. I. R. Kirk has 
the management of the business of the 
bank, which is meeting with a liberal 
patronage. 

I. R. Kirk, cashier of the Commercial 
Exchange Bank, was born in Mahoning Co., 



Ohio, May 7, 1846. At the age of fourteen 
years he came to Mason City, where he 
found employment. About the year 1875, 
associated with M. V. Robinson, he es- 
tablished a dry goods house, which was in 
operation until It 80, when Mr. Kirk 
entered upon the duties of his present posi- 
tion. He is a member of the Masonic 
order, and belongs to the Blue Lodge, 
Chapter and Commandery. Mr. Kirk's 
position in business, social life and general 
popularity afford unmistakable evidence 
of his character. 

CITY BANK. 

This bank was established in August, 
1873, by T. G. Emsley, with Mrs. T. G. 
Emsley acting as cashier. A partnership 
was subsequently formed by T. G. Emsley 
and O. T. Denison. In December, 1880, 
James Rule was admitted as a partner. 
This bank is supplied with the Hall burglar 
proof safe, with time lock, purchased at 
a cost of $1,500. A general banking busi- 
ness is transacted. 

The First National Bank of Mason City 
was established in October, 1881. The 
officers of this bank when organized, and 
those holding*in 1883, were : H. I. Smith, 
president ; W. D. Balch, vice president ; 
J. V. W. Montague, cashier; C. H. Mc- 
Nider, assistant cashier. In 1883 the di- 
rectors were : H. I. Smith, W. D. Balch, 
R. G. Renneiger, J. B. W. Montague, W. 
W. Ivnapp, R. Wilber and C. H. McNider. 
The paid up capital of the concern is $50, 
000, with a surplus fund of $5,000. The 
bank was first started on the southwest 
corner of State and Commercial streets, 
but the following year it was removed to 
the opposite corner, into Card's block. 



^ T- 



■9 






k. 



998 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



Charles H. McNider, assistant cashier 
of the First National Bank of Mason City, 
is a native of Iowa. He was born in Du- 
bn(|iie, Feb. 9, 1860. He is son of Thomas 
B. and Anna E (Kane) MoNider, natives 
of New York, who settled at Dubuque in 
1856. At the age of fifteen he secured a 
situation in the Cerro Gordo County Bank 
as book-keeper, and in 1881 was elected to 
his present position as assistant cashier. 
In 1882 he was made one of the directors 
of the bank where he is employed. Mr. 
McNider is still a young man, and his 
business career has been one of marked 
integrity and uprightness. He is a mem- 
ber of the Masonic order. 

In 1870 there were two express com- 
panies represented in Mason City — the 
United States and the American. The 
former established an office in the fall of 
1869, appointing A. S. Church their local 
agent He served a year. When the 
American company established an office, 
they also made Mr. Church their agent. 
He was succeeded by A. J. Benton, wlio, 
in a short time, was succeeded by I. R. 
Kirk, who had charge of the express busi- 
ness until July, 1874, when W. V. Tich- 
nor took the offices, and was the agent in 
1888 for the United States express com- 
pany. The American has not been repre- 
sented since about 1874. 

MASON CITY BUILDING AND LOAN ASSOCIA- 
TION. 

This association was duly incorporated 
Feb. 16, 1880. Their first officers were 
as follows : Jolin D. Glass, president ; 
James Rule, vice-president; I. R. Kirk, 
secretary ; H. I. Smith, treasurer ; direct- 
ors, George Herrick, James Rule, J. F. 
Burns, Benjamin Randall, Thomas H. 



^' 



Alexander, John D. Glass, William B. 
Usher, W. W. Cameron, T. G. Emsley, 
John H. Clark, Will Ed Tucker, M. 
S. Schermerhorn, J. J. O'Rourk, James 11. 
Hillyer, George H. Shockey. 

This home capital association offers good 
rates of interest to investors, and all the 
advantages of a savings bank, without the 
expense and usual risk, the officers all per- 
forming their office labors gratuitously 
and being stockholders in the concern. 
The moi ey is loaned on first mortgage 
real estate property, and no loan can be 
made without the approval of eight direct- 
ors. To those wishing to buy or build a 
home, it offers money at law interest or 
principal on the monthly installment plan, 
so that by paying about what the monthly 
rent would be, one can in a few years, pos- 
sess a home. This plan has aided Mason 
City very much in her growth, providing 
as it does for the many laboring men who 
seek a home here, an opportunity to secure 
a home on such terms as they can afford. 

The following is the third annual state- 
ment of the association: 

ASSETS. 

Notes andiiiortgages '. .$ 33,617 16 

Cash on hand 348 70 

33,96.5 86 

UABILITIES. 

Dues paid to date | 23,241 06 

Net profits to date 5,951 98 

Premiums unearned 4,773 88 

33,965 86 

PROFIT AND LOSS. 

Expense since organization $ 343 25 

Net profits since organization 5,951 98 

6,294 23 



rjp* 








' ^/ ^^^xWz^ 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



1001 



The officers in 1883 were: John D. 
Glass, president; George L. Herrick, 
vice-president; Dr. C. H. Smith, treasiirer; 
O. T. Dennison, secretary. 

Among other prominent men of the city 
are: Alonzo Willson, real estate and loan 
broker; C. P. Shipley, job printer; W. W. 
T51ood and E. D. Page, builders and con- 
tractors; Rush Eddy, railroad engineer, 
and others whose sketches appear. 

Alonzo Willson, one of the settlers of 
1865, is a real estate dealer, money loaner 
and broker at Mason City. He came to 
the county prior to its organization, loca- 
ting in Owen township. He came to the 
city in 1878. He bought land, improved 
it and followed farming, buying, selling 
and raising cattle for many years. With 
the benefits derived from the abundant 
pasturage of the prairies, and the success 
which always attends persi.stent effort, he 
has accumulated the capital which 
he has used in his present vocation since 
1878. Mr. Willson was born at Adams 
Center, Jefferson Co., N. Y., JulySl, 1822. 
When he was an infant his parents moved 
to Ontario Co., N. Y., where he remained 
until he was fourteen years of age. His 
father, Thomas B. Willson, a native of 
Windham Co., Vt., born May 10, 1802, 
removed to Jefferson Co., N. Y., at an 
early age, where he married Phebe Wil- 
son, a native of Washington Co., N. Y. 
Thomas B. Willson was of Scotch, and 
■his wife of English descent. They had 
three children, two of whom are now liv- 
ing. The family located at Dead Man's 
Grove, Coles Co , 111., in 18.35, and after- 
wards resided in different counties in that 
State. In 1855 they came to Cerro Gordo 
Co., Iowa, where Mr. Willson engaged 



in teaching school and vocal music during" 
the winters, and mason work in summers. 
Alonzo was reared on a farm, and received 
a fair common school education. On the 
2d of February, 1845, he married Catha- 
rine Reynolds, of Edgar Co., 111. Her 
parents were B. B. and Monica (Brown) 
Reynolds, natives of Maryland. Hi§ wife, 
Monica Brown, while residing in Mary- 
land, near Beardstown, frequently saw 
George Washington, and well remembered 
some of his conversation; also knew Mr. 
Bliss, who then owned a portion of the 
land where Washington City now stands. 
Mr. Reynolds went to Jefferson Co., Wis., 
where he died in 1871, and in 1682 his 
wife died at the age of ninety-eight. Mr 
and Mrs. Alonzo Willson have eight chil- 
dren — Alice J., Bruce A., Emma C, Bu- 
ford B., Leonora A., John D. R., Mary M. 
and Gertrude In 1856 Mr. Willson was 
elected the first justice of the jseace in 
Owen township, and has also held several 
local offices of the county. In 1853, and 
previous to his coming to Cerro Gordo 
county, he took a company of men across 
the plains to California, together with a 
drove of cattle, and there engaged in the 
business of supplying the miners with pro- 
visions, carrying the same with pack mules 
over the mountains. He also ranched in 
Yolo county, on Cache creek, at which 
place he kept his stock. Mr. Willson 
built the first two story log house in Cerro 
Gordo county, and also yet owns the land 
that he entered on the 25th of June, 1855. 
He is one of four residents of the county 
who can show an abstract of title which 
runs no further. 

C. P. Shipley,' job printer, has been a 
resident of Mason City since 1873, and 



98 



^F 



^1 



J^>. 



1002 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



founded the business in which he is now 
engaged in November, 1882. By attention 
to his business and the possessron of the 
requsite skill in his art, he has established 
a successful trade. Mr. Shipley was born 
in Baltimore, Md., May 1, 1851, and 
moved with his parents to Iowa City, in 
1856. • Mr. Shipley was educated at the 
High School and spent four terms at the 
Iowa University. When seventeen years 
old he went into the office of the Iowa City 
Hepublican, a,>i an apprentice, where he re- 
mained two years, lie then went to Buf- 
falo, N. Y., and entered the office of the 
Buffalo Courier for the completion of his 
trade. In 1871 he returned to the Mepvb- 
Ucan office at Iowa City. The next year 
he came to Mason City and was employed 
on the Cerro Gordo Republican and Ex- 
preis, as foreman, where he remained until 
he determined to establish himself inde- 
pendently. He was married in ISIo to 
Maggie, daughter of John L. McMillen. 
She was born in Rockford, 111., in 1853. 
Mr. and Mrs. Shipley have one child — 
Julia Ellen. Mr. Shipley is a charter 
member and past master of the A. O. 
U. W. 

W. W. Blood, builder and contractor, 
came to Mason City in the spring of 1881. 
He employs from five to ten men and has 
superintended the construction of some of 
the finest buildings in northern Iowa. 
Among them the Parker Opera House at 
Mason City. Mr. Blood was born in Sar- 
atoga Co., N. Y. His parents, Sylvester 
and Hannah (Handy) Blood, were natives 
of the same State. They removed with 
their family to Delaware Co., Iowa, where 
Mr. Blood, of this sketch, grew to man- 
hood. At the age of twenty-one years he 



commenced to learn the trade which he 
has since followed. He enlisted in August, 
1862, in company K, 21stIowa Volunteers, 
and was under lire at Vicksburg, Grand 
Gulf, Port Gibson, Champion Hills, Black 
River Bridge, and he wag one season in 
Missouri among the bushwhackers. He 
was mustered out at Baton Rouge, La., 
and discharged at Clinton, Iowa. After 
the close of the war he returned to Dela- 
ware county, where he pursued his trade. 
He was married in 1860 to Lizzie Bryan, 
of Ohio. They have four children — Pearl, 
Edwin, Byron and Lyle. Mr. Blood went 
to Nora Springs, in 1869, where he re- 
mained eleven years He belongs to the 
Baptist Church, and is a member of the 
Odd Fellows' order and of the A. O. U.W. 

E. D. Page, contractor and builder, set- 
tled in Mason City in 1881. He was born 
in Warrenton, Fauquier Co., Va., Nov. 24, 
1852. He is a son of Sidney E., and 
Lisetta (Bagley) Page, who went to Vir- 
ginia in 1850 and remained until driven 
out by the war, in 1863. The family re- 
moved to Camden, Oneida Co., N. Y., 
where the father was employed in a rake 
factory. In 1865 he went to Henry Co., 
Mo., and in 1868 to Rockford, Winnebago 
Co., 111. He settled in Hardin county in 
1874, and two years later removed to 
Clear Lake, Cerro Gordo county. He was 
married at Clear Lake in 1880, to Carrie, 
daughter of Henry Horsmann, of Jo Da- 
viess Co , 111. She was born in 1859. Mr. 
and Mrs. Page have one child — Lillie. Mr. 
Page is prosecuting bis business with 
great success. He employs about fifteen 
men, and his contracts for the current year 
amount in the aggregate to about S20,000. 



"Tli 



r 



k 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



1003 



Rush Eddy, engineer, was born in Cov- 
ington, Ky., Nov. 22, 1855. His parents, 
Augustus and Julia Eddy, were married 
in Medina Co., Ohio, in 1851, and about 
185.3 went to Kentucky. They came to 
Iowa in 1861 and settled in Howard 
county, removing to Winneshiek county 
in 1865. The father died there in 1870. 
Mr. Eddy became an attache of the rail- 
road at the age of fifteen, when he ped- 
dled spikes on the construction corps, and 
his next post was as first newsboy on the 
Calmar division. At si-xteen he obtained 
a place as wiper and began firing at sev- 
enteen. He got his engine in 1877 and is 
now running first-class between Mason 
City and McGregor. His engine was 
ditched near Clear Lake with himself at 
the bottom, where he was held fifty min- 
utes, receiving injuries from which he 
will never recover. Mr. Eddy was mar- 
ried in June, 1876, to Alice McKay. They 
have two children — Charles Rush and 
Blanche Pearl. 

E. R. Bogardus, one of the early settlers 
and enterprising business men of Mason 
City was born in CookCo., 111., Oct. 22, 1850. 
His parents were Robert and Maria (Ver- 
milya) Bogardus, natives of Albany Co., 
N. Y. The family emigrated to Cook Co., 
111., in 1846, where the father died in 1851; 
the mother came to Mason City where she 
died in 1882. She was a member of the 
M. E. Church, and respected by all who 
knew her. The subject of this sketch, 
when nine years old, came lo Cerro Gordo 
county, where he lived in the family of 
Judge Vermilya for a number of years. 
In 1868 he embarked in farming, but not 
liking the business he abandoned it and 
afterwards clerked in a lumber yard. In 



the spring of 1873 he turned his attention 
to building and contracting, since which 
time he has erected some of the substan- 
tial buildings of Mason City, employing 
from ten to twelve men. In 1883 he em- 
barked in the lumber trade. In 1871 he 
was married, in Mason City, to Mary Ran- 
dall, a daughter of Judge Randall, who 
was born in 1855 in Waterloo, Iowa. 
Three children blessed this union — Wini- 
fred May, Buena D. and Ernest E. Mr. 
and Mrs. Bogardus are active members of 
the Methodist Church of Mason City 

William H. Mason was born in Catta- 
raugus Co., N. Y., April 18, 1843. His 
parents were D. B. and Harriet (Starr) 
Mason, the former a native of Massachu- 
setts, and the latter of Danbury, Conn., 
but who emigrated to New York State in 
an early day, where they were joined in 
wedlock, and eleven children were born — 
six sons and five daughters. In 1840 the 
family went to Walworth Co., Wis., and 
in 1858 removed to Butler Co., Iowa. In 
1864 they went to Charles City, and in 
1867 came to Mason City, where they lived 
until 1881, when they returned to Charles 
City, where they still live, Mr. Mason be- 
ing at the advanced age of eighty-three, 
and Mrs. Mason eighty-one years of age. 
They have lived in each other's society as 
man and wife for over sixty-four years. 
William H., the subject of this sketch was, 
educated at Delevan, Wis., and Beloit 
College. In 1861 he enlisted in the 7th 
Iowa Volunteer Infantry, company B. He 
participated in the engagement at Belmont 
Mo., where he was wounded in the right 
hand, and taken prisoner, but was soon 
paroled and exchanged. He participated 
at Fort Henry, Fort Donelson, Shiloh, 






.^? 



1004 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 






first battle of Corintb, second battle of 
luka, Chickamauga, Mission Ridge, march 
to the sea, and at the grand review at 
Washington, D. C. In the fall of 1865 he 
was married to Mary Dunn of Kenosha, 
Wis. Two children blessed this union, 
one of whom is living — Fernia. In 
1874 Mr. Mason was appointed deputy 
sheriff, by H. H. Scheli, serving nearly four 
years. In the winter of 1869-TO he built 
the first livery stable in the city, which is 
now occupied by S. W. Keeney and estab- 
lished the first livery and omnibus busi- 
ness. Mr. Mason has 190 acres of valua- 
ble land in Mason township, valued at 
#35 per acre. He is a member of the 
Grand Army of the Republic. 

Parker's opera house. 

During the summer of 1883 Hon. H. 
G. Parker and his cousin, A. T. Parker, 
erected one of the most substantial and 
imposing opera houses in all the north- 
west. The building is 24x130 feet. It 
is constructed of Mason City lime stone, 
except the corners of the front, which are 
from the Anamosa quarries. Itis trimmed 
with a beautiful, galvanized cornice and 
lighted by gas furnished by the gasoline 
plan. The opera hall proper has a seat- 
ing capacity of from 900 to 1,000. In 
order to get a basement of the proper 
depth, many weeks of tedious blasting had 
to be done, as the strata of lime stone at 
this point cropped out nearly to the sur- 
face. William Foster, of Des Moines, was 
the designing draughtsman, Farrell & 
White, contractors of the stone work, 
and W. W. Blood, the carpenter work. 
The ground floor of the block was first 
occupied by Wright & Congar, dry goods 



dealers. The cost of this building was 

|;30,ooo. 

MASON CITY LIME KILNS. 

The first lime burned in Cerro Gordo 
county was burned by Elisha Randall, by 
placing limestone in a brush heap. This 
rude lime kiln, constructed in 1855, was 
made to produce a small amount of lime 
for plastering up a chimney. Mr. Ran- 
dall, a little later, constructed a regular 
kiln and produced the first lime sold and 
used in the county, and continued in the 
business for many years. Upon the com- 
pletion of the railroad to Mason City, he, 
with the other members of what was 
known as the Mason City White Lime and 
Stone Company, burned large amounts of 
lime for shipment to distant parts of Iowa 
and Minnesota. In 1872 Mr. Randall 
invented and patented what is known as 
Randalls Perpetual Lime Kiln, which is 
being adopted in nearly every part of the 
country, and from which he is receiving a 
good royalty. 

Another company engaged in business 
in 1874, and during the summer of 1875, 
notwithstanding the June floods, causing 
the proprietors of these lime work much 
delay, they burned and shipped 4,000 
bushels of white lime, averaging four 
car loads per day of building stone, the 
same season. They kept fifteen men con- 
stantly in their employ, even when the 
concern was in its infancy. They shipped 
large amounts hundreds of miles to the 
south and west. Thus it will be seen 
the lime and stone business of Mason City, 
even at this early period, was assuming 
no small proportions. 

William 0. Barnard, another extensive 
lime burner and shipper, also dealer in 



ayr 



Ja_ 



HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 



1005 



hard and soft ceal, was born in Otsego 
Co., N. Y., March 4, 1819 His parents 
were Charles E. and Laurinda (Osborn) 
Barnard. The subject of this sketch 
received a liberal education, and at the 
age of seventeen went to New York city, 
where he was employed as clerk by Plum, 
Crandall & Co., whom he served about 
one year. In 1840 he went to Cortland 
Co., N. Y. embarking in the mercantile 
trade. A year later he married Catharine 
E. Allyn. In 1862 he sold his business" 
and engaged in the manufacture of wooden 
ware, employing as many as sixty men. 
In 1866 his establishment was destroyed by 
fire, causing him a loss of 1^12,000. In 
1871 he came to Mason City. Mr. and 
Mrs. Barnard are the parents of two 
children — Laurinda S., wife of William 
H. Allyn, Jr., and Lucias A., of the firm 
of Barnard & Son. Mrs. Barnard died in 
18T9. 

Captain J. J. O'Rourk, merchant 
tailor of Mason City, came here in 18*75, 
and soon after established his present 
business. He was born in Baltimore, Md., 
Sept. 5, 1853. His parents came from 
the Emerald Isle to America in 1853, set- 
tling in 1864, at Ann Arbor, Mich. There, 
in his father's tailor shop. Captain O'Rourk 
learned his trade, completing its details at 
Chicago in 1874. He has quite an exten- 
sive business, and employs about a half 
dozen assistants. Captain O'Rourk was 
married in August, 1881, to Katie, daugh- 



ter of S. D. Wright, of Wisconsin. They 
hav» one child — Maurice W. Captain 
O'Rourk is a member of the State militia, 
also of the I. O. O. F. 

William Penney came to Iowa in 1872. 
He purchased 240 acres of wild land in 
Lake and Mason townships, and now has 
a fine farm under excellent cultivation, 
with good out buildings and a fine res- 
dence, pleasantly located in a natural 
grove on section 1, of Lake township. He 
is a blacksmith by trade, having learned 
it when seventeen years age, but is now 
occupied in farming. He was born in 
Mt. Hope, Orange Co., N. Y., April 13, 
1827. When twelve years old his parents 
moved to Sullivan county, where he re- 
mained five years, then returned to Orange, 
where he was three years learning his 
trade. He was married in January, 1852, 
to Fannie M. Harding, of Mt. Hope. He 
then moved to Cattaraugus county, where 
he bought a farm and engaged in farming 
eight years, when he disposed of the farm 
and opened a smith shop at Little Valley, 
N. Y. His wife died there in 1864, leav- 
ing two children — Myron and Addie De 
Ett. He then sold his shop, returning to 
his father's home, spent the summer, and 
removed in the fall to Elk Co., Penn., 
where he worked at his trade. He was 
again married March 28, 1867, to Harriet 
A. Harding, a cousin of his first wife and 
a native of Mt. Hope. They then re- 
moved to Iowa to their present home. 



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